Acid-Base Balance
The treatment of acid-base imbalances in chronic conditions is a well-established part of naturopathic medicine. Dietary habits play a crucial role in this context. An alkaline-rich diet – which largely corresponds to a healthy wholefood diet – is of paramount importance. Practical experience across a wide range of health conditions confirms the significance of intracellular acidosis, and thus, tried and tested diagnostic and therapeutic options are available to naturopathically oriented therapists.
Acid-Base Regulation
Maintaining adequate buffering capacity or a balanced acid-base status depends on an appropriate intake of alkaline substances, on the one hand, and on limiting acid production while ensuring sufficient excretory capacity, on the other hand. It quickly becomes apparent that disruptions to this balance can occur in various areas.
Acid-Base Status | Causes |
Inadequate alkaline intake/excessive acid intake | Refined carbohydrates, animal protein, sugar and alcohol |
Inadequate alkaline recycling | Poor liver function and/or latent oxygen deficiency |
Excessive acid production | Poorly controlled diabetes, liver dysfunction, oxygen deficiency, increased intestinal acid production due to fermentation processes, negatively perceived stress, physical stress (e.g. unbalanced fitness training) |
Inadequate acid excretion | Lack of physical activity (leads to shallow breathing and limited acid elimination), impaired kidney function |
Latent alkaline loss | Chronic diarrhoea, overgrowth of putrefactive flora |
Symptoms of Latent Acidosis
Symptoms described in the literature that are associated with latent acidosis largely correspond to what is generally referred to as chronic non-specific health complaints. Immunological dysfunctions, such as increased allergic reactivity, are also linked to latent acidosis. A noteworthy phenomenon is the compensatory demineralisation of bones: when buffering reserves are depleted, the body draws increasingly on alkaline mineral salts stored in bones, which promotes osteoporosis. Furthermore, acidification of tissues heightens sensitivity and responsiveness to pain.
The condition referred to as latent acidosis does not concern the blood pH value itself – any deviation or dysregulation of this measure generally results in serious complications or stems from severe underlying conditions.
Endocrine disorders triggered by unfavourable acid-base imbalances are also of interest. A key mechanism of hormone disruption due to acidosis is the altered binding of hormones to their receptors. Affected hormones include the growth hormone, thyroid hormones, insulin (both secretion and effect), parathyroid hormone, and plasma catecholamines.
Commonly Observed Symptoms
- Fatigue, exhaustion, lack of drive, concentration issues, sleep disturbances
- Non-specific complaints or so-called constitutional disorders
- Increased sensitivity to pain in nerves, muscles, and joints
- Heightened allergic reactivity
- Inflammatory responses or increased susceptibility to infections, especially to those that affect mucous membranes and conjunctiva
- Tooth decay
- Reduced production of active vitamin D3 (1,25(OH)₂-vitamin D₃, calcitriol)
- Brittle hair and nails
- Osteoporosis
- Proneness to eczema, itching
- Heartburn
- Acidic sweat
- Low erythropoietin response
- Tendency towards anaemia
- Hypokalaemia
- Palpitations (tachycardia)
Diagnostics: The Acid-Base Test According to Sander
In practice, the Sander acid-base titration has proven highly valuable for assessing buffering capacity in chronically stressed patients. On the test day, the patient collects five urine samples at fixed times: 6 a.m., 9 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m., and 6 p.m. Meals should be consumed after the 1st, 3rd, and 5th samples. In the laboratory, both the pH values and buffering capacity of the five samples are measured.
Sander’s acid titration is described as a measure of the degree of metabolic stress. This makes it particularly suitable for monitoring the progress of metabolic regulation therapy (alkaline therapy).
