There’s nothing wrong with you if you’ve forgotten something about what a pH scale is. Though we were taught about it in terms of chemicals and solutions, did we ever consider what it means for the human body to have a pH level? Has anyone ever given us a thorough explanation of how to determine if we have a pH imbalance? And how exactly are we expected to determine our pH levels? How are they maintained?
The first thing to understand is that our body does a very good job of maintaining its pH levels in check on its own, most commonly through breathing and urinating. The human body is designed to maintain a healthy balance of acidity and alkalinity, and it maintains this by consuming various foods.
This article discusses how pH balance functions, why balancing pH levels is important, and how pH levels can be modified.
Table of Contents
- pH of the Human Body
- Blood pH Levels
- Importance of Balancing pH Level
- How to Increase pH Level in the Body
- Maintaining pH Level in Body
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
pH of the Human Body
The pH stands for “potential hydrogen” in any solution. The hydrogen ion concentration in a given solution is measured using the pH scale. The pH decreases as hydrogen ion concentration increases. The pH would also increase if there were fewer hydrogen ions present.
pH is calculated on a scale from 0 to 14. Here, 7 represents a neutral pH. Additionally, a pH of less than 7 is regarded as acidic. Similarly, a pH value over 7 is considered basic or alkaline.
The pH range of the human body usually falls between 7.35 and 7.45, a very narrow range. This is regarded as normal for the blood pH, and other fluids such as urine have different pH ranges. Any deviation from this range of 7.35-7.45 may have severe effects, and the body will probably let us know if anything is wrong. In contrast, the pH of stomach acid ranges from 1.5 to 3.5, making it acidic. A low pH is helpful for digestion and for eliminating any bacteria that enter the stomach.
The pH of biological fluids, organs, and other parts of the body can affect the biochemical processes that support various bodily functions, including digestion, metabolism, and hormone production. The body can only function in a condition of equilibrium or homeostasis if the pH is maintained in balance.
Function of pH Levels
The pH scale goes from 0 to 14, where 0 is the most acidic, 14 is the most basic, and 7 is neutral. The average body pH in healthy individuals is 7.4, which falls within the range of 7.35 and 7.45. Many biological processes, like the oxygenation of the blood, benefit from a somewhat alkaline pH balance.
For instance, the pH of gastric fluids in the stomach ranges from 1.35 to 3.5, which is highly acidic. The acidity helps in digestion by breaking down protein and other food particles and creates an environment that is adverse to bacteria and other infections.
Blood pH Levels
For the body’s metabolic functions and other systems to function properly, the pH level of blood should be between 7.35 and 7.45. The body has complex feedback and regulatory mechanisms to maintain healthy pH levels since these activities lead to the production of acids.
The body produces a significant amount of carbonic acid. This results from the reaction of water and carbon dioxide. The process of breathing causes carbon dioxide to be produced within the body’s tissues.
The two main organs that control the pH of the blood are the kidneys and the lungs. Moreover, every cell in the body has a chemical buffering system.
Changes in Blood pH Level
The body may not be able to maintain blood pH levels within the normal range due to specific conditions and medical problems. Blood pH can fluctuate in both directions.
Acidosis happens when the blood’s pH falls below 7.35, indicating that it is highly acidic. When the blood’s pH is higher than 7.45, it is too alkaline, resulting in alkalosis. It’s important to identify and address the underlying problem that has resulted in the shift to return blood pH levels to the normal range.
Importance of Balancing pH Level
Even though pH is a topic commonly related to chemistry, it is also important for body functions.
The pH level is used to determine how acidic or basic a substance is. The “pH” stands for potential/power of hydrogen; pH determines how much of the hydrogen ion is present in a particular substance. As difficult as it may sound, understanding chemistry is not important for understanding how pH affects human health.
A balanced pH level is essential for maintaining the body’s regular functioning; hence, regulating a pH balance is essential for good health. Due to the body’s excellent ability to maintain a balanced pH level on its own, this issue does not arise frequently.
One of the body’s pH control methods is termed the acid-base buffer system. Buffers are compounds that can keep the pH of an aqueous solution stable. When blood pH is highly acidic, alkaline buffers are secreted in the bloodstream, and likewise, acidic buffers are activated when blood pH is too alkaline.
How to Increase pH Level in the Body
Our bodies aim to maintain a steady pH level by balancing acidic and basic elements present in our systems. However, if the pH is too acidic, it can result in unwanted thoughts and other health issues. Therefore, it’s important to understand how to raise our body’s pH level.
Antacid Consumption
Certain types of acidosis, such as hyperchloremic acidosis, can develop if too much sodium bicarbonate is lost. The U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM) states that doctors often prescribe sodium bicarbonate antacids to reduce the acidity of blood or urine.
An RSC Advances study published in May 2016 found that the quickest approach to alkalising the body is using antacids. According to the research, nano-antacids might offer more sustained relief than current commercial antacids.
Hydration is the Key
Metabolic acidosis can result from severe dehydration. Therefore, maintaining hydration is essential to get alkaline immediately.
It’s essential to consume enough fluids, such as water and herbal tea, for overall well-being. It’s extremely important if you exercise regularly because this can occasionally result in lactic acidosis, which develops when the body produces too much lactic acid.
Following an Alkaline Diet
Adopting an alkaline diet is one of the simplest ways to naturally alkalise the body. A study published in the Journal of Renal Nutrition in May 2018 found that eating alkaline foods, including fruits and vegetables, helped those with chronic kidney disease have improved pH levels.
Control Underlying Conditions
Acidosis can be brought on by various underlying conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disorder, cancer, liver disorder, seizures, low blood sugar, severe dehydration, asthma, nerve or muscle disorders, etc.
Thus, controlling any underlying issues will determine how to raise pH and prevent acidosis. Discuss the best way to manage your health with your doctor.
Maintaining pH Level in Body
Maintaining the state of equilibrium is essential in many aspects of life. The lungs and kidneys work together to filter out various toxins to maintain your body’s pH levels. The equilibrium between acidity and alkalinity in the body is known as the acid-base balance. The blood must be regulated and kept under control because even a minor change can impair the operation of other organs.
pH levels can be maintained by eating a diet full of items that serve to alkalise the body and reduce acidity. Fruits, whole grains, vegetables, legumes, and nuts are some examples of these foods.
Summary
It’s essential to consider the body’s pH levels and the symptoms of an improper alkaline-acidity balance. We can discover more about one’s pH balance by using different test methods.
It can be a sign that our body is in acidosis, where the blood is too acidic, or alkalosis, where the blood is too alkaline if we see a change in pH through various biological processes like diabetes, kidney stones, UTIs, inflammation, and more.
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Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
How does the pH level affect the human body?
What causes high pH in the body?
What happens if blood pH is too low?
Additionally, the kidneys attempt to compensate for this low pH by excreting more acid through urine. However, if the body persists in generating too much acid, these processes may become overloaded, resulting in severe acidosis and ultimately heart issues and coma.
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