Alkaline for Life®
The importance of pH balance in healthy bones
by Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD
Alkaline balance is very important for bone health. We evolved in an alkaline ocean
environment, and even today our body’s internal environment remains alkaline,
with a pH just above 7.0. Our enzymatic, immunologic, and repair mechanisms all
function their best in an alkaline environment. Despite this, our biochemical functioning,
the metabolism of food, and many other fundamental life processes, all produce a
great deal of acid.
When we exercise or move, for example, we produce lactic acid and carbon dioxide.
Lactic acid is by its nature acidic, and the exhalation of carbon dioxide represents
an excretion of acids. Further, our immune responses (manifested as allergies and
hypersensitivity) and stress responses generate substantial amounts of acidic by-products.
Finally, we generate acids when we eat and digest food. For example, sulfuric acid
can be produced from the metabolism of sulfur-containing amino acids, and we consume
phosphoric acid as a food additive. Long-chain fatty acids also produce acids when
metabolized.
There are countless chemical reactions necessary for life that can only occur within
a very specific pH range, so the body has many checks and balances to maintain pH
within a narrow range. To regain the alkaline state necessary for our health and
survival, metabolic acids from all sources must be buffered or neutralized.
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How Diet Impacts Your Bones
Learn how a good diet with basic nutrients will help alkalize and reduce acid load
for better bone health.
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Through various mechanisms, alkaline mineral salts of organic anions are drawn upon
to buffer acids. Many of these can be obtained by eating a diet rich in fruits and
vegetables. Potassium citrate and potassium malate, for example, are commonly found
in vegetables and fruits. The organic anions of these compounds, when metabolized,
have the ability to accept hydrogen ions and thus reduce the acid load and restore
alkaline balance. When dietary consumption patterns provide insufficient buffering
capacity, body buffering mineral pools can be depleted and the intracellular environment
becomes acidotic.
An underlying metabolic acidity is a common denominator among — and a likely
contributing factor to — all degenerative and autoimmune diseases. An acid
condition has several adverse effects on cell metabolism, including impaired energy
production, fluid accumulation and edema, and a likely increase in free radical
production. Interesting enough, kidney specialists working with acid-base balance
now recognize that most Americans, as they age, live in chronic, low–grade
metabolic acidosis. This condition contributes to a series of health problems, including
loss of bone mineral, loss of muscle mass, a reduction in growth hormone, and the
development of kidney stones.
The restoration of the health-promoting alkaline state is essential to the regeneration
of bone health, immune competence, and overall well-being.
Our most popular resources on alkaline balance
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Testing your pH:
a pathway to alkaline balance
One tool used at the Center for Better Bones is pH testing, which helps us learn
when our acid-alkaline balance is out of the range required for bone health. Learn
about pH testing and how it can help you monitor your bone health in this article.
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Acid-forming
foods
A table of foods that help make the body more acidic.
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Alkaline-forming
foods
A table of foods that help make the body more alkaline.
- Sample day on an alkaline diet
The acid-alkaline diet to balance pH and improve bone health is offered by Better
Bones, including a sample daily Alkaline for Life diet plan.
- pH and bones: the science
General information on how the body regulates pH, and how you can use first morning
urine to monitor pH, from Dr. Susan Brown and the Women to Women Personal Program
for Better Bones to maintain healthy bones.
Our Personal Program is a great place to start
At the Center for Better Bones we promote an all-natural approach to bone regeneration
and repair that includes nutrition, diet, exercise, and lifestyle guidance. Our
Personal Program is a convenient, at-home version of this approach.
Questions about the Personal Program for Better Bones? Call toll-free at 1-877-200-1269.
Original Publication Date: 01/01/2009
Last Modified:
01/06/2012
Principal Author: Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD