Two secretes of health that are usually overlooked are oxygenation and pH balance. Some of the most potent diseases including cancer and anaerobic bacterial infection thrive in a low oxygen environment or in the absence of oxygen. Anaerobic bacteria are normally found within certain areas of the body but result in serious infection when they have access to a normally sterile body fluid or deep tissue that is poorly oxygenated. Some anaerobes normally live in the crevices of the skin, in the nose, mouth, throat, intestine, and vagina. Injury to these tissues (i.e., cuts, puncture wounds, or trauma) especially at or adjacent to the mucous membranes allows anaerobes entry into otherwise sterile areas of the body and is the primary cause of anaerobic infection. A second source of anaerobic infection occurs from the introduction of spores into a normally sterile site. Spore-producing anaerobes live in the soil and water, and spores may be introduced via wounds, especially punctures. Anaerobic infections are most likely to be found in persons who are immunosuppressed, those treated recently with broad-spectrum antibiotics, and persons who have a decaying tissue injury on or near a mucous membrane, especially if the site is foul-smelling. pH stands for “potential of Hydrogen”, which is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, such as a mixture of liquids. It is measured on a scale of 0 to 14 — the lower the pH the more acidic the solution, and the higher the pH the more alkaline the solution. When a solution is neither acid nor alkaline it has a pH of 7 (exactly in the middle), which is neutral. Your body’s pH is best when between 7.36 and 7.44, which of course, is slightly alkaline. Acidic blood pH levels, which cause toxic acid wastes (acidosis), is a mostly unknown but dangerously destructive circumstance because it leads to so many deadly diseases such as heart disease and cancer, as well as serious health problems such as low energy, unwanted weight gain, poor athletic performance and accelerated aging. The first major line of defense against sickness, disease and aging is the pH of your blood. Even your immune system will not work properly if your blood is even slightly acidic. Remember, the aging process, accelerated by acidic waste in your body, takes its toll every single day. By preventing this continuous accumulation of acidic waste in your bodies, we can in fact help to slow the aging process. In order to maintain health keep your body well oxygenated with a slightly alkaline pH. The basic American/Western diet (meats, processed foods, white flour, sugar, alcohol, etc.) and sedentary lifestyle creates a toxic, low oxygen and acidic state in your body. If you drink coffee or sodas you are consuming acids which will lower your pH level. Your body simply will not work to its optimum potential if it does not have a slightly alkaline pH level. Exercise and a balanced whole foods/diet are the keys to optimal health. Some high alkaline foods include dried figs, dried apricots, ,lima beans, swiss chard, spinach, bean sprouts, cucumber, beets, kale, dates, lemons, peaces, watercress, celery, and coconut milk. Acid foods include crackers, white flour, processed foods, meats, coffee, soda, and refined sugar. So the choice is yours. Make the right choices and enjoy good health.
Massage Pathology Chronicles 