Would you like more energy, lower the inflammation in your body and slow down the aging process? Following a more alkaline diet is the easiest way to get there. The alkaline approach to health is all about eating and drinking things that will have an alkaline-forming, rather than acid-forming effect on the body. It’s not about trying to change your pH, but rather about giving your body the tools it needs to maintain it’s ideal pH of 7.365.
When we constantly eat and drink foods with an acidic effect on the body we force our body into neutralizing those excess acids, and this processing of acids causes damage. Continued neutralization of excess acids leads to inflammation, an over-active immune system, candida overgrowth, chronic fatigue, poor digestion and weight gain. By getting the body into a more alkaline state we give it the nutrients it needs to thrive, and as a result you will begin to feel amazing!
Five habits to an alkaline pH
- Eat your greens: The most alkaline foods on earth are those that contain the richest amounts of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients – and the foods at the top of that list are all leafy greens. Try adding spinach, arugula, kale, chard and lettuce to your daily diet in juices, smoothies, soups and salads.
- Hydrate: Getting enough water each day is one of those ‘to-dos’ that we often forget, because it just seems so obvious. The general recommendation is 8 glasses a day but most people don’t even reach this daily amount. The trick is to make it easy to remember. Use alarms on your phone or leave notes for yourself as a reminder. Set habits like always having a glass of water when you get to your desk at work or having a glass after you brush your teeth. In addition, starting the day with warm lemon water is a great habit to form because it helps you to begin your day getting hydrated with an additional alkaline boost.
- Get enough omega 3’s: Did you know that the body cannot make omega 3? Getting enough omega oils, particularly omega 3 is critically important to so many bodily functions and processes. It can be difficult to get an adequate amount through diet alone. Even if you eat oily fish every day, you still wouldn’t be hitting your target. You can supplement by adding 2-3 tablespoons of omega 3 to your diet every day. You can also make your own salad dressings using flax oil, chia seed oil or walnut oil with lemon and herbs. The benefits of adding more omega 3 include more energy, better digestion, softer skin, clearer thinking and faster recovery from exercise.
- Cut Out Excessive Acids: Begin to transition away from strong acids as soon as possible. Which foods contain these acids? The biggies include soda, sugar, gluten-containing grains and processed meats. If you can start to cut these back you will be going a long way towards helping your body maintain that pH balance.
- Reduce Stress: Stress can have more of an impact on the body than any food or drink we consume. Why? Because when we’re under stress, the body produces cortisol. Repeated stress and ongoing cortisol production can have a huge impact on the body. Cortisol’s function is to prepare your body for fight or flight situations. Unfortunately in doing so it shuts down all non-essential functions which changes the immune system response and suppresses the digestive system, reproductive system and growth processes. This repeated shutting down of the digestive system and altering of immune system processes is detrimental to your health, your energy and your ability to function. Finding a way to control stress by meditating, going for a short walk, or some form of moderate exercise can really help reduce your stress level.
Getting more alkaline is not about changing your body’s pH. The purpose is to support your body in order to maintain it’s homeostasis and to keep it working optimally. When your body is in the proper balance you will look and feel fantastic!