Post by Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe on Dec 25, 2010 3:03:05 GMT -6
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...