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Acidity and Remineralization

by Erin Holston Singh, N.D.

Among a web of other causes, many chronic problems and diseases are largely the result of overly acidic bodies. Osteoporosis, eczema and fibromyalgia are just a few of the conditions that arise when the four main mineral tissue reserves (bones, cartilage, scalp and arteries) have been depleted. Other common symptoms include hair loss, water retention, arthritis and pain-among a plethora of others.

Normally, the body’s metabolism maintains a pH balance in all tissues close to neutral (7.0). Certain organs are naturally more acidic, like the heart with a pH of 6.8, whereas other areas, such as the blood, are more alkaline (7.35-7.45). Certain individuals’ metabolisms can maintain such a balance easily, while others’ are predisposed to more acidic terrains, and hence, more health problems. Furthermore, it is quite common to become acidic due to an over-consumption of toxic food and drink. Stress also plays a major role, further reducing the body’s capacity to maintain the proper pH for each organ tissue.

The only way to overcome such toxicity is to ensure a high amount of absorbable mineral salts are ingested. This handout is a primer on how to begin remineralizing the body in such a way, since according to your medical history and current symptom picture, your system is very likely overly acidic and thus needs a plethora of minerals to neutralize the toxic acids.

The most effective way to introduce minerals into the system is through PLANT sources: vegetables, leaves, herbs, teas, soups, etc. Vital vegetation takes inassimilable minerals found in the soil and puts them into a form that the human alimentary tract can absorb and use. Supplementing with laboratory manufactured mineral formulations is not adequate-where most of the minerals in such fabricated supplements are not originating with plant sources, but with man-made, synthetic chemicals. Humans need trace minerals and ionized minerals from plant sources to replenish the mineral salts lost from excessive acidity and poor nutrition over several years.

Furthermore, there is a large amount of misinformation on the internet and otherwise about which foods are truly acidic and alkaline. We are ever trying to maintain the best understanding of these lists and will update this handout periodically.

WHAT TO AVOID

AVOID ACIDIC and ACIDIFYING SUBSTANCES in EXCESS

  • dairy
  • soy
  • pineapple
  • oranges
  • animal proteins
  • junk foods
  • processed foods
  • coffee
  • red fruits (raspberries, strawberries-red skin, such as apples, are ok)
  • simple carbohydrates (refined wheat flours, bread, pasta, cereals and crackers)
Eat FOOD. 90% of what’s in today’s supermarkets is not food. Become familiar with the PRODUCE section and investigate new recipes.

WHAT TO INGEST

DRINK

  • HERBAL TEAS No black tea.

    • Consider herbs such as dandelion, sage, alfalfa, nettles, horsetail which are especially high in minerals. (Since these herbs can be hard to find, watch for our new blends: 7X7 TEA and Mineral BLEND)

  • WATER

    • Drink FRESH, filtered or purified, partially mineralized water. Avoid overly mineralized waters as excessive minerals in water clogs the kidneys. Most U.S. labels do not provide this information, but the ideal water has less than 250mg of total dissolved solvents (TDS) per liter of water. IDEAL solvent quantity is 30mg/L. Bottled water sources in the United States with UNDER 250mg/L can be found at http://www.mineralwaters.org/ (See waters sorted by TDS). Fiji is one example.

    *Note-be careful to not drink out of plastic bottles on a regular basis and especially not if they have become hot.

  • Fresh green vegetable juices: leafy greens, cabbage, zucchini, celery, parsley, etc.

EAT

  • Fresh Green vegetables-not frozen or canned.

    • The best ASSIMILABLE source of calcium is green vegetables, NOT dairy.

  • Seaweeds- add Kombu while cooking rice, Dulse to salads, Kelp to smoothies.

  • Fresh Vegetable soups- the possibilities are endless

    • ONE BASIC RECIPE: Simmer 1 bulb of garlic, with vegetables for ~15 minutes and then purée for a tasty, nutritious soup! (Add 1 cube of low-sodium vegetable bouillon and tamari to taste at the end-don’t heat oils). Try 1 onion, 1 leek, 2 carrots, 1 zucchini, chopped parsley and other greens or vegetables as desired.

  • Prime Chlorella-a blend of minerals created by nature’s chlorella. This brand cracks the cell wall, but does not open or destroy it, so the minerals are protected until the tablets are chewed, hence we consider this eating!!!

SUPPLEMENT

BATHE: Be aware that you do ingest through the skin! Multiple bath salts are available. Beware of those with artificial fragrances or other additives. The pH of the bath should alkaline (8-8.5). We recommend the following options:

  • Baking Soda -3T. per bath (5T. for a large bath)
  • Epsom Salts -2 cups per bath