What's Your pH
 

The concept of pH was first introduced by Dr. Sorensen at the Carlsberg Laboratory in 1909. pH stands for "potential of Hydrogen" which is the measure of hydrogen-ion concentration in a solution. pH is measured on a scale from 0 to 14 in reference to the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. In this context, the word "solution" simply means something mixed with water.

A pH of 7 is considered to be neutral - a pH of less than 7 is more acidic and a pH higher than 7 is more alkaline. If you mix acid with water, for example, the pH of the solution will be less than 7 - if you mix an alkaline with water the pH of the solution will be greater than 7.

In general - the latest research has associated many types of diseases and chronic conditions with a body that is more acidic than alkaline. The consensus of opinion indicates that the body should be slightly alkaline for optimal health.

The foods that we eat become mixed in solution with all of the water in our bodies. This is significant because our bodies are about 70% water. For optimal health, the pH of the body's fluid should stay within normal ranges. The normal pH balance in the human body is 7.35 to 7.45, which is slightly on the alkaline side of the pH scale.

If you have an interest in your body's pH balance, the first step is to find out what it is. Testing is easily done using pH testing strips with saliva or urine - these inexpensive testing strips are available at most pharmacies - they are also available online from many sources.

From there, it's a process of trial and error with respect to food and drink choices. We are all different and unique - so the choices that work for one person may not be the ideal choices for another.

The prevailing wisdom indicates that eating 75% alkaline foods and 25% acidic foods will keep your body at a healthy pH balance. When we talk about foods in this context, we're talking about the result in the body of eating the foods, not necessarily the pH of the foods themselves before we eat them.

Examples of alkaline foods include most fruits and vegetables along with water and vegetable juices. Acidic foods, in general, are meat, dairy, junk food, processed food, fast food, alcohol, drugs and medications. There are some exceptions in both directions so if you have an interest, we encourage you to search online for "alkaline foods" - after reviewing a few websites you'll have a better understanding concerning alkaline foods and acidic foods and some good guidelines to follow with respect to food choices.

As with some nutritional topics these days there is some difference of opinion. We understand that in some cases these may be very strongly held opinions. Our goal within this article is to offer a view of the bigger picture in a general sense. From there, each of us is free to do our own research and to embark on the path that we deem appropriate for ourselves.

Visit The Wholefood Farmacy

What's Your pH
 

The concept of pH was first introduced by Dr. Sorensen at the Carlsberg Laboratory in 1909. pH stands for "potential of Hydrogen" which is the measure of hydrogen-ion concentration in a solution. pH is measured on a scale from 0 to 14 in reference to the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. In this context, the word "solution" simply means something mixed with water.

A pH of 7 is considered to be neutral - a pH of less than 7 is more acidic and a pH higher than 7 is more alkaline. If you mix acid with water, for example, the pH of the solution will be less than 7 - if you mix an alkaline with water the pH of the solution will be greater than 7.

In general - the latest research has associated many types of diseases and chronic conditions with a body that is more acidic than alkaline. The consensus of opinion indicates that the body should be slightly alkaline for optimal health.

The foods that we eat become mixed in solution with all of the water in our bodies. This is significant because our bodies are about 70% water. For optimal health, the pH of the body's fluid should stay within normal ranges. The normal pH balance in the human body is 7.35 to 7.45, which is slightly on the alkaline side of the pH scale.

If you have an interest in your body's pH balance, the first step is to find out what it is. Testing is easily done using pH testing strips with saliva or urine - these inexpensive testing strips are available at most pharmacies - they are also available online from many sources.

From there, it's a process of trial and error with respect to food and drink choices. We are all different and unique - so the choices that work for one person may not be the ideal choices for another.

The prevailing wisdom indicates that eating 75% alkaline foods and 25% acidic foods will keep your body at a healthy pH balance. When we talk about foods in this context, we're talking about the result in the body of eating the foods, not necessarily the pH of the foods themselves before we eat them.

Examples of alkaline foods include most fruits and vegetables along with water and vegetable juices. Acidic foods, in general, are meat, dairy, junk food, processed food, fast food, alcohol, drugs and medications. There are some exceptions in both directions so if you have an interest, we encourage you to search online for "alkaline foods" - after reviewing a few websites you'll have a better understanding concerning alkaline foods and acidic foods and some good guidelines to follow with respect to food choices.

As with some nutritional topics these days there is some difference of opinion. We understand that in some cases these may be very strongly held opinions. Our goal within this article is to offer a view of the bigger picture in a general sense. From there, each of us is free to do our own research and to embark on the path that we deem appropriate for ourselves.

Visit The Wholefood Farmacy

alkaline foods include most fruits and vegetables along with water and vegetable juices. Acidic foods, in general, are meat, dairy, junk food, processed food, fast food, alcohol, drugs and medications. There are some exceptions in both directions so if you have an interest, we encourage you to search online for "alkaline foods" - after reviewing a few websites you'll have a better understanding concerning alkaline foods and acidic foods and some good guidelines to follow with respect to food choices.

90 Days To Wellness
A Public Service Campaign of
The Wholefood Farmacy
 
Day 74 - Mother's Milk
 

Most parents are aware that breast milk is best for their baby, but may not be aware that the benefits of breastfeeding extend far beyond basic nutrition.  In addition to containing all the vitamins and nutrients your baby needs in the first six months of life, breast milk is packed with disease-fighting nutrients that protect your baby from illness. That's why the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months.

Another advantage of breastfeeding is that it's as healthy for mothers as it is for babies. Not only does lactation continue the natural physiologic process begun with conception and pregnancy, but it provides many short and long-term health benefits to the mother.

The full range of benefits that breastfeeding offers are rarely emphasized in prenatal counseling by health care professionals and are all but ignored in popular parenting literature - but the latest research is quite clear and suggests that breastfeeding:

Protects your baby from gastrointestinal trouble, respiratory problems, and ear infections
 
Can protect your baby from developing allergies

May boost your child's intelligence (I.Q.)

May protect against obesity later in life

May protect your baby from childhood leukemia
 
May protect your baby from developing type 1 diabetes
 
May protect preemies from infections and high blood pressure later in life
 
May lower your baby's risk of SIDS
 
May protect the baby against osteoporosis later in life
 
Helps the mother lose weight by burning an extra 300 to 500 calories a day
 
Can lower the mother's stress levels and reduce postpartum bleeding
 
May reduce the mother's risk of some types of cancer

If the "pitter patter of little feet" is in your future, we encourage you to search online for the "benefits of breastfeeding" and to get more information so that you can make a truly informed decision.  Then, once your baby is ready for solid food - the Wholefood Farmacy foods offer you an easy and convenient way to continue nourishing your baby with the very best that nature has to offer.

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Raspberries
 

Raspberries are a delicious fruit, and according to the latest research, a very healthy fruit as well.  Research published in the May 2005 issue of the journal Biofactors shows that Raspberries are loaded with powerful phytonutrients and antioxidants that can support your immune system and help your body to ward off disease.
 
The antioxidants in Raspberries include ellagic acid which protects your cells from becoming damaged.  Other nutrients in Raspberries include quercetin, kaempferol, and the cyanidin-based molecules called cyanidin-3-glucosylrutinoside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside. These flavonoid molecules are also classified as anthocyanins, and they belong to the group of substances that give raspberries their rich red color.

The anthocyanins in Raspberries are very powerful antioxidants that have antimicrobial properties as well, including the ability to prevent overgrowth of certain bacteria and fungi in the body such as Candida. The biggest contribution to raspberries' antioxidant capacity is their ellagitannins, a family of compounds almost exclusive to the raspberry, which are reported to have anti-cancer activity.

In addition to their abundant phytonutrient and antioxidant content, raspberries are a rich source of manganese and vitamin C that help protect the body's tissue from oxygen-related damage.  They are also a good source of important nutrients such as riboflavin, folate, niacin, magnesium, potassium, B vitamins and copper.

You can enjoy the flavor and nutrition of Raspberries in some of your favorite Wholefood Farmacy foods such as Buckey Ball Matrix, Coco Cherry Phi, Cranberry Phi, Phi Plus, Fruitalicious, Fruitalicious Plus, BeautiPhi, ElectriPhi and FructiPhi.  Imagine the good you can do for your body with just one serving per day!

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