Bone Health and Acid Alkaline balance: How to restore bone health

Dr. Susan E. Brown in her study on ‘Acid Alkaline Balance and Its Effect on Bone Health’, observes that most of our bones are in “woeful shape” and that osteoporosis is a “hidden tax of high-tech living” we pay every day. True. Brittle bones, damaged soft tissues and painful joints are becoming the order of the day for most people world over. Without any physical strain or heavy-sweating labor, people become victims of bad bones due to their dietary practices and lifestyle-related changes. Our acidic nature also obstructs our enzymatic, immunologic and repair mechanisms that happen well only in an  alkaline environment.

Bone Health and Acid Alkaline Balance: Bone health is very closely connected to acid alkaline balance. Though our body is basically slightly alkaline by nature, we produce a great deal of acids during our internal processes. Our pH falls below 7.0, resulting in an acidic environment. This acidic environment has to be buffered or neutralized for the body to function properly. If not, we will become vulnerable to many health disorders right from arthritis, osteoporosis to cancer. Our body produces acids in three ways:

1. Though our body’s internal environment remains alkaline with a pH slightly above 7.0, all our metabolic activities produce only acids. When these acids increase in proportion and create an acidic environment inside the body, we incur what is called metabolic acidosis. Sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, uric acid and amino acids are produced during the digestion process.

2. Added to this, we produce lactic acid when we exercise or move our body parts. Acidic by nature, lactic acid is excreted by exhalation of carbon dioxide.

3. Our body produces acidic by-products as a response to stress and to establish immunity (in the form on allergies).

Body’s emergency mechanisms: Body uses different emergency mechanisms to restore pH balance. One of them is to use mineral reserves available in the bones to solidify acids and alkalize the body environment. Minerals like magnesium, calcium and potassium etc are depleted in this process. Once the demand exceeds the mineral reserves available in the bones, bone health fails, leading to osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis and other autoimmune conditions.

How to restore bone health: Alkaline diet. Changing your dietary patterns is crucial in getting rid of your acidic body environment. Take a lot of fruits, vegetables that contain potassium citrate, potassium malate and calcium. Take supplements produced by authentic manufacturers. Say NO to processed foods, especially foods that are acidifying in nature. Only if you re-charge your bones with minerals and increase your body’s mineral reserves you can neutralize the underlying metabolic acidity that is the common denominator of every other internal body activity.

Taking low fat, low carb, high fiber foods and lots of alkaline water should help you restore your pH. Continuing on such a rich alkaline diet should improve your body’s alkalinity, thereby increasing your resistance to diseases.