OPTIMAL HEALTH AND ENERGY BEGINS WITH pH BALANCE
RESEARCH AND OPINIONS BY PAUL SCAVONE
Total healing of chronic illness takes place only when and if the blood is restored to a
normal, slightly alkaline pH.
The magnitude of meaning behind this statement is of incredible importance to someone who is
fighting a disease, overcoming an illness or just desiring to feel better.
What it means is this...your body pH affects EVERYTHING.
 Human blood is most protective in a delicate and precise balance of blood pH at 7.365.
 When pH goes off, microbial looking forms in the blood can change shape, mutate, mirror
pathogenicity and grow.
 When pH goes off, ENZYMES that are constructive can become destructive.
 When pH goes off, OXYGEN delivery to cells suffers.
More and more research is showing that low oxygen delivery to cells is a major factor in most if
not all degenerative conditions.
WHAT IS THE BODY'S pH?
Water is the most abundant compound in the human body, comprising almost two-thirds of the
body weight. The body therefore contains a wide range of solutions, which may be more or less
acid. pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution; the ratio between positively
charged ions (acid-forming) and negatively charged ions (alkaline-forming.) The pH of any
solution is the measure of its hydrogen-ion concentration. The higher the pH reading, the more
alkaline and oxygen rich the fluid is. The lower the pH reading, the more acidic and oxygen
deprived the fluid is. The pH range is from 0 to 14, with 7.0 being neutral. Anything above 7.0 is
alkaline, anything below 7.0 is considered acidic.
Human blood pH should be slightly alkaline (7.35 - 7.45). Below or above this range means
symptoms and disease. If blood pH moves below 6.8 or above 7.8, cells stop functioning and the
body dies. The body therefore continually strives to balance pH. When this balance is
compromised many problems can occur.
pH MEANS “POTENTIAL HYDROGEN”, IT IS A MEASURE OF VOLTAGE.
0 = + 400 mV
7=0
14 = - 400 mV
Think about your home…it uses 110 volts. That is the conductive positive voltage in wire.
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In solutions we can talk about negative voltage or an excess of electrons (means we have donor
electrons); this is called alkaline.
If the solution has a deficiency of electrons (electron stealer), we call it acidic (0 to 7). We put a
plus in front of it.
An alkaline solution has electrons available to do work (voltage available).
Every cell in the body is designed to run optimally at approximately -20 mV or a pH of 7.365
The pH level (acid - alkaline measurement) of our internal fluids affects every cell in our body.
Extended acid imbalances of any kind can overwhelm your body.
Just as the body regulates its temperature in a rigid manner, so will it manage to preserve a very
narrow pH range, especially in the blood. As a matter of fact, the body will go to such great
lengths to maintain a blood pH of 7.365 that it will even create stress on other tissues or body
systems to do so. Chronic acidification will interrupt all cellular activities and functions…it
interferes with life itself.
When the pH of the body gets out of balance (too acidic), we may experience low energy,
fatigue, excess weight (the body retains fat because fat binds to acids), poor digestion, aches
and pains and even cancer. If you have cancer, most likely your pH levels are low and your body
is too acidic. Actually, too much acidity is an underlying factor in many degenerative diseases
including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, lupus, tuberculosis, osteoporosis, high
blood pressure, most cancers and many auto-immune diseases.
The body becomes imbalanced and overly acidic primarily as a result of three things:
 Acidic Diet
 Toxicity & Microform Overgrowth
 Improper Elimination & Neutralization of Acids
The process of restoring pH balance begins with proper diet and nutrition. This includes eating
alkalizing foods, super hydration and proper supplementation. A basic maxim of alternative
medicine is to: Balance the bio terrain. Do this first and then everything can come back to normal.
Taking medicines or supplements while your body is highly acidic is a bit like washing dishes in a
sink of dirty water, even when you put in plenty of soap, you can't get the dishes clean.
The body was created to be healthy, energetic, vibrant and resilient. It has an awesome ability to
heal itself, when given the proper nutrients and environment to do so.
HEALTH PROBLEMS CAUSED BY ACIDOSIS
If you have a health problem, there is a good chance you are suffering from acidosis, an
extended time in the acid pH state. Research shows that unless the body's pH level is slightly
alkaline, the body cannot heal itself. So no matter what means you choose to take care of your
health, it won't be effective until the pH level is balanced. If your body's pH is not balanced, for
example, you cannot effectively assimilate vitamins, minerals and food supplements.
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Acidosis will decrease the body's ability to absorb minerals and other nutrients, decrease the
energy production in the cells, decrease it's ability to repair damaged cells, decrease it's ability to
detoxify heavy metals, make tumor cells thrive, and make it more susceptible to fatigue and
illness.
An acidic pH can occur from an acid-forming diet, emotional stress, toxic overload, and/or
immune reactions or any process that deprives the cells of oxygen and other nutrients. The body
will try to compensate for acidic pH by using alkaline minerals. If the diet does not contain enough
minerals to compensate, a build up of acids in the cells will occur.
Acidosis can cause problems such as:
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Cancer
Cardiovascular damage
Weight gain, obesity and diabetes
Excess stomach acid
Slow digestion and elimination
Gastritis
Bladder conditions
Kidney stones
Immune deficiency
Tendency to get infections
Yeast/fungal overgrowth
Acceleration of free radical damage
Premature aging
Hormonal problems
Osteoporosis and joint pain
Aching muscles and lactic acid buildup
Leg cramps and spasms
Headaches
Easily stressed
Depressive tendencies
Low energy and chronic fatigue
Loss of drive, joy, and enthusiasm
Lower body temperature
Pale complexion
Inflammation of the corneas and eyelids
Loose and painful teeth
Inflamed, sensitive gums
Mouth and stomach ulcers
Cracks at the corners of the lips
Nails are thin and split easily
Hair looks dull, has split ends, and falls
out
 Dry skin
 Skin easily irritated
CANCER
According to Keiichi Morishita in his book, Hidden Truth of Cancer, when your blood starts to become
acidic, your body deposits acidic substances from the blood (usually toxins) into cells to allow the
blood to remain slightly alkaline. However, this causes your cells to become more acidic and toxic,
which results in a decrease of their oxygen levels and harms their DNA and respiratory enzymes.
Over time, he theorizes, these cells increase in acidity and some die. These dead cells themselves
turn into acids. However, some of these acidified cells may adapt in that environment. In other words,
instead of dying, as normal cells do in an acid environment, some cells survive by becoming
abnormal cells.
These abnormal cells are called malignant cells. Malignant cells do not correspond with brain function
or with our own DNA memory code. Therefore, malignant cells grow indefinitely and without order.
This is cancer.
As you can see, he is describing, from a different point of view, the process by which low oxygen
levels turn some cells cancerous. Alkaline water (including the water in cells) holds a lot of oxygen.
Acidic water holds very little oxygen. So the more acidic your cells are, the less oxygenated they will
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be. To make matters worse, the fermentation process cancer cells use to produce energy creates
lactic acid, further increasing acidity and reducing oxygen levels.
DEGENERATIVE DISEASES
In general, degenerative diseases are the result of acid waste buildups within us. When we are born,
we have the highest alkaline mineral concentration and also the highest body pH. From that point on,
the normal process of life is to gradually acidify. That is why these degenerative diseases do not
occur as often when you are young. Reverse aging requires two separate steps: chemical and
physical. The first step is to lower the acidity of the body so that it can dispose of acidic wastes in the
blood and cellular fluids safely and easily. The second step is to physically pull out old stored wastes
into the blood stream so that they can be discharged from the body.
There is a long history of reversing cancer and most degenerative diseases simply by
alkalinizing the body. It is one of the basic strategies in the battle against cancer and for
improving your health in general.
TEST YOUR BODY'S ACIDITY OR ALKALINITY WITH pH STRIPS
It is recommended that you test your pH levels to determine if your body's pH needs immediate
attention. By using pH test strips (Litmus Paper), you can determine your pH factor quickly and easily
in the privacy of your own home. The best time to test your pH is about one hour before a meal and
two hours after a meal.
Saliva pH Test: Simply wet a piece of Litmus Paper with your saliva. While generally more acidic
than blood, salivary pH mirrors the blood and tells us what the body retains. It is a fair indicator of the
health of the extracellular fluids and their alkaline mineral reserves. The optimal pH for saliva is 6.4 to
6.8. A reading lower than 6.4 is indicative of insufficient alkaline reserves. After eating, the saliva pH
should rise to 7.5 or more. To deviate from an ideal salivary pH for an extended time invites illness. If
your saliva stays between 6.5 and 7.5 all day, your body is functioning within a healthy range.
If salivary pH stays too low, the diet should focus on fruit, vegetables and mineral water as well as
remove strong acidifiers such as sodas, whole wheat and red meat (see chart page 6).
Urine pH Test: The pH of the urine indicates how the body is working to maintain the proper pH of
the blood. The urine reveals the alkaline (building - anabolic) and acid (tearing down - catabolic)
metabolic cycles. The pH of urine indicates the efforts of the body via the kidneys, adrenals, lungs
and gonads to regulate pH through the buffer salts and hormones. Urine can provide a fairly accurate
picture of body chemistry, because the kidneys filter out the buffer salts of pH regulation and provide
values based on what the body is eliminating. Urine pH can vary from around 4.5 to 9.0 in extremes,
but the ideal range is 6.0 to 7.0. If your urinary pH fluctuates between 6.0 to 6.5 first thing in the
morning and between 6.5 and 7.0 in the evening before dinner, your body is functioning within a
healthy range.
Urine testing may indicate how well your body is excreting acids and assimilating minerals, especially
calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium. These minerals function as "buffers." Buffers are
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substances that help maintain and balance the body against the introduction of too much acidity or
too much alkalinity. Even with the proper amounts of buffers, acid or alkaline levels can become
stressful to the body's regulatory systems. When the body produces too many of these acids or
alkalis, it must excrete the excess. The urine is the method the body uses to remove any excess
acids or alkaline substances that cannot be buffered. If the body's buffering system is overwhelmed, a
state of "autotoxication" exists and attention should be given to reducing this stress.
BALANCING ACID/ALKALINE FOODS
A surprising number and variety of physical problems and diseases can be caused by the problem of
foods that are acid-producing after digestion. Today the vast majority of the populace in industrialized
nations suffer from problems caused by the stress of acidosis, because both modern lifestyle and diet
promote acidification of the body's internal environment.
The current typical Western diet is largely composed of acid-forming foods (proteins, cereals, sugars).
Alkaline-producing foods such as vegetables are eaten in much smaller quantities. Stimulants like
tobacco, coffee, tea, and alcohol are also extremely acidifying. Stress, and physical activity (both
insufficient or excessive amounts) also cause acidification.
Many foods are alkaline-producing by nature, but manufactured processed foods are mostly
acid-producing. It is important to consume at least 60% alkaline-producing foods in our diet,
in order to maintain health. We need plenty of fresh fruits and particularly vegetables (alkalineproducing) to balance our necessary protein intake (acid-producing). And we need to avoid
processed, sugary or simple-carbohydrate foods, not only because they are acid-producing
but also because they raise blood sugar level too quickly (high glycemic index therefore are
fattening); plus they tend to be nutrient-lacking and may be toxic.
An imbalanced diet high in acidic-producing foods such as animal protein, sugar, caffeine, and
processed foods puts pressure on the body's regulating systems to maintain pH neutrality. The extra
buffering required can deplete the body of alkaline minerals such as sodium, potassium, magnesium,
and calcium, making a person prone to chronic and degenerative disease. Minerals are borrowed
from vital organs and bones to buffer (neutralize) the acid and safely remove it from the body.
Because of this strain, the body can suffer severe and prolonged damage; a condition that may go
undetected for years.
FOODS: ARE THEY ACID OR ALKALINE-FORMING?
A food's acid or alkaline-forming tendency in the body has nothing to do with the actual pH of the food
itself. For example, lemons are very acidic; however the end-products they produce after digestion
and assimilation are very alkaline so lemons are alkaline-forming in the body. Likewise, meat will test
alkaline before digestion but it leaves acidic residue in the body, so like nearly all animal products,
meat is classified as acid-forming.
It is important that your daily dietary intake of food naturally acts to balance your body pH. To
maintain health, the diet should consist of at least 60% alkaline forming foods and at most 40% acid
forming foods. To restore health, the diet should consist of 80% alkaline forming foods and 20% acid
forming foods.
FOOD
CATEGORY
High Alkaline
Alkaline
Low Alkaline
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Low Acid
Acid
High Acid
BEANS,
VEGETABLES,
LEGUMES
Asparagus,
Onions,
Vegetable
Juices, Parsley,
Raw Spinach,
Broccoli, Garlic,
Barley Grass
Okra, Squash,
Green Beans,
Beets, Celery,
Lettuce,
Zucchini, Sweet
Potato, Carob
FRUIT
Lemons,
Watermelon,
Limes,
Grapefruit,
Mangoes,
Papayas
Dates, Figs,
Melons, Grapes,
Papaya, Kiwi,
Berries, Apples,
Pears, Raisins
Carrots,
Tomatoes, Fresh
Corn,
Mushrooms,
Cooked
Cabbage, Peas,
Spinach,
Cauliflower,
Kidney Beans
Turnip, Beetroot,
Potato Skins,
Olives,
Soybeans, Tofu
Oranges,
Bananas,
Cherries,
Pineapple,
Peaches,
Avocados
Plums,
Processed
Fruit Juices
Rye Bread,
Amaranth, Millet,
Sprouted
Lentils,
Wheat Bread,
Sweetcorn, Wild
Spelt, Brown
Rice, Quinoa
Rice
GRAINS,
CEREALS
Liver, Oysters,
Venison, Cold
Water Fish
MEAT
EGGS & DAIRY
NUTS &
SEEDS
Potatoes
(without
skins), Pinto
Beans, Navy
Beans, Lima
Beans
Sour Cherries,
Rhubarb,
Canned Fruit
Blueberries,
Cranberries,
Prunes,
Sweetened
Fruit Juice
White Rice,
Corn,
Buckwheat,
Oats, Rye
Wheat, White
Bread,
Pastries,
Biscuits, Pasta
Turkey,
Chicken,
Lamb
Beef, Pork,
Shellfish
Breast Milk
Soy Cheese, Soy
Milk, Goat Milk,
Goat Cheese,
Whey
Eggs, Butter,
Yogurt,
Buttermilk,
Cottage
Cheese,
Cream
Raw Milk
Cheese,
Homogenized
Milk, Ice
Cream,
Custard
Almonds
Chestnuts,
Brazils,
Hazelnuts,
Coconut
Pumpkin,
Sesame,
Sunflower
Seeds
Pecans,
Cashews,
Pistachios
Peanuts,
Walnuts
OILS
Olive Oil
Flax Seed Oil
Canola Oil
Corn Oil,
Sunflower Oil,
Margarine,
Lard
BEVERAGES
Herb Teas,
Lemon Water
Green Tea
Ginger Tea
Tea, Cocoa
Coffee, Wine
Beer, Liquor,
Soft Drinks
Processed
Honey
White Sugar,
Brown Sugar,
Molasses,
Jam, Ketchup,
Mayonaise,
Mustard,
Vinegar
Artificial
Sweeteners,
Chocolate
SWEETENERS,
CONDIMENTS
Stevia
Maple Syrup,
Rice Syrup
Raw Honey, Raw
Sugar
THE SCIENCE OF EATING WISELY
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Detoxify with fruit and vegetable juices
All natural, raw, vegetable and fruit juices are alkaline-producing. Fruit juices become more acidproducing when processed and especially when sweetened.
Why are acidy lemons alkaline-producing?
When we digest a food, it is chemically oxidized (burned) to form water, carbon dioxide and an
inorganic compounds. The alkaline or acidic nature of this inorganic compound formed, determines
whether the food is alkaline or acid-producing. If it contains more sodium, potassium or calcium, it's
classed as an alkaline food. If it contains more sulphur, phosphate or chloride, it's classed as an acid
food. When we digest a lemon, it produces alkaline residue. That's why we classify it as an alkaline
food.
Acid lifestyles = toxic blood!
In order for the body to remain healthy and alive, your body keeps a delicate and precise balance of
blood pH close to 7.365, which is slightly alkaline. The body does whatever it has to in order to
maintain this balance. The problem is that most people have incredibly acid lifestyles. Acid is
produced in your body whenever you have stress, upset emotions and when the food you eat is acidforming.
The typical diet is significantly acidic. So what happens to your body when you're over-acid? Your
body will store excess acid in your fat cells, which is why so many people have such trouble losing
weight. Over time, your body will leach calcium and alkaline stores from your bones in a desperate
attempt to retain the pH balance in your body.
Your blood plays a very important role in your health and energy: it carries oxygen to all your cells!
This gives you energy and it's what keeps you alive. It also plays a key role in how energizing your
sleep is. Here's a picture of healthy red blood cells:
The red blood cells are separated from each other. As a result, your blood can move freely
throughout your entire body, and get into all your small capillaries, so you feel like your whole body is
getting energy. During deep sleep, proper blood flow and hydration is important. When your blood
looks like this, your sleep is also really energizing and you need less of it!
Blood cells have a negative charge on the outside and a positive charge inside; this is what keeps
them healthy and far apart from each other. However, when your body is over-acidic, the acid strips
your blood of its negative charge. Your blood cells no longer have the same repelling force and clump
together like this:
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When your blood is clumped together, known as Rouleaux stacking, it no longer can get to all the little
capillaries in your body to give you the life giving oxygen you need. It no longer can give every cell of
your body energizing and rejuvenating effects. This is the major reason why some people feel horrible
when they wake up and why they need to sleep longer. It's also why you tend to wake up feeling dehydrated.
CREATING AN UNHEALTHY ENVIRONMENT
Most of us have been told that "disease is out to get you and viruses are flying around all over the
place looking for their next victim!" However, the truth is, most of us create toxic environments inside
our body and this is why disease and fatigue happens. It doesn't happen TO YOU; in reality, YOU
make it happen. Being unhealthy is actually a SYMPTOM of an unhealthy environment. Not the
problem.
Most of the time, because of our diets, emotions and lifestyles, the "water" in our body is over-acidic
and therefore, toxic. Yet, even knowing this, allopathic medicine focuses on masking the symptoms,
rather than recognizing the CAUSE of the problem.
CONCLUSIONS:
While traditional medicine is ambivalent about treatments for diseases such as cancer, there is a
great deal of consistency in identifying pH modification as a positive step to better health. The
relationship between body pH and health was new to me. My research has led me to conclude that
whether you use this alone or as part of conventional treatment, it just makes sense to maintain pH
balance.
There are a few other things, in addition to diet, that can be done to help correct an over acidic
condition. These include taking vitamins, anti-oxidants, super anti-oxidants, calcium, magnesium and
other mineral supplements, omega 3 fish oils, drinking alkaline vegetable and fruit juices and making
lemons a part of our daily regimen. Nutritionally, there is no better way to assure that minerals are
being taken into your body’s cells, than by taking Vitality™ and Vitality Minerals™ with the
proprietary fructose compounding delivery system. And the best way to assure optimum immune
system efficiency is to take PROVEXCV™.
We can remedy our over-acidic bodies in the short term with alkalizing supplements, but
going forward, we must also choose a diet which is balanced on the side of alkaline-forming
foods. Fortunately most of these are also low glycemic foods, which takes care of the second
primary factor in creating a healthy diet.
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Acidity Self-Test
Introduction
Use this checklist to get a sense of how acidic you may be. Determining your acidity levels isn't an exact science, but this
Self-Test can help you get a better idea of how urgently you need to begin alkalizing your body.
Directions
1. Print this page.
2. Make a mark next to any of the symptoms listed here, if you have
them.
3. Count the total number of symptoms in each category.
The idea is this: the more symptoms, the more acidic you may be and the more urgent it is for you to begin an alkalizing
program.
Beginning Symptoms
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
Acne
Agitation
Muscular pain
Cold hands and feet
Dizziness
Low energy
Joint pains that travel
Food allergies
Chemical sensitivities to odor, gas heat
Hyperactivity
Panic attacks
Pre-menstrual and menstrual cramping
Pre-menstrual anxiety and depression
Lack of sex drive
Bloating
Heartburn
Diarrhea
Constipation
Hot urine
Strong smelling urine
Mild headaches
Rapid panting breath
Rapid heartbeat
Irregular heartbeat
White coated tongue
Hard to get up in morning
Excess head mucous (stuffiness)
Metallic taste in mouth
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Intermediate Symptoms
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
Cold sores (Herpes I & II)
Depression
Loss of memory
Loss of concentration
Migraine headaches
Insomnia
Disturbance in smell, taste, vision, hearing
Asthma
Bronchitis
Hay fever
Ear aches
Hives
Swelling
Viral infections (colds, flu)
Bacterial infections (staph, strep)
Fungal infections (Candia albicans, athlete's foot, vaginal)
Impotence
Urethritis
Cystitis
Urinary infection
Gastritis
Colitis
Excessive falling hair
Psoriasis
Endometriosis
Stuttering
Numbness and tingling
Sinusitis
Advanced Symptoms
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Crohn's disease
Schizophrenia
Learning disabled
Hodgkin's Disease
Systemic Lupus Erythematosis
Multiple Sclerosis
Sarcoidosis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Myasthenia gravis
Scleroderma
Leukemia
Tuberculosis
All other forms of cancer
Source: Alkalize or Die, Dr. Theodore A. Baroody, 2001.
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