How Acidic Blood Works Against You

The circulatory system of the human body comprises of three essential components; blood vessels, blood, and the heart. The circulatory system plays a vital role in keeping the body healthy, as it is responsible for transporting nutrients, oxygen, and cells from one place to another. Having emphasized the importance of the circulatory system, one can only imagine when it is affected adversely one way or the other. The functions of this system are hindered when our blood’s acidic level increases. This disruption is mainly caused by chemical imbalances taking place in our body.

Causes of Blood Acidity

The acidity of our blood is measured by determining its pH level. If the pH level is low, then the blood acidity is very high, however, if the pH value is high then the blood nature is tilting towards basic. The ideal pH value of our blood should be around 7.4.

A lot of the processes of our body produce acid, and our kidneys and lungs are able to compensate slight imbalances of pH levels. But any problems with these organs lead to the condition of acidosis.

Respiratory Acidosis

This is the result of excess C02 deposits in the body. (Dorman, Sullivan, & Pitts, 1953) Normally it is the function of our lungs to get rid of the excess level of C02 as we breathe, but sometimes our body fails in doing so due to one of the following reasons:

• Breathing difficulty due to obesity
• Weakening of the chest muscles
• Chronic conditions such as asthma
• Overuse of alcohol or misuse of sedatives
• Any injury to the chest
• Structural deformation of the chest
• Issues with the nervous system

Metabolic Acidosis

This type of acidosis forms in the kidneys instead of the lungs. Normally it is caused by excessive emission of base or when the kidneys aren’t able to rid the body of enough acid. Metabolic acidosis has three types, namely:

• The first kind is the Diabetic acidosis which develops in people who have not managed their diabetes well. This results in the development of ketones in the body which acidify our blood.
• The loss of sodium bicarbonate results in Hyperchloremic acidosis. The essential function of this base is to keep the blood at a neutral level. 
• The development of an excess amount of Lactic acid leads to Lactic acidosis. 

There are a number of other factors which contribute towards metabolic acidosis, such as:

·         Kidney failure

·         Consuming a diet which is high on fat and low carbohydrates

·         Poisoning caused by methanol or aspirin

·         Dehydration 

Negative Effects of Acidosis on the Body

Acidic blood or acidosis has a highly negative impact on your health. Acidosis is toxic for your system and will reduce the functioning ability of your organs and cells. Impaired cells can weaken the immune system, making it hard for your body to combat virus and bacteria. This will increase your likelihood of contracting diseases.

Moreover, when cells are unable to carry oxygen through the blood, they will not be able to utilize the nutrients effectively and therefore, will make you feel fatigued, less energetic and weak. This condition will give rise to several health problems as well. (Schwalfenberg, 2011)

How to Prevent This?

If you want to prevent the development of this condition, then you need to avoid drinking carbonated drinks and stop eating junk food. Apart from this, you will also benefit from increasing the intake of alkaline foods like organic and fresh vegetables and fruits.

Bibliography

Dorman, P. J., Sullivan, W. J., & Pitts, R. F. (1953). THE RENAL RESPONSE TO ACUTE RESPIRATORY ACIDOSIS. U.S. National Library of Medicine . http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1073534/pdf/jcinvest00738-0092.pdf

Schwalfenberg, G. K. (2011). The Alkaline Diet: Is There Evidence That an Alkaline pH Diet Benefits Health? U.S. National Library of Medicine . http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3195546/

Going Raw For Optimal Immunity

The fast paced lifestyle of today leaves no time to look after our bodies and our health. Unhealthy routines, sleep deprivation, stress and unwholesome eating habits have given way to problems like obesity, diabetes, cardiac issues and weakening of the immune system. 

Lack of physical activity and a heavy dependence on processed and convenience foods has also majorly contributed to health problems. According to a research on the impact of fast food on immunity, the typical western diet includes high amounts of saturated fats, omega-6 fatty acids, excessive salt and refined sugar. A routine diet that is rich in such content can damage the heart and kidneys immensely. (Myles, 2014)

Additionally, you are exposed to a number of harmful toxins everyday at home and at work, through the air you breathe and the food you eat. A weakened immune system is thus, prone to chronic allergies, frequent colds and is unable to defend the body against viruses. An unhealthy diet can make your body deficient of vitamins, trace minerals and carotenoids and can weaken immune response. (Langseth, 1999)

What your body needs is a thorough cleansing to improve your health and to strengthen your immune system. A few alterations to the diet can positively impact your health in the long run. Going raw can considerably lower the risk of contracting chronic diseases.

Cooking fruits and vegetables can destroy the micronutrients present in them. Therefore, consuming raw fruits is the best way to detoxify and cleanse the system. Read on to know how a raw diet can help you.

Phytochemicals

Nonnutrient bioactive plant compounds; phytochemicals are found in vegetables, fruits and grains. They are known to reduce the risk of severe chronic diseases and help protect the cellular system of the body from oxidative damage. 

Phytochemicals are present in a number of diverse forms in plants and organic foods. Carotenoids and flavonoids are two such forms. Carotenoids are orange, red and yellow compounds usually found in fruits and vegetables. Common examples are B-carotene and lycopene.

On the other hand, all organic foods contain flavonoids, which are responsible for the blue and red colors in plants, fruits and vegetables, and are credited for some typical flavors as well. (Langseth, 1999)

According to research, phytochemicals play a key role in preventing a disease in the colon, lung, oral cavity, cervix, breast, esophagus, stomach, bladder, ovary and pancreas. Out of 156 dietary studies, 128 studies concluded that fruits and vegetables have a crucial protective effect on the human body. The intake of foods with high content of phytochemicals also lowers the risk of cardiovascular diseases. (Liu, 2003)

Vitamins & Trace Minerals

Found in fruits and vegetables, vitamins and trace minerals contribute greatly to strengthen the immune system. They offer a 3-way defense mechanism; support to physical barriers, antibody production and cellular immunity. 

Vitamins A, C, and E and the trace element Zinc, enhance and aid the function of the skin and mucosa barrier. Vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D and E and folic acid along with trace elements zinc, copper, selenium and iron work together to aid the immune cells’ protective activities. Moreover, all these micronutrients, except iron and Vitamin C are significant for antibody production. (S., Wintergerst, Beveridge, & Hornig, 2007)

Vitamins, trace minerals and phytochemicals can help strengthen the immune system and protect the body against diseases. However, a low intake of phytochemicals, vitamins and trace minerals can lead to malnutrition and make the body prone to infections. Thus, eating raw fruits and veggies is a good way to get the required amount of nutrients without destroying them.

Bibliography

Langseth, L. (1999). NUTRITION AND IMMUNITY IN MAN. International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI). http://www.ilsi.org/Europe/Publications/C1999Nut_Imm.pdf

Liu, R. H. (2003). Health benefits of fruit and vegetables are from additive and synergistic combinations of phytochemicals1,2,3,4. The Amercian Journal of Clinical Nutrition. http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/70/3/475s.full

Myles, I. A. (2014). Fast food fever: reviewing the impacts of the Western diet on immunity. U.S. National Library of Medicine. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4074336/

S., M., W. E., B. S., & H. D. (2007). Selected vitamins and trace elements support immune function by strengthening epithelial barriers and cellular and humoral immune responses. U.S National Library of Medicine. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17922955

Detoxing – The Next Anti-Aging Directive

Detoxification of the body involves flushing out toxins and useless minerals, which might be blocking up our arteries and giving way to a healthier lifestyle. The process mostly involves taking out the toxins from the body, mainly by restricting ourselves to a diet of raw vegetables and liquids; such as fruit juices and water. Detoxification has helped many people steer themselves from addictions, such as drugs and alcohol, and has helped them stay on the right and healthy path.

It has also gained a lot of popularity as an anti-aging diet. It cannot reverse the aging process but with the healthy process of flushing out bad toxins from the body, and consuming healthy food, detoxing is now being referred to as a longevity diet. Anti-aging research based on the effects of detoxification on the aging process have concluded that by the process of eliminating bad minerals from the body, one can gain control over the body’s biological processes. (P, 2008)

 

Detoxification is thus, beign declared as the best way for you to control the body’s natural aging process by consuming anti aging foods, within a detox and low calorie diet, along with proper amounts of sleep.

Calorie control

By proper calorie restriction, you can affect how their body will react to certain situations. According to a study, proper control over a person’s calorie intake can help them, not only reduce their weight, but also manage their skin condition, mental health and age. (Kim HJ, 2002)

However, calorie restriction does not mean that you should pull yourselves away from all the foods you love to eat. Detoxification is done with the help of raw foods; such as vegetables, and although some vegetables might have starch, they are not taken in a processed state, which lessens their harmful properties.

Required Amount of Sleep

When a person uses detoxification to clean their body from the inside, it gives them the opportunity to become more relaxed in other parts of their lives. Our diet affects everything that we do and according to a study, a good diet and regular exercise can affect a person mentally as well as physically.

Thus, when the body is being filtered with good food, proper liquids and a healthy exercise regime, it sends a signal to the brain that it is in a good condition. However, along with all this, sleeping properly is a prerequisite. The ideal sleeping time for an adult is 7-8 hours daily and if their body is not functioning properly due to lack of sleep, it can affect them enough to make them mentally disturbed during the day.

Diet Regime

Having a proper diet regime is the key to leading a healthy life. Along with detoxification, a proper diet recommended to you by a nutritionist, is the one to follow. By having the right list of foods to eat, and not consuming foods with empty calories; you can detox your body of all its stress and aging factors. As discussed before, the method of having a proper diet with exercise is important, and by doing so, you can help modify brain function and carve a path towards a better and healthier self. (F, 2008)

Bibliography

F, G.-P. (2008). The influences of diet and exercise on mental health through hormesis. 49-62. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17604236

Kim HJ, J. K. (2002, November). NCBI. Retrieved May 4, 2015, from US National Library of Medicine: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12470896

P, Z. (2008, December 7). NCBI. Retrieved May 4, 2015, from US National Library of Medicine: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18547875#