About pH Balance in the Human Body

The subject of pH balance in the human body is not new, just one that has been buried under a lot of confusing and incomplete information about what the body needs in order to function well and be healthy. The pH balance of the body is a factor that is CRITICAL to health and affects every part of the human body!

What does "pH" stand for?

The meaning of "pH" is potential of hydrogen. The "H" is capitalized because the symbol for hydrogen is capital H. Potential of hydrogen (pH) is a chemistry subject.

A pH number is a measurement, on a scale, of the quantity of hydrogen ions in a solution. Very simply, a solution with a lot of hydrogen ions is called acidic, and with few it is considered alkaline (or base).

This pH color chart shows the scale visually:

When we're talking about the pH balance in the human body, we're primarily talking about the pH of the fluids that are in and surrounding the cells, tissues and organs. The pH of our blood is tightly maintained at 7.35 to 7.45.

In order to keep the blood in such a tight range, other body systems are utilized to keep the blood pH balanced. For example, if the body is too acidic (which would affect the blood pH as well), calcium is taken from the bones to correct the imbalance.

Our bodies work through a complex network of processes. These different processes all work best at a certain pH level. So what affects the pH balance of the body?

What we eat and drink have the most effect on the pH of our bodies. This list of acidic foods and alkaline foods goes into this more fully. Negative stress, drugs, medications and alcohol and a few other factors also have an acidic effect on the body.

Alkaline water drinking is another tool to correct the pH balance in the human body.

Current lifestyles of fast food and too much stress have created health epidemics. A major reason lies in the pH balance in the human body. These things throw pH out of whack and create an acidic body environment. When the pH is out of balance, health problems and illness are the result!

Some examples of what an acidic body causes, plus how to test your own body pH can be found in the article "What the heck is pH? A pH definition."

Fortunately, this key tool that we can use to improve and maintain our health is rapidly gaining broad understanding and use.

Here's a lady who has recovered her health by learning about the pH balance in the human body and applying it!

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