The Acid-Alkaline Diet

Acids can be characterized not only by the degree of acidity as measured by the pH scale, but also by whether they are weak or strong. Acids are most often combined with an alkaline element and are rarely found in an isolated state. When a strong alkaline element and an acidic element is combined, the acid is of little consequence. In this case the acid is called weak because it is easily neutralized by the body. When the alkaline element in the combination is weak, the acid content is of a much greater consequence. This acid is stable and doesn’t mix well with other elements; this acid is called a strong acid.

Strong acids are much more difficult to neutralize and eliminate from the body than weak acids. This is primarily because of their stability and resistance to combining with other elements. It is the over abundance of these acids that leads to an acid body.

Strong acids come from animal proteins and mainly consist of sulfuric, uric, and phosphoric acids. In order for strong acids to be eliminated from the body they need to be neutralized which can be done by the liver as well as the kidneys. However, the kidneys can only eliminate a fixed amount of strong acids on a daily basis and any excess of the fixed amount gets stored in the tissues. For this reason, it is important to monitor animal protein consumption.

Weak acids come mainly from plants, with the exception of those coming from yogurt and whey, which come from animal proteins. Some examples of weak acids are oxalic, citric, pyruvic, and acetylsalicylic acids. Weak acids are also referred to as volatile acids because once they are oxidized, they are eliminated via the lungs in the form of gases and vapors, both as carbon dioxide (CO2) and breath moisture. Elimination of weak acids is easy and there are no limits on the how many the kidneys can expel from the body, unlike nonvolatile (strong) acids. The body is able to increase the elimination of volatile acids by increasing the rate of respiration. The only limitation on the amount of volatile acids that can be eliminated, is how deeply and how fast a person is able to breathe.