The Alkaline Switch
One of the things that your doctor will recommend when you’re diagnosed with cancer, diabetes, or heart disease, is to switch to an alkaline diet. Of course some lifestyle changes will be required, but it’s important that you change your diet and lessen your intake of acidic foods.
Why so?
Our cells are sensitive to the body’s pH levels. When our blood’s pH is more alkaline than acidic, the body’s muscles, nerves, brain, reproductive system, digestive system, and circulatory system are able to function properly. On the flipside, if the body’s pH is too acidic, it becomes prone to various diseases. It invites premature aging, heart disease, weight, nerve problems, fatigue, cancer, muscle disease, and allergies. Since these health problems happen when the pH of the body is too acidic, it’s only logical to switch to an alkaline diet. The main goal is to limit the consumption of acidic food to 20-25%. The consumption of alkaline food should be 75-80% and that should be enough maintain the pH levels of the body.
How does the alkaline diet work?
People who want optimum good health switch to alkaline diets. This is because the alkaline diet concentrates on restoring the balance that the body lost when people switched to an acidic or domesticated diet. Alkaline diets focus on vegetables, fruits, healthy whole grains, wholesome proteins (legumes, soy, and beans), and healthy oils (olive, flax seed, and canola). When these foods are in their natural state, they can neither be classified as acid or alkaline. However, they produce alkaline ash once they are metabolized and digested by the body. The alkaline diet is highly recommended because it restores the body’s pH levels and it allows the different parts of the body to function properly.
What foods should be included in an alkaline diet?
Contrary to popular belief, it’s not difficult to choose what should be included in an alkaline diet. A lot of fruits and vegetables are identified as alkaline so you can easily make them part of your diet. While it’s not wise to add red meat to your diet, you can still source protein from beans, legumes, almonds, and soy products. It’s important that you get rid of unhealthy fats and load up on good fats like canola, flax seed, and olive oil. You must ditch the high fat dairy products however, you’re allowed to drink or eat cheese from goat’s milk and soy milk. Drink green tea, lemon water, or iced herb tea instead of the empty calories from soda. Replace coffee with hot green or herbal tea. Instead of pasta, eat healthy whole grains such as millet, quinoa, and wild rice. Use maple or raw sugar, and Stevia as natural sweeteners instead of the commercial white sugar.
Here are some alkaline foods that will help you combat diabetes, heart disease, and cancer:
Broccoli
Broccoli is a vegetable that’s packed with nutrients that’s essential if you want to boost your immune system and keep your body healthy. It is highly recommended that you eat it everyday, or at least three to four times a week. Broccoli contains calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin C.
Avocado and Avocado Oil
Avocadoes, now considered as a superfood, are loaded with potassium and healthy fats. It contains vitamin C, fiber, and vitamin A.
Almonds
Protein, iron, and calcium are just some of the many nutrients that your body can get from almonds. While most seeds and nuts are identified as acidic, almonds are considered alkaline and are highly recommended for people who want to live healthy.
Arugula
If you want to flush out those toxins from your system, arugula is your friend. This leafy green vegetable is a staple in most detox diet plans, and for good reason. It’s packed with thiamin, protein, riboflavin, zinc, vitamin B6, copper, and pantothenic acid or vitamin B5 that helps lower bad cholesterol levels and increase the levels of good cholesterol. It contains flavonoids that help improve blood flow, lower blood pressure and inflammation, and boost blood vessel function.
Beetroot
Beetroot helps you maintain the pH levels in your body. It contains betalain, a phytonutrient that has anti-cancer properties. It contains vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, and other nutrients.
Amaranth
Amaranth is a good source of protein and lysine. It is part of the C4 group, or the photosynthetic super performers that’s effective in converting sunlight, water, and soil into plant tissue. It contains nutrients such as calcium, protein, and iron.
Asparagus
Asparagus is one of the top alkaline foods. It’s packed with antioxidants, anti-aging properties and nutrients such as vitamin A, iron, and vitamin C.
Artichokes
Artichokes contain the most antioxidants out of all the vegetables out there. In a study conducted by the USDA, artichoke was ranked seventh among one thousand different plants when it comes to antioxidant content. Artichokes help strengthen the immune system to battle free radicals and byproducts of cell metabolism that trigger serious diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
Basil
Basil contains flavonoids that helps boost your immunity, and maintain the pH levels of your body. It belongs to the group of good spices and it contains nutrients that your body heal from serious medical conditions. It contains vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, and other nutrients.
