How does potassium change with acidosis?
A typical consequence of acidosis is hyperkalemia. This is caused by metabolic compensation mechanisms that start immediately in the case of acidosis. The body tries in various ways to eliminate the excess acid from the blood.
One excretion path takes place via the kidneys. In the renal corpuscles, acid can be released into the urine in the form of protons (positively charged hydrogen atoms). The acid can then be excreted in the urine.
The release of protons in the kidney results in potassium ions being reabsorbed from the urine into the blood in exchange. As a result, potassium can accumulate in the body as long as acidosis persists and cause severe symptoms. Initially, there may be some discomfort such as tingling or muscle weakness. Highly elevated potassium levels, however, can quickly lead to cardiac arrhythmia with irregularities and even cardiac arrest.
What’s the truth of the acidosis theory?
In alternative medicine, the theory of hyperacidity is a common cause of many diseases. The alleged acidosis takes place in the kidney and is supposed to be influenced by food and behaviour. The testing of this hyperacidity is done by means of pH test strips of the urine.
However, the theory of hyperacidity has no scientific background. The body effectively compensates for all fluctuations in the acid-base balance. Acidic urine has no disease value and is subject to considerable fluctuations. The benefit of a so-called “alkaline” lifestyle has not been scientifically proven.
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