Almost all foods that we eat, after being digested, absorbed, and metabolized, release either an acid or an alkaline base (bicarbonate) into blood. Grains, fish, meat, poultry, shellfish, cheese, milk, and salt all produce acid, so the introduction and dramatic rise in our consumption of these foods meant that the typical Western diet became more acid-producing. Consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables decreased, which further made the Western diet acid-producing.

Our blood is slightly alkaline, with a normal pH level of 7.365. The theory behind the alkaline diet is that our diet should reflect this pH level (as it did in the past) and be slightly alkaline. Proponents of alkaline diets believe that a diet high in acid-producing foods is disrupts this balance and promotes the loss of essential minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, and sodium, as the body tries to restore equilibrium. This imbalance is thought to make people prone to illness.

Why Do People Try Alkaline Diets?

According to some alternative practitioners, the shift to an acid-producing diet is the cause of a number of chronic diseases. Some practitioners recommend the alkaline diet if a person has the following symptoms and other illnesses have been ruled out.

• Lack of energy
  
• Excessive mucous production
  
• Nasal congestion
  
• Frequent colds and flu
  
• Anxiety, nervousness, irritability
  
• Ovarian cysts, polycystic ovaries, benign breast cysts
  
• Headache...

Although conventional doctors do believe that increasing consumption of fruit and vegetables and reducing one's intake of meat, salt, and refined grains is beneficial to health, most conventional doctors do not believe that an acid-producing diet is the foundation of chronic illness. In conventional medicine, there is evidence, however, that alkaline diets may help prevent the formation of calcium kidney stones, osteoporosis, and age-related muscle wasting.

                                             TESTIMONIALS

 "I would enthusiastically recommend Andrea, the Healthy Food Chef, to anyone who loves excellent food and certainly anyone battling challenging health issues. I frequently recommend my clients to Andrea and watch in amazement as those "sick and tired"  people transform into vibrant, energetic individuals. She has a deep understanding of nutrition and turns healthy foods into gastronomic delights.
  I ,for one , would happily travel long distances for a taste of Andrea's food!"
 
                                       Barbara Choudhuri
                                Nutritional Analyst , Author