The pH of the blood should be between 7.35 and 7.45, which is considered a slightly alkaline pH, and the change in these values is a very serious situation, which puts health at risk, even at risk of death.
Acidosis is considered when the blood becomes more acidic, with values between 6.85 and 7.35, while alkalosis occurs when the blood pH is between 7.45 and 7.95. A blood pH of less than 6.9 or higher than 7.8 can lead to death.
- It is important to keep the blood at normal values to maintain the quality of the body’s cells.
- Which are completely covered by blood.
- Thus.
- When the blood is at the ideal pH.
- The cells are healthy.
- And when the blood is more acidic or more basic.
- The cells die earlier.
- With diseases and complications.
The only way to measure the pH of your blood is a blood test called arterial gasometry, which is performed only when the person enters the ICU or ICU. This test is performed by taking a blood sample and the result shows the pH of the blood, bicarbonate and PCO2. Learn more about arterial gasometry.
When pH is higher than ideal, this situation is called metabolic alkalosis, and when the pH is lower than ideal, it is called metabolic acidosis. Symptoms that help identify these changes in your blood include:
Metabolic alkalosis doesn’t always cause symptoms and, in most cases, it’s the symptoms of the disease that cause alkalosis. However, symptoms such as muscle spasms, weakness, headaches, mental confusion, dizziness and seizures may also occur, mainly caused by changes in electrolytes such as potassium, calcium and sodium.
Acid pH causes symptoms such as shortness of breath, palpitations, vomiting, drowsiness, disorientation and even risk of death if it is aggravated and not treated to regulate pH.
The pH of the blood may decrease slightly, becoming a little more acidic, which can occur in situations such as uncontrolled diabetes, in case of malnutrition, with the consumption of proteins from the body itself; chronic bronchitis, excessive use of aspirin and extreme breathing difficulties.
However, the pH of the blood may also increase slightly, making blood more basic, in cases of frequent and uncontrolled vomiting and diarrhoea, in cases of hyperaldosteronism, severe breathing problems, in case of fever or kidney failure.
In any case, every time the blood pH changes, the body tries to correct this change, with compensation mechanisms, but this is not always enough, and in severe cases hospitalization may be necessary. But before this happens, the body itself tries to normalize the middle pH to keep the blood neutral.
The more acid the body is, the more the body should do to keep the blood at a neutral pH, and also the greater the risk of developing diseases, so even if the blood is at normal, it is possible to maintain the blood. a little more basic blood, thanks to the diet.
Some foods that acidify the environment, giving the body more work to keep the pH of the blood neutral are beans, eggs, flours in general, cocoa, alcohol, olives, cheeses, meats, fish, cornstarch, sugar, milk, coffee, soft drinks, pepper and sauerkraut.
Thus, to give less work to the body, reduce the risk of diseases, it is recommended to consume less of these foods. Learn more about blood-acidifying foods.
Foods that help alkalize the environment, making it easier for the body to keep blood pH within the normal range, are those that are rich in potassium, magnesium and/or calcium, such as apricot, avocado, melon, date, grapefruit, grape. . , orange, lemon, corn, celery, raisins, dried figs, dark green vegetables and oats, for example.
Therefore, increasing consumption of these foods helps the body stay healthier, which can also help prevent disease. Learn more foods that alkalize blood.