pH Balancing Simplified

Maintaining the proper balance in the body's pH can positively affect all major body systems, especially the digestive, intestinal, circulatory, respiratory and immune systems. This balance protects the oxygen affinity of hemoglobin in the blood. A pH-balanced environment maintains proper metabolic function and allows the body to function optimally.

Understanding pH
pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. The lower the pH number, the more acidic the solution is. The higher the pH number, the more alkaline the solution is.

Your Body's Chemistry
In a healthy young adult, water accounts for approximately 70 percent of the total body weight. This water occupies two main compartments within the body; the intracellular (inside the cell) compartment and the extracellular (outside the cell) compartment. It is vital for these two compartments to balance and maintain an ideal pH range. Many vital bodily functions, including digestion, enzyme activity and hormone balance, are completely dependent upon the body to maintain this ideal balance. If the pH is properly balanced, the bodily fluids will clearly demonstrate this factor. Ideally, the pH of the saliva will be 6.5-6.8, and the urine pH will fluctuate between 6.0 and 7.0.

Maintaining a perfect pH can be difficult. Fortunately, the body has three primary systems for maintaining ideal pH: the respiratory system, the urinary system and the gastrointestinal system, including the liver and pancreas. Even with these built-in protective systems, poor diet, stress, dehydration, chemicals and lack of exercise can impact this delicate balance.

Have you checked your pH today?
Balanced pH readings in urine and saliva means a balanced body It is important for you to test your pH level to determine your body's pH.

By using Nature's Sunshine pH test strips, you can determine your pH factor quickly and easily in the privacy of your own home. The most accurate time to test the saliva and urine samples is first thing in the morning, before the teeth are brushed or any food or fluid is consumed. If your urinary pH fluctuates between 6.0 and 7.0 during the course of the day, your body is functioning within a normal range. If your saliva stays between 6.4 and 6.8 all day, your body is functioning within a normal range. Test your pH two days a week.

What You Don't Know About Your pH Might Surprise You

Acidic Tendencies in the Body
Many people have a pH that is "acidic." The body may borrow some minerals - including calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium - from vital organs and bones to buffer the acidic level.

Alkaline Tendencies in the Body
Though less common than acidity, alkalinity in the body may affect the same kinds of functions as acidity. It often takes more support and time for a person who has alkaline tendencies to achieve optimal balance, because the body may be less capable of excreting acids through the kidneys, and the liver and the bowel may compensate by producing other substances.

Maintaining balance in the body's pH may affect your health in many ways:

• Hormone levels
• Cardiovascular health
• Weight gain/loss
• Bladder and kidney efficiency
• Immune function
• Free radical damage
• Structural system integrity
• Liver function
• Energy levels
• Digestionand elimination
• Microbiological environment