When it comes to taking care of your health, my number one tip is to become alkaline. This is perhaps the most important habit for anyone searching for the optimal performance of the human body.
Our body and internal organs are designed to run in an alkaline environment, not an acidic one. An acidic body is a potential host for various diseases, weight gain and bone deterioration. We are not meant to perform in an acid type of fluid, as it is corrosive and very stressful in the long run. A healthy body is close to alkaline or at least pH neutral (potential hydrogen); this is the most recommended environment to achieve optimal health.
In the world we live in right now it is easy to stay either acid or alkaline, based on the choices we make. We all have the capacity to alkaline our blood by using our reserves of minerals from our bones. The problem is, that after years of acidic diet and lifestyle, the reserves inside the bone can no longer sustain and its reduction means acidification is eminent. This acidic lifestyle compromises not only the bones but other systems of the body as well, including: cardiovascular, digestive, nervous, lymphatic and endocrine. Virtually the whole-body system is affected by the change in pH.
Our blood is the conduct for nutrients, oxygen and electrolytes – it should be close to pH 7.2, which is alkaline. A small drop or increase in this number could have catastrophic effects in our overall health. Over-acidification of the blood, or acidosis, can drop the pH to less than 7.2 or 7 resulting in serious consequences to blood oxygenation and quality. It seems to be a small drop in pH but it is enough to cause damage in your organs such as; kidneys, heart, skin, intestine, eyes and many more vital organs. In other words, we are closer to death by staying in a state of acidosis. On the other hand, it is not hard to make your body alkaline. It is simple in fact. The best way to start living an alkaline lifestyle is to adopt daily habits that are well known to increase alkalinity from within.
Let’s get to the bottom of it:
- Drink alkaline water – pH over 7.2 to 8.
- Eat more vegetables – most vegetables are very alkaline – eat more leafy greens, legumes and vegetable juices.
- Eliminate refined sugars and processed foods – the most recommended way to start becoming alkaline is by cutting down on white sugars, flours and processed products.
- Breathe – by exercising deep breathing and the right breathing techniques like in yoga.
- Exercising – low to moderated aerobic exercises (e.g. walking or jogging) are more recommended instead of anaerobic exercises (weight lifting). Aerobic exercises help to increase oxygenation of the cells whereas anaerobic exercises increase lactic acid and productions of other acids.
- Sleep – proper sleep is fundamental to the regeneration of the body and restoration of the body homeostasis.
- Positive thinking – by adapting a more positive thinking approach you can change the fluids inside your body. Negative thoughts produce acidic fluids; positive thoughts produce alkaline ones.
There are many charts out there that can give a good guideline as to what to eat and what to stay away from when it comes to Alkaline. Here is a good one here. Or this chart from Living Health is quite good too.
Whatever you do, eat fresh!
Ronaldo
About the Author
Ronaldo Fulieri was our guest speaker on our Kickstart 2020 webinar with John Fiztgerald.
Ronaldo is open, friendly, energizing and definitely an inspiring Brazilian who is passionate about nutrition and cooking. He loves and respects food and knows that fresh ingredients have to be used adequately to preserve maximum nutrition and bio-availability.
Born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil, nutritionist and chef Ronaldo Fulieri’s first book, Ronaldo’s Kitchen: The Superpower of Nutrition brings not only delicious and simple recipes to your dining room table but, well informed nutritional information that will help you to enjoy good food and experience weight loss at the same time.
C.A.T.S. CHALLENGE 