Understanding the body’s pH values can be confusing and the controversy amongst natural health practitioners regarding what value is optimal can be frustrating.  I have studied this and to me it can simply be understood by knowing what range the pH (I will be addressing the saliva pH) must be in order for the cells to absorb the optimal amount of minerals.

Fluid bathes all the cells within the body.  This fluid also allows nutrients to go into the cells and toxins to come out.  If the fluid is between 6.3 and 6.6, the cells can accept nutrients and release toxins easily.  

If the pH of the fluid is off, the cell's outer membrane becomes a little thicker to protect the cell.  Much like the body will protect the hand by toughening the skin to a callous.

Some people find the above chart difficult to apply to their pH testing, so I have used that chart's information and put it into charts that may be easier to use.

• Normal Levels of 6.3-6.6 being optimal state
• Stage 1 of imbalance below 6.3,  an acidic state
• Stage 2 of imbalance above 6.6,  an alkaline state
• Stage 3 of imbalance below 5.5,  a very acidic state

Let's explain what causes the body to flow from one state of imbalance to another.  When we eat more acidic foods than alkalizing foods, our body can rob minerals from the bones and tissue (typically there is a little extra minerals in bones and tissue which are used as a mineral reserve) to buffer the acid for only so long..... then our overall pH starts to become acidic.... Hence stage1 of imbalance, below 6.3

The body, out of necessity, goes into stage 2 of trying to protect itself from this imbalance when the bone and tissue minerals are desperately low and it is no longer safe to rob any more from them.  The body will then commission the liver to produce ammonia.  Since ammonia is SO alkalizing it takes the saliva's pH to above 6.6. Other than medication, this is the only way the body becomes alkaline... It is never from eating too many alkalizing foods.

Many people think that being alkaline is the opposite of being acidic, when, in fact, if you follow the steps the body is taking, alkalinity it the consequence of being very acidic.... It indicates that the body has, in desperation, produced ammonia to compensate for the robbed minerals due to an over abundance of acid.

Although ammonia protects the tissue from being burned by the acid, it, in itself, is a poison and still adversely affects the cells of the body.

I know of one gentleman who knew just from his symptoms that is pH was alkaline.

The ammonia caused him to have "fuzziness" in his thinking, his head not being clear.  He knew the ammonia was affecting his mind.

When the liver is no longer able to produce ammonia, the body is thrown into stage 3 where the pH goes to 5.5 or below.   I am sure you have heard people say that acid feeds cancer... More accurately said would be. Acid allows cancer to thrive.

 It is common for the body to develop abnormal cells.   I have heard it said we all develop cancer several times in our life but our immune system eradicates them without us being aware.

It does so by the use of enzymes.   When there is an abnormal cell, the immune system pulls enzymes from the digestive system and carries them to the abnormal cell.   The enzyme props open a pore of the abnormal cell allowing the surrounding fluid to rush in… causing it to burst, much like putting a balloon on a faucet and turning on the water, causing the balloon burst.   The abnormal cell being burst into small pieces can then be carried away by the lymphocytes, within the lymphatic fluid.  

Enzymes can not work in an acidic medium.  So if the fluid that surrounds the cells of the body is acidic, that acid kills the enzymes before they can work on the abnormal cells.  Hence the cells live on un-assaulted and in too large of pieces for the lymphocytes to manage.

Hopefully, you have a clearer understanding why having the body's  pH balanced is imperative to good health.  The body's cells simply cannot absorb specific nutrients if the pH is out of its optimal range.  Often a person can experience an allergic reaction to the nutrient because the body cannot utilize it. 

What causes an imbalanced state?  The answer is simply by severely lacking minerals.  The 4 most important minerals for pH balancing are potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sodium (natural sodium, not salt).  These minerals fall into the 7.7-8.5 range, fairly easy to absorb. 

A diet of 80% raw fruits and veggies is not only an ideal diet preferred by most natural health practitioners but is needed to balance the pH.  I have also seen some people are lacking enzymes therefore they are unable to digest the raw foods they consume thus they find themselves not absorbing minerals. 

For those people unable to eat  80% of their diet in raw foods for various reasons and their pH value is above 6.6, I typically recommend adding a supplement called Liquid Calcium, starting with 1 tablespoon. twice daily with a meal for children and 1 ounce twice a day for adults. LiquidCalcium  by Nature's Sunshine was specifically developed to lower the pH from the alkaline state while building up the mineral reserve so the body will shut off the ammonia production. 

If the bowels aren't moving a least twice daily or your heart appears to "flutter", these are indications that you are in need of more Magnesium.  Start with 1 tablet, increasing  as needed as bowel tolerates (staying below diarrhea).

 If the pH is in the acidic state, stages 2 or 4, I would recommend adding Calcium-Magnesium Syner-Pro  for children/adults under the age of  35.  For ages over 35, I would suggest Skeletal Strength,..... Why 2 different products?  Under the age of 35 the ratio of Calcium to Magnesium should be 2 to 1 and over the age of 35 the ratio should be 1 to 1. [Please refer to the article on Bone Health and Injury for details regarding the proper calcium supplements.  Not all calcium supplements are equal!]

At times supplementing Calcium and Magnesium is not enough so my next step would be to suggest Liquid Chlorophyll, I do include Colloidal Minerals in my children's diet as I believe it gives them a balanced mineral supply and I also make sure they take Enzymes to help digest their food.  Digesting properly is absolutely vital for good health. 

It takes a little more work for some people to balance their pH because their bodies are severely lacking minerals. Adding Potassium, one of the four main minerals we discussed above may be necessary to add to the diet.  A couple of signals that would indicate one is lacking potassium are swollen ankles, cramps in calves at night (Charlie horses), and bags under the eyes.  At this point I would suggest adding Parsley which increases potassium. One to two handfuls a day would be needed or you can supplement with Parsley capsules.  

 If one's pH is still not balanced, I would suggest adding natural sodium (not salt) to their diet. Cucumbers and watermelon are good sources of sodium. Slippery Elm is an excellent source of sodium and has so many other benefits, such as building the lining in the esophagus and intestines and is full of nutrients.  It is very soothing and at the same time will draw toxins and impurities out of the body.  It has been recorded George Washington and his troops lived off of Slippery Elm during the time when food was scarce.   It not only nourished their bodies, but it soothed the dysentery they had developed.

I would not spend my money on alkalizing water.  It's a big money making business and your body will still be lacking minerals.  Your body's pH will not stay balanced without minerals. Our bodies need minerals for good health.  Enzymes, another building block to good health are also important in that they will help you to absorb the key minerals.

As you can see, when analyzed, pH is not all that confusing, and its importance is monumental to your health.

For your convenience, we have added below a food chart of acidic/alkaline foods.  It is a modified chart of Dr. Theodore Baroody, Ph.D., N.D. author of ALKALIZE OR DIE.

Keep in mind your diet should be 20% acidic and 80% alkaline foods to maintain a correct pH balance, no matter what your pH.