Ways to Make the Body More Alkaline

Many alternative health care practitioners believe health starts with a balanced acid-alkaline relationship in the body. While not all doctors of conventional medicine advocate an alkaline-based diet, it's generally accepted that certain foods and substances are acid producing while others are alkaline producing. Proponents of the alkaline diet believe that an acidic body environment is a breeding ground for illness and that alkalizing may help boost the immune system, improve digestion and contribute to total body health. Making the body more alkaline requires attention to food choices, elimination of stress factors or daily supplements to help raise alkalinity levels.

Avoid Acid-Producing Foods

• One way to make the body more alkaline is to avoid acid-producing foods. Staples in the standard American diet include meat, dairy, alcohol and caffeine, which all release acid in the body when consumed. Many alternative health care practitioners believe an alkaline environment helps maintain a natural state of health. Eliminating some acidic foods from the diet is an easy way to balance the body's pH. Make a list of acid-producing foods and try to buy less than 25 percent of these foods during a trip to the grocery store.

Consume Alkaline Foods

• Most alkaline-producing foods are the foods found in nature in their raw, uncooked form. Raw fruits and vegetables, sprouted grains and raw nuts are all alkaline foods. Cooking food can deplete the nutritional content of food and make it more acidic. Alkaline water is also available in most health food stores. Other alkaline-producing drinks include raw coconut milk, fresh almond milk and kombucha. Natural health practitioners believe alkaline foods should make up about 75% or more of the foods consumed on a daily basis.

Take Supplements

• Certain supplements may contribute to higher alkaline levels. In particular, plant-based supplements such as wheat grass, barley, spinach, algae and kale can increase alkalinity. These "green" supplements can usually be bought in powder or pill form. Additionally, some alternative health care practitioners believe calcium and vitamin C may be effective supplements for alkalinity. However, it's best to try alkalizing with changes in the diet first, since supplements can't be a quick-fix solution for alkalinity.

Reduce Stress

• Most natural health practitioners -- and even conventional doctors -- agree that stress causes an upset in the body's immune system and can increase acid levels. According to Sue Pollock, N.D., stress causes the body to deplete its reserve of magnesium, a substance that helps alkalize the body. In turn, a lack of magnesium can contribute to stress, promoting a detrimental cycle in which the body becomes more and more acidic. Managing stress through exercise, meditation or deep breathing is one of the best ways to keep the body alkaline.