Blood is the most important internal environment of the human body, forms its liquid connective tissue. Many people remember from biology lessons that blood contains plasma and elements such as white blood cells, platelets and red blood cells. It constantly circulates through the vessels, not stopping even for a minute, and thus supplying oxygen to all organs and tissues. It has the ability to very quickly renew itself by destroying old cells and instantly form new ones. You will learn about what pH and blood acidity indicators are, their norm and effect on the state of the body, as well as how to measure blood pH and regulate it with the help of diet correction, you will learn from our article.
Blood functions
- Nutritious. Blood supplies all parts of the body with oxygen, hormones, enzymes, which ensures the full functioning of the whole organism.
- Respiratory. Blood circulation brings oxygen from the lungsto the tissues, and carbon dioxide from the cells, on the contrary, to the lungs.
- Regulatory. It is with the help of blood that the flow of nutrients into the body is regulated, the required temperature level is maintained and the amount of hormones is controlled.
- Homeostatic. This function determines the internal tension and balance of the body.
A bit of history
So, why is it necessary to study the pH of human blood or, as it is also called, the acidity of the blood? The answer is simple: it is an incredibly necessary value that is stable. It forms the required course of the redox processes of the human body, the activity of its enzymes, in addition, the intensity of all kinds of metabolic processes. The acid-base level of any type of liquid (including blood) is influenced by the number of active hydrogen particles contained there. You can experiment and determine the pH of each liquid, but in our article we are talking about the pH of human blood.
For the first time the term "hydrogen indicator" appeared at the beginning of the 20th century and formulated it in the same way as the pH scale, a physicist from Denmark - Søren Peter Laurits Servicen. The system he introduced for determining the acidity of liquids had divisions from 0 to 14 units. A neutral reaction corresponds to a value of 7.0. If the pH of any liquid has a number less than this, then there has been a deviation towards "acidity", and if more - towards "alkalinity". The stability of the acid-base balance in the human body is supported by the so-calledbuffer systems - liquids that ensure the stability of hydrogen ions, maintaining them in the required amount. And help them in this physiological compensation mechanisms - the result of the work of the liver, kidneys and lungs. Together, they make sure that the pH value of the blood remains within the normal range, only in this way the body will function smoothly, without failures. The lungs have the greatest influence on this process, because they produce a huge amount of acidic products (they are excreted in the form of carbon dioxide), and also support the viability of all systems and organs. The kidneys bind and form hydrogen particles, and then return sodium ions and bicarbonate to the blood, while the liver processes and eliminates specific acids that our body no longer needs. We must not forget about the activity of the digestive organs, they also contribute to maintaining the level of acid-base constancy. And this contribution is incredibly huge: the above-mentioned organs produce digestive juices (for example, gastric), which enter into an alkaline or acid reaction.
How to determine blood pH?
The measurement of blood acidity is carried out by the electrometric method, for this purpose a specific electrode made of glass is used, which determines the amount of hydrogen ions. The result is affected by carbon dioxide contained in the blood cells. Blood pH can be determined in the laboratory. You only need to hand over the material for analysis, and you will only need arterial or capillary blood (from a finger). Moreover, arterial blood gives the mostreliable results because her acid-base values are the most consistent.
How to find out the pH of your own blood at home?
Of course, the most acceptable way would still be to contact the nearest clinic for analysis. Moreover, after the doctor will be able to give an adequate interpretation of the results and appropriate recommendations. But today many devices are being produced that will give an accurate answer to the question of how to determine the pH of the blood at home. The thinnest needle instantly pierces the skin and collects a small amount of material, and the microcomputer in the device immediately makes all the necessary calculations and displays the result on the screen. Everything happens quickly and painlessly. You can buy such a device in a specialized store of medical equipment. Large pharmacy chains can also bring this device to order.
Indicators of human blood acidity: normal as well as deviations
Normal blood pH is 7.35 - 7.45 units, these are indicators of a he althy person, indicating that you have a slightly alkaline reaction. If this indicator is reduced, and the ph is below 7.35, then the doctor diagnoses acidosis. And in the event that the indicators are above the norm, then we are talking about a change in the norm to the alkaline side, this is called alkalosis (when the indicator is higher than 7.45). A person should take the pH level in their body seriously, since deviations of more than 0.4 units (less than 7.0 and more than 7.8) are already consideredincompatible with life.
Acidosis
If laboratory tests have revealed acidosis in a patient, this may be an indicator of the presence of diabetes mellitus, anoxia, or a state of shock, or associated with the initial stage of even more serious diseases. Mild acidosis is asymptomatic and can only be detected in a laboratory by measuring the pH of your blood. The severe form of this disease is accompanied by frequent breathing, nausea and vomiting. In case of acidosis, when the acidity level of the body falls below 7.35 (the blood pH is normal - 7.35-7.45), the cause of such a deviation must first be eliminated, and at the same time the patient needs to drink plenty of water and take soda inside as a solution. In addition, in this case, it is necessary to see a specialist - a general practitioner or an emergency doctor.
Alkalosis
The cause of metabolic alkalosis can be incessant vomiting (often in case of poisoning), which is accompanied by a significant loss of acid and gastric juice, or eating a large amount of food that causes a supersaturation of the body with alkali (plant products, dairy products). There is such a kind of increased acid-base balance as "respiratory alkalosis". It can appear even in a completely he althy and strong person with too much nervous stress, overstrain, as well as in patients prone to fullness, or with shortness of breath in people prone to cardiovascular diseases. Treatment of alkalosis (as in the case of acidosis) begins with the elimination of the cause of thisphenomena. Also, if it is necessary to restore the pH level of human blood, this can be achieved by inhaling mixtures that contain carbon dioxide. Solutions of potassium, ammonium, calcium and insulin will also be required for recovery. But in no case should you engage in self-treatment, all manipulations are carried out under the supervision of specialists, often the patient needs hospitalization. All necessary procedures are prescribed by a general practitioner.
What foods increase blood acidity
To keep blood pH under control (norm 7.35-7.45), you need to eat right and know which foods increase acidity and which ones increase alkalinity in the body. Foods that increase acidity include:
- meat and meat products;
- fish;
- eggs;
- sugar;
- beer;
- fermented milk products and bakery products;
- pasta;
- sweet carbonated drinks;
- alcohol;
- cigarettes;
- table s alt;
- sugar substitutes;
- antibiotics;
- almost all varieties of cereals;
- most legumes;
- classic vinegar;
- seafood.
What happens if blood acidity is high
If a person's diet constantly includes the above products, then in the end it will lead to a decrease in immunity, gastritis and pancreatitis. Such a person often picks up colds and infections, because the body is weakened. An excessive amount of acid in the male body leads toimpotence and infertility, since spermatozoa require an alkaline environment for activity, and an acidic one destroys them. Increased acidity in a woman's body also negatively affects reproductive function, because with an increase in the acidity of the vagina, spermatozoa, falling into it, die before reaching the uterus. That is why it is so important to keep a constant level of human blood pH within the established norms.
Foods that make the blood alkaline
The following foods increase the level of alkalinity in the human body:
- watermelons;
- melon;
- all citrus;
- celery;
- mango;
- papaya;
- spinach;
- parsley;
- sweet grapes without seeds;
- asparagus;
- pears;
- raisins;
- apples;
- apricots;
- absolutely all vegetable juices;
- bananas;
- avocado;
- ginger;
- garlic;
- peaches;
- nectarines;
- most herbs, including medicinal ones.
If a person consumes too much animal fat, coffee, alcohol and sweets, then "overoxidation" occurs in the body, which means the predominance of an acidic environment over an alkaline one. Smoking and constant stress also negatively affect blood pH. Moreover, acidic metabolic products are not completely removed, but in the form of s alts they settle in the intercellular fluid and joints, becoming the causes of many diseases. To replenish the acid-base balancewellness and cleansing treatments and a he althy balanced diet are required.
Foods that balance pH
Here is a list of ingredients that are recommended to be included in dishes more often or consumed separately. These include:
- lettuce;
- cereals;
- absolutely any vegetables;
- dried fruits;
- potato;
- nuts;
- mineral water;
- plain drinking water.
To normalize the amount of alkali in the body and bring the pH of the blood plasma back to normal, most doctors advise drinking alkaline water: enriched with ions, it is completely absorbed by the body and balances acid and alkali in it. Among other things, such water strengthens the immune system, helps eliminate toxins, slows down the aging process and has a beneficial effect on the stomach. Therapists advise drinking 1 glass of alkaline water in the morning and 2-3 more glasses throughout the day. After such an amount, the condition of the blood improves. But it is undesirable to drink medicines with such water, since it reduces the effectiveness of some medicines. If you are taking medication, then at least one hour should elapse between them and taking alkaline water. This ionized water can be drunk in its pure form, or you can use it for cooking, cook soups and broths on it, use it for brewing tea, coffee and compotes. The pH level in such water is normal.
How to normalize blood pH with alkaline water
This water helps not only to improve he alth, but also to keep youth and blooming appearance longer. Drinking this fluid daily helps the body deal with acidic wastes and dissolve them faster, after which they are removed from the body. And since the accumulation of s alts and acids negatively affects the general condition and well-being, getting rid of these reserves gives a person strength, energy and a charge of good mood. Gradually, it removes unnecessary substances from the body and thus leaves in it only what is really necessary for all organs for proper functioning. Just as alkaline soap is used to remove unwanted microbes, so alkaline water is used to remove all excess from the body. From our article, you learned everything about the acid-base balance of the blood in particular and the whole organism as a whole. We told you about the functions of the blood, how to find out the pH of the blood in the laboratory and at home, about the norms for the content of acid and alkali in the blood, as well as the deviations that are associated with this. Also, now you have a list of foods that increase the alkalinity or acidity of the blood at your fingertips. In this way, you can plan your diet in such a way that you not only eat balanced, but at the same time maintain the right blood pH level.
