Everything you need to know about body's acid base balance

Olivier Clamaron
6 mai
11 min de lecture

https://www.olivierclamaron.com/post/everything-you-need-to-know-about-body-s-acid-base-balance

sharing of 6 may 2025

Everything you need to know about your body's acid-base balance

translate of publication by Jean Pierre Willem | Feb 7, 2025 | Thanks to him.

"Acid-base balance, or pH homeostasis, is a function of the human body that aims to regulate plasma pH. Plasma pH normally ranges from 7.38 to 7.42. We speak of acidosis when the pH decreases and alkalosis when it increases. pH regulation involves many systems (respiratory function, kidney function, proteins, etc.). Whatever level we observe, life results from a perpetual struggle between two opposing, antagonistic, but always complementary forces, each striving for a constant balance. A healthy organism constantly seeks the "ideal" balance, but it is never achieved sustainably, because life is inevitably characterized by constant dynamism.

One of the essential balances our body must maintain is the acid-base parameters that characterize our natural environment. This "environment" tolerates only very small deviations from this balance, and any significant deviation can cause serious health problems. Let's remember Dr. Claude Bernard's quote: "Disease is nothing, the environment is everything." The unit of measurement for these acid-base constants of our environment is pH, whose scale ranges from 0 (totally acidic) to 14 (totally basic). A pH of 7 characterizes a neutral environment. The extreme limits of our body's pH are between 5 and 9. Vital substances, such as blood, have a pH that must remain between 7.32 and 7.42. Outside these limits, life is impossible. Any variation, either upward or downward, will have dramatic consequences, even death. All life processes require a stable, slightly alkaline blood pH, and any sustained, significant variation in this blood pH is incompatible with life.

Regulatory Mechanism

The body constantly maintains acid-base balance. One means of regulation is by varying the rate of pulmonary ventilation. In cases of acidosis, the body increases respiration, and vice versa. The kidneys, although slower to react, have powerful mechanisms for regulating pH by excreting excess acid or base.

The body will therefore do everything possible to maintain acid-base balance. If the body suffers from chronic acidity, it will seek all the biochemical means at its disposal to combat and attempt to neutralize these acidic elements. Like a game of biochemical dominoes, this struggle can lead to collateral damage such as osteoporosis, for example. Indeed, the body will use bases (alkaline elements/minerals) to combat the acidic elements. The body will therefore seek out all the alkaline elements it could use to combat the acidic elements. He will first try to find these alkaline elements (minerals) through food. If he cannot find them, he will be forced to look elsewhere.

The urinary pH of a healthy person who eats properly is between 6.5 and 7.5.

Many researchers, notably Louis-Claude Vincent, have successfully proven that a body that is too acidic or too alkaline allows the development of certain pathologies, while a well-balanced environment remains perfectly healthy.

Current lifestyles, stress, negative thoughts, aggression, overeating and excesses of all kinds, as well as processed foods (poor food quality and poor eating habits), lead to tissue acidosis and promote the overall acidification of the body.

In our modern civilization, the tendency toward acidification is widespread.

Hyperacidity of the body is one of the main causes of most metabolic diseases.

The human body is a marvelous machine that prevents excessive blood acidification. To counteract this excess acidification, our body has "buffer systems" that allow it to maintain blood pH at its required physiological value. Various minerals play an extremely important role in the functioning of these buffer systems. When the blood pH level drops just 3% below the ideal pH, the body draws on alkaline minerals stored in other organs: bones, cartilage, teeth, etc. From these, it draws alkalizing products, particularly the calcium it needs.

It is therefore easy to understand that after years of excessive acidity, demineralization sets in, and disorders such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, or dental caries appear. These demineralization processes are always linked to excessive acidification of the environment.

By restoring the “acid-base” balance, we can slow down demineralization and the progression of these disorders.

The Digestive Tract

Throughout the digestive tract, food is transformed so that it can be absorbed and assimilated by the body. This breakdown process occurs under the influence of digestive juices, which impose a specific pH on the food bolus. The breakdown, initially very acidic in the stomach, continues under the influence of various enzymes and the bacterial flora living in our intestines. These enzymes and flora require a specific pH to function properly. If the conditions are not met in one segment, the digestive process will be impaired, and the following digestive stages will be impacted and impaired. The consequences are:

Abnormal putrefaction in the intestines, causing constipation, gas, and bloating.

Production of toxic ptomaines (alkaloids produced by the putrefaction of animal proteins), responsible for autointoxication that must be neutralized by the liver.

Risk of overloading the liver, which allows toxins to enter the bloodstream.

Factors creating Tissue Acidity

These are factors related to lifestyle.

-Overwork, whether physical or mental, causes excessive storage of acidic waste.

-Lack of sleep and fatigue.

-Lack of exercise and movement. Indeed, a sedentary lifestyle reduces lung function, and therefore the elimination of volatile acids as well as tissue oxygenation. A walk of at least half an hour, outdoors and in a quiet environment, at the end of the day, facilitates the elimination of stress and leads to a sense of weariness conducive to restful sleep.

-Smoking is always accompanied by a state of acidosis, the correction of which greatly facilitates cessation.

-Taking medications, anti-inflammatories, aspirin, or even synthetic vitamins promotes acidosis, a breeding ground for rheumatism or other inflammatory diseases. Avoid this vicious circle!

Hygiene of mind and thought: negative thoughts, anger, violence...

Whether acidosis is the cause, the contributing factor, or even the consequence of illness or discomfort, its correction or reduction through appropriate dietary supplements is necessary and essential to restoring balance.

Vincent's Bioelectronics

It takes into account pH, resistivity, and redox power. The analysis is performed on blood, saliva, and urine. The bioelectronigram establishes a four-quadrant graph: in the acid-oxidative quadrant, fungal infections (Candida albicans) are identified; in the oxidative-alkaline quadrant, cancers are identified.

The pH (hydrogen potential) of our humors has been extensively studied in bioelectronics since the work of Charles Laville and later L.C. Vincent. Our biological constants tolerate only a few variations in pH: the blood must be around 7. But cellular, food, drug and other metabolisms constantly introduce bases or acids (most often) into the internal environment: this requires highly sophisticated adaptation systems to maintain biological constants as best as possible.

German healers (naturopaths) use the bioelectrometer to make a diagnosis, monitor the patient's progress, and check the quality of remedies, food, and beverages. It is the best device for establishing the underlying condition. This is why many French people with cancer travel to Germany.

Buffer Functions

The body neutralizes acid attacks using this mechanism: acids release H+ ions, unlike alkalis, which are rich in OH- ions. On the pH scale (their power to release hydrogen ions), acids are rated from 0 to 7, and alkalis or bases are rated from 7 to 14. Neutrality is 7. If an acid combines with a base (an alkali), a salt and water are formed.

Blood alkalosis and tissue acidosis

These two conditions are closely linked: the blood becomes more basic (above 7.35-7.45), saturated with "rescue" bases and residual salts resulting from acid-base combinations (especially calcium, potassium, and calcium carbonates), not to mention cations with basic functions—sodium, iron, zinc, lithium, manganese, copper, silver, etc.)

In bioelectronics, Professor L.C. Vincent associates alkalosis with a deterioration of the blood's structure, generating "diseases of civilization." At the same time, redox activity increases (related to the increasing positive ionization of oxidized blood) and resistivity drops (related to the progressive clogging of degraded and poorly drained metabolites by the excretory organs).

Nobel Prize winner Dr. Otto Warburg implicated poor cellular oxygenation in the cancer process. Cancer cells derive their respiration from anaerobic fermentation (absence of oxygen), producing lactic acid. Cells and tissues lose many of their qualities and functions, except for their ability to reproduce and worsen their cancer. Deficiencies in vitamins B, PP, E, A, and many trace elements are often lacking and aggravate the process. Sugars hinder the secretory action of lymphocytes and anticancer and antiviral interferon.

According to Dr. Gernez, fasting or dietary restriction creates acidosis, which "starves" cancer cells (hungry for sugar) and neutralizes them through beneficial blood acidosis, not tissue acidosis this time! Furthermore, fever creates acidosis. Oxygenated muscle activity does the same.

See my book “Le secret des gens sans cancer” Ed. Dauphin.

The Relationship Between Acidic Terrain and Diet

A clarification is in order. The acidity produced by a food in the body has nothing to do with its taste—spicy, bitter, sweet, sour, or bland—perceived by the taste buds, a sensation everyone is familiar with.

Tissue acidification can result from overconsumption of acidic and/or acid-forming foods, a lack of alkaline foods, and/or general overeating.

Thus, a predominantly vegetarian diet can significantly reduce the tendency toward acidosis, often linked to an excessively meat-based diet. Indeed, the breakdown or digestion of proteins, especially of animal origin, produces uric, phosphoric, sulfuric, and other acids. These, after being partially buffered by the body's mineral reserves, are eliminated by the kidneys.

When overconsumption of protein occurs, the body is no longer able to neutralize and eliminate acids; these acids accumulate in the body in various areas (connective tissues, joints, muscles), causing a gradual buildup of clogging, leading to the gradual appearance of various metabolic disorders.

It therefore seems obvious to avoid daily meat consumption, as well as the combination of meat and dairy products, which become very harmful over time.

Conversely, the degradation of fruits and vegetables leads to the formation of alkaline mineral salts that replenish the body's buffer reserves.

Many plant foods (fruits and vegetables) contain no available salt, yet are rich in mineral salts, particularly potassium, which has an alkalizing effect.

The main sources of catalytic elements and minerals come from the plant kingdom. This diet should be supplemented with eggs and seafood, which have alkalizing properties.

Food Pairings

Another fundamental consideration when organizing meals is food pairings. For digestion to take place under optimal conditions, a specific pH of the food ingested is required. This is the only opportunity to ensure optimal "food pairings."

Digestion begins in the mouth thanks to salivary enzymes, which require a neutral pH of 7 to 8. These enzymes initiate the digestion of starches and carbohydrates, which only occurs in a basic environment (pH 7 to 9).

Protein digestion, on the other hand, requires a highly acidic environment (pH 2 to 4). Therefore, combining carbohydrates and proteins, such as pasta and meat, is not recommended.

Milk and certain cheeses are highly acidifying and incompatible with bread.

Just like lemon, vinegar, tomatoes and wine, which are normally alkalizing, are incompatible with starchy foods but compatible with proteins.

This is how fruits, essential foods, can become dangerous if eaten in the wrong combination. They should always be eaten away from meals, NEVER during a meal or at the end of a meal as a dessert, which is completely incompatible. However, sweet apples, ripe pineapple, and papaya are exceptionally well tolerated.

Very common but particularly disastrous combinations during a meal, such as starchy foods (rice or mashed potatoes, for example) and sweetened yogurt for dessert, where there is a starchy/sugar mixture, are completely incompatible. Studies have shown that this type of combination causes significant and recurring ENT disorders: ear infections, rhinitis, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, tonsillitis, and digestive problems.

Signs that may indicate acidosis:

Fatigue, chronic lack of energy, sensitivity to cold, difficulty recovering.

Tendency to depression.

Inflamed and sensitive gums, cavities, tooth decay.

Rectal or urinary burning sensation.

Dull hair, hair loss, brittle, split, cracked hair, brittle nails.

Dry, cracked, or chapped skin, dry eczema, recurring yeast infections.

Muscle cramps or spasms, joint problems, sciatica, chronic tendonitis, etc.

Dietary supplements

ACIDRENOL

Promotes acid-base balance

1 product: 8 actions

Alkalization: Calcium citrate – Potassium citrate

Supports urinary and kidney function

Supports liver metabolic functions

Activates cytochromes P450 (Phase I), which neutralize antigens and infection

-Supports the conjugation phase (Phase II).

-Strengthens mitochondrial energy metabolism

-Strengthens the intestinal barrier

-Enhances enzymatic activity by providing vitamin and mineral cofactors

-Box of 60 sachets.

-Progressive course of 1/2 to 2 sachets per day with meals, mixed in 150 ml of water or in a compote.

-Other dietary supplements to combat:

Intestinal hyperpermeability and associated disorders

Dietary errors and associated factors that cause dysbiosis. GALTRIPERM GALTRIPERM is a nutritional supplement offering an original blend of vitamins (including activated B9 and B12), minerals, amino acids, digestive enzymes, and a phytonutrient synergy (Aphanizomenon, Green Tea Ginger, Boswellia serrata, Eugenia Caryophyllata) carefully selected to support digestion, intestinal function, and good immunity. Along with vitamin A, biotin, niacin, and riboflavin, they contribute to maintaining normal mucous membranes and mucus membranes. As such, GALTRIPERM is part of the "HEALTHY." nutritional program. This natural product helps:

Eliminate excess foods, pathogens, xenobiotics, allergens, bacteria, fungal agents, parasites, and toxins.

Replenish under-consumed foods, digestive enzymes, vitamins, and minerals, as well as all the nutrients that support anabolic and catabolic metabolism.

Influence the development of a balanced intestinal flora through diet.

Nourish by providing nutrients that promote the growth and maintenance of the intestinal epithelium.

Eliminate excess food and risky foods, support hepatic elimination metabolism – promote a normal intestinal ecosystem.

Presentation: Jar of 60 measuring spoons.

Directions for use: Gradual course of 1/2 to 2 measuring spoons per day.

LONGEFLORE-A (adult)

Restores the intestinal flora (microbiota).

To be healthy, our immune system must be effective, and for this to happen, our intestinal flora must be in perfect condition and in perfect balance. Modern life often disrupts it: pollution, dietary errors, stress, antibiotics, excess alcohol, nicotine, or coffee, and any imbalance that can lead to a deficient environment (digestive disorders, malaise, cancer, etc.).

It is therefore beneficial to supply this flora with friendly bacteria (probiotics) of various strains and in high doses.

LONGEFLORE consists of four strains, each of which plays its role and thus restores proper digestion, makes the environment unsuitable for bad bacteria, attacks Candida albicans, fights microbes, neutralizes toxic products, contains or destroys unwanted germs, eliminates waste, synthesizes certain vitamins, produces enzymes, facilitates protein digestion, protects the intestinal mucosa, and strengthens our natural defenses.

To be taken systematically, 1 capsule before breakfast. 1 month.

LONGEZYME

With age, the natural production of digestive enzymes declines. This enzyme deficiency contributes to the development of chronic conditions and the risk of food intolerance.

LONGEZYME is a dietary supplement providing a wide variety of plant-based enzymes to aid in the digestion of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. It contains 12 enzymes (amylase, protease, bromelain, papain, lactose, lipase, pectinase, cellulase, phytase, etc.).

Enzyme supplementation aids digestion and contributes to better nutrient absorption.

This special combination of plant and mushroom enzymes offers a spectrum of action across a very broad pH range, as found in the digestive tract. It contributes to the digestion of a wide variety of foods, whether raw or cooked.

By promoting better digestive efficiency, LONGEZYME positively influences food tolerance, the balance of intestinal flora, and the immune system.

Take 1 capsule twice daily with meals.

This product is not recommended for patients with gastric or duodenal ulcers.

LONGEVIE Lab. Tel: 00 32 (0) 69 76 50 60."

I decided to record some of JEAN PIERRE WILLEM's most essential contributions on my blog to ensure that the information is preserved and that I keep a record of it. Over the past two years, two of the sources that have been most useful to me on my path of evolution, those of Serge Reiver Nazare and Caroline Bright, have been closed, and fortunately, I had kept some of their references.

We are also in a battle of information, and when it is beneficial, the best tribute we can pay to those who have worked before us, sometimes for decades, is to share their research and knowledge. Everyone can be free then to experiment with them and draw inspiration from them.

Thank you.