Osteoporosis is not just an inevitable result of aging. Currently, about 10,000,000 North Americans have been diagnosed with osteoporosis. The medical costs related to this disease are staggering, exceeding $14 billion per year.
New research has linked metabolic acidosis as one of the causes of osteoporosis. So what is metabolic acidosis?
Our body needs to maintain a balance between acids and alkalis for survival. For good health, our bodies PH should be slightly more alkaline. When our bodies alkali reserves run low, (low grade metabolic acidosis) then our body will do anything it can to stay in balance, even if that means drawing alkaline mineral compounds from bones to buffer excess acids. This helps rebalance the acid/alkaline PH in the blood. If over time, we are unable to replenish these bone mineral compounds, then osteoporosis develops.
In our fast-paced society, diet/lifestyle induced metabolic acidosis is more the rule than the exception. Most of us live with a very acidic PH. The most common causes of this excess acid load are:
1. Dietary choices- excess protein, fat, phosphate/phosphoric acid (sodas) and sulfate/sulfuric acid (processed foods).
2. Stress- induces the release of excess adrenaline and cortisol.
3. Immune Hypersensitivity reactions (delayed allergies).
To protect your bones, increase your intake of more fruits, veges, nuts, seeds and spices, which are alkalizing. You can eat protein rich foods, such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, legumes and whole grains, but consume them in moderation, about 2-3 small servings per day. Fish is the most alkaline of these proteins, whereas beef is the most acidic. Its not how acidic the food tastes, but rather its metabolic effects that matters. For example, citrus foods tastes acidic, yet once metabolized are very alkalizing. Our bodies PH should be between 6.6-7.5. This can be measured with a first morning urine using litnus paper.
Find out more through “The Better Bones Foundation” at www.betterbones.com
Reference: Brown, S. Better Bones Better Body, Beyond Estrogen and Calcium. Keats Publishing, 2000.
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