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Understanding pH |
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The technical definition of pH is that it is simply a measure of the activity of hydrogen ions (H+) in water. Water with a pH of 7 has 10-7 moles per liter of hydrogen ions; whereas a water with a pH of 6 has 10-6 moles per liter of hydrogen ions.
As this diagram shows, pH ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. pHs less than 7 are acidic while pHs greater than 7 are alkaline (basic). A change of 1 unit on a pH scale represents a 10 fold change in the pH, so that water with pH of 6 is 10 times more acidic than water with a pH of 7, and water with a pH of 5 is 100 times more acidic than water with a pH of 7.
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Why the pH of Water Is So Imporant To Our Environment |
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Effects on animals and plants
Most aquatic animals and plants have adapted to life in water with a specific pH and may suffer from even
a slight change.
- Even moderately acidic waters (low pH) may reduce the hatching success of fish eggs, irritate fish and aquatic insect gills and damage membranes.
- Water with extremely high or low pH is deadly. A pH below 4 or above 10 will kill most fish and very few animals can tolerate waters with a pH below 3 or above 11.
- Amphibians are particularly vulnerable to low pH, probably because their skin is so sensitive to pollutants. Some scientists believe the recent drop in amphibian numbers around the world is due to low pH levels caused by acid rain.
Effects on other chemicals in the water
- A change in the pH of water can alter the behavior of other chemicals in the water. The altered water chemistry may affect aquatic plants and animals. For example, ammonia is relatively harmless to fish in water that is neutral or acidic. But, as the water becomes more basic (the pH increases) ammonia becomes increasingly toxic.
- Heavy metals such as cadmium, lead and chromium dissolve more easily in more acidic water (lower pH). This is important because many heavy metals also become much more toxic when dissolved in water.
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The Difference Between Acid and Alkaline Substances |
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The difference between an acid and an alkaline substance is based more or less on its ability to free hydrogen ions when exposed to water. Examples of acid minerals include chlorine, sulfur, phosphorus, fluoride, iodine, and silicon.
Unlike acidic substances, alkaline substances in solution with water give up few or no hydrogen ions. The fewer hydrogen ions released, the less acidic they are, or in other words they are an alkalizing agent. Alkaline substances can counter problems caused by acids. Common examples of alkaline minerals include calcium, sodium, magnesium, cobalt, and copper.
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pH and the Body |
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The human body contains about ten gallons of fluid. Each cells exists in a solution that is either acid, neutral or alkaline. The body’s systems work best in an environment that is neutral to slightly alkaline although some vital organs, like the stomach, either produce or house very acidic substances.
The pH of different body fluids varies with function. Mostly it is a tightly regulated system designed to keep the amount of acids and bases in the body's fluids in balance (homeostasis.) These fluids may include urine, saliva, and blood as well as insterstitial (between the cells) and intracellular fluids.
The rate of cellular metabolic activity affects and, at the same time, is affected by the pH of the body fluids. Changes in the pH of arterial blood (and therefore the extracellular fluid) outside this range result in irreversible cell damage. Blood pH level is very tightly controlled by the body because it is vital in maintaining the functioning of cells. The intracellular fluid should have a pH of about 6.8 otherwise enzymes will cease to catalyze vital reactions.
The pH of blood is slightly basic, at a value of 7.4. Acidosis is said to occur when arterial pH falls below 7.35. Alkalosis is an increased alkalinity (an increased hydroxide ion concentration) of the blood plasma. Alkalosis occurs at a pH over 7.45.
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pH and Diet |
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The importance of the body's acid-alkaline balance is becoming increasingly recognized by health care practitioners. To enjoy optimum health the body requires a diet of balanced quantities of alkaline and acid substances. An imbalance can cause multiple problems ranging from illness to skin rashes.
Examples of acidic foods are meat, eggs, cheeses, animal fats, vegetable oils, whole or refined grains in breads and pastas, refined sugars, sodas (they contain phosphoric acid), and coffee. Examples of alkalizing foods are potatoes, green vegetables, corn, milk, bananas, almonds, dried fruits, and natural sugars.
The alkaline substances used to neutralize strong acids can be found in the body in the blood and the internal organs. These consist primarily of calcium, sodium, magnesium, and potassium. When this defense system is used only occasionally the alkaline substances can easily be replaced by the intake of alkaline foods, and to a far lesser degree - fluids like water. However when the tissues are regularly depleted of reserves, their overall function decreases and we become more susceptible to disease.
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Metabolic Acidosis |
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Acid production in the body is caused by normal metabolism, abnormal metabolic states, and diet. Metabolic acidosis occurs when an acid/alkaline imbalance occurs in the body.
Metabolism is the first, and natural source of acid in our bodies. Although the cells live in an almost pH neutral environment, they produce acid as they convert food into energy and then perform work. The weak acid that they produce is easily eliminated by the respiratory system.
Abnormal metabolic states can create excessive acid accumulation in the tissues. These include things like like starvation, poisoning, elevated levels of iron in the blood, or problems created by acute or chronic stress. Abnormal metabolic states can also be caused by diseases that create inadequate blood delivery of oxygen to the tissues, diabetic acidosis, or chronically decreased production of bicarbonate.
However, diet and lack of exercise is increasingly recognized as the primary cause of metabolic acidosis. Although humans don’t eat a lot of acid food (lemons are a good example) most of the food in the “typical” American diet like meats, eggs, bread, milk, cheese, refined sugars, cereal, soda and coffee produces acid ash. Ash is the residue that is left after the body has used what it can of the food that we ingest. Acid ash in solution is a much stronger acid than that produced by the cells and it must be eliminated by the kidneys.
The strong acid produced by the “typical” American diet is so strong that it would burn the urinary tract upon elimination. Consequently the body buffers the acid. Alkaline minerals (calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium) are added to the strong (pH 5.5) acid when a person’s alkaline mineral reserve is full. This converts the strong acid into a very weak acid that is excreted as urine.
On the other hand, if a person’s alkaline mineral reserves are depleted then the body is forced to buffer the strong acid with ammonia (a strong alkaline, pH 9.25). This results in the secretion of alkaline urine (pH of about 8.0).
When the body’s mineral reserves are depleted the body “borrows” minerals from what ever source it can. This usually means that minerals are borrowed from bones and vital organs. Over time this weakens the organs and muscles. Some of the common health problems that result from high acidity include:
- Acceleration of free radical damage,
- Bladder and kidney problems,
- Lactic acid buildup in joints resulting in joint pain,
- Osteoporosis, eventually resulting in brittle bones and hip fractures, and
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Some people will find it distressing that when it comes to selecting a water treatment system, the pH of water ranks toward the bottom of my list. That doesn’t mean that pH is unimportant in drinking water. It simply means that in the real world, it is not as big a deal as the promoters of some drinking water products would have us believe. It certainly isn't a reason to buy an expensive water treatment device designed to make water more alkaline, when that device isn't capable of making water safe.
The truth is that it is rare for acidic water to be really detrimental to health. That is because with rare exceptions, the primary cause of acidic drinking water is dissolved carbon dioxide. Dissolved carbon dioxide is quickly and easily eliminated by the stomach.
On the other hand, the alkaline mineral content of water comes primarily in the form of calcium and magnesium ions. Ionic minerals are excellent because they are one of the most bioavailable forms of these important nutrients. Consider that the average for tap water in the U.S. is 8 grains per gallon of calcium and magnesium. 1 grain is 17.1 mg/liter. If the average person drinks two liters a day of water, they will get around 275 mg of calcium and magnesium from their daily water intake, or about the same dose contained in a typical calcium/magnesium supplement. That is important.
However, water treatment devices that use ionization to concentrate positive ions in the water don't only increase calcium and magnesium content. They concentrate ALL FORMS of positive ions that typically exist in water. These includes some very toxic things like lead, mercury, aluminum, chromium, barium, iron (can create acidic blood), and a whole spectrum of dangerous organic acids like benzene - to name a few.
So what we want IS NOT alkaline water per se. What we want is water in which the healthy alkaline ions that help bolster the body’s supply of buffers have been preserved.
At the same time, we want to remove harmful substances whether they be negatively charged anions, positively charged cations, or neutral substances like certain heavy metals, organic pollutants, or microbial toxins.
While water that has been cleaned of toxic contaminants and contains a supply of buffers will tend to be alkaline, it does not mean that we want in our bodies other common things that will tend to make water alkaline — especially in high quantities.
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Got A Question?
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