By Brooke Wagenheim

Many people are completely unaware of the importance of applying the proper balance of food types in the daily diet. For optimal energy and to maintain health, a balance between the acids and alkalis of the body is essential. The acid-alkaline balance varies with the individual and his or her stress level. Generally it ranges between 75-85% alkaline-producing foods to between 15-25% acid-producing food in the diet. 


In humans, organs such as the kidneys and the large intestine eliminate wastes and toxins, maintaining the internal environment in the most ideal condition. However, there are limitations: If we eat too many poison-producing foods, or not enough of the materials needed to clean out poisons, then our internal environment changes beyond the body’s control. It deviates from the optimum conditions in which our cells can live, and the cells become sick and die. Many illnesses are the body’s attempt to clean up its internal environment. The body secretes and maintains many different types of fluids; the most important is blood, which has a pH level of 7.4—slightly alkaline. This alkalinity has to be kept almost constant, even minor variations are dangerous. With too acid blood, the heart relaxes and ceases to beat; with too alkaline blood, it contracts and ceases to beat. 
 
The most striking observation one can make about the general North American diet is how over-abundant the acid-producing foods are in the daily food intake of most individuals. The problem is intensified while traveling because so many restaurants do not offer high quality vegetable, fruit and grain dishes to balance out the concentrated protein foods such as meat, fish and poultry. 
Our bodies have built-in regulators (blood buffers) to prevent increased acidity that work to keep the pH from fluctuating. For instance, exercise and movement make the blood more acid, but breathing deeply and rapidly for a minute or two is the body’s natural way of decreasing this acidity. 
An individual with too much acid in the system will experience all manner of adverse physical dysfunctions, such as susceptibility to colds and flu. Conversely, an individual who maintains a system that is mostly alkaline will experience good general health and well-being. This is not to say that alkaline is better than acid in the system, but that the amount of acidity needed to maintain health is far less than the amount of alkaline chemical action. The balance of the two is essential. 
When ingested, all foods are either acid- or alkaline-producers. All natural foods contain both acid- and alkaline-forming elements, one or the other being dominant. It is not the organic matter of foods that leaves acid or alkaline residues in the body, but the inorganic matter (sulphur, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium and calcium) that determines the acidity or alkalinity of the body fluids. 
Foods comparatively rich in acid-forming elements are generally high protein—animal products and most grains. Foods generally rich is alkaline-forming elements are most fruits and vegetables. Alkaline grains are millet, buckwheat and sprouted grains. 
The most common causes of an overly acidic condition are the over-consumption of fats, proteins, sugars, white flour products and milled white rice. Chemicals added to or absorbed by foods—such as coloring, preservatives, pesticides and synthetic drugs—are also acid to the system. Another dangerous combination is sugar and animal foods eaten together. Taken separately, protein and sugar are not as harmful; Eskimos consume a lot of animal foods but not much sugar, and they have a low incidence of cancer. Primitive Eskimos, who consume as much as ten pounds of meat daily—consisting of raw fish and blubber—have hardly any signs of circulatory diseases. The reason they do not develop vascular diseases is because most of the food they consume is raw. The body does not have to secrete large amounts of enzymes, because the food is in an easily digestible state. In India, people consume a lot of sugar, but not much meat. They also have a low incidence of cancer. 
Although grains are acid-forming, they neither cause or promote cancer if grown organically. Whole grains have important fibers that promote healthy digestion, compared to meats, which contain no fiber to help push foods through the system. Whole grains with garden vegetables and sea vegetables, fresh green salads and fruits should comprise the bulk of the diet—with vegetable, fruit and herbal beverages taken between meals. Meat, fish, dairy, sweets, alcohol and nuts should be kept to a minimum. 
The morning after a dinner party, where one has perhaps overindulged, it helps to eat plenty of oranges or fresh fruits to balance the acidity. Excellent teas for over-acidity in the system are alfalfa, blessed thistle, buckthorn, dandelion, motherwort, mullein, red clover, watercress and yarrow. If you crave sugar, try cutting down on salt intake and begin to replace foods containing refined white sugars with foods that contain “black” sugars such as date, malt, maple and molasses. Black sugars are less acid-forming and they contain alkaline-forming vitamins and minerals, which help in the combination of glucose in the body. Craving sugar can also be a sign to increase the protein in the diet. It is important to discourage children sugary foods by giving them organic unsulphured dried fruits, such as mango, pineapple, figs, papaya, raisins, banana chips and other dried mixtures which can be purchased or can be made at home. If you use raisins, be sure they are organically grown since raisin crops are highly contaminated with pesticides. Dried foods travel well and maintain their nutritional quality, but they should be consumed within a year’s time. Vitamins in pill form may cause acidity in the system if they are overused. Therefore, it is best to obtain nutrition from foods.

Basic Alkaline-Forming Foods:

•Fruits, including citrus (except cranberries, pomegranates, plums, prunes and rhubarb).
•Vegetables, particularly sea vegetables, mustard greens, parsley and spinach.
•Alkaline grains—millet, buckwheat and sprouted grains.
•Milk from humans, cows, goats, all cheeses, plain yogurt and egg yolks.
•Tofu, soy sauce and miso.
•Coffee and Tea.
•Honey
•Spices and herbs, except garlic.
•Mineral, soda and well water.
•Natural wines and sake (no pesticides or sulfites).
•Almonds, brazil nuts and all sprouted seeds.
•Lima beans and sprouted beans.

Basic Acid-Forming Foods:

•High protein foods, especially animal foods.
•Brown rice, wheat, oats, barley, rye, corn and breads.
•Cashews, walnuts, peanuts, pecans, macadamias and filberts.
•Butter, cream and nut oils.
•Lentils, navy beans, adzuki beans and kidney beans.
•Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks.
•White sugar and sugar substitutes, brown sugar, milk sugar, cane syrup, malt syrup, maple syrup and molasses.
•Cranberries, pomegranates, plums, rhubarb and prunes. 
•Artificial and chemical additives and drugs.

Foods are the highest form of medicine; they can be divided into two activating categories: potassium and sodium. Potassium salt activates oxidation and sodium salt inhibits oxidation. Therefore, if one eats mostly grains and vegetables, which contain much potassium, the blood will oxidize well and allow better physiological functioning. On the other hand, if one eats more meat, fish, poultry and eggs, which contain high amounts of sodium, blood oxidation is inhibited, leaving much poisonous acid. This is the reasoning behind the observation that when people balance these elements, they live longer. The Japanese custom is to cremate people when they die. It is believed that their ashes will be white if they ate a balanced diet, and black if they ate a lot of animal foods. This is how they can tell if a monk lived intelligently. 
We all need to establish our own optimum diets. Climate, activity and metabolism all affect individual dietary needs. The main elements of structuring an optimum diet can be broken down into two food groups—cleansers and builders. Fruits, vegetables and herbs are the body’s cleansers. They are invaluable for mobilizing toxins and facilitating their elimination. Fruits, vegetables and herbs keep the body clean and light. The body builders are comprised mainly of protein foods such as meat, dairy, whole grains, avocados, mushrooms, tofu, beans, nuts and seeds. An unbalanced ratio of these foods congests the body because they are mucous-forming and overly acidic. This is true particularly of meats and dairy products. Other “congestors” are breads, cakes, cookies, candies, soft drinks, sugar products, flour, noodles, potatoes, corn and all processed chemical foods. 
Eating too much congesting food can block the body functions and lead to stagnation and illness. Foods such as cold-pressed oils act as “lubricators,” as well as nourishers, which aid the mucus membranes, joints, tendons, ligaments and elimination. Only a little of the lubricating and congesting food is required. Chemicals in the diet and overeating both stress the liver, digestive system, heart, kidneys, blood and the brain. Diet increases stress or reduces it; it can create disease or help heal illness. It is important to remember that enzymes in raw food aid in the digestive process, and this takes the stress off having to borrow from the body’s enzyme reserve. Eating mostly raw food takes the stress off the endocrine system and preserves the enzyme needed for proper metabolism of vitamins, minerals and fats. The foods we eat have a role in changing the body’s size, shape, sexual responsiveness and mental acuity. Read the labels of commercialized products before buying them. As we become aware and understand the nature of food, and learn how to create a healthful impact by making informed, intelligent choices, we begin to heal and maintain ourselves, our family and our friends.

Namaste 
Brooke Wagenheim

3200 Chicago Ave. S.
Mpls, MN 55407
telephone: (612) 822-4662
fax: (612) 822-0342