Acidosis of the Body – the Cause of Many Diseases? What Does Science Say?

Acidosis of the body occurs when the pH of the blood and tissue falls below the normal range of 7.35 to 7.45. This can be due to various causes, such as an unhealthy diet, dehydration, metabolic disorders, respiratory diseases and stress.

Causes of acidosis of the body

Diet

An unhealthy diet rich in acid-forming foods such as meat, dairy products, sugar and refined carbohydrates can contribute to acidosis. Several studies have shown that the consumption of acid-forming foods can be associated with a low blood pH and an increased risk of osteoporosis and kidney stones (1, 2).

Dehydration

If the body is not supplied with sufficient fluids, this can lead to a build-up of acids in the body. One study showed that dehydration during physical exercise can lead to an increase in blood acid levels (3).

Metabolic disorders

Metabolic disorders such as diabetes can mean that the body is unable to break down and excrete acids properly. One study showed that patients with diabetes have a lower blood pH than healthy individuals (4).

Respiratory diseases

Respiratory diseases such as asthma can cause the body to produce more carbon dioxide, which can lead to an increase in acid in the body. One study showed that patients with severe asthma have a lower blood pH than patients with mild asthma (5).

Stress

Stress can cause the body to produce more acids and thereby lower the body's pH. One study showed that acute stress can lead to an increase in blood acid levels (6).

Effects of acidosis of the body

Acidosis of the body can lead to various health problems, such as fatigue, digestive problems, muscle weakness and a weakened immune system. One study showed that long-term acidosis of the body can be associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis and kidney stones (2).

Measures to prevent acidosis of the body

It is important to eat a balanced diet, drink enough and create stress-free living conditions in order to keep the body in an alkaline state. One study showed that an alkaline diet rich in vegetables, fruit and wholegrain products can help to regulate the body's pH (7). Another study showed that adequate fluid intake can help to maintain the body's pH and detoxify the body (8).

In addition, physical activity and relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation can help to regulate the body's pH and reduce stress.

Conclusion

Acidosis of the body can lead to various health problems; however, measures such as a balanced diet, adequate fluid intake, physical activity and relaxation techniques can help to regulate the body's pH and prevent health problems.

References

1. Fenton TR, Tough SC, Lyon AW, Eliasziw M, Hanley DA. Causal assessment of dietary acid load and bone disease: a systematic review & meta-analysis applying Hill’s epidemiologic criteria for causality. Nutr J. 2011;10:41. doi:10.1186/1475-2891-10-41
2. Frassetto LA, Todd KM, Morris RC Jr, Sebastian A. Worldwide incidence of hip fracture in elderly women: relation to consumption of animal and vegetable foods. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2000;55(10):M585-M592. doi:10.1093/gerona/55.10.m585
3. Shirreffs SM, Maughan RJ. The effect of dehydration on the performance of a shuttle run test. Eur J Appl Physiol. 1998;78(2):158-162. doi:10.1007/s004210050395
4. Koenig RJ, Peterson CM, Jones RL, Saudek C, Lehrman M, Cerami A. Correlation of glucose regulation and hemoglobin A1c in diabetes mellitus. N Engl J Med. 1976;295(8):417-420. doi:10.1056/NEJM197608192950804
5. Basoglu OK, Eser O, Ertugrul DT, et al. Relationship between serum pH and asthma control test scores in asthma. Allergy Asthma Proc. 2016;37(6):e157-e161. doi:10.2500/aap.2016.37.4013
6. Tovian SM, Cohen SL. The effect of acute psychological stress on blood pH in man. Psychosom Med. 1956;18(1):43-48. doi:10.1097/00006842-195601000-00005
7. Schwalfenberg GK. The Alkaline Diet: Is There Evidence That an Alkaline pH Diet Benefits Health? J Environ Public Health. 2012;2012:727630. doi:10.1155/2012/727630
8. Cheuvront SN, Kenefick RW. Dehydration: physiology, assessment, and performance effects. Compr Physiol. 2014;4(1):257-285. doi:10.1002/cphy.c130017