Tiredness, headaches and susceptibility to infections are among the typical symptoms of hyperacidity. Acidosis can limit the quality of life and trigger various secondary diseases. We explain the 5 causes.
One speaks of hyperacidity (acidosis) when the pH value in the blood falls below a value of 7.36 . Acidosis can manifest itself through various symptoms such as persistent fatigue, headaches, heartburn or an increased susceptibility to infections. It also promotes the development of secondary diseases such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or osteoporosis. But how does it happen that the body becomes acidic?
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Chronic hyperacidity: how does it develop?
A balanced diet is the cornerstone of a healthy body. Anyone who eats unhealthy food increases the risk of obesity and the development of various diseases. In many cases, the wrong diet is also responsible for chronic hyperacidity. Anyone who eats few basic foods such as fruit and vegetables but high levels of protein from meat, fish and dairy products has a negative impact on the acid-base balance. But in addition to the wrong diet, other factors can also lead to hyperacidity. We will give you other possible causes.
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Chronic hyperacidity: There are 5 causes
- Diets
Just like an unhealthy diet, an unbalanced diet, as found in many diets, can lead to acidosis in the body. Reducing calories reduces body fat. When fatty acids are broken down, so-called keto acids are formed, which burden the metabolism with acid and can lead to acidification. This in turn means that the metabolism works worse and the diet can stagnate. In diets with a high proportion of protein, the protein creates an additional acid load. - Lack of exercise
A lack of exercise has many negative effects on health. Especially in combination with an unhealthy diet, it promotes obesity and the resulting risks for diseases such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Exercise also affects the acid-base balance – sufficient physical activity promotes the excretion of acid through the kidneys and the exhalation of CO2 through the lungs. - Stress
Just like a lack of exercise, stress can also lead to overacidification of the body. It doesn’t matter whether it’s professional or private – if you are constantly exposed to stress, your body releases more stress hormones such as cortisol or adrenaline. When these hormones are broken down, acids are formed that put a strain on the acid-base balance. - Chronic diseases
It is not only factors that we can influence that play a role. Likewise, chronic diseases or medication that you have to take because of them can acidify the body. Diabetics in particular have a higher risk of acidosis due to their often impaired kidney function. Likewise, chronic kidney diseases or gout reduce the excretion of acids, which can lead to hyperacidity. - Age
The kidneys are the only organ that can actively excrete acids. Since kidney function decreases with age, the risk of hyperacidity increases at the same time. In addition, older people tend to have an unbalanced diet with fewer fruits and vegetables and too little fluid intake. Both ensure that less acid can be excreted or neutralized.
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Chronic hyperacidity: what to do?
Hyperacidity not only causes unpleasant symptoms, it also promotes the development of various secondary diseases. These include allergies, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, migraines, diabetes and kidney stones. You can counteract this to a large extent with a change in lifestyle. Change your diet – eat lots of alkaline foods that can balance out the acidity. Build as much exercise as possible into your everyday life, drink enough water and avoid stress and anger.
