By Michelle Schoffro Cook for Care2.com
Choosing a healthier lifestyle can be as simple as alkalizing your body, which may sound complicated but it really isn’t. Basically, acid and alkaline are opposite sides of the biochemical spectrum. Ideally, your body should be slightly alkaline, but most people’s bodies are excessively acidic due to high stress levels, a diet high in meat, sugar consumption, and other acid-forming habits. While supplements are not a substitute for a healthy diet and lifestyle, they can assist you in making your body more alkaline.
1. Green Food Powders
There are many different kinds of green powders, primarily made from spirulina or chlorella algae and the juices of various types of grasses: barley, wheat, or alfalfa. These ingredients might seem like a recipe for swamp water, but add a teaspoon or two to water, juice diluted with water, or a smoothie and you’ll be surprised how good they can taste. More importantly, they help alkalize your body, thereby promoting greater energy, improved resistance to illness, and less pain. If you don’t like one type, choose a different kind since there is a significant variation in taste between various green powders.
2. Calcium
To cope with acidity, your body may withdraw calcium from your bones since it is a natural anti-acid mineral. Like a bank account from which regular withdrawals are made, your bones can become vulnerable to excessive calcium losses. To help restore the amount of calcium in your body, you can supplement with this critical mineral. Everyone’s needs are different but they usually range from 800 mg to 1500 mg.
3. Magnesium
In the same way that the bones act as a reserve for alkaline calcium, your muscles are reservoirs for the mineral magnesium, which is also alkaline. Most nutrition experts estimate that 80 percent of people are deficient in this important mineral. If you’re prone to headaches or muscle tension, you may find that supplementing with magnesium is helpful. Most people take between 400 to 800 mg of magnesium.
4. pH Drops and Powders
There are special formulations on the market designed specifically for balancing your body chemistry. And, as with anything, there is a huge variation in the quality of these products so it may take some experimentation to see which one works best for you. They are usually named “pH drops” or “pH powder” or something similar. Usually they contain a solution of chlorine dioxide or hydrogen peroxide, which releases oxygen in your body, helping to restore biochemical balance. Sometimes the powders contain a variety of alkaline mineral salts, namely: potassium, magnesium, manganese, calcium, and iron. Follow package instructions for use.
This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not be construed as diagnostic or prescriptive. Always consult your physician prior to starting any new supplements.
Adapted with permission from The Ultimate pH Solution by Michelle Schoffro Cook, PhD.
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