Believe it or not, when your bodies pH is too acid your immune system is compromissed and you are more suseptible to colds or flu.

Eat for Your pH Type

The typical American diet is composed of foods that are either highly acidic or, once eaten, cause an acidic reaction in the body. Learning whether you are overly acidic or more alkaline is the first step to balancing your pH level. For example, overly acidic women need more carbohydrates to be healthy and feel their best; those who tend toward alkalinity do better eating more protein.

If you are acidic, you are likely to have small bones and muscles, a weak digestive tract, frequent muscle aches and pains, a tendency toward colds and allergies, and you probably feel sluggish in the morning and brain-fogged and lethargic after a high-protein meal.

Choose more alkaline sources of protein, like fish, shellfish, and tofu. Eat cold-water fish like tuna or salmon once or twice a week.

Plan more meals around vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, rather than meats and wheat products. Experiment with non-wheat flours such as rice, millet, quinoa, or soy.

Reduce your intake of acidic foods such as lemon juice, tomatoes, caffeine, or vinegar, which can cause upset stomach.

If you are naturally alkaline, you are likely to have strong bones and muscles, high energy, and healthy digestion and immune function. Your body has large alkaline mineral reserves and produces many alkaline buffers like bicarbonate, so you have more flexibility in your diet.

You can eat a nutrient-rich, more acidic diet.
You probably feel best on a protein-based diet with several servings of free-range poultry, game, or fish a day. I recommend fish for its health benefits.

Lemon or vinegar dressings and acidic fruits and fruit juices don't upset your stomach. Nor do goat cheese, yogurt, vinegar, olives, and olive oil—all components of the Mediterranean diet.

As you have a tendency to put on weight, try to avoid dairy products, sugary desserts, caffeinated beverages, alcohol, and soft drinks.

Self Test: Are You Overly Acidic or a High-Alkaline Producer?

Check all phrases that apply to you in each section below.

If you tend toward acidity, it's likely that you:

Do not feel your best when you drink alcohol, coffee or colas.
Do not feel your best when you eat red meat or sugary desserts.
Do not tolerate vinegar, citrus fruits, and white flour.
Feel best when you eat a more vegetarian diet.
Often feel exhausted after vigorous exercise or very physical work.
Often experience fatigue and lack of stamina.
Are physically and mentally tired after an hour of deskwork.
Are subject to frequent flus, colds, bronchitis, or sinusitis.
Are susceptible to heartburn, canker sores, and food or environmental allergies.

If you tend toward alkaline, it's likely that you:

Have great physical endurance, and can sprint up stairs easily.
Are always on the go and full of energy.
Need a few hours of sleep each night.
Prefer highly active sports and gravitate toward high stress activities.
Feel bright and energized after a steak dinner.
Are able to digest a wide variety of foods.
Feel de-energized after a low protein, high carbohydrate meal.
Typically have lots of energy in the midst of intense situations.
Are able to do deskwork for long hours at a time without becoming tired or losing mental clarity.
Rarely get a cold or flu, and are free of allergies.
Have a great digestive system.
Are strong, with a large frame and big bones.

If you have more checks in the acidic area, it is more likely you are overly acidic.

If you have more checks in the alkaline area, you have a tendency toward alkalinity.

The information herein is not intended as diagnosis, treatment or a cure. Should you have a medical condition please seek the advice of your medical doctor.