What Acidity Actually Means
Acidity refers to a set of symptoms caused by an imbalance between the acid secreting mechanism of the stomach and proximal intestine, and the protective mechanisms that ensure their safety. The stomach normally secretes acids essential for the digestive process. These acids help in breaking down food during digestion. When there is excess production of acids by the gastric glands of the stomach, it results in acidity. Nowadays, our lifestyle and dietary habits are such that they increase the acidity level of the body. Acidity is also responsible for dyspepsia, heartburn and the formation of ulcers (erosion of the lining of the stomach or intestines).
Acidity is measured in terms of pH. In humans, the normal pH of all tissues and fluids of the body (except the stomach) is slightly alkaline. The acid-base balance of our blood plays an important role in normal day to day functioning of our body. Even a slight imbalance affects the vital functions of the organs, resulting in various health problems.
The term pH stands for power or 'potential of Hydrogen'. It is measured on a scale of 0 to 14 (neutral is seven). The lower the pH, the more acidic the solution and the higher the pH, the more alkaline. For example, a pH of 5 is more acidic than a pH of 6 and a pH of 9 is more alkaline than a pH of 8. The pH scale is logarithmic, which means that each step is 10 times different than the previous level. In other words, a pH of 4.5 is 10 times more acidic than a pH of 5.5 and 100 times more acidic than a pH of 6.5.
In healthy adults, the pH levels of blood, spinal fluid and saliva is approximately 7.4. The pH of the blood is most critical. All other organs and fluids fluctuate in their values to keep the blood pH level strictly between 7.35 and 7.45 (slightly alkaline). This process is called homoeostasis. Virtually all degenerative diseases, including heart disease, arthritis, osteoporosis, kidney/gallbladder stones and tooth decay, are associated with excess acidity in the body. Cancer and many other diseases cannot exist in an alkaline environment.
Another way to test the saliva (and also urine) pH is to use a pH test strip kit. The pH of the non-deficient and healthy person is in the slightly alkaline range of 7.3 (dark blue) to 7.1 (blue). The range from 6.5 (blue green), weakly acidic, to 4.5 (light yellow), strongly acidic, represents states from mildly deficient to strongly deficient, respectively. The pH of the saliva of a newborn child is normally 7.35 (strongly alkaline). More than half the adults show a pH of 6.5 or lower, reflecting calcium deficiency, due to aging and lifestyle defects. A cancer patient's test result will usually show a bright yellow (a pH of 4.5), especially when the cancer is terminal.
Acidity facts
- Rain, in forests, is alkaline, but in cities, it is acidic, due to industrial pollution.
- Sea, spring, river and flowing water (naturally occurring water) are alkaline.
- Chlorinated tap and swimming pool water are acidic.
- Primarily, only raw green vegetables and fruits are alkaline, whereas, most other common foods that we eat are acidic.
- Nature recommends a diet of 20% acidic and 80% alkaline food. However, we normally eat 80% acidic and 20% alkaline food.
- Lemon juice tastes sour because it contains 5% to 6% citric acid and has a pH of 2.2. (high acidity)
- The stomach acid is quite strong. Its pH is between 3 and 5. At this pH, it can dissolve deep fried and difficult to digest foods. The stomach secretes around 1.5 liters of acid per day.
Causes, Effects, and Hyperacidity
The body becomes imbalanced and overly acidic, primarily as a result of three things: ingesting acids - eating too many acidifying food, such as processed sugar, meats, dairy products, coffee and alcohol, create an acidic ash in the body; creation of acids - pathogens create acidifying toxins in the body, and as the body becomes more acidic, more and more harmful bacteria and yeast proliferate; and improper elimination of acids - some acids are weak while others are strong, and when the body's buffering systems (breath, mineral reserves and fat) are compromised, acidity increases.
If the blood becomes too acidic
- The small intestine then becomes less alkaline to digest food optimally. The pancreas, gallbladder and liver are forced to make up for this deficiency to metabolise food properly. The resulting problems are lowered immune function, fatigue, hormonal imbalances, absorption and digestive problems.
- The bones lose calcium, the most alkaline mineral in the body. This can lead to reduced absorption of supplemental minerals and bone density problems.
- Insulin levels increase and fat gets stored instead of being metabolised. As a result, weight gain takes place. Once obesity sets in, weight loss becomes difficult.
- Electrolyte imbalances occur, which have a direct bearing on the fluid transport system.
- Additional stress is placed on the kidneys, gallbladder, pancreas and other organs.
Hyperacidity is a widespread common disorder. If not treated in time, it leads to ulcer formation in the digestive tract. Chronic hyperacidity interrupts all cellular activities and functions, and interferes with life itself. It is mainly caused when hydrochloric acid, an important component of the digestive juices, is produced in excess, due to smoking and alcohol consumption; excessive intake of hot, spicy and fried food; excessive intake of chocolate, tea and coffee; intake of sweets, adulterated, fermented and fatty food; use of aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs; stress-related conditions, such as anger, fear and anxiety; and a fast paced lifestyle.
Symptoms of hyperacidity
- Burning sensation, pain or discomfort in the throat and chest (behind the breastbone) known as heartburn
- Blood in stool
- Headache
- Lack of appetite
- Nausea
- Pain in the abdomen, either immediately after meals (gastric ulcer) or two hours after meals (duodenal ulcer)
- Persistent cough
- Sour oral secretion/belching, with an acidic taste in the mouth, due to regurgitation of acidic fluid in the throat or mouth
- Vomiting, sometimes accompanied with blood
Why Green Vegetable Juice
If your saliva pH is too acidic, you may have to increase the alkalinity of your body. This can be done by including green vegetable juices in your diet. Green juices are a potent fuel in maintaining good health; and they do not come burdened with fats that accompany animal products.
Fresh green vegetable juices work as detoxification drinks and have a powerful effect on the recuperative powers of the body, because of rich and easily absorbable nutrients. Fresh vegetable juices contain proteins, carbohydrates, chlorophyll, mineral electrolytes and healing aromatic oils. Most importantly, a fresh juice makes large amounts of plant enzymes available to every cell in our body, an integral part of the healing and restoration process.
Green vegetable juices also contain large amounts of vitamins B1 (Thiamine), B2 (Riboflavin), B6, B12, C, carotene, choline, folic acid and pantothenic acid. They are high in minerals, such as calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium and phosphorus. They are full of enzymes useful for digestion and assimilation; some contain over a hundred known enzymes necessary for human cell response and growth.
Green drinks also have anti-infective properties. They remove acid wastes, increase body pH levels, and are an excellent source for mucus cleansing. They can also help in clearing the skin, cleansing the kidneys, purifying and building blood supply. Green drinks are critical to the success of not only the Acidity Cleanse but also for every cleansing program. The chlorophyll present in various green juices is highly alkaline and forms the basis of our treatment.
Chlorophyll as a Blood Tonic
The molecular composition of chlorophyll is very close to that of human haemoglobin. These drinks can act as mini-transfusions of blood and tonic for the brain and the immune system, since chlorophyll is absorbed directly into the blood stream.
Blood and chlorophyll resemble each other structurally in the following manner: both have porphyrin nucleus, and the substitutions in 1, 3, 5, 8 (methyl groups) and 2 (vinyl group) positions are the same; both yield porphyrin upon degradation; both are composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen; both have metallic portion in a complex form - there is iron in blood and magnesium in chlorophyll.
Making Vegetable Juice
Only use clean and fresh vegetables. You may combine different vegetables in any proportion to suit the needs of your body and taste. Organically grown vegetables are preferred. Alternatively, they may be soaked overnight in potassium permanganate (KMnO4) solution. I use fresh vegetables (which may have been cultivated using pesticides and fertilisers), purchased from the ordinary market, without potassium permanganate. I feel that after undergoing numerous Kidney and Liver Cleanses, the immunity of the human body is sufficiently enhanced to fight the detrimental effects of pesticides and fertilisers.
Do not mix fruits and vegetables while extracting the juice. Wash the vegetables, cut them into small pieces and put them in a juicer. Buy a juicer if you don't have one. Meanwhile, you may use a mixer-cum-grinder. Strain this mixture through a coarse strainer with large holes, so that you get enough fibre. The large holes in the strainer allow medium and small pieces of fibre to flow with the juice. Only large pieces, which you find difficult to swallow are strained. The residual green paste can be used in chapati flour.
Tip
Drink it fresh, since it spoils quickly. Do not use it beyond 1½ days, even if it has been stored in the fridge. For example, if you have prepared the juice today morning, you can use it only until tomorrow evening.
A random selection of vegetables to start with
- Alfalfa sprouts, Beetroot, Bitter gourd, Bottle gourd, Cabbage, Capsicum, Carrot, Celery, Cucumber, Garlic, Ginger, Goose berry, Green tomato, Lemon, Mint, Parsley, Radish, Spinach, Turnip
Tip
Whether your stool sinks or floats is dependent on its fat as well as water soluble content. Stool that has spent a relatively long time in the large bowel (constipation) will have had most of the water removed and will be dense and heavy, so, it will sink. Whatever be the condition, observe your stool after drinking 200 ml of green vegetable juice three times a day for a week. Ingested food will be well digested and absorbed. All the fat will be properly metabolised, the stool will become soft and will sink.
Specific Combinations
The juices included here have been used with therapeutic success for many years. Some specific combinations for individual needs are given below. Try them thrice daily for a week to notice a difference. You may omit any vegetable, if it is not available or does not suit you.
- Potassium juice - Make juice using three carrots, three celery stalks, one bunch of spinach and one bunch of parsley. This is the single most effective juice for cleansing, neutralising acids and rebuilding the body. It is a blood and body tonic that provides rapid energy and system balance.
- Personal best V-8 - Make juice using eight green tomatoes, four green onions with tops intact, one capsicum, two carrots with tops intact, two celery stalks, one bunch of spinach, one bunch of parsley and two lemons. Personal best is a high vitamin/mineral drink for normalising body balance.
- Cleansing energy tonic - Make juice using four cups of mixed sprouts (e.g., sunflower and/or moong dal), one large carrot, one celery, one cucumber and one green onion. It is a good afternoon 'pick-me-up' juice during a seven day cleanse.
- Kidney flush - Make juice using four carrots with tops intact, one cucumber, four beets with tops intact, one handful of spinach and four celery stalks. Kidney flush is a sure shot kidney cleanser and diuretic, with high levels of potassium and other minerals.
- Fungi/yeast cleanser - Make juice using one bunch of parsley, two garlic cloves, six carrots and two celery stalks. This juice is beneficial in treating all type of fungi and yeast problems.
- General health tonic - Make juice using four carrots, one cucumber and two celery stalks. Regular intake of this tonic increases stamina and vitality.
- Arthritis relief detox - Make juice using a large handful of spinach, a large handful of parsley, a large handful of watercress, five carrots with tops intact and three radishes. Arthritis relief detox increases the flexibility of all joints and can be done along with a Joint Cleanse.
- Constipation cleanser - Make juice using one small green cabbage, three celery stalks and five carrots with tops intact. You can benefit in almost all types of constipation problems by drinking this juice for a few days every month.
- Blood builder (fruit) - Make juice using two bunches of grapes, six oranges and eight lemons. Mix the juice with two cups of water and four teaspoons of honey.
- Allergy cleanser (fruit) - Make juice using fresh ginger root, one fresh lemon, six carrots with tops intact and one apple.
Home Remedies for Immediate Relief
To get immediate relief from acidity, try any of the following:
- Drink 200 to 500 ml of cold milk
- Drink sugared cold water
- Eat tender pulp of coconut
- Drink coconut water
- Eat watermelon, banana or cucumber
- Chew basil leaves
- Drink fresh mint juice
- Suck on a clove or chew an almond
- Drink cold banana milk shake
Dosage
Remember that I want you to take enough fibre, chlorophyll, proteins, carbohydrates, mineral electrolytes and nutrients in their natural form. Drink one glass (200 ml) three times a day (nearly 600 ml in a day). After that, decide on the quantity best suited to you. Modify the dosage according to the tolerance level and physical condition of your body. Bear in mind that it is impossible for us to imbibe these juices in excess, since nature has designed us to eat raw food and has provided an inbuilt limiting mechanism that helps us know when to stop.
Witness the miraculous cure, for all your problems, unfold within a week.
Tip
Many of my friends have replaced their morning tea with a glass of green vegetable juice. Drinking this fresh green juice overnight fights stomach acidity and provides a great start to the day.
