Common pH Myths

Common pH myths

1. Being too acidic is the real problem, if everyone were alkaline then everyone would be healthy.  So not true!  The reality is, we have cyclical variance in our body pH, and we are supposed to spend time each day in an alkaline and in an acidic environment.  Staying only alkaline will cause cellular disruption which can lead to chronic disease including cancer!
2. Fruits and veggies make the body alkaline, meat makes it acidic. Another false statement, the reality is, meat can make someone acidic, or it can make them alkaline, this really depends on their metabolic state.  In fact, in certain people, a diet of high fruit and veggies with low protein and low fat can also make the body more acidic.  The impact is dependant on body balance, including parasympathetic and sympathetic function.  Identifying the state of the body is key.
3. Urine pH indicates body pH.  This is partially true, but not entirely true.  Urine pH indicates the pH of the blood, HOWEVER, the pH of the tissues will be opposite this pH.  Consequently, if someone has pain and acid urine, the likelihood is that the tissue pain is actually an alkaline pain, not an acidic one.  There are variances to this, which is why looking at more than urine pH is a must when considering disruptions in acid/alkaline balance.
4. Everyone with cancer is acidic. There are two types of imbalance patterns that result in cancer in the body, one is a pattern where the urine will more often than not be alkaline while the tissue and the location of the cancer will be acidic, the other is a situation where the urine will be acidic and the tissue where the cancer is will be alkaline.  Since many dysplastic (cellular growth changes) occur in acidic tissues, common therapies like baking soda cures can be quite effective, but for other types of cancers, adding this can potentially make the situation worse! 
5. Vitamins and minerals are fine to take no matter what my body pH. This is a dangerous statement.  Vitamins and minerals all have different actions in the body with regards to pH, some inspire acidity and others alkalinity, which is why they can be such amazing therapeutic agents.  Furthermore, the form of the vitamin or mineral makes a huge difference as well, minerals bound to a carbonate molecule will function to promote alkalinity, whereas one bound to a citrate molecule will promote the opposite.  Furthermore, certain nutrients are needed at certain times to correct imbalances, and if given to the wrong person at the wrong time, can promote imbalances. Taking random vitamins because one study says it will prevent or treat a certain condition may not be the best course of action.

The above myths are common in natural medicine. Pages of information on the internet extol the benefits of being always alkaline, and never acidic, using urine and saliva to determine your state. However, the body is much more complicated than simple urine or saliva pH can identify, other parameters are needed to get a full and clear picture of how the body is functioning. Balance is key; taking into consideration the acid/alkaline systems, the parasympathetic/sympathetic system, our glucose handling abilities, and how our diet affects our bodies is essential and all equally important.