pH (potential of hydrogen) is a value that measures the acidity or alkalinity of a substance.

on a scale of 0 to 14. 

• A pH of 7 is considered neutral. 

• A pH less than 7 is considered acidic. 

• A pH greater than 7 is considered alkaline.

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CLAUDE BERNARD, OTTO WARBURG AND ALFRED PISCHINGER ALIGNED AGAINST THE DAMAGE OF ACIDOSIS

There are three important scientists involved in all of this, and let's talk about Claude Bernard (1813-1878), Otto Heinrich Warburg (1883-1970), and Alfred Pischinger (1899-1982), author of The Extracellular Matrix, from which the current concept of ECM, EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX, is derived.

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Maintaining the slight alkalinity of the blood and the ECM, that is, the correct pH,

It is one of the most important tasks that the body performs daily.

The cell, a fundamental element of life, could not live without a good extracellular environment surrounding it .

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• Life begins and ends at the cellular and extracellular level.

• The enzymes that enable transport reactions across cell membranes are very sensitive to even minute changes in pH. If the pH shifts toward acidity, these enzymes are blocked.

• Our body functions best only if the pH is slightly alkaline.

• The correct biochemical and metabolic functioning of cells, the exchanges between cells and the extracellular environment, the nutritional process of cells, the functioning of peripheral nerves, and consequently, overall well-being, depend on this slight alkalinity .

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ACIDOSIS = TISSUE POISONING 

And it is perceived through a person's appearance and symptoms.

Acidosis is both an expression and a consequence of a disharmonious integration of the human being with their internal and external environment.
When faced with a pale, dehydrated, aged individual with dull eyes and a lack of luminosity in the sclera, who also experiences fatigue, anxiety, low mood, muscle aches, allergies, neuralgia, a tendency to contract infectious diseases, indigestion, constipation, and recurrent cavities, one might consider many things, but above all, acidosis and acidification—a form of tissue intoxication.

The lungs supply oxygen, the kidneys regulate the concentration of electrolytes (sodium-potassium-chloride particles), the digestive system extracts nutrients from the food we eat, and the extracellular environment allows communication between cells.

organs with organs.

Human beings need to maintain different values ​​constant and guaranteed, such as:

the amount of body fluids (we are made of two-thirds water),

body temperature, tissue oxygenation, cellular respiration,

biological terrain  ( homeostasis )

Claude Bernard was the first to speak of biological terrain or milieu interieur , a term now replaced by homeostasis .

The concept of biological terrain finds a place today in physiology and naturopathy. 

but not in medical practice, which is entirely focused on suppressing and controlling symptoms.

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Blood pH Variations Compared to ECM:

Our most representative body fluids (blood and intercellular fluids) are alkaline : they have practically the same alkalinity as seawater, perhaps to remind us of the common marine origin of all living beings.
The normal range within which the acid-base balance of the blood operates is very narrow and must be between 7.35 and 7.45. At 6.95, one enters a coma.

Blood pH values ​​below 6.80 and above 7.80 are not compatible

with life.

In the MEC, the pH range can be much wider.

A normal blood pH can be maintained even in the presence of tissue acidosis.
In extracellular matrix (ECM), acidic values ​​below 7 can be tolerated without life-threatening danger, although with serious health repercussions.

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TAMPON SYSTEM

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All body fluids are equipped with buffering systems or  a buffer system.

If these systems cannot control pH balance, then the lungs and kidneys step in.
For example,
the lungs eliminate weak or volatile acids (those with little tendency to release hydrogen ions) such as lactic acid, citric acid, and pyruvic acid, which are converted into carbonic acid and expelled as carbon dioxide through respiration.
Strong acids produced from animal proteins can only be eliminated by the kidneys (uric, phosphoric, and sulfuric acids).

Acids that cannot be neutralized accumulate in the ECM, which is in fact the most extensive buffer system, as well as the most effective detoxification system in the body.

Both disease (imbalance) and healing (homeostasis) occur through the same matrix. An ECM matrix loaded with toxins, in bioelectrical imbalance,

With low oxygen levels and microcirculatory blockage, it requires a powerful action to unblock itself. (See the DETOX page )

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The environment where cells live must be alkaline to perform their functions better.

Health and well-being can only exist in the presence of a slightly alkaline ECM.

Conversely, illness, discomfort, and unhappiness require an acidic extracellular environment.
The extracellular matrix (ECM) refers to the spaces between cells.

Talking about MEC is like talking about internal water.

The ECM is full of vessels, cells, tissues, fibrils, nerve endings, but above all water, the water found between the cells, that is, intercellular water.

70% of an adult human's body is made up of water. 

Water is the most important factor in communication between cells for the exchange of nutrients between the extracellular and intracellular environments.

This internal water must be kept slightly alkaline to fully perform its functions.

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After all this information we can deduce that

Almost all diseases begin with an acidification of the ECM.

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ACIDOSIS = ACCUMULATION OF TOXINS = INFLAMMATION

=  IMMUNE SYSTEM IMBALANCE

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As the condition worsens and remains in an inflammatory state, toxins accumulate in the extracellular space, generating a chronic proliferative inflammation, which leads to the formation of granulomas, hypertrophy of lymph nodes and mucous membranes, skin thickening, blockages of exchange and flow of oxygen, vitamins, minerals, bioelectrical signals between the cell and the extracellular environment, as well as between the environment itself and the outlet vessels (lymphatics and venules).

The accumulation of toxic waste causes stagnation of lipids (lipidosis), accumulations of iron (hemochromatosis) and of amyloid substance (amyloidosis).

If this deposition-impregnation-stagnation phase persists, functional anarchy occurs in the organ of which these cells are a part.

The severe hypoxic suffering of the cell, due to the chronic lack of oxygen that characterizes the degeneration phase, leads to an inaction of the immune system, and it is in this phase that cancer forms .

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ACIDIFICATION = MUCUS

The acidification of the blood leads, as a protective and reactive symptom , to the formation of mucus secretions and catarrh in different parts of the body, to the point that acidification is synonymous with mucus.

One of the leading theorists of the raw vegetarian-fruitarian diet, that is, the anti-mucus diet, was Dr. Arnold Ehret (1866-1922), author of "The Mucusless Diet Healing System"

CAUSES
OF ACIDIFICATION 

This acidification can be caused by:

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• Abundant and high protein meals

• Intake of processed and acidifying foods

• Incomplete or unbalanced breathing

• Stress and anxiety

• Insufficient intake of natural vitamins and organic trace elements, all of which are enzyme activators

• Low intake of organic water from watery fruits and raw vegetables

• Intestinal infection with dysentery and loss of alkaline substances

• Psychological traumas with activation of stress hormones

• Intense and prolonged physical activity, with production of lactic-pyruvic-carbonic acid

• Low physical activity and decreased oxygenation

• Indigestion or mild poisoning from unsuitable or indigestible foods, fungi, parasites, etc.)

• Use of medications 

• Liver failure

• Kidney failure .

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ACIDIFYING FOODS

• Animal proteins: red meat, sausages, poultry, fish

• Dairy products: milk, butter, cheeses, yogurt

• Sugars: sweets, chocolate, sugary drinks

• Drinks: coffee, alcohol, soft drinks

• Saturated and trans fats: animal fats, fried foods, margarine

• Refined flours and cereals

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ACIDIC (sour) FOODS ARE ALKALINIZED

And alkaline (sweet) substances become acidic during digestion.

Acidity means sour, vitamin C, lemon, citrus fruits, etc.

Alkalinity means plant protein (cereal) and animal protein (meat and milk).

But keep in mind that during digestion, alkaline starting foods (meat, milk, eggs, fish) release acidic and acidifying ash in the duodenum (upper part of the intestine), while acidic starting foods (raw fruits and vegetables) release alkaline ash in the duodenum, and are therefore alkalizing.

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THERE ARE NO TABLES OF ABSOLUTE VALUES FOR ACIDIC AND ALKALINE FOODS

The acidifying or alkalizing action of a food depends on a person's individual metabolic capacity to convert acids into neutral bases .

That is why tables of absolute values ​​for alkaline and acidic foods cannot exist.

That is why what must be observed and taken into account is the ratio between alkalizing and acidifying foods , where the starting condition for determining the true alkalizing factor is never the food's capacity to metabolically transform into alkalizing compounds, thanks to interactions with other elements in the duodenal area. This is how lemons, oranges, pomegranates, and green apples do not produce oxalic acid but instead combine with other substances and become strongly alkalizing.

 

PRAL INDEX OF RENAL ACID POTENTIAL

However, there is the Remer and Manz scale, which evaluates endogenous acid production through the potential renal acid load index, PRAL.

The PRAL of a food is calculated by evaluating its content of protein, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and calcium, in relation to its degree of intestinal absorption.

Foods with negative PRAL are so alkalizing and very good for health, as they counteract water retention and act in the strategic area of ​​the extracellular matrix. 

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ALKALINIZING FOODS ACCORDING TO PRAL CALCULATIONS (INCREASE IN DIET)

From the PRAL tables, where foods with a positive PRAL (+ sign) are acidifying and those with a negative PRAL (- sign) are alkalizing, I cite among the most alkalizing foods grapes (-21.8), figs and dried figs (-14.1), dates (-13.7), celery (-5.2), carrots (-4.9), apricots (-4.8), courgettes and pumpkins (-4.6), potatoes and cavolfiori (-4), radishes and turnips (-3.7), green beans and tomatoes (-3.1), chicory (-2), kiwi (-4.1), cherries (-3.6), pineapples and oranges (-2.78), pears (-2.9), apples (-2.2), watermelon (-1.9), almonds (-0.8), hazelnuts (-2.8), chickpeas (-7.3)

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ACIDIFYING FOODS ACCORDING TO PRAL (LIMIT IN THE DIET)

Among the most acidifying PRAL foods are cured cheese (+34), egg (+8.2), egg yolk (+28.2), trout (+10.8), canned meat and tuna (+13.2), salami (+11.6), ham (+7.9), chicken (+8.7), herring and anchovies (+7), milk chocolate (+2.4), olive oil (level zero, i.e., neutral), white rice (+12), brown rice (+4.6), oat flakes (+10.7), pasta and spaghetti (+6.4), rye bread (+4.1), white bread (+3.7), peanuts (+8.3), walnuts (+6.8), lentils (+3.5).

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HOW TO ALKALIZE YOURSELF

Here are some strategies:

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• Reduce acidifying foods and increase alkalizing foods

• Cultivate psychophysical relaxation

• Learn to breathe properly

• Maintain a good intake of light water (low dry residue) to avoid dehydration 

• Use of diuretic-detoxifying plants for the liver such as milk thistle, dandelion and artichoke

• Good management of inner, emotional and mental life

• Meditation and relaxing music that acts on the limbic system

• Increase acid elimination with draining treatments that stimulate the excretory system, and with more physical-aerobic activity (see the DETOX page and contact me for a personalized program).

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EVERY HUMAN THOUGHT AND ACTION IS REFLECTED IN THE HEART OF EVERY CELL

The internal cellular environment is fed by the external environment, by what we eat, drink, breathe and above all by what we think, say and do with our behaviors and with our daily choices.
 

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Following a natural lifestyle and a personalized hygienic diet with natural, fresh, and seasonal foods can improve the psychophysical state and help in the recovery processes of mild disorders, inflammations, and chronic-degenerative diseases.

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If you are looking for professional support to get started

If you need to change your habits, you can contact me.

I'd be happy to help !