All important metabolic processes in human body depend on an optimal pH of blood, which is between 7.38 and 7.42.To explain, pH is a measure of the strength of the acidic or basic effect of an aqueous solution.Metabolic processes are constantly taking place in our body. Food components are broken down and utilized. During the metabolic processes, substances are built up, broken down and converted. Many metabolic products are acidic. To prevent the pH value from dropping into the acidic range every time acidic metabolic products enter the blood, the body has so-called buffer systems that become active as soon as acidic substances enter the blood. They neutralize the acids and ensure that the blood pH remains constant. If the capacity of the buffer systems is exhausted, the acids are deposited in the connective tissue and in the muscles and joints. Acids in the body are not harmful, it just depends on the amount. Hydrochloric acid in the stomach is necessary for digestive processes and disinfection. Lactic acid (lactate) is formed in the muscle when there is not enough oxygen available. Bases are the natural counterpart of acids. A base molecule together with an acid molecule forms the neutral water molecule. Bases are mainly mineral substances: calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium and sodium. The main processes regulating the pH of body fluids are:
- Buffering
- Regulation by respiration – removal of carbon dioxide (CO2).
- Regulation by the kidneys, respectively, metabolism – removal of hydrogen ions.
Disorders of the acid-base balance
Acidosis (hyperacidity) is defined as a disorder that tends to add acids or remove bases from body fluids. The pH is less than 7.37. Alkalosis is a disorder with a tendency to remove acid or add bases. In alkalosis, the pH is above 7.43. Acid-base balance disorders can be divided into five groups:
- Metabolic (metabolic) alkalosis.
- Metabolic (metabolic) acidosis
- Latent metabolic (metabolic) acidosis* .
- Respiratory (respiratory-related) alkalosis.
- Respiratory (respiratory) acidosis
* A special form is the latent metabolic (metabolic) acidosis: here the self-regulation of pH is still preserved in its narrow limits of 7.38 and 7.42. It is important to recognize and treat the disease underlying the acid-base disorder, because this is the only way to stabilize the acid-base balance in the long term.
Metabolic alkalosis
Metabolic alkalosis, like metabolic acidosis, is caused by a metabolic disorder characterized by an increase in bicarbonate or loss of hydrogen ions. As a result, the blood pH rises above 7.45. This acid-base balance disorder is caused metabolically, that is, metabolically. It is characterized by a loss of acids, resulting in an excess of bases. This occurs, for example, after vomiting.
Therapy
Drug therapyMetabolic acidosis can be poorly compensated for by the body, since this would require a reduction in respiration, which is only possible to a limited extent, since the body must continue to be supplied with sufficient oxygen. Therapy therefore consists of eliminating the causes and, if necessary, administering:
- Potassium chloride solutions
- Arginine hydrochloride
- Hydrochloric acid
Metabolic acidosis
Metabolic acidosis is caused by a metabolic disorder characterized by an excess of acids. As a result, the pH of the blood drops below 7.36.
Therapy
Micronutrient therapy (vital substances)Suitable alkaline minerals for metabolic acidosis are:
- Na-bicarbonate
- Potassium citrate
- Magnesium citrate
- Calcium citrate
Further therapyIn the foreground of any therapy is the treatment of the respective underlying condition. Furthermore, a change in diet is important, that is, a vital balanced diet – less acid-forming foods or more base-donating foods – as well as the supply of a dietary supplement with alkaline minerals.We will be happy to recommend a dietary supplement with alkaline minerals to harmonize the acid-base balance that is suitable for you.
Latent metabolic acidosis
Latent metabolic acidosis is when the alkaline buffer reserves in the blood have already been nearly depleted, but there has not yet been a shift in blood pH below 7.36. This means that in latent metabolic acidosis, the self-regulation of the pH value is still given in its narrow limits between 7.38 and 7.42. The consequence of this latent metabolic acidosis is “latent connective tissue acidosis,” which can lead, among other things, to demineralization of the skeletal system and thus to osteoporosis.
Therapy
Vital substance therapySuitable alkaline minerals for metabolic acidosis are:
- Na-bicarbonate
- Potassium citrate
- Magnesium citrate
- Calcium citrate
Important note!Alkaline supplementation, for example, with Na-bicarbonate as sodium bicarbonate, is incompatible with the stomach if gastric acid-proof encapsulation is not chosen. The supply of sodium hydrogen carbonate without gastric acid-proof encapsulation leads to the formation of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the stomach and thus to impairment of the bactericidal (bacteria-killing) effect of gastric acid. Only through gastric acid-resistant encapsulation of sodium hydrogen carbonate does the release occur only in the small intestine. The effectiveness of the supply of alkaline minerals has been scientifically proven. It has been shown, for example, that a supply of basic minerals (e.g. Mg, Ca, K citrates) leads to an inhibition of bone resorption in postmenopausal women.In the group of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (primary chronic polyarthritis, PCP) who took a basic dietary supplement, the intensity of the pain decreased, so that the dose of medication could be reduced in one third of the patients. Further therapyThe main focus of any therapy is the treatment of the underlying condition. Furthermore, a change in diet is important, i.e. a balanced diet rich in vital substances – less acid-forming foods and more base-donating foods – as well as the intake of a dietary supplement with alkaline minerals. We will be happy to recommend a dietary supplement with alkaline minerals to harmonize the acid-base balance that is suitable for you.
Respiratory alkalosis
Respiratory alkalosis, like respiratory acidosis, is also caused by a disorder of respiration. In respiratory alkalosis, there is increased breathing with hyperventilation. This results in too much carbon dioxide (CO2) being exhaled by the lungs and the blood pH rising above 7.36.
Therapy
- Eliminate the underlying disorder
- In the case of accelerated breathing (hyperventilation) – rebreathing of exhaled air.
Respiratory acidosis
Respiratory acidosis is caused by a disorder of respiration. Under normal circumstances, sufficient oxygen is inhaled and carbon dioxide is exhaled with each breath, so that the necessary balance in the body is always ensured. In respiratory (breathing-related) acidosis, there is insufficient breathing with hypoventilation, resulting in poorly ventilated lungs. As a result, too little carbon dioxide (CO2) is removed from the body – consequently, the pH of the blood drops below 7.36.
Therapy
The following are the therapeutic measures
Acute
- Increase breathing
- Ventilation if necessary
Chronic
- Drug elimination of spasm of the bronchi (bronchospasmolysis).
- Liquefaction of bronchial mucus (secretolysis).
Supplement
We are happy to recommend a dietary supplement suitable for you with the basic minerals magnesium, calcium and potassium (as citrate salts) to support your acid-base balance.
