The American diet is usually an acidic one. This comes from eating a
predominence of protein sources (even the lean ones), dairy products
(especially cheeses), and grains (even the unprocessed ones). These
acid producing foods overwhelm the basic foods we take in and create
some serious health problems.
When foods enter our body they are presented to the kidneys as
either an acid or a base compound. A food's acid or base status outside
the body is not necessarily the same as inside. For example, an orange
which is acidic on the outside is actually basic inside the body. This
is true of most fruits and vegetables.
When you eat a meal, the sum total of all acidic and basic
compounds gets combined into what is called an acid/base load. If a
particular days diet provided more acid containing foods it would carry
an acid load. if your diet provided more basic compounds it would carry
a much healthier base load.
Carrying a net acid load does not provide a healthy physical
environment. The average American diet produces a state of low grade
chronic acidosis which can cause the following health problems:
* Negative nitrogen balance (high amount of nitrogen in the urine).
Muscle is actually broken down, lost, and amino acids are excreted in
the urine.
* Hypercalciuria (high calcium concentration in the urine). Calcium is
excreted from bone, bone is lost, and calcium is excreted in the urine.
* Mild hypothyroidism. This may result in a slowing of your metabolic
rate as well as other negative effects on your overall physical
functioning.
*Growth hormone resistance. Growth hormone has several positive
functions including increasing fat loss, lean muscle mass and metabolic
rate. It helps keeps the body in a more youthful state. Metabolic
acidosis can slow the rate of growth hormone secretion.
*Hypercortisolemia. Cortisone is a hormone that controls the secretion
of many other hormones. Increasing cortisone levels results in
increased stress levels, weight gain and abnormal hormone profiles.
How did our modern society get so off track? When you compare our diets
with our ancesters it's clear they ate a diet rich in basic foodstuffs.
They ate more fresh fruits and vegetables (which are basic) and less
grain and protein sources.
Here are some ways to make your diet less acidic:
* Add more fruits and vegetables
* If you know you are going to eat a big acid producing meal and don't
want to add more basic foods, add a small amount of glutamine.
Glutamine is an amino acid which can neutralize acid.
* Instead of glutamine you could add some sodium bicarbonate (baking
soda). If you can't take the taste, Alka Seltzer is the same thing.
* Adding sodium (salt) to foods can increase the base potential and
reduce acidity. This would not be recommended if you have high blood
pressure.
The American diet is an unhealthy acidic one. The best way to
neutralize the acid is to reduce the amount of grains, high protein
sources and dairy products. Then add some fresh fruits and vegetables.
Employing these simple strategies may help you avoid chronic low grade
acidosis and the associated muscle wasting, altered hormonal profiles
and bone loss that go with it.
About the Author
Dr. Lanny Schaffer is an Exercise Physiologist and the President of The
International Fitness Academy.For more nutrition and fitness ideas go
to http://www.aerobic-exercise-coach.com
