Acid-base balance: symptoms of acidosis & tips for balancing it

In alternative medicine, it is assumed that the body has an acid-base balance. If this is imbalanced, many unpleasant symptoms appear – hyperacidity has set in. This article shows how you can counteract this.

Acid-base balance: what is it?

Before we look at the symptoms of acidosis, we should first clarify what the acid-base balance actually is and what it means. According to the definition, it is a physiological control circuit that has the task of keeping the pH value of the blood in a constant range. The optimum value is between 7.35 and 7.45. If the acid-base balance is balanced, this has a positive effect on the body.

The concept of the acid-base balance originates from alternative medicine. There it is assumed that the body is in balance when the acids and bases are also in balance.

To find out what the individual pH value of the blood is, the acid-base balance can be measured. The best way to do this is via urine. Special test strips show whether the pH value is within the normal range or whether measures need to be taken to balance the acid-base balance. This is necessary in the case of hyperacidity, for example.

What does acidosis mean?

If the acid-base balance is not in equilibrium, this is usually referred to as hyperacidity. Hyperacidity – also known as acidosis – is often the result of a hectic everyday life and an unhealthy diet. The body can normally cope well with such phases. However, if this becomes a permanent condition, it reacts with hyperacidity.

Acidosis occurs when the body is no longer able to neutralise the acids. It begins to draw calcium from the bones and trigger a number of processes. If symptoms are observed that indicate such an imbalance in the acid-base balance, action must be taken.

Acid-base balance imbalance: the symptoms

The fact that the acid-base balance is not in balance can be recognised by a number of symptoms. These include, among others:

• Heartburn

• Joint problems

• Hair loss

• Headaches

• Fatigue

• Muscle pain

• Pale complexion

• Pimples and skin blemishes

• Muscle tension and pain

• Digestive problems

• Cellulite

• Wrinkles

• Osteoarthritis

• Arthritis

Acidosis of the body usually initially manifests itself in difficulty sleeping and fatigue . Those affected often have problems falling asleep or wake up tired and exhausted in the morning despite getting enough sleep.

An imbalance in the acid-base balance is most frequently noticed through symptoms such as lack of drive, chronic tiredness and nervousness. Increased sensitivity to stress and irritability also appear quite early on.

One of the first symptoms of an unbalanced acid-base balance is blemished skin. Acidosis usually results in pimples and blemishes on the forehead. This is because the body wants to excrete many unwanted substances via the largest organ – the skin. However, if there are too many substances, small inflammations can develop in the skin, which form pus and appear as classic pimples.

If you notice these symptoms and gradually notice other signs of an acid-base imbalance, you should take action. In fact, in most cases it is possible to get acidosis under control with the right diet. It is also often necessary to adjust your lifestyle.

When should you regulate your acid-base balance if you have symptoms?

As with all other complaints of the body, the earlier you recognise a problem, the better. This means that it can be tackled at an early stage. Even if there is an imbalance in the acid-base balance, you should not wait too long to take action if you have symptoms. This is not only because the symptoms are annoying – they become more and more severe as the acidosis generally increases. People who struggle with hyperacidity are also more susceptible to infections. And so the complaints become more and more varied.

If the acid-base balance is not balanced, this has various effects. Many of the symptoms can also be due to other causes. It is therefore advisable to consult a doctor first and have a test carried out. This can determine the acid-base balance and whether there are other reasons for the symptoms.

By the way: If you don’t do anything about acidosis, you increase the risk of suffering a stroke or heart attack! The symptoms of an imbalanced acid-base balance should therefore not be taken lightly.

Symptoms of an imbalanced acid-base balance: These tips can help

Has your acid-base balance become unbalanced and are the first symptoms becoming noticeable? Then there are a few things you should change. There are a few tips to follow to neutralise acidosis quickly and effectively .

The right diet

Acidosis can be counteracted primarily through the right diet. It is usually an unhealthy diet that leads to acidosis in the first place.

Alkaline foods should be the main focus of your diet. These include, for example

• Spinach

• Savoy cabbage

• Cucumbers

• Tomatoes

• Carrots

• Bananas

• Nuts

• Berries

• Herbs

• Mushrooms

It is primarily the potassium contained in these foods that is said to have a balancing effect on the acid-base balance.

Until the body no longer shows signs of acidosis, it is important to avoid meat, fish, dairy products, sweets and alcohol. Once the acid-base balance has regulated itself again, these foods can be consumed in moderation. However, it is important to maintain a balance between alkaline foods and those that promote acid formation .

A distinction is also made between good and bad acid producers. Good acidifiers are generally preferable to bad ones. These include, among others

• Wholemeal cereals

• Pseudo-cereals such as amaranth or buckwheat

• Pulses

• Soya products

• Green and white tea

Food supplements

First things first: food supplements are merely a support for the body. They do not replace the need to change your diet if it is an unhealthy diet that is causing the symptoms of an acid-base imbalance.

Supplements that are used to treat hyperacidity in the body usually contain citrate salts of trace elements and minerals:

• Calcium citrate

• Magnesium citrate

• Zinc citrate

These have a simple task: to act as bases in the human body. In addition to the active ingredient complexes, however, dietary supplements with zinc or preparations with calcium are also used. When buying food supplements, it is important to ensure that they are of high quality. Only then can active ingredients be well absorbed by the body and have the desired effect.

Manufacturers such as Kingnature offer high-quality products of natural origin with high bioavailability. Furthermore, the relevant food supplements are strictly controlled in order to fulfil high quality requirements.

If you want to treat the symptoms of an imbalanced acid-base balance with supplements, you should first speak to a doctor if you have any concerns or questions. This way you can be sure that no other therapy is necessary.

Lifestyle

As mentioned at the beginning, many of the symptoms of an imbalanced acid-base balance are particularly evident in people who lead a very stressful life. It is undisputed that stress is generally not good for your health. It is therefore definitely worth reducing it.

The reason why stress upsets the acid-base balance and leads to corresponding symptoms is the release of stress hormones. In addition to cortisol, these include noradrenaline and adrenaline. This changes the hormone balance. The body now tries to break down the stress hormones, creating additional acids.

Permanent stress also affects breathing. If you are stressed, your breathing becomes shallow and hurried. This in turn means that not enough oxygen reaches the blood. However, the body needs oxygen so that waste products, which contain a lot of acid, can be removed. And the cells also need oxygen so that they can provide energy. If this is not possible, acids accumulate.

Stress therefore plays a very important role in the acid-base balance. For this reason, those affected should try to reduce stress as quickly as possible. Relaxation exercises, walks and yoga can help. Exercise in the fresh air is also an excellent option, as the body then enters a phase of deep relaxation.

Purification or metabolism cure

Most people have to deal with acidosis sooner or later. If this is the case, it is not a bad thing. It just shouldn’t last for long. For this reason, some people decide to go on a detox or metabolic diet once or twice a year.

Such detox cures look very different and not everything that is offered is really healthy and good for the body. It is therefore best to consult a specialist or undergo such a programme under the guidance of your GP.

Conclusion

The symptoms of an imbalance in the acid-base balance are varied. And the causes are also different. Depending on the cause of acidosis, there are different ways and means of regulating the acid-base balance. In most cases, however, a change in diet and a reduction in stress are effective.