Maintaining a slightly alkaline internal physiology is important for good health. Other than the stomach most fluids in the body should range between a pH of 6-8 (with 7 being the neutral point).

One of the most important tissues in our body – the blood – needs to be at a pH of 7.35-7.45 to function optimally. And by optimally that it is able to circulate freely to distribute oxygen and nutrients to our body’s cells.

However, if your blood (and body) is overly acidic, many bodily functions, including oxygen transport, become impaired.

But how do you know if you’re too acidic?

Well, for one, if you eat a lot of grains, animal products, and sugar, then your diet is already adding a hefty acid load into your body.

But there are also more signs and symptoms of an acidic body. Here are 17 more that you can check up on:

1. A decrease in bone mass (ie osteopenia)
2. Tendency to colds, headaches, sore throats, flus
3. Hair loss or dry hair
4. Weak and brittle nails
5. Inflammation of tendons and cartilage, aches and pains
6. Stiff muscles and joints
7. Lower energy, fatigue and lethargy levels drop
8. Increased irritability
9. Increased free radical damage (using up antioxidants much faster)
10. Weaker of absorption of vitamins and minerals from foods
11. Impaired enzyme function
12. Deficiency of alkalizing minerals like calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium
13. Excess mucus, chronic infections
14. Arthritic joint pain
15. Gallstones, kidney stones
16. Formation of cysts and abnormal cell growth
17. Atherosclerosis and cardiovascular complications

As you can tell, an acidic body can cause a wide variety of issues. This list is not exhaustive by any means.

The important thing to remember is that acidosis effects EVERY level of your body. It does not discriminate. If you have any kind of ailment, there could be a deeper link to an overly body.

But the good news is that “fixing” yourself is pretty straightforward. The tough part is just doing it. Most people know what to do, but they just don’t do it.

To help you out, here are 4 ways of alkalizing your body to minimize your acid load:

1. Maintain a primarily vegetarian diet.
2. Add seaweeds to your diet – nori sheets, dulse powder added to soups, seaweed salads.
3. Practice deep breathing or meditation on a daily basis as oxygen intake is alkalizing to the body.
4. Use a “green superfood” powdered supplement like wheat grass, barley grass, or Greens+. Just add any of these to a glass of water and you’re golden.

As you can tell, maintaining the proper acid-alkaline balance within your body is important. Ideally, your diet should be 80 % alkaline and 20% acidic. Unfortunately, most people have it backwards.

If you need help alkalizing your body, then I’d suggest that you grab a copy of Eating for Energy.