The pH
Miracle diet is the newest phenomenon to strike the dieting world. Health
experts have noticed that popular diets seem to go in waves. While the 90s were
marked by the low-fat diet craze, the last six to seven years have been focused
on low-carbohydrate diets like Atkins, the South Beach Diet, Protein Power and
Sugarbusters. As people become frustrated with each type of diet, they look for
something new to try. The pH Miracle diet is the focus of a lot of new
interest.
The pH
miracle diet is so appealing to people because it is a complete 180-degree turn
from the high-protein, low carbohydrate diets of the past few years. The pH
Miracle diet, also called the alkaline diet or the Young Diet, after its
creator Robert Young, has a totally different approach to nutrition. Many
holistic doctors and nutritionists see it as a more balanced approach to
nutrition that takes the body’s true needs into account.
Basically,
the human body has a pH that is slightly alkaline. The theory is that since the
human body runs at this pH, our diet should be comprised of mostly alkaline
foods. The standard American diet has many foods that are considered acidic,
such as animal protein, sugar, caffeine and packaged foods. All of these foods
disrupt the pH balance of the body and cause a whole host of problems. The
proponents of the pH Miracle diet say that all of these acidic foods actually
disrupt the body’s use of alkaline minerals. These minerals include sodium,
potassium, magnesium and calcium, which make people prone to chronic diseases.
This is the
real crux of the importance of the pH diet. The nutrition and health community
has come to realize that what a person puts into their body has a profound
effect on their overall health. Although the mainstream medical community has
emphasized a balanced diet including fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy
products, the pH diet takes this a step further. It points out that the acidic
foods actually rob your body of essential minerals. Those who follow the pH
miracle diet are avoiding foods that can be disastrous to their health.
Many of the
foods that we eat commonly are considered no-nos on the pH miracle diet. One of
the most surprising omissions is the absence of wheat products. The FDA
recommends whole-wheat products for better health. Yet according the pH diet,
grains like wheat, millet, oats and rice are acidic and harmful. The alkaline
grains of buckwheat, quinoa and spelt are favored for their alkalizing
benefits.
Generally,
all meats and dairy are omitted on the pH Miracle diet. If you’re worried about
protein, goat milk is slightly alkaline. There is also protein provided from
vegetarian options like beans, tofu and certain nuts and seeds. Most vegetables
have alkalizing effects, except for mushrooms. Fruits are limited to coconut,
grapefruit, lemon and lime.
Those that
have tried the pH miracle diet say that they feel massive effects on their
health within the first few weeks. Lowering the intake of processed foods and
eating more vegetables is good health advice for everyone, whether or not they
follow the specifications of this particular diet. In fact, this has been one
of the major criticisms of the pH miracle diet. Opponents say that if people
are already eating fresh foods and drinking plenty of water, then the diet will
have no effect. They disregard the acid/alkaline balance theory.
Another
important thing to consider is that there has been no scientific testing of the
theories behind the pH miracle diet. Also, many conventional medical doctors
see no benefit to the program. However, the principles behind the diet are
based on holistic medicine and Chinese medicine, which have been around for
centuries. The ph Miracle diet principles are currently being studies at John
Hopkins’s university and by Dr. Neil Solomon of the United Nations. Soon the
critics may have to re-evaluate their stance on the diet’s scientific basis.
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