One of the main goals of your body is to maintain homeostasis. This simply means maintaining physical, internal, and chemical conditions required by living systems. Some examples of this include body temperature, fluid balance, and pH level. PH refers to the ‘potential of hydrogen’, and is a measure of hydrogen ion concentration in a solution. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral, 0 being most acidic, and 14 being most alkaline. This is an important number in overall health and can be measured most accurately by a blood test ordered by your physician. A body’s blood pH should range from 7.365-7.45 for optimal nourishment and function of organs and tissues.
So how does your body monitor pH? Well, the two main contributors are the lungs and the kidneys. The lungs, by filtering out carbon dioxide, and the kidneys by removing acid through waste. Acidosis can occur when the body’s pH drops below 7.365, and alkalosis is when the body’s pH rises above 7.45. These two conditions can be caused by an assortment of issues, and IBD can be one of them. There are two main types of acidosis and alkalosis; respiratory and metabolic. Most commonly, metabolic alkalosis is associated with UC. This is because the colon, when affected by active disease, has a difficult time secreting and absorbing electrolytes which can lead to an acid imbalance. This includes reduced sodium and chloride absorption, as well as disrupted absorption and metabolism of Vitamin D. Rightly so, electrolyte imbalances are more common in UC, since Crohn’s doesn’t always affect the colon.
While the blood pH remains in the 7’s the pH of the intestines varies quite greatly depending on which organ you look at. Not surprisingly the stomach is the most acidic at 1.5-3.5. Next up, the small intestine which ranges from 6-7.4. Lastly, the colon ranges from 5.5-7 and the rectum 6.7. These ranges vary by design and function of the organ. These particular pH levels are not normally tested by themselves, but doctors do often test blood pH for those with gut and kidney diseases. If you suspect a pH imbalance, you can always ask your doctor to add a pH test to your next blood draw. While you can purchase pH strips for urine, these at home kits are far less accurate than the blood test and have to be used first thing in the morning after waking. However, you can use these as an overall indicator into your pH health.
While having IBD can cause metabolic alkalosis there are things you can do to help. Firstly, reduce your stress. Constantly being stressed, or in flight or fight mode, causes your body to secrete stress hormones that not only increase inflammation but acidity as well. Another thing you can do to help is reduce the toxins your body has to process. This includes things like heavy metals, pollutants, and plastics to beauty products and cleaners. This will help remove extra acid from the body as well. For other lifestyle tricks try; exercising, meditating, yoga, and deep breathing. All of these are beneficial for encouraging a normal body pH level.
There are also food choices you can make to help regain pH balance. As far as food goes, if you are struggling with metabolic alkalosis, you can add healthy acidic foods to your diet. These include; fresh fruit, raw unroasted nuts, honey, and organic grass-fed meats and wild caught seafood. Alternatively, if your pH is too acidic try adding cucumber, avocado, coconut, almonds, olive oil, lemon, lime, and tomatoes as these are alkaline foods. Just like anything in life, balance is key in maintaining a healthy blood pH level. Be sure to discuss your pH balance with your doctor if you think it is off. And remember to speak to your physician before making dietary or lifestyle changes to make sure they are right for you. pH balance is a major key to health, what is yours telling you?
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