Digestive Disorders, pH Balance and You

Did you know that there is a connection between digestive disorders and pH balance? An unbalanced pH level can increase the acid level in your body; therefore increasing your chances of suffering from acid indigestion, acid reflux or other ailments. High acid level in your upper digestive tract also indicates high acid level throughout the rest of your body. This increased level of acid will also make you more susceptible to diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and arthritis. Because of the risks involved with increased acid levels, it is important that you take measures to balance your pH levels.

A Word About Acid Reflux And Other Ailments

In acid reflux disease, acid flows into the throat and creates a burning sensation during the digestive process. This acid flow is caused by a breakdown of the valve that separates the stomach from the esophagus; resulting from a disrupted acid-alkaline balance in the digestive tract. The accumulation of acid in the digestive tract is often the result of the sufferer eating the wrong types of food. Excessive consumption of junk food is not the only cause of acid reflux in some people; other foods, such as those containing excess additives, processed foods or other types of food may trigger symptoms as well.

Stress may also trigger symptoms of acid reflux in other people. When a person experiences stress, the blood is diverted away from the stomach to the lungs, heart and muscles for the response of fight of flight. With this diversion, the stomach is deprived of the needed oxygen and nutrients and cannot form sufficient enzymes for proper digestion.

Acid reflux disrupts the digestive process by irritating and swelling the mucous lining in the stomach, throat and esophagus. An unbalanced acid-alkaline level in the digestive tract can also lead to further accumulation of acid; which can lead to ulcers. Intestinal digestive process is meant to be alkaline, not acidic; therefore, the intestines are more adversely affected by acid than the stomach. Intestinal walls help absorb nutrients into the bloodstream and do not have the thick mucous lining that the stomach has. Acid also kills of the friendly bacteria that aid in digestion.

The liver and gallbladder are also affected by an unbalanced acid-alkaline level. The liver crystallizes bile and acid waste into gallstones because it becomes so overloaded with acidic waste that it cannot eliminate. If acid levels continue to rise, the liver will become damaged and all other body organs will be prone to deterioration.

How Can I Restore A Proper pH Balance?

Identifying and eliminating foods that cause acid reflux and allergic responses is the best way to restore the pH balance in your system. You can also include raw foods as well as vegetable juices in your diet to help heal the lining of your digestive tract as well as eliminating further accumulation of acid wastes. Supplements will also help replace the destroyed enzymes and friendly bacteria to the system.