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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

pH Monitoring for Astro Health

I have always followed the science of pH.

Even in grade school, while the goofs were outside playing, I was in the classroom with my great science teachers, testing pH of various substances. (My 7th grade science teacher was so impressed by my Uranium atom model, that she kept it up, hanging from her ceiling for many years.)

Everything comes full circle and once again I'm exploring the world of the pH scale. Recent developments have me examining various aspects of good health practices for my Mom's current situation. Anything to help the body heal itself, and I'm in.

Researching the diet aspect of better health, there are substantial studies and practices regarding the bodies pH balance. Too acid and it brings on disease and aliments. We all shove garbage down our gullets and come down with the aches and pains...and worse.

What ever ones personal opinion of alternative health practices are, one cannot argue against a proper pH chemistry balance. Certainly, mainstream medicine falls short in preventive measures - and drugs are not the answer for the most part.

This area interested me so much, that I bought myself a pH meter. Nothing fancy and pretty cheap - under $10.00. I ordered two and they arrived in about a week and a half from China...and I put it through it's initial testing...

Well, ok...something to work with now.

More research while I was waiting, stated that the meters need to be calibrated before each use. I got this particular meter kit because they came with their own pH buffer packets - one 4.00 & one 6.86 pH.

I had these little vial-like glass containers for years in a case of a dozen...'cause they will come in handy one day. And here we are... ;D

The medium's pH one is testing is affected by temperature, and I soon discover that the oral thermometer will not register the cool water. But that's ok, I have a Infrared digital temp meter and we measure our water - which is distilled and at a nice 68 degrees.

I mix in the buffer and make solutions in each container as a control. (I will keep the solutions capped and ready for future calibrations.)

While that's dissolving, I hack away at some of the protective covering of the pH meter, to gain better access to the primary probe on each meter...

Here is a great simple explanation of how a pH meter works:

www.explainthatstuff.com/how-ph-meters-work.html

Back to my mixed solutions...

Before I start the dunking, I observe that the meter is all over the place...

Swinging from very low to very high, it stabilizes when I place it in the 4.00 pH glass...

It seems that I need to tweak it just a tad...

There's an adjustment screw in the back and the pH meter kit comes with a mini screwdriver. While still keeping the meter in the buffer water, I slowly adjust the screw till it read 4.00...

I also check the high end pH and it's a bit off too...

I average the two and we are set....but what to test it on?

I cut me up some lemons and test the pH of it...

Wow...4.6!

Staying on the acid side of things, I measure me off some vinegar...

...and get an incredible 2.7!

Rinsing off the probe with distilled water, I wondered if the meter would register a mid level neutral reading.

I pour some tap water into the beaker and test it...

And it comes out a nice 7.6.

Distilled water shows a slightly lower 6.9 pH...

So far, the meter seems to be functioning properly and as expected.

I wondered what my beloved RC cola would read. Now, I know that all soda is bad for you - with all that sugar and acid...

But OMG...!

2.7 pH...! #wha#

This stuff is just this side of Battery Acid and true what they say about cleaning rust off bumpers! I never would have thought that soda was this low on the scale. Imagine what this stuff is doing to the body, leeching phosphorous from our bones and other nasties. And, the body counter-acts a high acid condition - trying to balance the body's pH - by dumping calcium into the bloodstream - taking it from the bones.

Incredible.

Now, I don't chug the pop all day, but I do take in more than I should..and know of people who drink nothing else. And they are indeed sluggish with ailments.

What about my own pH?

I place the probe on my tongue, making sure to touch the glass electrode moistly. I get a reading of between 6.8 & 7.0. Acceptable, but I would like it nudged just slightly higher - closer to 7.3 or there abouts.

Now, the best manner in testing pH, is via a blood sample...but I'm not too keen on that. Urine fluctuates too much, but is a good indicator on "at the moment" condition". I will use the other probe for this.

Many will scoff at this exercise in balancing pH for health and think it folly. Well, I think there's some validity to it and smart eating can never be in error. Cancer, diabetes and other horrible condition just love the acid environment and the sugar we dump in ourselves.

Any advantage I can give Mom for a better healthier condition is well worth the effort...and for me as well.

Building up the alkaline via vegetables, fruits, juicing and eliminating the sugars and refined foods as best I am able to...can only help. With this meter, I can at least loosely monitor what's going on. (I just may get a more accurate Ph meter..but they are expensive.)

More as this develops, but I think this is on the proper track to better health.

Good Ph is Good Astronomy...

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Alkaline sticks

The Alkaline/Acid field of study is an interesting one.

And it seems that some of my friends and associates also are looking into this, for health or just curiosity. In my research, I came across this item...

Interesting. Alkaline in a stick.

I ordered one for less than $7.00 delivered.

Wondering what is inside, I pop it open...

Little beads. I expected some rock-like bits, but ok. The list of ingredients say the mineral inside is Tormaline:

Tourmaline is a crystal silicate mineral compounded with elements such as aluminium, iron, magnesium, sodium, lithium, or potassium. Tourmaline is classified as a semi-precious stone and the gem comes in a wide variety of colors. The name comes from the Sinhalese word "Thuramali" or "Thoramalli", which applied to different gemstones found in Sri Lanka.

And Maifinate:

Clinical practice shows that the Chinese medical stone vessel health hydrolysis process, the release of several minerals needed by the body of the 10 trace elements. Maifanite media is the latest development media for the water treatment. With health care, water purification function, widely used in drinks, artificial mineral water, nutritional additives, food preservation, beauty parlors, agriculture industry, and many other fields .Maifanite has greater capacity of absorption heavy metal ions in water. also has good effect on the bacteria. Maifanite toxicity classification belongs to non-toxic level. In addition, it has a better effect on the treatment of skin, the total efficiency is up to 77%. Maifanite into medicine, soak off the water they drink, but also for bathing, with fitness and investigate the pharmacodynamics.

Seems the minerals also absorbs toxins as a filtering medium. But, does this do anything? Dunno.

Some controls need to be established.

I poured some distilled water in two glass containers, calibrated the pH meter and took a reading of both:

Both had a moderate reading of pH 6.8/6.7.

I washed off the pH stick as placed it in a container for 20 minutes and watched some Star Trek, (The one where Pickard is presumed dead, but undercover on a crime ship.)

Coming back to my experiment, I retake the readings - and the normal distilled water is holding at 6.8 pH - but the one with the Ph stick has an elevated alkaline readinng of...9.9 pH...

Well, it does what it says...buffers the acid and kicks up the alkalne.

I taste it.

Not bad. It has a slight rock-like mineral flavor, almost similar to a Mexican clay pot, but not as strong. I drink it.

So far, I'm still around.

Is it beneficial in any aspect?...I dunno. But it did kick up the Ph in only 20 minutes.

But let's see.

Winter science lives on.