Acid load on the body - a new dimension in nutrition

Acid load on the body - a new dimension in nutrition or

Malnutrition - cause of chronic acidification of the body

Summary of the report for IV-th Russian Congress of Pediatrics. October 2005. Tereshtenko NP

What is acid or alkaline balance (pH)

We are used to calculate food by calories, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and others. But every product, there is another key indicator - acid load (CN) food. As the acid-base balance has a significant impact on all biochemical processes in the body, it is an important parameter. What is the acid-alkaline balance or (pH)? This is the ratio of acidity and alkalinity in any solution, and shows the number of hydrogen atoms in the solution.

The human body is 70-80% water, and has acid-base ratio. The normal pH of the body fluids is as follows:

- Arterial blood 7:35 to 7:45

- Venous blood 7:26 to 7:36

- 7:35 to 7:40 Limfa

- Intracellular fluid 7:26 to 7:38

- Vatrestavna liquid 7.3

The body continually strives to balance this ratio, keeping strictly defined pH level. Every enzyme has its optimal pH (typically 7.3-7.4), wherein the enzymatic activity is at a maximum. Even small changes in pH in either direction results in a decrease of enzyme activity and decrease the rate of biochemical processes in the body. Alkaline-acid balance is one of the most stable parameters in homeostasis.

At the beginning of 21st century American scientists made a sensation when he discovers that every product has another key indicator, which is crucial for our health. This is the acid load of the food. It is the ratio of food components in the course of metabolism form or an acid or base. When in the food components dominate the components which form sulfuric acid (sulfur-containing amino acids in the protein) or organic acids (fats, carbohydrates), CN has a positive value. If more food components forming base (organic salts of magnesium, calcium and potassium), the CN is a negative value. Computer analysis allows us to determine the acid load of basic food products (see table).

Acid load of basic foodstuffs *

product

components

acid load

acidity

alkalescence

acid products

meat

77.7

9.8

67.9

cereals

8.0

-5.8

13.8

cheese

2.8

-1.4

4.2

Milk and yogurt

5.7

2.9

2.8

eggs

1.8

-0.7

2.5

neutral products

pulses

0.9

1.7

-0.8

walnuts

1.3

1.2

0.1

alkaline foods

green vegetables

32.9

92.0

-59.1

Vegetables, fruits **

21.3

67.8

-46.5

roots

10.1

36.5

-26.4

vegetables

6.8

21.1

-14.3

Club

4.5

15.1

-10.6

fruit

2.1

7.9

-5.8

* In milligrams per 240 kilocalories.

** Fruit, which is normally referred to as vegetables: tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, cucumber, watermelon, melon, pumpkin, etc.

Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2002; 76 (6): 1308-1316

Poor nutrition is the cause of chronic acidification of the body

Food that takes modern man is characterized by an imbalance of hydrogen ions and bicarbonate, resulting in slightly outlined chronic disease-causing metabolic acidosis (oxidation). According to anthropologists, nutrition ancient man consisted of one third meat of wild animals, ie fat and two-thirds of plant food. Such feeding is extremely alkaline.

With the advent of agrarian civilization, the situation radically changed. Man began to take many cereals, dairy products and fatty meat from domestic animals. But the most dramatic dietary changes occurred in the late 20th century, when eating entered industrially processed "acidic" products. These dietary changes were called a risk factor in the pathogenesis of "diseases of civilization", including atherosclerosis, hypertension, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes and many others.

Acid load in the diet of modern man is 48 plus!

Nutrition of modern man is rich in saturated fats and simple sugars, sodium and low in fiber, magnesium and potassium. It is dominated by refined and processed foods, sugar, flour meal.

What predstvlyava diet of modern man? Pizza, chips, cheese, newfound miracle - dairy products, sweets, sugary soft drinks. Such food is acidic valence. Taking a daily "acidic" food leads to chronic acidification (acidosis) of the internal environment of the body. Chronic acidosis has slightly outlined in numerous pathologies.

Ph blood - one of the most stringent physiological constants of the body which is maintained in a narrow range. When exposed to acidification or alkalization body uses compensation mechanisms, buffer systems of the blood, as well as resorting to the aid of the lungs, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract and other organs.

In the process of life activity, the body requires both acid and alkaline degradation products, which results in 20 times more acidic than the alkaline! Therefore, the body's defense system to ensure a constant acid-alkaline balance is "tuned" to neutralize and remove mainly acidic degradation products.

In general, the resistance of the alkalization is several times higher than the oxidation!

For the body is preferably closer to a state of easy-compensated alkalosis (alkaline medium), since under these conditions more actively undergoing processes of energy production, synthesis of proteins, lipid metabolism, the mineral metabolism and the like.

In fact, more common state of near compensatory acidosis (acidity)!

The constant load compensation system, may lead to decompensation, which mainly occurs in the disorder in the metabolism, not only in the cells but also in the whole organism. Compensatory acidosis may impair the body unnoticed, but steadily for months and even years.

How the body controls the level of acidity?

In long-term deviation from the equilibrium in the direction of the acidity of the skeletons as depot calcium and magnesium, can participate in the compensation process for the maintenance of acid-base balance in the body.

The body does not allow raising the pH of blood outside the specified limits. But this is achieved by price and sacrifice on the part of the skeleton. To achieve the alkalinity of bone alkaline wash buffer - calcium and magnesium. According to recent scientific studies, bone initially lose magnesium, then calcium. This results in accelerating the development of osteoporosis. Muscle breakdown. Chronic fatigue and muscle pain already observed at a young age. Bone and muscle weakness that leads to deterioration of joints. Acid reaction of the urine creates ideal conditions for the formation of kidney stones. It has the character of an epidemic. Chronic impairment of the renal activity leads to the development of inflammatory and renal failure.

How the body controls the level of acidity?

Acidic saliva destroys teeth and contribute to the development of stomatitis. Chronic zakiselyavane can cause headaches, anxiety, insomnia, fluid retention in the body. Highly acidic diet depletes the body of large amounts of magnesium, calcium, potassium and other elements neutralizing acidity and should be added to new, otherwise it will soon appear symptoms of disease.

The role of magnesium to maintain the acid-base balance in the body

Because of its biological activity, the magnesium may be even more important for the body of calcium! With the presence in the body (21-28g.), Magnesium together with calcium, sodium and potassium included in the first body at least four most important minerals, and content within the cell is second only to potassium. Without magnesium, calcium can not be absorbed. Magnesium balance the intake of calcium and prevents its removal.

Magnesium is especially needed for bones. About 60% of it is contained in bones and teeth, and approximately one-third can be mobilized to meet immediate needs of the body. 20% of the magnesium is in muscle, and 19% - in other organs of the body (brain, heart, liver, kidney, etc.), and 1% - in the extracellular fluid. In the blood, 60-75% of the magnesium is in the ionized form.

Reasons for magnesium deficiency

Refined foods, food prepared by the method fast food (fast food) - leads to loss over 70-80% of magnesium. In the majority of the most common food magnesium is poorly presented.

Low magnesium are so loved by children car and sweets. The use of much caffeine, coffee, tea, soft drinks (cola), chocolate, and more. Excessive consumption of glucose leads to increased excretion of magnesium in the urine. Magnesium deficiency is compounded by damaged by intensive farming soil. Pollutants (organic fertilizers, industrial waste, heavy metals, pesticides) reduce the amount of magnesium from the soil into plants.

Magnesium deficiency can be observed not only in poor nutrition, but also in increased demand for magnesium as: physical and mental fatigue, stress, psycho-emotional stress.

Other causes of magnesium deficiency are:

Malabsorption (diarrhea, constipation), gastrointestinal disorders, abuse of laxatives;

Increased excretion of kidney (renal diseases, diabetes, diuretic, alcohol);

The use of drugs (contraceptives, estrogen, beta blockers, inhibitors, cardiac glycosides, anti-tuberculosis drugs, antibiotics, cytostatics).

Lack of magnesium leads to a deficiency of zinc, copper, calcium, potassium, silicon, and subsequent replacement of toxic heavy metals: lead, cadmium, aluminum. Large negative role and have a variety of weight loss diets. Excessive consumption of animal protein - fashion for different protein diets shifted pH in the acidic side, and increases the excretion of uric acid.

Biological effect of magnesium

Magnesium is one of the main engineers of cells. All energy processes in the body are mandatory involving magnesium. 80-90% of the intracellular magnesium is found in the ATP-ing complex! Magnesium contributes to the influx of calcium into the cell (operated calcium channel). In this respect, magnesium acts as a physiological antagonist of calcium and prepiyatstva excessive cellular activity. For example, it prevents excessive contraction of the muscle cells (muscle spasms, vasospasm in hypertension and heart pain, spasm of the bronchial tubes in bronchial asthma, gut spasm, etc.).

Magnesium protects the nervous system from destructive stress and psycho-emotional disorders. Magnesium is the "insulation" for conducting nerve impulses vazprepiyatstva excess of its passage. Magnesium supports cellular and humoral immunity and has anti-inflammatory anti-allergic effect. Magnesium supports the salts in urine in solution. Magnesium stopping the formation of stones, even in low concentration, it vazprepiyatstva crystallization. Magnesium ions bind in the urine by 40% oxalic acid. Prevents precipitation of calcium compounds.

In the absence of magnesium (and its reserves are depleted much faster than previously thought), calcium begins to cause various diseases. Magnesium, particularly in the form of citrate, reduces the absorption of oxalate in the intestine and urinary excretion. Thus, magnesium is given another role in human health.

Magnesium is involved in the neutralization of toxins in the liver, and protect against radiation. Magnesium prevents heavy metals in the body (eg. Lead) and removes it from metabolism. Magnesium is essential to strengthen bones, teeth, hair and nails. Thus, magnesium, like no other element, is responsible for many important metabolic processes in the body. Not accidentally, it is in line with the Latin word «magnum», one of the meanings of which is "great". Magnesium is not synthesized in the human body, and falls into the body with food and water. He is called the base metal of life.

LITERATURE

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