A common question I always ask those whom I coach on the 7 Essentials System ™ is: “Have you been monitoring your pH? Is your saliva alkaline compared to your urine?” Some people know, but many have no idea. Being aware of your pH level is vital, however, since disease conditions like cancer tend to thrive in acidity.

Cancer Hates Alkaline Environments

While cancer cells can’t survive in an oxygen-rich, alkaline environment, they love it when your body is acidic. Countless studies have demonstrated that a common characteristic of all tumors is their ability to thrive in acidic environments.

“This perturbation in pH dynamics rises very early in carcinogenesis and is one of the most common patho-physiological hallmarks of tumors,” says researchers at Italy’s University of Bari. In a 2013 study, the Italian researchers looked at how pH levels had an effect on certain proteins which are instrumental in regulating pH levels. These proteins (NHE1) are activated when oncogenes are turned on.

But how does the body become acidic in the first place? The factors that cause pH levels to lower all have one thing in common: stress. The four main ways stress can affect pH is:

• By extreme physical exertion;
• Through intense mental or emotional stress;
• By eating acidic foods, such as meat, refined grains, sugar and dairy;
• By not getting enough quality sleep.

The body is designed to buffer acidic conditions by detoxification through respiration, digestion and elimination. When toxic stressors becomes too much for the body, however, the vicious cycle of acidity sets in.

Your body will always do what it can to balance itself. Unfortunately, when it comes to pH, the processes through which it seeks balance often cause even more acidity as well as toxicity overall. To balance pH levels, the body extracts minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium from organs and bone marrow, which can lead to bone loss and the weakening of organs.

The body deposits these and other substances into the cells so that the blood can remain slightly alkaline. The body’s “leaching and replacing” cycle over time can lead to toxic build up and hypoxia (a decrease in blood oxygen levels). Hypoxia can harm vital enzymes needed for respiration and can lead to damage on the genetic level. This leaching is another major cause of osteoporosis.

In addition, when acidity continues over time, healthy cells begin to die while others survive. The ones that survive for the most part are abnormal cells. According to Dr. Keiichi Morishita, head of the International Natural Medicine Association and author of the well-known book The Hidden Truth of Cancer, these cells will “grow indefinitely and without order.” The pathogenic cellular organisms Dr. Morishita speaks of could be yeasts, viruses and bacteria or they could be cells that have turned cancerous.

Why You Should Be Monitoring your pH Levels (and How to Do It)

Every day, your food choices, stress responses, and overall body metabolism determine your pH levels. Monitoring these levels consistently for one week can give you immediate feedback as to how your life choices are effecting your health, for better or for worse.

Testing and checking your pH level is very easy to do. The best time to check is first thing in the morning, preferably after 5 am and after you have had at least six hours of sleep. To perform a saliva test, rinse your mouth out with clean water upon awakening (but do not brush your teeth). Spit this out and then spit a second time in the sink. Spit a third time directly onto a pH strip, then record your measurement. For a urine test, you can urinate in a small cup and dip the strip in to measure or urinate directly on the strip. The pH of your morning saliva should be at 7 or above. The pH of your morning urine should be between 6.4 and 6.8. Special pH paper for testing can be purchased online or at your local health food store.

pH stands for the “potential of Hydrogen ions” which exist in your bodily fluids. In general, 7 is considered neutral. The numbers 1-6 on the pH scale indicate acidity. Anything above 7 is considered alkaline. A healthy pH level for both saliva and blood is around 7.4.

Raising Alkalinity

If you have any kind of disease condition such as cancer, adopting an alkaline diet is by far one of the best things you can do. This is a diet that is high in fresh, organic vegetables, moderate in fats and meats and very low in acid-producing foods such as sugar, commercial dairy and simple carbohydrates (like breads and pastas). One recommendation is to stick to a diet that is 80% raw through juicing and drinking blended smoothies and eating at least one large salad per day. You can also support your digestion through the use of digestive supplements. In addition to probiotics and prebiotics, consider supplementing with Betaine HCI, especially if you are in your mid-twenties or older. This will keep your stomach acids between 1-2 pH and help with the proper breakdown of food.

Another way to raise alkalinity is to practice mild to moderate exercise. While extreme physical exertion can lead to lactic acid build-up, exercise that gently increases respiration (and, in turn, oxygenation) will actually work to release excess acids. This can include light jogging, fast walking or swimming.

Finally, consider baking soda. A study conducted at the University of Arizona Department of Pharmacology found that oral intake of baking soda increased the pH of Breast Cancer tumors and significantly reduced the spread of mammary tumors in mice. To make your own alkalizing drink, mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 8 ounces of filtered water. Add the juice of an organic lemon for flavor if you like. You can safely ingest this refreshing drink up to 2 times a day. Be sure to drink the solution 30 minutes before and 2 hours after eating anything and to test both your saliva and urine pH levels daily when using this powerful protocol.

Increasing alkalinity in the body will give you vital energy through increased oxygenation. By helping your body to alkalize naturally by reducing stress, getting enough quality sleep, exercising moderately and regularly eating an alkalizing diet, you will be working with your body, not against it, for vibrant health.

Dr. Veronique Desaulniers (“Dr. V”) is a best-selling author and specialist in Chiropractic, Bio-Energetics, Meridian Stress Analysis, Homeopathy and Digital Thermography. After 30 years in active practice, she decided to “retire” and devote her time to sharing her personal, non-toxic Breast Cancer healing journey with others. Her years of experience and research have culminated in “The 7 Essentials™ “, a step-by-step coaching program that unravels the mystery of healing the body. Her website and personal healing journey have touched the lives of thousands of women around the globe. To get your F.R.E.E. 7-day mini e-course and to receive her weekly inspiring articles on the power of Natural Medicine, visit http://breastcancerconqueror.com/.