How to determine the pH of the blood. PH of a person's blood: normal and abnormalities

Blood is the most important internal environment of the human body, forms its liquid connective tissue. From the lessons of biology, many remember that in the blood there is plasma and elements such as cells of white blood cells, platelets and erythrocytes. It constantly circulates through the vessels, without stopping for a minute and thereby supplying oxygen to all organs and tissues. It has the ability to update very quickly due to the destruction of old cells and instantly form new ones. About what pH and blood acidity indicators are, their rate and effect on the state of the body, as well as how to measure the pH of the blood and regulate it with the help of correction of the diet, you will learn from our article.

Blood functions

• Nutritious. Blood supplies all parts of the body with oxygen, hormones, enzymes, which ensures the full work of the whole body as a whole.
• Respiratory. Through the circulation of blood oxygen comes from the lungs to the tissues, and carbon dioxide from the cells on the contrary - to the lungs.
• Regulatory. It is with the help of blood that the intake of useful substances in the body is regulated, the necessary level of temperature is maintained and the amount of hormones is controlled.
• Homeostatic. This function determines the internal tension and balance of the body.

A bit of history

So, why is it necessary to study the pH of a person's blood or, as they call it, the acidity of the blood? The answer is simple: this is an incredibly necessary quantity that is stable. It forms the required course of oxidation-reduction processes of the human body, the activity of its enzymes, in addition, the intensity of all metabolic processes. The acid-base level of any kind of fluid (and blood, among others) is affected by the number of active hydrogen particles contained there. You can conduct an experiment and determine the pH of each liquid, but in this article we are talking about the pH of a person's blood.

For the first time the term "hydrogen index" appeared at the beginning of the 20th century and formulated it in the same way as the pH scale, the physicist from Denmark - Seren Peter Laurits Service. The system of determining the acidity of liquids introduced by him had divisions of 0 to 14 units. The neutral response corresponds to a value of 7.0. If the pH of any liquid is less than this, then there is a deviation towards "acidity", and if more - towards "alkalinity". Stability of acid-base balance in the human body is supported by so-called buffer systems - liquids, which ensure the stability of hydrogen ions, supporting them in the required amount. And physiological mechanisms of compensation help them in this - the result of the work of the liver, kidneys and lungs. All together, they ensure that the pH value of the blood remains within normal limits, only so the body will function smoothly, without failures. The lungs have the biggest influence on this process, because they produce a huge amount of acidic products (they are taken out in the form of carbonic acid), and also maintain the viability of all systems and organs. The kidneys bind and form hydrogen particles, and after that they return sodium and bicarbonate to the blood, and the liver processes and eliminates specific acids that our body no longer needs. Do not forget about the activities of the digestive system, they also contribute to maintaining the level of acid-base consistency. And this contribution is incredibly huge: the above organs produce digestive juices (for example, gastric juices) that enter into an alkaline or acid reaction.

How to determine the pH of the blood?

Measurement of the acidity of blood is carried out electrometrically, for this purpose a specific electrode is used, made of glass, which determines the amount of hydrogen ions. The result is affected by carbon dioxide contained in the blood cells. Blood pH can be determined in the laboratory. You only need to submit the material for analysis, and only arterial or capillary blood (from the finger) is needed. Moreover, arterial blood gives the most reliable results, because the acid-alkaline values of it are the most constant.

How do you know the pH of your blood at home?

Of course, the most acceptable way is still going to the nearest clinic for analysis. Moreover, after the doctor can give an adequate interpretation of the results and the corresponding recommendations. But to date, many adaptations are being produced that will give an accurate answer to the question of how to determine the blood pH at home. The finest needle instantly pierces the skin and collects a small amount of material, and the microcomputer that is in the device immediately performs all necessary calculations and displays the result on the screen. Everything happens quickly and painlessly. You can buy such a device in a specialized medical equipment store. Large pharmacy chains can also bring this unit to order.

The indicators of the acidity of human blood: normal, as well as deviations

The normal blood pH is 7.35 - 7.45 units, this is a healthy person's indications that you have a slightly alkaline reaction. If this indicator is lowered, and ph is below 7.35, then the doctor diagnoses "acidosis". And if the indicators are higher than normal, then it is about changing the norm to the alkaline side, this is called alkalosis (when the figure is higher than 7.45). A person should take the pH level seriously in his body, since deviations of more than 0.4 units (less than 7.0 and more than 7.8) are considered incompatible with life.

Acidosis

If laboratory tests reveal acidosis in the patient, this may be an indicator of the presence of diabetes, oxygen starvation or shock or is associated with the initial stage of even more serious diseases. Light acidosis is asymptomatic, and it can be detected only in the laboratory, by measuring the pH of your blood. The severe form of this ailment is accompanied by frequent breathing, nausea and vomiting. In acidosis, when the level of acidity of the body falls below the mark 7.35 (the blood pH is 7.35-7.45), it is first necessary to eliminate the cause of such a deviation, and along with this the patient needs abundant drinking and taking soda inside as a solution. In addition, it is necessary in this case to appear to specialists - a therapist or an ambulance.

Alkalosis

The cause of metabolic alkalosis can be unceasing vomiting (often with poisoning), which is accompanied by a significant loss of acid and gastric juice, or eating a large number of foods that cause supersaturation of the body with alkali (plant products, dairy products). There is a kind of increased acid-base balance, like "respiratory alkalosis". It can appear even in a completely healthy and strong person with too much nervous stress, overstrain, as well as in patients prone to fullness, or in dyspnea in people prone to cardiovascular disease. Treatment of alkalosis (as in the case of acidosis) begins with the elimination of the cause of this phenomenon. Also, if it is necessary to restore the pH level of a person's blood, this can be achieved by inhaling mixtures that contain carbon dioxide. It will also require solutions of potassium, ammonium, calcium and insulin. But self-medication can not be done in any case, all manipulations are carried out under the supervision of specialists, often the patient requires hospitalization. All necessary procedures are prescribed by a physician-therapist.

What foods increase the acidity of the blood?

To keep blood pH under control (norm 7.35-7.45), you need to eat right and know which foods increase acidity and which ones - alkalinity in the body. To products that increase the level of acidity, include:

• Meat and meat products;
• a fish;
• Eggs;
• sugar;
• beer;
• Fermented milk products and bakery products;
• pasta;
• Sweet fizzy drinks;
• alcohol;
• Cigarettes;
• salt;
• Sweeteners;
• Antibiotics;
• Practically all varieties of cereals;
• Most of the legumes;
• Classic vinegar;
• seafood.

What happens if the acidity of the blood is increased

If a person's diet constantly includes the above products, then in the end it will lead to a decrease in immunity, gastritis and pancreatitis. Such a person often picks up a cold and infection, because the body is weakened. Excessive amounts of acid in the male body leads to impotence and infertility, since sperm cells require alkaline medium for activity, and acid destroys them. Increased acidity in the body of a woman also has a negative effect on reproductive function, because with increasing acidity of the vagina, spermatozoa, getting into it, die before they can reach the uterus. That is why it is so important to maintain a constant level of blood pH within the established norms.

Products that make the blood reaction alkaline

The level of alkalinity in the human body is increased by the following foods:

• Watermelons;
• melon;
• All citrus fruits;
• celery;
• mango;
• papaya;
• spinach;
• parsley;
• Sweet grapes, in which there are no bones;
• asparagus;
• Pears;
• raisins;
• Apples;
• Apricots;
• Absolutely all vegetable juices;
• Bananas;
• avocado;
• ginger;
• garlic;
• Peaches;
• Nectarines;
• Most herbs, including medicinal.

If a person consumes too much animal fat, coffee, alcohol and sweet, then the body is "perekislenie", and hence the predominance of acidic environment over alkaline. Smoking and persistent stress also negatively affect the pH of the blood. Moreover, acidic metabolic products are not removed to the end, but in the form of salts settle in the intercellular fluid and joints, becoming the cause of many diseases. To replenish the acid-base balance, you need a wellness and cleansing procedures and a healthy, balanced diet.

Products that balance pH

Here is a list of ingredients that are often recommended to be included in the meals or consumed separately. These include:

• Lettuce leaves;
• cereals;
• Absolutely any vegetables;
• dried fruits;
• potatoes;
• Nuts;
• mineral water;
• Simple drinking water.

To normalize the amount of alkali in the body and bring the pH of the blood plasma back to normal, most doctors advise drinking alkaline water: it is enriched with ions, it is completely absorbed by the body and establishes a balance of acid and alkali in it. Among other things, this water enhances immunity, helps eliminate slags, slows down the aging process and has a beneficial effect on the stomach. Therapists advise drinking 1 cup of alkaline water in the morning, and during the day still drink 2-3 glasses. After such an amount, the blood state improves. That's just drinking drugs with such water is undesirable, because it reduces the effectiveness of certain medicines. If you consume medicines, then between them and the intake of alkaline water must pass at least one hour. This ionized water can be drunk in a pure form, but you can use it for cooking, cook soups and broths on it, use it for brewing tea, coffee and compotes. The pH level in such water is normal.

How to normalize the pH of the blood with alkaline water

Such water helps not only to improve health, but also to keep youth and blooming appearance longer. Daily use of this liquid helps the body cope with acid waste and dissolve them faster, after which they are removed from the body. And as the accumulation of salts and acids adversely affects the general condition and well-being, getting rid of these reserves gives the person strength, energy and a charge of good mood. Gradually, it removes unnecessary substances from the body and thus leaves in it only what is really necessary for all organs for proper functioning. How alkaline soap is used to remove unnecessary microbes, and alkaline water is used to remove all excess from the body. From our article you learned everything about the acid-base balance of blood in particular and the whole organism as a whole. We told you about the functions of the blood, how to know the pH of the blood in the laboratory and at home, about the norms for the content of acid and alkali in the blood, and about the deviations that are associated with it. Also now you have at hand a list of foods that increase the alkalinity or acidity of the blood. Thus, you can plan your diet in such a way as to not only eat balanced, but at the same time maintain the necessary level of blood pH.