Article #3, June 25, 2002

Acid, like Water and Fire, are each a blessing and a curse. Keeping each in the proper place and controlling the magnitude of each is the secret to each being a blessing. Acid in the body is the key and the gateway to health. Allow imbalances to occur and you have opened the gate to accelerated disease and early death. Acid, out of control has destroyed city sewer lines. If soil becomes too acid, plant health suffers and plants die.

Where do we begin to win the war on acidity? Doctors and scientist have been doing research on acidosis for hundreds of years. One great doctor, Dr. Cary Reams was practicing correcting body acidity in the early 1900's with great success, so great in fact that he was imprisoned and his ranch burned.

To understand the critical nature of body acidity we must realize that all food and drink produces either an acid or alkalizing effect in the body. The residue and waste from foods build up in the cells, organs, and blood. Saliva and urine show the effect of excess acidity from the foods we eat. Even blood can become too acid. We cannot avoid the acid producing foods. Many of our best and favorite foods are highly acidic. The goal is to eat enough alkaline foods to balance the acidic foods.

This is not something that has to be done on an hour-to-hour basis. The body has a built in system to balance the acidic foods and correct over-acidity. This is exactly the mechanism that creates a self-destructive and life threatening system. If one continues to eat too many acidic foods, the body's alkaline reserve will be used to neutralize the excess acid. The very act of keeping us alive will deplete the reserve of alkaline material. This eventually leads to many diseases, including osteoporosis, diabetes, cancer, and ultimately death.

Several facts have to be clear in ones mind before starting on an alkalizing program. First, the true acidity (pH value) of a food has no relationship to the acidifying and alkalizing effect within the body. Many highly acid foods actually create an alkalizing effect when processed. The residue of the foods, after being reacted upon by hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes is the material that will swing the body either acid or alkaline.

Virtually all protein, meat, eggs, breads, and sugars are acidifying foods. Fruit and vegetables are alkalizing foods. Raw foods are more alkalizing than cooked foods.

Nuts are generally all acidifying with the exception of almonds. Fruit has an alkalizing effect with the exception of blue berries, cranberries, and plums, which are acidifying.

Where does this leave us? A bit confused for sure. We must continue to seek the narrow pathway to health. Our thinking must change relative to foods. The goal is to eat a number of alkalizing foods each day. At least six to eight servings of fruits and vegetables are required. One or two servings of protein, eggs, or cheese should be the limit.

Why can the body not take care of the acidity without discipline in our eating habits? If proper nutrients are supplied, along with a balance of acid/alkaline foods it can handle the task. Hydrochloric acid is essential for life. It is the only acid made by the body and it has many functions.

Without enough hydrochloric acid, foods become a poorly digested mass of toxic substances (not to mention indigestion, pain, and anti-acids). All other acids in the body are byproducts of metabolism and are eliminated as quickly as possible. In addition, without adequate amounts of HCL, many nutrients are not absorbed. Folic Acid and B-12, along with eight essential amino acids and 15 minerals, are all poorly absorbed without sufficient HCL.

The production of hydrochloric acid declines over age 40. Low HCL can exist in individuals from 20 to 30 years of age, and in some cases, in infants. A short supply of potassium will result in a decreased supply of hydrochloric acid. All learned persons agree that short supply of hydrochloric acid contributes to virtually all disease.

Many scientists say this is in fact the cause of hundreds of diseases. HCL supplements in the form of betaine hydrochloride are very inexpensive. Taking HCL supplements without proper testing and supervision by your medical provider is not recommended.

Cancer and other disease cannot live in a body that has the proper alkaline level. Most cancer patients have advanced acidosis. This alone is enough to justify the effort to balance alkaline and acid foods. The goal is 80% alkaline and 20 % acid producing foods.

The good news is that cantaloupe, watermelons and figs are at the top of the alkaline list. Food acidity references can be viewed at www.fugitt.com/acidfood.htm.

If you have questions, or comments email wayne@fugitt.com.