Inflammation stems from acidosis
Inflammation in the body tends to increase in association with the body becoming excessively acidic (latent acidosis). Many parts of the connective tissue are frequently affected. When inflammation occurs due to acidosis, the biological mechanisms underlying this process will be explained in the sections below.
Inflammation is the defense system's (immune system's) reaction to a harmful stimulus, and it serves to protect the body from further damage. The typical signs of inflammation are redness due to increased blood circulation in the affected tissue, warmth due to increased metabolic activity in the inflamed area, and swelling due to increased fluid leakage and tissue tension.
In general, an increased tendency toward inflammation is a sign of latent acidosis. At the same time, since inflamed tissue produces acid, inflammation can also trigger latent acidosis.
Oxygen decreases in inflamed tissue. This is because the swelling caused by increased leakage of tissue fluid makes it harder for oxygen to reach the cells. To continue producing energy, cells switch to oxygen-free energy production (anaerobic glycolysis). This process produces lactic acid, a byproduct that acidifies the tissue.
Acidosis caused by low consumption of alkaline foods in the diet also triggers inflammation. These are often inflammations of connective tissue, such as joint cartilage. Under conditions of increased acid load in the body, connective tissue acts as a storage site for acids and neutralizes them. However, when connective tissue becomes heavily loaded with acid, its structure changes and its elasticity decreases. This can lead to various diseases. Excessive acidification of tissue represents stress for the organism. Under stressful conditions, cells produce more reactive oxygen species (ROS), triggering inflammatory reactions in the body. Changes in or hardening of connective tissue increase inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and soft tissue rheumatism.
WHAT IS ACIDOSIS?
Biologically speaking, humans are alkaline beings. Blood is alkaline and must always remain alkaline; otherwise, life-threatening conditions can occur. Cells are nourished by alkaline blood. The human body develops for 9 months in alkaline amniotic fluid. However, in certain conditions, the acid-base balance in the body is disrupted, and as the number of hydrogen ions increases, the pH value drops. This is called acidosis.
ACIDOSIS: SYMPTOMS, SOLUTIONS, AND PROPER NUTRITION
Do you frequently experience headaches, digestive problems, and irritability? There can be many causes for these, but one of the most important is that your body has become acidic. Complaints and secondary illnesses can only be prevented once the acid-base balance is restored.
WHAT CAUSES ACIDOSIS?
In fact, the acid-base level of the human body is naturally balanced. However, mistakes in lifestyle can disrupt this balance. This is usually due to three causes: increased acid intake, increased acid production, and decreased acid excretion.
Acidosis is a result. Since we consume foods that create either an acidic or an alkaline environment in the body, nutrition plays an important role in this process. A protein-heavy diet containing large amounts of meat, as well as one-sided crash diets, cause a serious acid assault on the body.
A common misconception needs to be cleared up: how sour a food tastes, or how much acid a product naturally contains, is not what matters — what matters is which substances are released as a result of digestion. If alkaline substances are released as a result of digestion, that food is considered alkaline. If, however, more acidic components are produced than alkaline ones during digestion, these are called acidic foods.
What are the causes of chronic acidity?
The following factors affect the acid-base balance:
- Excessive consumption of acid-forming foods
- Poor diets
- Insufficient exercise
- Excessive consumption of acid-forming foods
- Insufficient fluid intake
- Stress
- Smoking
- Medications
- Chronic diseases
The main cause of chronic acidosis is excessive consumption of acid-forming foods and beverages, combined with a reduced capacity for acid excretion.
However, diet is not the only factor in regulating the acid-base balance. A lack of physical activity, insufficient fluid intake, stress, smoking, and certain medications (e.g., acetylsalicylic acid) also increase acidity. Finally, chronic diseases of the lungs, kidneys, and digestive organs make it more difficult to eliminate acids through natural pathways.
You can find more information on this and similar topics in my book "The Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition Guide."