ACIDOSIS: The Kiss of Death!
WHAT MAY CAUSE "ACIDOSIS"?
WHAT IS ACIDOSIS?
DEFINITION: Acidosis is an increased acidity in the blood and other body tissue. Acidosis is said to occur when arterial pH falls below 7.35. The pH level of our blood affects every cell in our body. Chronic acidosis may corrode body tissue, and if left unchecked, will likely interrupt all cellular activities and functions.
WHAT MAY CAUSE ACIDOSIS?
HIGH ACID-FORMING FOODS and DIETS may lead to ACIDOSIS.
Living a fast-paced daily lifestyle, such as eating on the run, will likely lead people to face constant symptoms of indigestion and growing endangerment of over-acidification (Acidosis) of the body cells. It is a major root cause of sickness and disease. Having our cells constantly exposed to an acidic environment may lead to acidosis and then chronic acidosis and finally to various forms of disease such as cancer.
Studies have shown that an acidic, anaerobic (which is also the lack of oxygen) body environment encourages the breeding of fungus, mold, bacteria, and viruses. As a result, our inner biological terrain shifts from a healthy oxygenated, alkaline environment to an unhealthy acidic one (acidic pH scale).
This forces the body to constantly deplete its cellular energy to neutralize and detoxify these acids before they can act as poisons in and around the cells, ultimately changing the environment of each cell and finally compromising its immune system, leaving it vulnerable to the ravages of disease to take a foothold in the body. When our body pH becomes overly acidic, it starts to set up defense mechanisms to keep the damaging acids from entering the vital organs.
Modern Day Athletes and Acid-Forming Foods
Unfortunately, Modern Day Athletes and/or Non-Athletes have been raised in a fast food environment that is more concerned about convenience than health. Therefore, here lies the crux of a "nutrient-deficient society" that has been raised, for the most part, if not all, on pure junk foods that lack the macro and micro minerals and vitamins, required by the body to attain and maintain a higher level of health.
Modern Day Athletes and Non-Athletes have been reared on McDonald's, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Micro-Waved Frozen Food Dinners and every establishment providing high-fat, high-protein and starched meal dishes.
Modern Day Athletes/Non-Athletes are at the all-time high of those suffering from "chronic acidosis" and, at the very least, "low chronic acidosis" due to eating High Acid-Forming Diets. High Acid-Forming Diets equate to acidifying body tissue on a cellular level.
Acidified body tissue is poor, inferior quality body tissue, which will eventually rear its ugly head and deny every athlete the opportunity to attain optimum health and peak athletic power, strength and endurance. Yes, it may even lead to a career-ending injury that could have been prevented. An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of flesh, so the expression goes.
WHAT ARE THE FIRST SIGNS OF ACIDOSIS?
Acidosis Symptoms are the first signs and effects of Acidosis. They are followed by more aggressive acidosis symptoms such as diabetic acidosis and lactic acidosis symptoms which lead to full blown lactic acidosis or renal tubular acidosis.
UNHEALTHY ACIDOSIS SYMPTOMS:
- Central Nervous System
- Headaches
- Sleepiness
- Confusion
- Loss of Consciousness
- Coma
- Heart
- Arrhythmia
- Increased Heart Rate
- Intestinal & Gastric
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Respiratory
- Shortness of Breath
- Coughing
ADDITIONAL ACIDOSIS EFFECTS & CONDITIONS:
(1) Renal Tublular Acidosis and (2) Lactic Acidosis
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF LACTIC ACIDOSIS AND RENAL TUBULAR ACIDOSIS?
Renal Tubular Acidosis (RTA) is a medical condition that involves an accumulation of acid in the body due to a failure of the kidneys to appropriately acidify the urine. When blood is filtered by the kidney, the filtrate passes through the tubules of the nephron allowing for exchange of salts, acid equivalents, and other solutes before it drains into the bladder as urine. The metabolic acidosis that results from RTA may be caused either by failure to recover sufficient (alkaline) bicarbonate ions from the filtrate in the early portion of the nephron (proximal tubule) or by insufficient secretion of (acid) hydrogen ions into the latter portions of the nephron (distal tubule).
Although a metabolic acidosis also occurs in those with renal insufficiency, the term RTA is reserved for individuals with poor urinary acidification in otherwise well-functioning kidneys. Several different types of RTA exist, which all have different syndromes and different causes. The word acidosis refers to the tendency for RTA to lower the blood's pH. When the blood pH is below normal (7.35), this is called acidemia. The metabolic acidosis caused by RTA is normal.
Lactic Acidosis Symptoms: Causes and Treatment
Lactic acidosis is a physiological condition that occurs due to an increase of lactic acid in the blood. This causes the blood pH to become too acidic. Lactate is a by-product formed when glucose is broken down aerobically by the cell's mitochondria - the power house of the cell. When the body or a region of the body is deprived of oxygen, it leads to tissue hypoxia. This results in anaerobic breakdown of the glucose in the cells.
The end product of this reaction is lactic acid. The blood pH becomes too acidic due to presence of excess lactic acid in the tissues. Thus, leading to lactic acidosis, which is a rare condition. People, who suffer from lactic acidosis, may develop serious complications, especially when they suffer from certain risk factors. In extreme cases, it may also lead to death.
Symptoms of Lactic Acidosis
When there is excess of lactic acid in the body, the muscular as well as cardiac activity becomes very difficult. The heart starts beating fast, the muscles begin to hurt and one experiences a burning sensation in the muscles. Other symptoms for lactic acidosis include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Lethargy
- Abnormal breathing
- Low blood pressure
- Irregular heart rhythm
Causes of Lactic Acidosis
- Lactic Acidosis is caused if a person reaches the anaerobic threshold or lactate threshold. This is the upper limit of the ability of an individual's body to exercise. When a person exercises at a limit below the lactate threshold, very little lactic acid will be produced. Thus, the liver will be able to get rid of the excess present. However, if the person crosses their threshold limit, it leads to glucose inefficiency. This means, the muscles undergo an alternative reaction and start producing lactic acid. This new product begins to build up in the blood and muscles leading to symptoms of lactic acidosis. Most of the time after a strenuous exercise, running or due to some other activity, one may develop mild to moderate lactic acidosis. This condition is not very serious and may resolve on its own. However, if one experiences extreme pain and discomfort and develops this condition frequently, then a doctor's attention is a must.
- Lactic Acidosis may also be the result of several underlying medical conditions, such as some genetic disorders, kidney diseases, diabetic nephropathy, heart diseases and lung diseases and also from drugs like phenformin, metformin. In some people, hemorrhage, ethanol toxicity, shock, diabetic ketoacidosis or sepsis may also lead to lactic acidosis. It may even occur due to lact of vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency in the body.
- Lactic Acidosis is a dangerous condition. Consult your doctor if you suspect lactic acidosis. If a specific medication has been advised, do not stop taking your medication. Also, if you suspect certain prescribed drugs may be the reason behind the possible symptoms of lactic acidosis, speak to your doctor before you stop the medication. It's always better to remain alert when it concerns your health. As the old saying goes, 'Health is Wealth'!
WHAT IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE ACIDOSIS TREATMENT?
Stop eating acid-forming foods and start eating alkaline-forming diets that emphasize eating a diet comprised of 80% alkaline-forming foods.
Alkaline forming diets help to reduce the strain on the body's acid-detoxification systems, such as the kidneys. You will likely notice within a few days that your symptoms of acidosis are beginning to subside.
HOW CAN WE PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM pH IMBALANCES?
First, a healthy diet is the best place to start. If you wish to eliminate acidosis symptoms, cutting back on acid forming foods and beverages such as animal protein, coffee and wine can help.
Remember that just because a food is chemically acidic does not automatically mean it's an acid-producing food. (For example, citrus fruits actually have an alkalizing effect on the body).
How Can We Attain the Athletic/Non-Athletic Health, Power, Strength & Endurance Desired?
By reaching maximum CELL™ (Cellular Energy Loaded Levels) for peak, athletic/non-athletic performance, and by applying the principles that are found in the book on "The AAA Diet® Acid Alkaline Association® Program."