Recently we offered through our naturopathic clinic, 15-minute health assessments with our naturopath and nutritionist, Katie and Sofia. These assessments were a great success with over 60 participants taking up this offer. One of the tests offered was an acid/alkaline test with the results indicating many of the participants were found to be suffering from an over acidic body.

I have written about this previously, however there are many ailments which can be exacerbated when the body is over acidic, one of them being arthritis. When there is a build-up of acid in our body we are at a higher risk of Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia. Once we suffer from these diseases, a highly acidic body is more likely to increase inflammation, soft tissue degeneration and bone loss. It is important therefore to learn how we can help our body to regain the right acid/alkaline balance.

These diseases are autoimmune diseases and are the result of an over-regulated or under-regulated immune system which attacks the body's healthy cells. When acid waste accumulates in the body, the immune system is compromised. In an arthritic body the white blood cells attack the healthy cells and because the white blood cells are concentrated near the joints, they do significant damage to the bone and soft tissue. As well, the acid poisons the damaged white cells, causing them to attack additional healthy cells.

An over acidic body also affects the nervous system, which can be detrimental to sufferers of Fibromyalgia. This damage to the nervous system can cause pain impulses throughout the body characterised by inflammation of the soft tissue.

The good news is, a significant reduction in our body's acid level is believed to be helpful in regenerating healthy cells and tissue thus reversing the damage caused by acidity and arthritis. Arthritis is a common problem - in fact I would say it is the major health complaint we deal with in our store every day. Often a customer will obtain relief by taking glucosamine or curcumin, however when we also look to address the acid/alkaline balance in the body the results are even more noticeable.

The obvious way to alkalise our body is to address our diet and lifestyle by avoiding eating high acid foods and drinks and ensuring we include lots of alkaline rich foods in your diet.

When we are born our bodies are in an alkaline state, however usually as we age we become more acidic. Because foods are either alkaline or acid forming, this balance is mainly determined by the foods we eat. The body can regain the correct acid/alkaline balance by consuming high alkaline foods. For instance, eating green leafy vegetables, pulses, fresh fruit, adding a tablespoon of barley grass powder to your fresh juice each day as well as drinking alkalising water will assist this.

If you prefer not to take the barley grass powder in juice, often our customers choose to also purchase a greens formula containing spirulina, chlorella, wheat grass, barley grass, alfalfa, mint and stevia. Many customers find the taste of this formula more palatable. I do however suggest adding an extra teaspoon of barley grass powder to gain the ultimate alkalising benefits.

A FREE ACID/ALKALINE TEST KIT is available from our store which enables customers to test their acid/alkaline levels. There is also available a comprehensive food chart listing alkaline and acid forming foods.  

For further information on this topic or any other health topic call in to see Bev and the team at Go Vita, Your Health Shop at 5 North St, Batemans Bay or phone on 44729737. Don’t forget to tune into Bev on Go Get Healthy at 12.30pm on 2EC.