pH Balance and Digestive Disorders: Breaking the Vicious Circle
If you suffer from acid indigestion or acid reflux, chances are
your body is unable to rid itself of toxic substances. A high
acid level in your upper digestive tract is an indication that
acid levels are high elsewhere in your body too. In a vicious
circle, acid waste creates more acid waste.
It's important to take immediate measures to reduce your acid
level throughout your body, to achieve a more balanced body pH
level. If acid waste continues to take up residence in your
body's organs, you will be increasingly susceptible to
degenerative diseases such as diabetes, arthritis and
cardiovascular disease. Only by neutralizing and then
eliminating the acids in your body can you begin the process of
healing your digestive tract.
THE RISK
The primary symptom of acid reflux is obvious to those who have
it. During the digestive process, acid flows up into the throat
and causes a burning sensation. This is caused by a breakdown in
the valve that separates the stomach from the esophagus. It's an
indication that the acid-alkaline balance in the digestive tract
has been disrupted. Unless that balance is restored, any attempt
to treat or correct the acid reflux problem will provide nothing
more than short- term relief.
The accumulation of acid in the digestive tract is often the
result of eating the wrong types of food. Acid is not caused
only by excessive consumption of junk food. Anything processed
or overloaded with additives can upset the acid- alkaline
balance in the digestive system. Even foods that you think are
healthy can be highly acidic.
In a digestive tract that's already out of balance, something as
simple as cooking your food can lead to further problems.
Cooking destroys natural enzymes in the food that assist with
digestion. When your digestive system is unable to produce the
necessary enzymes for digestion, the loss of natural enzymes
makes the problem worse.
Lifestyle also contributes to digestive disorders. Stress
intensifies hyperacidity. Blood is diverted away from the
stomach to the heart, lungs and muscles for the fight or flight
response. The stomach is deprived of necessary oxygen and
nutrients and cannot form sufficient enzymes for proper
digestion.
THE DAMAGE
Acid reflux irritates and swells the mucous lining in the
throat, esophagus and stomach, which disrupts the digestive
process. The irritation can form ulcers. The acid-alkaline
balance of the digestive tract is also upset, leading to further
accumulation of acid.
The intestines are affected even more severely. Unlike digestion
in the stomach, the intestinal digestive process is meant to be
alkaline, not acidic. Therefore, the intestinal walls do not
have a thick mucous lining that protects from acid as the
stomach does. The intestinal walls are meant to facilitate the
absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream.
When acid inflames the intestinal walls, it disrupts the
acid/alkaline balance of the digestive tract. It kills off the
friendly bacteria that aid in digestion friendly bacteria that
are no longer present in much of our food supply. The intestinal
inflammation also slows down peristalsis, the contraction of the
colon that pushes food along the intestinal tract. Undigested
food particles putrefy and lead to greater accumulation of acid.
The liver and gallbladder are also affected. When the liver
becomes overloaded with acidic waste that it can't eliminate, it
crystallizes bile and acid waste into gallstones. The
gallbladder has difficulty releasing bile, which inhibits proper
digestion and further slows peristalsis. Acid levels continue to
rise, the liver becomes damaged, and all other body organs
become vulnerable to deterioration. Degenerative disease sets in.
THE BENEFITS OF A BALANCED pH
The best way to restore pH balance to your digestive tract is to
eliminate foods that cause acid reflux. This also means
identifying and eliminating foods that cause an allergic
response.
Certain raw foods and whole foods and the right combination of
vegetable juices can heal the digestive tract lining and
eliminate further accumulation of acid waste. They can heal and
prevent the formation of ulcers.
Supplements that replace the friendly bacteria and the digestive
enzymes destroyed by acid can also help.