Dr. Angelina Stevens
<
You are what you drink
Most of us know how acidic and unhealthy coffee and sodas are, but we continue to feed the caffeine dragon, hoping the jolt will give us energy or help us remain focused and alert. The reality is that one of the worst things you can do in the morning is stumble to the coffee maker and down a cup or three of acidic java. Our bodies are already dehydrated from sleeping eight-plus hours, so the first thing that enters the stomach and bloodstream goes straight to the brain. Acid on the brain, anyone? Your body is instantly converted into an acidic stress state and it can be nearly impossible to bring it back to a ph-neutral state at that point. Before caffeinating, it is better to drink 12-20 ounces of alkaline water or a green drink (composed of pure water and juiced or powdered greens). This alkalizes and energizes the body and mind and can eventually eliminate the need for the morning java jolt.
<
You are not sick, you are just dehydrated
Most illnesses occur when the body has become too acidic and water cannot enter cells to flush out bacteria, toxins and viruses. Water is the basis of all life and that includes your body. Your muscles, which move your body, are 75% water; your blood, which transports nutrients, is 82% water; your lungs, which provide your oxygen, are 90% water; your brain, which is the control center of your body, is 76% water; even your bones are 25% water.
Cancer cells cannot survive in an alkaline environment: In cancer research, much care is given to regulate the acidity of cell cultures in order to study how cancers metastasize and grow. Therefore, if we can get our internal systems to become alkaline, it will be very difficult for cancers and other infective organisms to invade our bodies.
Beyond eight glasses per day
While traveling in Europe this summer, I drank only pure ph-balanced spring water from the French Alps and had quite an experience. The first 24 hours, I felt like I was coming down with the flu. I had a headache and a thick white coating on my tongue (otherwise known as a detoxification response, or Herxheimer Reaction). Over the next week, I began to feel rejuvenated and energized, and began sleeping deeply and peacefully. I had no issues with altitude sickness in the Alps and was able to strongly ride some of the toughest stages of the Tour de France. I also realized that over the second week I was never thirsty, my skin was glowing, and my eyesight improved.
Much of the difference is that the artesian waters of the French and Swiss Alps have a slightly higher ph (=8) than the spring water that I normally consume in the US (=7). The extra alkaline nature of the water flushes out excess acids and toxins that accumulate during our training and living in a toxic world. A neutral salivary ph is about 7.4 and can be measured with store-bought ph paper. Therefore, beverages below 7.0 ph tend to dehydrate and acidify the body, while those 7-9 ph and above alkalize and hydrate the system. There are waters that advertise higher ph levels (9-11.0 ph), which should be consumed only in small amounts, as they can cause dangerous side effects if consumed too quickly or in excess. For more information and a list of ph-balanced water, see our website, www.stevenswellness.com.
Yours in hydration and in health, Dr. Angelina Stevens
# # #
Dr. Angelina V. Stevens, D.C., owns holistic chiropractic and acupuncture centers in Durham and Chapel Hill. She is passionate about healing the body naturally without the use of drugs or surgery and by finding the true causes of pain and illness. As a triathlete, Dr. Angelina has completed in world-class events and has represented the U.S. as a triathlete on Team USA 2001. She currently competes as an elite cyclo-cross racer and can be reached at www.stevenswellness.com or by email at drangelina@stevenswellness.com.
