Acidosis is a condition that exists when the body chemistry becomes unbalanced and over-acidic. The most significant symptoms include: difficulty swallowing, burning in the mouth, bumps on the tongue or mouth, teeth sensitivity, recessed eyes, and extremely low blood pressure. Alkalosis is the opposite; the body is too alkaline. Improper diet is a common cause of both conditions. Alkalosis causes abnormalities to the nervous system: overexcitability, hyperventilation and seizures. Acidity and alkalinity are measured according to the amount of hydrogen in the body. It is expressed in terms of the pH number. A substance with a pH of 7, is considered neutral; below 7 is acidic; above 7 is alkaline. These numbers are useful in determining treatment and how to alter your diet to restore your body. You either have to eat more acid-forming foods or eat more alkaline-forming foods. There are tests you can do yourself to determine your acidity-alkalinity condition and know what kind of foods to eat.
Five Step Program to Determine Acidity/Alkalinity
Purchase red and blue pH paper (also called litmus paper) or nitrazine paper from a chemical supply company or from the pharmacy at a local drugstore.
Apply a drop of urine or saliva to both red and blue strips of pH paper. Always obtain the samples before eating or at least an hour after. You may use both saliva and urine to double-check results.
Observe whether the urine or saliva drop changes the blue pH paper to red. Or whether the urine or saliva drop changes red pH paper to blue. The paper will change color to indicate if your body fluids are overly acidic or alkaline.
If the red pH paper turns blue, it indicates the body is too alkaline and needs more acid-producing foods. Increase your intake of: asparagus, beans, Brussels sprouts, ketchup, chickpeas, cocoa, coffee, cranberries, eggs, fish, flour, meat, milk, mustard, pasta, oatmeal, olives, plums, poultry, prunes, shellfish, soft drinks, tea and vinegar.
If the blue pH paper turns red, it indicates the body is too acidic and needs more alkaline-producing foods.
Increase your intake of: avocados, corn, dates, coconuts, fruits, honey, maple syrup, molasses, raisins, soy products and vegetables.