You may be a fitness freak, may be super cautious when it comes to oily and other unhealthy food but did you know that the chicken, fish and oatmeal that you’ve been living on to get that beefed up look may actually be bad for you in the long run?
There have been growing concerns around the world that most individuals do not meet their required alkaline intake. But pray explain what an alkaline intake is?
An alkaline diet is a diet that emphasizes, to a varying degree, fresh fruit, vegetables, roots and tubers, nuts, and legumes. Almost all foods that we eat, after being digested, absorbed, and metabolized, release either an acid or an alkaline base (bicarbonate) into blood. Grains, fish, meat, poultry, shellfish, cheese, milk, and salt all produce acid whereas consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables increases the alkaline base.
Our blood is slightly alkaline, with a normal pH level of between 7.35 and 7.45. In order to be free from illnesses and major health issues it is necessary to maintain your pH levels by consuming enough alkaline producing foods. The ratio that is considered healthy is 80% alkaline to 20% acid food. Unfortunately, most people consume the reverse. ie. 20% alkaline and 80% acid foods which disrupt the pH levels and promote the loss of essential minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, and sodium. If the body is consuming more acid than it is designed for, it finds a readily available supply of something alkaline to maintain equilibrium by leeching the calcium from your bones. Scary, eh?
It is a nutrition fact that foods and beverages such as meat, coffee, alcohol, sugar, dairy, and refined flour products are acid forming. Consuming too many of these and not enough alkaline foods can lead to all sorts of health problems, not the least of which is bone weakness. The best whole food sources for calcium are broccoli, green leafy vegetables, and other alkaline foods in the fresh produce section.
Although conventional doctors do believe that increasing consumption of fruit and vegetables and reducing intake of meat, salt, and refined grains is beneficial to health, most doctors do not believe that an acid-producing diet is the core of chronic illness. In conventional medicine, there is evidence, however, that alkaline diets may help prevent the formation of calcium kidney stones, osteoporosis, and age-related muscle wasting.
Keep in mind that pH balance is just one of many considerations when choosing a balanced diet. Consult your doctor and get in the habit of regular health check ups before following any diet.
Stay Healthy!
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