Lose Massive Weight Through Alkalizing Your Body

by Mariana Bozesan

Did you know that antacids are the most frequently used drugs in America? Originally aimed at reducing the levels of gastric acid in our stomachs, they've become our catchall way of dealing with a whole range of problems from indigestion and heartburn to acid reflux and even ulcers. We have all heard of balanced pH shampoos, crèmes, etc. The human body has to maintain a constant pH level to stay healthy just as it needs to maintain a constant body temperature. When our body becomes overly acidic the body retains fat to protect itself from the acidity and we become overweight and sick.

But here's an important question: Why are all of us producing so much acid in the first place? The typical American diet is composed of foods that are either highly acidic, or that, once eaten, cause an acidic reaction in the body. This is reflective of what Robert O. Young, Ph.D., D.Sc., and Shelly Redford Young, L.M.T., refer to as an "acidic lifestyle." Corn, sugar, dairy, meat, bread, eggs, coffee, alcohol, vinegar are just some of the foods that can cause our bodies to fall into this acidic state, robbing the body of minerals and causing it to respond in ways that sabotage our best efforts to lose weight¹.

When we think of the word "acid," do we think of something that would be helpful or harmful to a living thing? In its infinite wisdom, Robert and Shelley Young point out that our bodies employ a very effective method for protecting themselves from these harmful acids, and that is to retain fat. Fat protects our bodies from over acidity and without it, we would not be able to withstand acid’s more destructive effects.

Robert and Shelley Young point out that drowsiness and overall lack of energy can result from an overly acidic bloodstream. So can allergies, frequent colds and digestive problems. Sound familiar? In an era during which many of us are struggling to understand why it's so difficult to exercise and lose weight, understanding the acid versus alkalinity issue is a very important breakthrough in our journey away from all the frustration that has come to characterize our most well-intentioned efforts.

So, how do we get ourselves out of this acidic lifestyle? "Alive foods" offer a treasure trove of options for creating a state of alkalinity in which it becomes much easier to lose excess fat. Most fruits as well as leafy green vegetables like broccoli, kale, and spinach are especially helpful².

But what about the fact that most of us struggle to eat even two servings of fruit and vegetables in a day? In our busy, overscheduled lives, "superfoods" represent a quick, concentrated source of nutrition that promotes healthy pH levels as well as boosts energy and overall health. Requiring a minimum of effort, greens-based drinks offer as many benefits as entire plates full of fruits and vegetables. There are a number of greens-based drink mixes on the market these days, with most containing a blend of different types of grasses, sea vegetables and herbs that can be mixed into a glass of water or juice. These drinks not only promote alkalinity, but contain a wealth of free-radical fighters and detoxifiers as well. Many health food stores carry these products.

Finally, Robert and Shelley Young point out that as important as it is to address nutritional issues such as alkalinity in our diets, it's also important to remember that our thoughts play a crucial role as well. In the same way that an acidic diet will prompt the body to hold onto fats, toxic thoughts can sabotage our best efforts. We need to give ourselves the authority not only to take charge of our eating habits, but our thoughts as well. When we do this, they say, weight loss transforms from an obligation into a pleasure, because it is grounded primarily in our own well-being and happiness.

What can you do today to lose weight by alkalizing your body?

1. Significantly reduce your intake of highly acidic foods such as dairy, meats, sugars and soft drinks.


2. Supplement with "superfoods" that promote alkalinity, such as green drinks. You can buy these green drinks in any health food store or if you would like to try David Wolfe’s, Udo Erasmus’ or Robert Young’s brands go to www.sageera.com/shop.


3. Cultivate happy thoughts.


4. Choose more alkaline foods such as:

Instead of…	Try…
Wheat bread	Bread made with rice, millet, amaranth, quinoa, soy and oat flours
Cow's milk	Soy, rice, nut and multiple grain milks
Cow’s milk cheeses	Cheese alternatives are made from soy, rice, nuts or seeds
Beef, veal, lamb, and pork	Fish, shellfish, and range-fed poultry, or even better—soy-based meat substitutes
Hamburger	Tofu, soy and multigrain garden burgers
Deep fried corn chips and potato chips	Raw nuts and seeds (soaked), rice puffs, rice crackers, baked snack items, or fresh fruits and vegetables
Coffee	Green tea or herbal tea such as peppermint, chamomile and rose hips
Refined white sugar	Maple syrup, brown rice syrup, barley malt and honey
Salt	Garlic, fresh herbs, sea vegetables, lemon rind and miso
Margarine	Olive oil, fresh fruit preserves, raw seeds (soaked) and nut butters