by Bob McCauley, CNC, MH
pH is a measurement of the relative concentration of positive and negative ions. When they are present in equal quantities we have reached a state of equilibrium within the body and our pH will be 7.0. There are two ways to measure body pH, which should not be confused with blood pH. The blood always maintains pH between 7.25 – 7.45. If it falls out of that range the body will quickly go into shock and death will follow soon after. Anything that does get into the bloodstream outside of that pH is immediately pushed out into the body’s tissue.
Body pH
The pH of saliva and urine is a much more accurate measure of overall body pH. I believe that the pH of the body should be approximately 7.0, which is neutral. There are many opinions of what the pH of the body should actually be. I have read as low as 6.3 and as high as 7.2. If you are sick your body pH will be low. The sicker you are the lower your body pH will be. For instance, if you have advanced cancer your body pH will most likely be near 5.0.
Tools for measuring pH
Body pH can be measured using pH paper, pH indicator liquid (phenol red) or a digital pH meter in which a probe is placed into a liquid that measures the electrical resistance of positive and negative electrons in the water. These are quite accurate for measuring body pH, however digital pH meters require constant calibration.
Measuring with Saliva
The mouth tends to be slightly alkaline, which is why it is a poor barometer of the overall pH of the body. The saliva is a more accurate measure of the body from the waist up, which includes the upper digestive tract. Therefore, it is not a good measure of overall body pH. pH test strips are the only way to test saliva pH. Many elderly people have a very alkaline mouth, more than the average person, because they no longer produce hydrochloric acid (HCL) in their stomach which has caused their mouths to become more and more alkaline. Medical professionals often mistakenly see the high pH of their elderly patients and believe they are too alkaline. This is a good example of why we should not use saliva as a barometer of the body’s true pH.
Measuring with Urine
Many things can affect body pH throughout each day, such as diet and stress levels. In order to get an accurate determination of body pH, the urine should be measured first thing in the morning each day for at least one week, although a month would better. As you continue to measure your pH each morning, a profile, or “moving average,” will emerge that will be far more accurate than taking a single reading. Urine pH can be measured using pH paper, pH indicator liquid (phenol red) or a digital pH meter.
Dr. Bob’s Blog is not intended as medical advice. The writings and statements on this website have not reviewed and/or approved by the FDA. Our products are not meant to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Rather they are meant to demonstrate that aging can be slowed and even reversed and that Great Health achieved when the most fundamental nutritional needs of the human body are met. Always consult a medical doctor or other medical professional when you consider it necessary.
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About Bob McCauley
Bob McCauley, ND (Robert F., Jr.) was raised in Lansing, Michigan and attended Michigan State University (BA, 1980 in Journalism). He is a naturopathic doctor, Master Herbalist and a Certified Nutritional Consultant. He has traveled extensively, both domestically and abroad, visiting over 32 countries. He published Confessions of a Body Builder: Rejuvenating the Body with Spirulina, Chlorella, Raw Foods and Ionized Water (2000), Achieving Great Health (2005), The Miraculous Properties of Ionized Water, (2006) which is the only book on the market that exclusively addresses Ionized Water, Twelve (Fiction, 2007) and Honoring the Temple of God (2008). He considers himself a Naturalist, meaning he pursues health in the most natural way possible. He studies and promotes nature as the only way to true health.
From 2002-2004 he hosted the radio program Achieving Great Health, which was heard by thousands of people each day. His guests included some of the most well-known and respected names in the natural health world.
With the help of his father, Dr. Robert F. McCauley, Sr. (Doctorate in Environmental Engineering, MIT, 1953) they started Spartan Water Company in 1992, which sold vended water machines in supermarkets. Robert Jr. founded Spartan Enterprises, Inc. in 1993. He is a Certified Water Technician with the State of Michigan. He is also a Type II Public Water Supply Specialist and has the certifications of S-5 and D-5. The McCauley family has a long history in the water industry. Bob's father pioneered environmental issues regarding ground water and drinking water quality. He received his Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1953 for his thesis on removing radioactive strontium from water. He earned his doctorate in Environmental Engineering in less than 2 years, one of the shortest doctoral studies in the history of MIT. He taught civil, sanitary and environmental engineering at Michigan State University for 18 years before retiring to run Wolverine Engineers & Surveyors of Mason, Michigan, for 17 years. His reputation throughout Michigan as a water quality expert was legendary. Bob worked for his father's company for 12 years learning the water business, which dealt primarily with municipalities, including water quality and sanitary sewer issues.
After apprenticing with his father, Bob moved on to the bottled water business. He established greater Michigan's biggest selling bottled water: Michigan Mineral – Premium Natural Water. He was introduced to Ionized Water in 1995 and has done more to promote Ionized Water than anyone else in the industry. Bob often lectures and offers seminars on his Seven Component Natural Health Protocol .
Bob is a Certified Nutritional Consultant and a Certified Master Herbalist. He is also a 3rd Degree Black Belt and Certified Instructor of Songahm Taekwondo (American Taekwondo Association).
Thank you so much.
It is very helpful information.
Pingback: What is Body pH? Alkaline Made Easy
Helpful information, thank you. What do you think of the alkaline diet products such as YOLI? Is this a legitimately helpful to overall health type of product? Thanks for any insight you might have.
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