Alkalizing supplements

Alkalizing the body

Proponents of taking supplements to alkalize the body argue that maintaining an alkaline pH can help prolong life and preserve health.

A pH of 7.0 is considered the neutral tipping point between the two extremes of acidity (lower pH numbers) and base (higher pH numbers).

Potassium bicarbonate and citrate

Potassium bicarbonate and citrate are one of the alkalizing supplements supported by the largest body of clinical research. You can also buy water with added minerals to make it alkaline or consume a diet (or supplements) rich in fruits and vegetables to shift your body toward an alkaline pH.

Why use alkaline supplements?

In a 2012 issue of the Journal of Environmental and Public Health, researchers reviewed existing clinical evidence to explore the potential benefits and rationale behind an alkalizing diet.

They note that the human body requires a tightly controlled serum pH level of about 7.4, and that because the contemporary (presumably Western) human diet is high in saturated fat, simple sugars, sodium, and chloride-compared with previous diets-and low in magnesium, potassium, and fiber, this can induce metabolic acidosis.

They also note that a diet with a high acid load-such as a low-carbohydrate, high-protein regimen-does not change blood chemistry much, but causes many changes in urinary chemistry. Finally, the ability of the kidneys to regulate acid/base balance slowly declines with age.