There are hundreds of magazine articles
and books providing guidance on weight loss. Once a seeker of methods
to upgrade my own health status, I've found multiple approaches that
have merit. There are also many that recommend dietary practices I
believe are unsound, or at least inappropriate because of the
“one-size-fits-all” model.
What I understand after years of
research and application, is that concentrating on choosing to eat
70%-90% alkaline-forming foods daily, not only yields optimal health
benefits, but normalizes one's weight gradually, when combined with
regular exercise.
You may remember if you took high
school chemistry that alkalinity and acidity are measured on a pH
scale from 0-14. Values below 7 are acidic, above 7 are base, or
alkaline. 7 is neutral, the standard being distilled water. Lemon
juice and vinegar are acids, while commonly known bases are baking
soda and lye, with which soaps are made.
The human blood stream must be
maintained in the alkaline range of 7.35-7.45, or sickness, and
possibly death will ensue. The food and beverages we consume can
cause minor fluctuations in blood pH. Plant foods with a high water
content, such as colorful fruits and vegetables, tend to be
alkaline-forming; once digested, they leave behind an alkaline
mineral residue. Processed foods such as those containing flour,
cereals, dairy products, and flesh foods are acid-forming; the
residue, or ash left after digestion is acidic. When we eat more
acid-forming foods, those that make up most of the Standard American
Diet, we force our bodies to maintain normal blood alkalinity by
pulling acid-buffering minerals, from our bones and teeth. Many of
these foods are notoriously lacking in vitamins, minerals, enzymes,
and fiber. When our intake of colorful, water-rich plants is high,
the leaching of calcium and other minerals to buffer acids is
unnecessary. Vegetables and fruits are the best source of the most
easily assimilated enzymes, minerals, vitamins and their co-factors,
the raw materials required by our trillions of cells for normal
function. Plants also provide fiber, which is critical for
maintaining smooth muscle tone in the approximately 25 foot long
intestinal tract. The fiber in plants and adequate water intake give
the intestinal muscles bulk to push against. A diet high in
processed, low fiber foods allows for a gradual weakening of the
digestive forces, resulting in constipation and abdominal congestion,
both precursors of disease.
