Acupuncture is holistic medicine. That means acupuncturists look at the body as a whole system with each organ and cell affecting the health of every other organ and cell in the body.
The fluid environment in which the organs and cells live and communicate with each other sets the tone for your health. So if the body’s fluids and tissues are too acidic or too alkaline, one’s health can be compromised. In fact, some doctors believe that “the countless names of illnesses do not really matter. What does matter is that they all come from the same root cause…too much tissue acid waste in the body!” (Theodore A. Baroody, N.D., D.C., Ph.D. in Alkalize or Die)
Researchers find that most people are too “acidic;” that is, their pH is below 7 on a 14 point pH measuring scale. (The lower the pH, the more acidic the solution; the higher the pH, the more alkaline (or base) the solution is. A solution is neither acid nor alkaline when it has a pH of 7, which is neutral.) Using a common test strip which can be purchased online, it is very easy to test your own pH using urine or saliva.
If your pH is too acidic, your body borrows minerals – such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium – from vital organs and bones to neutralize and remove the acid. Although high acidity may not be outwardly noticeable, it can severely affect your overall health in a negative way.
Too much acidity can cause such problems as:
- An internal terrain which supports disease and critters.
- Cardiovascular damage, including the constriction of blood vessels and the reduction of oxygen.
- Weak, brittle bones, hip fractures and bone spurs.
- Weight gain, obesity and diabetes.
- Joint pain, aching muscles and lactic acid buildup.
- Low energy and chronic fatigue.
- Bladder and kidney conditions, including kidney stones.
- Immune deficiency.
- Acceleration of free radical damage, possibly contributing to cancerous mutations.
- Premature aging.
What Causes One to Be Acidic?
A diet high in acid-producing foods like meat, eggs and dairy and too low in alkaline-producing foods like fresh vegetables is the cause of too much acidity in the body. Additionally, white flour, sugar, coffee and soft drinks push the acidity level up. Drugs, which are acid-forming, and artificial chemical sweeteners like NutraSweet, Equal, or aspartame, are extremely acid-forming too.
One of the best things you can do to correct an overly-acidic body is to clean up the diet and lifestyle. Here is a food chart showing which foods are acidic and which foods are more alkaline. By eating from the alkaline side of the chart and avoiding foods from the acidic side of the chart, you will sustain an internal terrain which will not support disease and critters.
| Most Acidic | Acidic | Lowest in Acidity | FOOD CATEGORY | Lowest Alkaline | Alkaline | Most Alkaline |
| NutraSweet, Equal, Aspartame, Sweet ‘N Low | White Sugar, Brown Sugar | Processed Honey, Molasses | SWEETENERS | Raw Honey, Raw Sugar | Maple Syrup, Rice Syrup | Stevia |
| Blueberries, Cranberries, Prunes | Sour Cherries, Rhubarb | Plums, Processed Fruit Juices | FRUITS | Oranges, Bananas, Cherries, Pineapple, Peaches, Avocados | Dates, Figs, Melons, Grapes, Papaya, Kiwi, Berries, Apples, Pears, Raisins | Lemons, Watermelon, Limes, Grapefruit, Mangoes, Papayas |
| Chocolate | Potatoes (without skins), Pinto Beans, Navy Beans, Lima Beans | Cooked Spinach, Kidney Beans, String Beans | BEANS VEGETABLES LEGUMES | Carrots, Tomatoes, Fresh Corn, Mushrooms, Cabbage, Peas, Potato Skins, Olives, Soybeans, Tofu | Okra, Squash, Green Beans, Beets, Celery, Lettuce, Zucchini, Sweet Potato, Carob | Asparagus, Onions, Vegetable Juices, Parsley, Raw Spinach, Broccoli, Garlic |
| Peanuts, Walnuts | Pecans, Cashews | Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower Seeds | NUTS SEEDS | Chestnuts | Almonds | |
| Corn Oil | OILS | Canola Oil | Flax Seed Oil | Olive Oil | ||
| Wheat, White Flour, Pastries, Pasta | White Rice, Corn, Buckwheat, Oats, Rye | Sprouted Wheat Bread, Spelt, Brown Rice | GRAINS CEREALS | Amaranth, Millet, Wild Rice, Quinoa | ||
| Beef, Pork, Shellfish | Turkey, Chicken, Lamb | Venison, Cold Water Fish | MEATS | |||
| Cheese, Homogenized Milk, Ice Cream | Raw Milk | Eggs, Butter, Yogurt, Buttermilk, Cottage Cheese | EGGS DAIRY | Soy Cheese, Soy Milk, Goat Milk, Goat Cheese, Whey | Breast Milk | |
| Beer, Soft Drinks | Coffee | Tea | BEVERAGES | Ginger Tea | Green Tea | Herb Teas, Lemon Water |
http://www.reynoldsoffice.com/ph.htm
In addition to eating according to the above food chart to lower your pH, add steps 1 through 5 below and continue adding steps until desired results are achieved.
1. Enzymes are essential: Take 1-2 capsules of digestive enzymes with every meal. If you have both over-acidic urine and saliva, also take 1-2 capsules of Protease, which is an enzyme, between meals on an empty stomach.
2. Correct calcium is needed: Take coral calcium each day. This is a very alkalizing form of calcium.
3. Alkaline minerals are essential: Take colloidal minerals daily and/or take 1 teaspoon of liquid chlorophyll in water up to eight times daily.
4. Anything green is alkaline: Eat more fruits and vegetables and less animal products. Drink fresh-made vegetable juice.
5. Vitamin A & D hold calcium in the body. Taking Vitamins A & D will help the body buffer acid.
By doing all or some of these things, you will become proactive in creating an internal environment which will not support disease taking hold. In this way, you’ll be working with your acupuncturist to create a healthy body.
