| Regulation of the acid-base-balance |
Range of physiological pHThe ratio of acid and base in our bodies must not be rated as a rigid system but moreover as a dynamic equilibrium in permanent motion to keep a stable pH. Although in our bodies the concentration of acids and bases currently changes, the pH in different organs and tissues as well as blood pH remains almost constant within narrow ranges. Each organ or metabolic unit has its own optimum pH.
An imbalanced acid-alkaline ratio may alter the specific pH environment that our bodies need to counteract by spending additional energy. The more distinctly the acid-alkaline imbalance develops the sooner the physiological pH range is exceeded and ultimately the whole system runs the risk of collapse. To avoid this, the acid-base balance is permanently well regulated with the following factors playing a crucial role:
Nutrition and metabolismOur nutrition, as well as metabolic acid-base generation from dietary nutrient supply, significantly impact acid-base balance. Also with breathing or physical exercise, acid is currently provided as a waste-product of cellular energy supply.
Blood and tissue buffersTo prevent our bodies from detrimental changes of pH, we are equipped with an extremely effective buffering system. These buffers protect pH of body liquids and keep the cells from derailing in a similar way as a damper in a car absorbs shocks. These buffering systems are able to neutralise a definite amount of acid or base respectively by binding it to the buffering substance. Such Important buffering substances are bicarbonates dissolved in the blood and the red blood colorant haemoglobin. By binding to the buffer, excess acid is not detrimental at first. It may be released later if necessary without relevant changes of pH.  The bicarbonate buffer. Dissolved in the blood, acid is bound to bicarbonate yielding carbonic acid which is decomposed into water and carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is exhaled by the lungs. By this way blood pH may be regulated fast and effectively. To keep this system functioning in the long term, there is a need to regenerate the buffering substances permanently as comparable with the regeneration of ion exchange columns for the production of demineralised water. For this purpose dietary alkaline mineral supply is crucial.
Kidney and lung as excretion organsKidney and lung are organs for acid-base regulation of major importance. The kidney is the only organ capable of net acid excretion and thus effectively eliminating acids from our bodies. The lungs as well contribute to the regulation of acid-base balance by respiration, enabling the immediate correction of blood pH by an increase of carbon dioxide exhalation. Bones and connective tissueIf the buffering system’s capacity gets depleted and renal excretion capacity is finished, the organism needs to displace acid immediately to keep optimal metabolic working conditions. This is aimed by acid incorporation into the connective tissue which is especially appropriate for storing the acid load due to its physical properties. The ability of the connective tissue to bind water decreases, which leads to a reduced elasticity of the tissue in the long term. |
