Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) is an essential acid buffer of our body. It forms the largest alkaline buffer in our blood and ensures that our blood remains slightly alkaline (pH 7,365) by neutralizing acid waste. Sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, has a purifying effect in the removal of acids.
Sodium bicarbonate is a body’s own substance. It must be sufficiently present in the body to balance the acid balance of the body. Apart from the body, sodium bicarbonate is used as an acidity regulator in foods, stabilizers, raising agents (hence the nickname baking soda) and in the medical world as an ingredient of medicines against, for example, gastric acid. Due to its use as an ingredient, sodium bicarbonate has also been assigned an E number: E500.
Levels of Sodium bicarbonate change with age
Various scientific studies show that as we age, the amount of sodium bicarbonate in our blood decreases significantly. In the graph below, from the research of Dr. Lynda Frassetto*, you see that a substantial decrease in bicarbonate buffers starts at the average age of 40 years. Moreover, within the age of 40 and above a lot of accumulated acid waste is generated. At the age of 90 years, the decrease of bicarbonates in our blood is 18%.
*Frassetto, Lynda en Sebastian, Anthony – Age and Systematic Acid-Base Equilibrium: Analysis of Published Data, Journal of Gerontology: BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, 1996, Vol. 51A. No1, B91-B99
Loss of sodium bicarbonate is acidic to the body
The reduction of sodium bicarbonate ensures that the blood is limited in maintaining the correct acidity level (pH 7.336). The acidity of the blood can only fluctuate within a very small margin to keep the body alive.
When the amount of acidic waste in the blood is higher than the bicarbonates can buffer, the body switches to other “smart” survival mechanisms:
The body binds the excess acid wastes with the alkaline minerals
Alkaline minerals are removed from the bones, teeth, nails, skin, hair and suchlike to bind with excess acids. This activity creates “acid salts” that can be stored in various parts of the body. Acidification also results in the structural reduction of important mineral resources.
The body converts the liquid acids into solid form by crystallization
In this case, the body converts excess uric acid into uric acid crystals.
The body retains moisture to reduce the acid concentration
By retaining moisture in places of the body where liquid acids manifest, the concentration of these acids decreases. A lower concentration means that the acidity is reduced in those places to restore the balance. Among the elderly you often see that much moisture is retained in the lower legs and feet.
De-acidify by maintaining the alkaline buffers!
By ensuring a daily supply and supplement of sodium bicarbonate, the body will get rid of accumulated acid residues and thus will de-acidify. The more de-acidified (cleaner!) the body is, the better the body can function.
Facts and myths about sodium bicarbonate / baking soda
Warning!
Many websites and other sources recommend to dissolve sodium bicarbonate powder/baking soda in water and to drink it. This is not recommended. The dissolved sodium bicarbonate will then react with the gastric acid and is converted into carbon dioxide, (kitchen)salt and water. This causes a bloated feeling, gas formation, diarreha and may increase blood pressure due to the increased salt formation. It is best to add sodium bicarbonate to the body without a reaction with the gastric acid.
But why is this so unhealthy?
The sodium bicarbonate is completely converted in the reaction with stomach acid, which means that your body can no longer absorb any of the dissolved sodium bicarbonate.
Unfortunately, the resulting CO2 and table salt do cause a burden on your bodys health. CO2 causes gas formation, resulting in bloating or flatulence. The high amount of table salt that is released increases blood pressure.
Each (tea) spoonful of sodium bicarbonate that is ingested yields almost the same amount of table salt. Add this to the already excessive amounts of salt that people consume daily and the risks to health and blood pressure are clear.
The healthy way
It is best to support our body with sodium bicarbonate in a way that it cannot react with the stomach acid. By taking sodium bicarbonate in special gastro-resistant capsules, this is prevented. When the capsules dissolve in the intestines, the sodium bicarbonate can be fully and safely absorbed by the body there. Another way to support your body in producing sodium bicarbonate itself, is by drinking alkaline water. By adding 4 drops of Alka® Drops to a glass of drinking water you can easily make alkaline water.
Safe and smart
The Alka® products have been developed specifically for the absorption of sodium bicarbonate in a smart and safe way. You can add sodium bicarbonate to your body with the following products:
Alka® Drops Alka® Drops is a unique alkaline mineral extract that when added to drinking water increases its pH value, creating alkaline water.
Alka® Tabs Original Alka® Tabs Original are capsules to effortlessly alkalize your body every day. The gastro-resistant capsules are made of a patented combination of sodium bicarbonate and potassium bicarbonate and zinc.
Alka® Tabs Magnesium Alka® Tabs Magnesium tablets help you deacidify your body while giving it extra magnesium at the same time. Perfect for those who need to counteract acidity in the body and require extra magnesium.
