Alkaline Diet

This page is devoted to an alkaline diet. One of the things that I read over and over again as I recuperated from my cancer surgeries was that maintaining our bodies in a slightly alkaline state is better for our health.

Why Be Concerned?

Many folks think that their bodies require a neutral pH but that simply isn't true. Our skin has an acid mantle with a slightly acidic pH while our insides (our blood) should be more alkaline with a slightly alkaline pH.

Photo by Jerry Holtaway

The Standard American Diet (known as SAD in some circles) is highly acidic. In general, meat, dairy and grains leave an acidic residue after they have been metabolized while fruits and vegetables result in an alkaline state.

As there have been no well-designed clinical studies on the effects of an acidic vs. alkaline diet, many doctors and nutritionists do not encourage their patients to try an alkaline diet. However, a USDA study has shown that alkaline foods do prevent muscle and bone loss.

Since our bodies are designed to function best with pH of 7.35 - 7.45 why age our bodies faster with an acidic diet? If you do choose to follow an alkaline diet, be sure to check with your doctor first to be sure that it won't exacerbate any medical condition you may already have.

Here are a few tips to get you started.

• Don't assume that your body is acidic. Get some saliva or urine test strips from the pharmacy and find out. A too alkaline body is just as bad as a too acidic body. Strive to keep your body between a pH of 7 and 7.5.
• Don't drink soda, coffee or tea. Instead drink water or unsweetened fruit juices. Squeeze a lemon in your water to increase the alkalinity.
• Eat lots of veggies. Have them already cut up in your fridge so that you're not tempted to grab an unhealthy snack. Make a big salad to nibble on or to eat for lunch or dinner.
• Don't forgo all acidic forming foods, just limit them.
• Stay away from artificial sweeteners. They are very acidic. Honey, maple syrup and agave nectar are only slightly acidic. Stevia is the only alkaline sweetener.

Any stress on our bodies can cause aging. I am trying to keep my body in a more alkaline state by putting lemons in my water, eating more veggies (especially green ones) and skipping meat in most meals. I also drink a citrus energy drink that is alkaline forming. Remember, an alkaline diet isn't a cure-all, but it could provide another weapon in your antiaging arsenal.