Thrive in 30: Acid vs Alkaline
This is my fifth post for the Thrive in 30 campaign series that I am a part of through Vega and let me tell you, this one is a doozey! The fourth lesson in this series is about Acid vs Alkaline forming foods.
Did I actually just see your eyes glaze over when you read the words acid vs. alkaline?
I promise to keep this post from resembling a grade school science class but if you want to throw on your rollerblades and turn on Saved by the Bell while you read this post, by all means you are more than welcome to reminisce (Krystal!).
I have also posted about the:
Introductory Lesson
Lesson 1: Stress and Diet
Lesson2: High Net-Gain Nutrition
Lesson 3: Myth Busting
So we have learned that nutrient dense foods can really help reduce stress levels, weight loss, physical performance and overall well-being. We have learned about protein needs for performance and other nutrients of interest to bust nutritional myths. When Brendan started discussing enzymes in the last video, I knew that I would be in for a treat because I love metabolism and enzymatic reactions. Feel free at any time to make fun of my nerdy science tendencies! Let’s geek out together…
Thrive in 30 Alkaline vs. Acid Main Ideas:
- Brendan discusses the difference between acid forming foods and alkaline forming foods and why it impacts our health & performance.
- Acid forming foods would consist of refined foods like white flour, processed meats, dairy, basically anything that has been manufactured somehow will have more acid forming qualities.
- Alkaline foods are non-processed foods like dark leafy green vegetables, fruits, etc. Those foods that contain chlorophyll increase your blood’s pH level, which increases alkalinity thus they are alkaline forming.
- Calcium is an alkalizing mineral (Brendan uses the term “alkaline forming”). If we consume highly processed foods on a frequent basis (okay whenever we do), the calcium in our bones will be pulled out to “balance” the pH levels that have been altered from the processed (acid-forming) foods to maintain a healthier pH.
- Because we often consume less healthy & more acid forming (refined) foods, more of the calcium is being pulled out of our bones more often, causing our bone density to decrease as a population.Lower bone density is correlated to the ridiculously increased rates of osteoporosis at younger ages.
Okay Brendan, What do you suggest we do?
- Swap out a highly acid forming meal (which would be a highly processed meal like ham and cheese, hamburger, frozen dinner, pizza, etc.) for a highly alkaline forming meal (dark leafy green salad… vega smoothie). It should noticeably reduce inflammation within 48 hours and even your hands will feel a difference.
- Essentially, it boils down to the concept of eating more leafy, dark green vegetables and produce (like his favorite smoothies!) because you will allow your body to maintain it’s healthy pH levels, and cause less calcium to be stolen from your bones.
Did I lose anyone at “alkaline”, “chlorophyll” or pH?
What do I think?
Here comes the science geek…
- Every solution is either acidic or basic (alkaline), think coffee or water, our blood, soda, etc.
- Our blood has a pH around 7.3-7.4. Our stomach, which contains mostly hydrochloric acid as its solution, is going to be the most acidic at a pH of 1 (up to 3 at times)
- Blood pH levels, huh? The pH scale goes from 1 (acidic) up to 14 (alkaline). We want to be on the alkaline side (slightly higher) of the middle ( slightly higher than 7 ) so that we (as Brendan suggests) are not pulling minerals out of other uses to help balance out the chemistry.
- pH is the potential of hydrogen, meaning the exchanging of hydrogen ions. Acid forming foods contribute hydrogen ions, alkaline forming removes hydrogen ions from the body.
- I agree that we consume too much acid forming, refined foods and that this could be contributing to the increased rates of osteoporosis at younger ages. Soda contains other minerals (Phosphorous, Sodium…) that can cause the calcium imbalance as well – so maybe we could reduce osteoporosis rates by just eliminating soda! Soda also replaces milk consumption… oh the dynamics of nutrition!
- One example Brendan gives is “Soy Protein Isolate”. He used to eat it frequently and I did too. Soy protein pH is neutral around 7.35 but refining it into soy isolate requires isolating the protein, pulling out the carbohydrates and fat. This refinement causes the soy isolate to become an acid-forming bad guy.
Homework: Check your foods with high protein or supplements or those high protein (luna, balance, zone) bars and see what the first ingredient is… wait, just kidding on the homework!
- To keep the video within a realistic length, I’m sure Brendan summed up the acid forming foods pulling the calcium from our bones and “causing” osteoporosis at a younger age. I don’t think anything has one main cause. Osteoporosis is for sure occurring at a younger age more than ever just like Type-II Diabetes, Obesity, and plenty other diseases. Nutrition is at the core of these problems.
- Lower bone density is a risk factor for osteoporosis but it is not the only cause. Calcium isn’t the only mineral of importance either! My graduate thesis was going to be on Vitamin D and athletes but the whole blood samples from athletes as a student thing did not end up working. PhD, maybe?
- We could also eat more leafy green vegetables, whole/fresh produce, and alkaline forming foods like spinach, citrus fruit, raisins, carrots….
Carrot “Cake” Muffins will be posted here Friday August 5th. These are Gluten Free and Vegan*. Ingredients: Whole Grain Oats, Cinnamon, NuNaturals Stevia, Ground Flax, Applesauce, Walnuts and… Alkaline Forming All Stars: Carrots and Raisins
What do YOU think?
