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Alkalising for Optimal Health and Longevity

Posted on by Zoe Braithwaite
14
Oct
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!” – Dr. Theodore A. Baroody in his book Alkalize or Die
  • Acid/ Alkali “Ph” ~ 7.4  is a balanced ph.  If the ph drops it becomes more acidic, if it increases, it is more alkaline.
  • A normal nucleus of a cell has a ph of 5 and the outside cytoplasm has a ph of 8 – the flow of electrons between the nucleus and cytoplasm is said to be it’s “ Life Force”.
    If the ph of the blood reduces ( becomes too acidic) , so does the ph of the cytoplasm, reducing the flow of electrons within the cell and causing the life force to be reduced and the cell to die.
  • The most significant effect on blood ph includes diet and how we breath.
DIET 
  • For optimal health ( maintaining a ph of ~ 7.4) , a 80 / 20 Alkaline / Acid food balance is recommended
  • A diet that leaves more alkaline residues in the blood, includes Fresh Fruits and Vege, Nuts, Seeds, Pulses, Fresh Herbs.
  • A diet that leaves more acidic residues in the blood includes Dairy, Meat, Grains, Alcohol, Coffee and Processed foods
  • A diet high in raw food alkalise the blood
    Raw food is high in anti-oxidants and therefore detoxes the body and slows down the aging process.
  • Other scientifically proven benefits to a high alkaline diet include ~
    – Vasodilation – widening of blood vessels increases blood flow to muscles and other tissue, especially to the brain.
    –  The synovial fluid in the joints is made less viscous (runnier) – increasing the ROM and flexibility in the joints as well as reducing risk and symptoms of  arthritis.
    – Calcium leaching from the bones and teeth is reduced. Calcium is taken ( “leached”) from the bones to balance out excess acid in the body.
    Less acidity in the blood reduces the probability of osteoporosis and teeth decay.
    – Significantly reduces risk of Heart Diseases.  Angina, strokes, and other heart diseases are caused by a build-up of plaque in the walls of the arteries, that blocks the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart and the brain.
    This plaque is made up of cholesterol and calcium salts ( created when the calcium leached binds to the acid residue that the body is trying to neutralize)
    – The LifeForce ( electrochemical potential) which assists in the transportation of substances across cell membranes is increased.
    – Anaerobic workout load is made easier and recovery time quicker. Increased acidity in the blood causes the body to have more difficulty dealing with the metabolic products of anaerobic metabolism e.g. lactic acid.
 
BREATH
  • Slowing the breath down ( taking fewer breaths per minute, even learning to hold the breath for periods of time)  builds up the carbon dioxide in the blood which turns into carbonic acid, increasing the acidity in the blood. This is a useful way to balance the acidity in a high alkaline diet
  • “ Hyperventilation” ( rapid breathing ) reduces carbonic acid, alkalising the blood. It can be used intentionally at the beginning of a workout to make the synovial fluid less viscous and increase the flexibility in the joints.
    When rapid breathing is the body’s automatic way of balancing out excess acidity in the blood, as the body does with calcium leaching, there can be adverse effects e.g. putting stress on the respiratory system ( including exacerbating the symptoms of asthma), and stress on the nervous system.
On a Personal Note –
 
LEARNING OBJECTIVE:  Optimal Health
PATHWAY:                           Correct diet, breathing and exercise.
MOTIVATION:                     To have a harmonious relationship with myself and the world around me
  • I have eaten mostly raw since I was 19.  I learned from an early age that a diet that sustained my energy levels and didn’t make me tired or bloated was best for my mind, body, and productivity levels.
  • To me, raw reflects a sense of being clean and fresh. I eat salads with seeds, a wide variety of fruits and spend a lot of time grazing on celery, carrot, apples, pears, melon, nuts etc. and drinking smoothies.
    To me,  giving the body less to digest at once results in more energy for other things.
  • Being Lactose Intolerant ( having low levels of lactase enzymes to digest the protein lactose) and FODMAPS ( can’t process pulses or beans ), I eat bits of steak and fish from time to time to help balance my acid levels.
  • I also eat good quality protein bars, drink coffee, have protein powder in smoothies as well as slow down my breath to balance the acidity.
  • Luckily, I can easily digest yogurt and along with kombucha, I find this very helpful for gut bacteria balance.
  • References: My knowledge has come from study and experience over the last 20 years.
    My long time yoga teacher and friend, Simon Borg Olivier  who i have studied the anatomy and physiology of yoga has been a massive resource of knowledge and inspiration
  • “Applied Anatomy and Physiology of Yoga” – Simon Borg – Olivier
  • Functional Movement Program that supports the Alkaline Diet: 
    I prescribe to a functional movement workout program that
    ~ creates a balance of strength and length across multi-directional planes of movement
    ~ enhances adaptability to a variety of movement forms
    ~ reduces the risk of injury
    ~ brings an overall sense of ease to the body from the inherent stability of structure throughout.
    Check out my blog on functional movement here
Zoe Braithwaite