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INTRODUCTION TO
THE ALKALINE DIET
The alkaline diet -- also known as nutripathy -- is based on the proposition that alkalinity in the cells of the body is conducive to health, while acidity is conducive to illness. When foods are metabolised in the cells, they are effectively "burned up" and leave behind an "ash". This ash tends to be either alkaline, acidic or neutral, depending largely on the mineral content of the food.
This state of alkalinity or acidity can be measured and charted on a scale -- known as the pH scale -- which goes from zero to fourteen. A rating of 7 is neutral, less than 7 is acidic and more than 7 is alkaline. The human bloodstream is rated at 7.4, which is mildly alkaline. The human body goes to great lengths to maintain the blood at 7.4, if necessary drawing alkaline minerals from the cells. If the body has to draw too many minerals from the cells, however, the result is acidity, which is conducive to a large variety of illnesses.
To maintain alkalinity in the body, it is necessary to consume foods that supply the necessary alkaline minerals. The balance of foods should be in the ratio of four parts of alkaline foods to one part of acid-forming food. This ratio is necessary because it takes four parts of alkaline to neutralise one part of acid. In short, the diet should be 80% alkaline foods and 20% acid-forming foods.
MY EXPERIENCE
I first heard of the alkaline diet back in the 60s, when I found the statement, in a book on nutrition, that the diet should be 80% alkaline and 20% acidic. At that time I failed to follow up on the idea, but its existence in a book in the 60s shows that there is nothing new about the idea.
I thought nothing more about the idea until 2003 -- a long time between drinks, one might say -- when a product called Unique Water came on the market in Australia. When I checked their website, I found they were basically talking about the old idea that alkalinity was conducive to health and acidity was conducive to illness. In the case of Unique Water, they were putting the emphasise on the alkaline mineral magnesium. Unique Water contained a certain amount of magnesium in the form of magnesium bicarbonate. This form of magnesium exists only in water, which is why they had to market it as a particular form of bottled water.
For purely economic reasons, I proceeded to test the idea without the benefit of Unique Water. This involved changes to the diet, putting the emphasis on eating more of the foods that provide alkaline minerals. Naturally, I also looked at the question of mineral supplements. It is not all that easy to have an alkaline diet, because most foods that we eat are acid-forming. Vegetarians and such people might find it easier, but for most of us, an alkaline diet is rather difficult. After researching alkaline foods on the internet, I found a page that described the use of sodium bicarbonate for neutralising acids in the body. This practice has been researched thoroughly for sporting purposes, where sodium bicarbonate (or baking soda, as it is also known) has been found to neutralise the buildup of lactic acids in the body after certain sports.
I proceeded with some changes to my diet plus the use of sodium bicarbonate in the recommended dose, which is 0.3 grams per kilo of body weight. The dietary changes were simple enough. I threw out the black pepper, which is acid-forming, as well as the peanut butter. I replaced all dairy products, which are acid-forming, with soy products. I started eating oranges instead of apples and bananas, which are more acid-forming because of their fruit sugar (sugar is acid-forming). I did not eliminate all forms of junk food or acid-forming foods because, unfortunately, I have a sweet tooth. (This is why I had to cheat by using sodium bicarbonate). I then settled down to await the results.
Nothing happened for the first six months or so. After six or seven months, I began to notice results. The first thing that happened was that I lost my allergy towards grasses, which had previously caused my sinuses to block up. Suddenly I found that I could lay down on the grass without my sinuses blocking up.
Next, I found that my arthritis was getting milder. Previously, I had found that, in my fifties as I was, I was developing pain in my feet, calf muscles, lower back, hips and knuckles. This pain was particularly strong when I got up from a sitting position or from laying down in bed. After six or seven months on the alkaline diet, however, I found that the pain had softened and was no more than a feeling of stiffness; stiff, but not painful.
These improvements continued over the next few months. The pain and stiffness gradually disappeared completely. The sinuses continued to clear up and I lost the allergic reaction to house dust and mites as well as to grass. My neck felt less stiff and even my sleep settled down a little. Most surprising of all, however, was that I suddenly noticed a patch of new black hairs in the middle of my moustache. At first I just thought, "Where did that come from?" Then I noticed more black hairs to the left of the first patch, then another to the right. I then realized that the hair on top of my head was blacker than before. My hair was actually getting blacker instead of greyer, although the moustache and beard never caught up with the hair on top. (This development is in keeping with statements on the Unique Water website that alkalinity slows the ageing process.)
After twelve months on the alkaline diet I had very definite results: the arthritis had disappeared completely, the allergies had disappeared completely, my neck was looser, my sleep was slightly better and my hair was blacker. Now, sceptics might say that it was all nothing but placebo, because I had read about the alleged benefits on the Unique Water website. They could easily say that I had read about the effect on arthritis and so forth, so my subconscious simply imitated the results. However, I had definitely not read about hair turning black. In any case, the simple reply to the sceptics is, "Try it for yourself."
In short, after being on the diet for twelve months I had unambiguous proof that it works.
ALKALINE AND ACID FOODS
(The following lists are a rough guide. They are by no means comprehensive.)
ALKALINE FOODS
Soy Grapefruit
Lima Beans Tomatoes
Apricots Peaches
Spinach Apples
Turnips Grapes
Raisins Bananas
Almonds Watermelon
Carrots Millet
Celery Coconuts
Cucumber Oranges
Cantaloupe Lemons
Potatoes Limes
Pineapple Lettuce
Cabbage Watercress
Grapefruit Buckwheat
ACID-FORMING FOODS
Oysters Breads
Veal Nuts (except almonds)
Most Fish Cheeses
Organ Meats Lentils
Liver Eggs
Chicken Dairy Products
Fowl Sugar
Most Grains and Cereals Honey
Rice Dried Fruits
TWELVE MOST BASIC ALKALINE SALTS
Ferric Phosphate -- necessary for oxygenating the blood
Potassium Chloride -- necessary for the lining of body cells
Potassium Phosphate -- essential nerve nutrient
Potassium Sulphate -- necessary for oxygenating the cells of the skin
Magnesium Phosphate -- a nerve stabiliser
Sodium Chloride -- regulates distribution of water
Sodium Phosphate -- emulsifies fatty acids
Sodium Sulphate -- eliminates excess water
Silicic Oxide -- necessary as an eliminator, cleanser and conditioner
Calcium Fluoride -- important for the elasticity of tissues
Calcium Phosphate -- necessary in teeth, bones and gastric juices
Calcium Sulphate -- a crucial blood purifier
SODIUM BICARBONATE
(Carb Soda, Baking Soda)
Researched for effective neutralization of lactic acid in the body
1. Recommended dose -- 0.3 grams per kilo of body weight, once daily ONLY
Higher doses of 0.5 grams per kilo of body weight have been tried but are no more effective
2. Has numerous medical uses
3. WARNINGS
Sodium Bicarbonate should not be used by individuals with hypertension or kidney problems, or by those on low-sodium diets.
It should not be combined with MILK or CALCIUM supplements. It may induce the milk-alkali syndrome, leading to kidney problems.
Sodium Bicarbonate may cause gastrointestinal distress, including nausea, bloating, diarrhoea and flatulence.
Sodium Bicarbonate supplementation may block the absorption of some other nutrients.
Sodium Bicarbonate overdose can cause a HEART ATTACK.
SODIUM BICARBONATE SHOULD ONLY BE USED UNDER MEDICAL SUPERVISION.
FURTHER STUDY
THE PH MIRACLE -- Robert Young -- (Time Warner Paperbacks, 2002)
Unique Water website -- loads of technical info on how it all works
(Note: the author does not use Unique Water and does not have shares in the company)
Type"alkaline foods" into any search engine.
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(Text Copyright Neil Paton 2006)
ESTABLISHED NOVEMBER 2006