Alkaline Supplements

About Alkaline Supplements

The Sporty's Health range of Alkalising Supplements typically contain ranges of ingredients, such as nutritional algaes, grasses, herbal extracts and whole foods powders. These supplements are designed to promote a higher pH level in the human body, which may become overly acidic on a modern diet or with age. pH stands for "power of hydrogen" and is a measure of the hydrogen concentration in practically anything. Some of the more acidic foods and drinks, which are low on the pH scale, are coffee, red meat, white bread, cheese, pasta and most processed foods. Fortunately, you don't have to exclude all acidic foods, as this may create a dietary imbalance. It simply comes down to a balanced dietary approach and limiting your intake of certain foods. For most, this means consuming more fresh fruits and vegetables. You can still enjoy your daily coffee, despite the fact that it is acidic in nature, as daily consumption is associated with reduced all-cause mortality.

If your salivary or urinary pH is low (acidic), taking a more vigorous dietary approach for a short period of time may be helpful to correct this issue before moving back to a more balanced diet. However, only consuming alkaline foods and alkalising supplements is not the answer either, as this will eventually lead to a system that is too alkaline. It is best to monitor your urinary or salivary pH closely during this process. The ideal salivary pH range is from 7.2-8.4, while a normal urinary reading is 6.5-7.0, with human blood ideally at 7.4.

The human body is an amazing biological powerhouse, so much so that the kidneys have the important task of regulating blood pH levels. One of the alkalising agents the kidneys release is bicarbonate, which helps to raise the pH when it becomes too acidic. It also increases its excretion of acids into the urine to assist with this process. As we age, the kidneys begin to lose their ability to regulate acid-base (alkaline) balance. This was reported all the way back in 1986 in a journal called Experimental Gerontology.

Given that the modern diet tends to be more acidic in nature, it can then become helpful to supplement with alkalising blends in order to keep the pH balanced. Deep breathing can also be helpful in maintaining a balanced pH, as carbon dioxide is acidic. The more carbon dioxide we expel from the lungs and uptake oxygen in its place, the more alkaline we become. Deep breathing practices are a great way to manage stress and boost alkalinity, with no equipment required.

Some of the most alkalising foods are fresh fruits, vegetables and wild rice, from which many snacks and meals can be based on. If you believe you are overly acidic, alfalfa is one of the most powerful alkalisers, while the grasses and algaes are also helpful. Algaes such as chlorella are a great source of chlorophyll and contain a wide range of other supportive nutrients, including amino acids, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. Often "greens blends" are recommended to those who do not eat enough fresh fruits and vegetables. Though there is no substitute for fresh produce, these products can be helpful to ensure you have some alkalising nutrient intake, whilst providing chlorophyll and other important nutrients.