Acidosis disorders

DISORDERS

(Their description, characteristics or symptoms,

causes, and complementary or alternative treatments)

Disorder: ACIDOSIS

Description: Acidosis is a condition in which body chemistry becomes imbalanced and overly acidic.

Symptoms: acidosis include frequent sighting, insomnia, water retention, recessed eyes, rheumatoid arthritis, migraine headaches, abnormally low blood pressure, dry hard stools, foul-smelling stools accompanied by a burning sensation in the anus, alternating constipation and diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, burning in the mouth and/or under the tongue, sensitivity of the teeth no vinegar and acidic fruits, and bumps on the tongue or the roof of the mouth.

Incidence: At least 20 percent of Americans or more is considered on the acidic side.

Causes: acidosis occurs when the body loses its alkaline reserve. Some causes of acidosis include kidney, liver, and adrenal disorders; improper diet; malnutrition; obesity; ketosis; anger; stress; fear; anorexia; toxemia; fever; and the consumption of excessive amounts of niacin, vitamin C, or aspirin. Diabetics often suffer from acidosis. Stomach ulcers are often associated with this condition.

Treatments: alter your diet and nutritional therapy, to help bring your body back into the normal range. If your test indicates that your body is too acidic, eat more alkaline-forming foods and omit acid-forming foods from your diet until another pH test shows that you have returned to normal.

Nutrients:

Supplement Dosage Comments

Tri-Salts from Ecological formulas	As directed on label	For acid-alkaline balance
Kelp	1,000-1,500 mg daily	Reduces acid in the body. Aids in maintaining a proper balance of minerals.
Potassium	90 mg. daily.	Increases metabolism. Aids in balancing the pH in the blood.
Vitamin A	50,000 IU daily for 1 month, then reduce to 25,000 IU daily if you are pregnant, do not exceed 10,000 IU daily.	Helps to protect mucous membranes.
Vitamin B complex	100 mg twice daily.	Needed for proper digestion.

Herbs:

	Elder bark, hops, and willow for acidosis.
	Externally, apply ginger compresses to the kidney area.

Recommendations:

Include the following in your diet:

	Eat a diet of 50 percent raw foods, such as apples, avocados, bananas, grapefruit, grapes, lemons, pears, pineapples, and all vegetables. Fresh fruits, especially citrus fruits, and vegetables reduce acidosis. Start with small amounts of citrus fruits and gradually add larger amounts.
	Drink potato broth every day.
	Since excess vitamin C may lead to acidosis, reduce your intake of vitamin C for a few weeks. When taking vitamin C, use a non-acid-forming (buffered) variety.
	Practice deep breathing.
	Check your urine pH daily using pH paper. See the self-testing section for a list of acid-forming foods to avoid until your pH is corrected.

Avoid the following:

	Avoid beans, cereal, crackers, eggs, flour products, grains, oily foods, macaroni, and sugar, prunes, and cranberries do not oxidize and therefore remain acid to the body. Avoid these until the situation improves.
	Avoid animal protein (especially beef and pork) and processed or junk foods, and reduce your intake of cooked food. When ingested, cooked and processed foods become acid in the body.

Considerations:

Phosphorus and sulfur act as buffers to maintain pH. Sulfur can be taken in supplement form.

Vitamin For Life Recommended Regimen and cost:

Product No 59618-	Description	Comments	Cost
890-15	B Complex 100 mg. Tabs.	1 tab. 2 times daily	$8.95/100
910-15	Sea-Kelp Natural Tabs.	As directed on label	$2.95/100
968-15	Multivitamin w/Minerals Tabs.	As directed on label	$6.95/100
925-15	Beta Carotene 25,000 IU softgels	As directed on label.	$5.95/100

Sources:

Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 2^nd Edition

By James F. Balch, M.D. & Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.

Alternative Medicine, The Definitive Guide

Compiled by Burton Goldberg