Patients often ask us to recommend tests to check their blood pH. Why? Because "someone" (Dr Google?) said that they should adhere to an alkaline diet/ drink alkaline water to sat fit. They then google the said diet, strictly follow it, drink the said water and now want to check if the new protocol has made a difference to their blood pH levels.
❗ALKALINE DIET / ALKALINE WATER CANNOT CHANGE YOUR BLOOD pH LEVELS❗
If a diabetic patient cut down on their carb/sugar intake, they would expect an improvement in their fasting and post-meal blood sugar levels. Similarly, a patient with dyslipidemia would expect improved blood cholesterol levels after 3 months of a revised dietary regimen and exercise schedule.
Unfortunately, this is not the case for blood pH. You CANNOT alter it. No matter what you eat or drink, your body will maintain the normal range of blood pH between 7.35 and 7.45
Our body has the ability of maintaining the balance of acid and alkali in the blood (homeostasis) using two organs - the kidneys and the lungs. This acid-base balance is precisely controlled because even a minor deviation from the normal range can severely affect many organs.
When there is too much acid or base in the blood because of infection/sepsis, severe heart or lung disease, it could lead to hypoxia or oxygen deprivation. In order to maintain blood pH, our lungs breathe out more carbon dioxide and our kidneys release more acid or base in the urine.
Acidosis (low pH) and Alkalosis (high pH) are two abnormalities of acid-base balance. They are not diseases but are the result of a wide variety of diseases. Their presence indicates a serious health issue. ICU patients who are critically ill may have a low blood pH which can be life threatening.
So the next time "someone" tells you to go on an alkaline diet, or drink alkaline water or...bathe in "electrolyte-enriched" water tell them you now know better !!!
Stay blessed with good health...always !!!
