Beauty starts at the cellular level. There are trillions of cells in your body, and each and every cell performs functions that are triggered by enzymes. Enzymes flourish in a very specific environment. When the body has an unbalanced pH, it affects the function of enzymes dramatically. Most enzymes function in a small range of pH between 7.35 to 7.45,which is slightly alkaline. In an acidic environment, cells and enzymes are unable to perform optimally, and the following situations can result:
- Reduced production of ATP, or energy, at a cellular level
- Increased cellular calcium levels, which can lead to abnormal cell division and, ultimately, cancer. In fact, Otto Warburg won the Nobel Prize in 1931 for his discovery that cancer cells cannot survive in an alkaline environment, yet flourish in an acidic environment.
- Impairment of the immune system, specifically lymphocyte proliferation and cytotoxicity, which leads to an increase in inflammation and infection
- Reduce insulin sensitivity
- Weak bones and muscles (Acidosis is a main contributor to osteoporosis and sarcopenia)
- Increased free radicals due to glutathione depletion
- Kidney stone formation
From a beauty perspective, an acidic environment affects the skin by causing acne, reduced collagen production, gauntness, compromised blood flow and nutrition to the skin, a reduction of the action of exfoliating enzymes, and skin infections. This results in a loss of elasticity, premature wrinkles, dullness, sagging, and an uneven skin tone. Conversely, allowing your body to become more alkaline will result in a glowing, radiant complexion with reduced lines and wrinkles, and an even skin tone with increased firmness.
How do you maintain a pH balanced body and beautiful skin? Here are some important tips.
1. Remove excess salt from the diet. Salt (NaCl) can contribute to 50 – 100% of the acid-producing effect of the diet.
2. Start the day with the juice of half a lemon in a cup of warm water. Not only is this alkalinizng, but it also helps to mildly detoxify the body.
3. Have a breakfast smoothie incorporating a green food supplement.
4. Eat a minimum of 1 cup of alkalinizing greens daily (kale, collard greens, mustard greens, rapini) and have at least one raw green salad per day.
5. Each meal should consist of at least 2/3 alkalinizing foods
6. Eat millet and quinoa as an option to the acid forming grains (wheat, brown rice)
7. Choose fish and lamb over beef and chicken for less acid forming animal protein.
8. Learn to make a miso broth (1 tsp. of miso dissolved in one cup of hot, not boiling, water). Experiment with adding cooked daikon radish rounds and a small amount of cooked wakame seaweed to the miso broth.
9. Eat lots of vegetables and fruits. Most are alkalinizing
10.Use olive oil as it is less acid forming than other vegetable oils.
11.Use buffered Vitamin C to alkalinize the system.
12. Do not consume sugar, sodas, and limit animal protein to less than 8 oz per day.
13. Take probiotics
14. Practice deep breathing daily
Take a look at the following food chart and make sure to incorporate lots of alkaline foods into your diet for optimal health and beauty!
|
High Alkaline |
Alkaline |
Low Alkaline |
Low Acid |
Acid |
High Acid |
|
Vegetable Juices, Parsley, Raw Spinach, Broccoli, Celery, Garlic, Barley Grass, Cucumber, Cilantro, Oriental Greens, Onions, Kale, Sea Vegetables, Green Supplements |
Carrots, Green Beans, Lima Beans, Beets, Lettuce, Zucchini, Carob, Bell peppers, Cauliflower, Parsnip, Endive, Ginger, Sweet Potato, Cabbage, Celery, Aspargus |
Brussel Sprouts, Tomatoes, Squash, Rhubarb, Fresh Corn, Mushrooms, Peas, Turnip, Beetroot, Potato, Olives, Soybeans, Tofu |
Corn, lentils, peanuts, Edaname, Cooked Spinach, Kidney Beans |
Pinto Beans, Navy Beans |
Pickled Vegetables |
|
Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Nectarine, Raspberry, Watermelon, Cherries, black olives, Dried Figs, Raisins |
Dates, Blackcurrant, Grapes, Papaya, Kiwi, Berries, Apples, Pears, Avocados, Pink Grapefruit, Lemons, Limes, Mangoes, Peach |
Coconut, Sour Cherries, Oranges, Cherries, Pineapple, Grapefruit, Strawberries, Papayas |
Blueberries, Cranberries, Bananas, Plums, Processed Fruit Juices |
Canned Fruit |
|
|
|
|
Whole oats, quinoa, wild rice, millet, spelt, hemp |
Rice, wheat, buckwheat, kasha, amaranth, whole wheat bread |
Rolled oats, rye, white bread, white rice |
Barley, pastries, cakes, cookies, tarts |
|
|
|
|
Fish, Turkey, venison, wild duck, seafood |
Chicken, lamb, pork, veal |
Beef, Lobster |
|
|
Breast Milk, Probiotic Cultures |
Soy Cheese, Soy Milk, Goat Milk, Goat Cheese, Buttermilk, Whey |
Whole Milk, Butter, Yogurt, Cottage Cheese, Cream, Ice Cream |
Eggs, Camembert, Hard Cheese |
Parmasan, Processed Cheese |
|
Pumpkin seeds, almonds, sprouts, wheat grass, alfalfa grass, barley grass |
Chesnuts, brazil nuts, flaxseeds, macadamia nuts |
Hazelnuts, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds |
Pumpkin, Sesame, Sunflower Seeds |
Pecans, Cashews, Pistachios |
Peanuts, Walnuts |
|
Extra Virgin Olive oil, borage oil, Evening primrose oil Apple cider vinegar |
Flax Seed Oil, Olive Oil, Canola Oil, Coconut oil |
Corn Oil, Sunflower Oil, Margarine, Lard Rice Vinegar |
Balsamic Vinegar |
White Vinegar |
|
|
Herb Teas, Lemon Water |
Green Tea, Herb Teas, Water |
Ginger Tea, Dry red wine, almond milk |
Rice milk, black tea, black coffee, soy milk |
Wine, Soda/Pop |
Tea (black), Coffee, Beer, Liquor |
|
Stevia |
Maple Syrup, Rice Syrup, Black Strap Molasses (unsulfured) |
Raw Honey, Raw Sugar |
White Sugar, Processed Honey |
Corn syrup, fructose, high-fructose corn syrup |
Artificial Sweeteners |
