REGULATION OF ACID-BASE IN THE BODY
To prevent acidosis or alkalosis, all body fluids are supplied with acid-base buffer systems that immediately combine with any acid or base to prevent excessive changes in the hydrogen ion concentration (i.e., pH) of the body. If the hydrogen ion concentration changes significantly the respiratory center is immediately activated to alter the rate of breathing. As a result, the carbon dioxide removal from body fluids is automatically changed. Additionally, kidneys excrete either acid or alkaline urine to adjust the hydrogen ion concentration of the body fluids back to normal. For rapid changes in hydrogen ion concentrations the respiratory system makes acute adjustments in 1 to 12 minutes. Kidneys are the most powerful acid-base regulator but require many hours to several days to readjust the hydrogen ion concentration. In the process of adjusting the hydrogen ion concentration of the extracellular fluids, the kidneys excrete urine at a pH ranging from 4.5 to 8.0. The body forms 50 to 80 more milliosmoles of acid than alkali each day, and this acid must be removed continually. Because of the presence of this excess acid in the urine, normal urine pH averages about 6.0 as compared to 7.4, blood's pH.
Clinical abnormalities of acid-base are classified as respiratory acidosis, respiratory alkalosis, metabolic acidosis, and metabolic alkalosis. A person can cause respiratory acidosis by simply holding ones' breath! The lungs can not "blow off" the body's exhaust of carbon dioxide which increases the concentration of dissolved carbon dioxide in the blood and subsequently increases of carbonic acid and hydrogen ions. Respiratory acidosis frequently results from and/or causes pathological conditions (i.e., disease). On the other hand only rarely do pathological conditions result from respiratory alkalosis.
Metabolic acidosis can result from the failure of the kidneys to excrete the metabolic acids normally formed in the body. Diarrhea, vomiting, uremia, and diabetes mellitus are specific conditions of metabolic acidosis. Metabolic alkalosis does not occur nearly as frequently as metabolic acidosis. Usually, metabolic alkalosis is a result of the administration of diuretics and excessive ingestion of alkaline drugs.
The three major buffer systems of the body are the bicarbonate, phosphate, and protein buffers. Each of the above-mentioned buffer systems could operate individually in the body fluids. However, the common thread between the buffer systems is the hydrogen ion, the "currency of acid-base balance" in the body. The important feature of this principle is that any condition that changes the balance of all the other buffer systems actually buffers each other by shifting hydrogen ions from one to the other.
Normal function of body cells depends on regulation of hydrogen ion (H+) concentration within very narrow limits. Normal serum pH is between 7.35-7.45. Cell function is seriously impaired when the pH falls out of these parameters. CO2, produced by cells as an end product of aerobic carbohydrate metabolism, defuses into the blood where it reacts with water to form carbonic acid. Carbonic acid may then dissociate, releasing free hydrogen ions (H+) into the blood resulting in a decrease in pH:
H20 + CO2 <> H2CO3 <> HCO3- + H+
To counteract the continuous release of H+ ions, our bodies utilize buffer systems. Buffer systems consist of a weak acid (one that does not readily release free H+) with a salt of its conjugate base. The pH of a buffered solution tends to be fairly stable in spite of the addition of either acids or bases because the buffer systems combine with the added acids or bases to convert them to weaker forms. Buffer systems do not eliminate acid or base from the body, rather they minimize pH changes by forming acids or bases that do not readily dissociate into free ions. Because only free H+ ions contribute to pH, changes in pH are minimized.
Essentia Water has been fortified with bioavailable electrolytes, key to the function of these systems. Essentia Water's high pH or alkalinity, assists the body in maintaining proper pH balance by neutralizing acidic conditions in the body. The same acidic conditions result from strenuous exercise, excess lactic acid resulting in lowered pH, and subsequently sore muscles.
