9 Easy Alkaline Substitutions for Better Health

The idea of completely changing one's eating habits to a whole foods, plant-based diet is overwhelming for most people despite the many proven health benefits that may result. Adding to the challenge may be unsupportive household family members who scoff at the idea of eggplant as a main dish for dinner or refuse to even try tofu. In an effort to help, we've created a list of nine small, easy, alkaline substitutes anyone can make to improve their alkalinity (some of which you can swap without the family even noticing!). Even if you never make it to the ideal 80% alkaline/20% acidic ratio, these slight changes will be beneficial to your health and won't feel like much of a sacrifice (if at all).

1. Instead of Vegetable Oil try Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Corn oil, canola oil, safflower oil, and vegetable oil are refined oils that are not healthy and should be avoided and replaced with cold-pressed oils like extra virgin olive oil, grapeseed oil, flaxseed oil, coconut oil and hemp oils. Healthy fats are an important part of an alkaline diet and can be obtained through substituting healthy oils for the more mainstream unhealthy oils. All oils can create free radicals when heated, so we recommend using a small amount of water to steam fry your vegetables and then drizzling oil on top, making your own oil-based salad dressings and drizzling healthy oils on top of vegetable wraps.

2. Instead of Sugar or Artificial Sweeteners try Stevia

Sugar has been linked to cancer and artificial sweeteners are not only acidifying but carcinogenic. Swapping your sugar cubes with stevia, an all-natural sweetener derived from herbs, is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your family. According to Ray Kurzwell, author Fantastic Voyage: Live Long Enough to Live Forever: stevia is highly nutritious, lowers blood sugar in diabetics while regulating blood sugar in non-diabetics, lowers elevated blood pressure, kills bacteria that cause tooth decay, increases energy levels and mental activity, and reduces cravings for alcohol and tobacco. Other natural sugar alternatives: Chicory root, agave nectar.

3. Instead of Table Salt try Sea Salt

Our bodies contain about a pound of salt, and sodium is an alkaline mineral necessary for survival. But the refined iodized salt that sits on most dinner tables in America is completely unhealthy and the type of salt doctors are referring to when they advise patients to cut down on their salt intake. Refill your salt shaker with unrefined sea salt and sprinkle on top of wraps, soups and vegetables. Other alternatives: Celtic salt, Himalayan salt, Real salt.

4. Instead of Peanut Butter try Almond Butter

Peanuts are acidifying to the body and the moldiest, most undesirable peanuts are what is used to make peanut butter. Swap out your P.B. for it's healthier cousin almond butter, and spread on sandwiches and use as a dip for pretzels, crackers, fruit, and to make smoothies creamier.

5. Instead of Cows Milk try Unsweetened Almond Milk

Cows milk and other dairy products are not only acidifying but contrary to popular belief they actually rob the body of calcium and create a putrid sludge that wreaks havoc on your digestive system. Dump your carton of cows milk and try unsweetened almond milk instead. It is a healthy, delicious, alkaline substitute for drinking, cooking, baking, creamer and making cereal. Other alternatives (buy unsweetened): Coconut milk, soy milk, goat milk, rice milk.

6. Instead of White Rice try Brown Rice

The complete milling and polishing that converts brown rice into white rice destroys 67% of the vitamin B3, 80% of the vitamin B1, 90% of the vitamin B6, half of the manganese, half of the phosphorus, 60% of the iron, and all of the dietary fiber and essential fatty acids. Fully milled and polished white rice is required to be artificially "enriched" with vitamins B1, B3 and iron. Clearly, brown rice is the nutritional winner over white rice. Other alternatives: Basmati rice, quinoa, jasmine rice, wild rice.

7. Instead of Soy Sauce try Bragg Liquid Aminos

Soy sauce is fermented and acidic. A great substitute is Bragg Liquid Aminos, which is a liquid protein concentrate derived from healthy soybeans, which contains 18 essential and non-essential amino acids in naturally occurring amounts, is not fermented or heated and is gluten-free.

8. Instead of Spaghetti try Soba Noodles

Most pastas are made with refined starches that lack nutritional value. Try swapping your spaghetti for soba noodles, tofu noodles, gluten-free pasta, whole wheat pasta or spaghetti squash. You can also try making your own pasta sauce from scratch instead of using pre-packaged sauces which tend to contain sugar and preservatives.

9. Instead of Bottled Water try Alkaline Ionized Water

Not all waters are created equal. Most bottled waters, along with distilled and reverse osmosis waters are actually acidic. Tap water is regulated by the government to be at least a 7 pH which is neutral on the alkaline scale, but is littered with contaminants. Therefore your best option is alkaline ionized water from a Chanson water ionizer which you can hook up to your tap. The water is pre-filtered and microclustered, resulting in better tasting water with a smoother feel that doesn't cause bloating. It is also rich in antioxidants and able to hydrate and detoxify better than standard water due to its smaller water molecule size. Being properly hydrated is the key to overall wellness and you will not regret the switch from bottled water to ionized alkaline water. Visit http://www.healingwatermachines.com/ or http://www.chansonwater.com/ for more information.

Kick the Can: Sodas Erode Tooth Enamel

Studies have shown that the erosive potential of sodas is 10 times that of fruit juices in just the first three minutes of drinking. Additionally a study published in Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) journal General Dentistry reports that drinking any type of soft drink hurts teeth due to the citric acid and/or phosphoric acid content.

The study measured the pH level of 20 commercial soft drinks including Coke, Pepsi, 7 Up and their diet versions immediately after cans were opened. Slices of enamel from freshly extracted teeth were weighed before and after being immersed in samples of each of the soft drinks for 48 hours.

The result of the study was that the teeth immersed in Coke, Pepsi, RC Cola, Squirt, Surge, 7 Up and Diet 7 Up lost more than 5 percent of their weight, according to the report by Poonam Jain of the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine and her colleagues. (Other sodas brought about losses in the enamel weight in the range of 1.6 percent to 5 percent).

The pH scale is a logarithmic scale that ranges from 0-14 pH with 7 being neutral, anything below 7 is acidic and anything above 7 is alkaline. Battery acid has a pH of 1.0, distilled water at room temperature has a nuetral pH of 7.0, and the pH level Healing Water Machines recommends drinking is 9.5.

RC Cola was found to be the most acidic soft drink studied, with a pH of 2.387, Cherry Coke ranked the second most acidic (pH of 2.522), and Coke came in as the third most acidic soda tested (pH of 2.525).

The results show that a sodas acidity is not the whole story when it comes to tooth erosion. The type of acid in the soda, level of soda and calcium content are also factors. Citric acid is the most erosive acid found in soft drinks and is the predominant acid in non-cola drinks.
Root beer was found to be the least acidic of all soft drinks, with a pH 4.038 for the Mug brand. The reason for the reduced acidity is that root beer is often non-carbonated and contains no phosphoric or citric acids.

A 2006 study reported that orange juice and sports drinks also reduce the surface hardness of tooth enamel, but a soda reduced more—the dentin, surface enamel and two additional dental components. (Dental erosion refers to the action of acid on the entire tooth surface. Cavities and tooth decay tend to hit targeted areas, such as pits, grooves and spots where teeth are adjacent).

In 1966, Americans drank, on average, 20 gallons of soft drinks per year. Today we drink almost 50 gallons of soft drinks annually.

We strongly urge you to eliminate or reduce your soda consumption immediately. If you must indulge in an occasional soda, it's best if you make it a root beer, drink it through a straw and only drink with meals. Better yet, invest in a Chanson ionzer for fresh, alkaline water at the push of a button to combat the acidity in your diet. Visit http://www.healingwatermachines.com/ for more information.

Why Non-Electric Ionizers Can't Compare to Chanson Water Ionizers

Electric ionizer machines are the original water ionizer products released on the world market that produce both alkaline and acid water through electrolysis, but now more and more non-electric "ionizers" seem to be popping up at a fraction of the price claiming to be just as good if not better than the Real McCoy.

Where did these non-electric "ionizers" come from? Well, it’s really simple. They came from people that want to sell a product and they saw the success of the electric ionizer water machines so they figured “Well, a water ionizer costs between $1,000–$2,000 and if I can make a water ionizer that sells for $300–$400, I’m going to become a multi-millionaire!"

The truth is that when water flows over rocks in nature, it naturally ionizes the water, and our electric water ionizer machines are designed to re-create this process found in nature since not everyone has a waterfall in their backyard. When nature ionizes that water, it does so through ferocious movement and friction over metals and rocks in the river bed which creates an electrical charge amongst the minerals in the water. So then how can something that has no electricity duplicate the way nature makes ionized water through movement and ferocious friction?

The simplest analogy to understand the differences in the two products would be that an electric ionizer is like a water fall, and the non-electric "ionizer" is like a lake. Now where would you prefer to collect your drinking water from? The lake is a stagnant, dead body of water. It contains minerals; it contains things that might be of benefit to the body, but it’s not the living water that we know provides optimal hydration.

So let's take a look at what benefits and alterations each product actually make to the water.

Chanson Electric Water Ionizer vs. Competitor Non-Electric Water "Ionizer"

Chanson Electric Water Ionizers Provide:

-Alkaline water for drinking
-Acidic water for disinfecting and skin care
-Purified water for use with medication
-Adjustable levels of pH to suit the personal needs of you, your family and even pets
-Certified microclustered water molecules which are up to six times more hydrating
-A negative charge (low ORP) which means it has anti-oxidant properties
-Safe delivery of extra oxygen to your cells
-Filtration of harmful chemicals, toxins, and bacteria
-Tracking of when the filter needs to be changed
-NSF certificiation and he history to back them up - we have the testing, the animal studies, the human studies and are the ones that are used in hospitals all over the world

Competitor Non-Electric Ionizers Provide:

-A two point increase in pH level. This means that if your base water is only a 5 pH, you would only be bringing it up to a neutral 7 pH instead of alkaline water (which would still be better than an acidic 5 pH but important to note). Also, if you are using a base water with a pH of 8 or higher--there are actually quite a few areas around the United States where the tap water is a 9 pH--you could potentially be raising the alkalinity above the recommended 9.5 pH level.
-A negative charge (low ORP) that is only about 1/3 of what an electric ionizer can produce
-Mineral-stripping filtration which in most cases is provided by De-Ionization (DI) Resin which is a toxin that's basically Super Glue and tar mixed together. When the resin has reached capacity (no way of knowing when without testing) it will actually allow the contaminants into your water and if it's a low-quality resin the resin itself will also leech into your water. We asked eight water experts who have been in the water filtration industry 10-30 years what their opinion on DI Resin for drinking water products was. Every one of them answered by saying, “DI resin is the nastiest stuff out there and I would never drink a glass of water that’s passed through it.”
-Re-mineralization of the water with "secret ingredients" that are impossible to test or verify
-Uncertified claims of microclustering the water
-No testing to back them up or poof that they are safe for long-term human use

Clearly, non-electric water "ionizers" are inferior to our electric Chanson water ionizers and should not be considered comparable. While they do provide some benefits, they should not be considered "ionizers."

The only non-electric product we offer is our AlkaTraveler Stick (ATS) which is best described as a portable alkalizer, not an "ionizer." It is the ONLY product in its category to pass the NSF safety tests in the USA and is safe for long-term use. The ATS contains only natural ingredients (calcium, vitamin C, tourmaline and magnesium) and is not a filter so it should not be used with unfiltered tap water. It is priced at $89, which is a far cry from the $300-$400 that competitors charge for their non-electric "ionizers." Its design is more compact and convenient than competitor models and comes in a carrying case that can easily fit in your pocket.

For more information, please visit http://www.healingwatermachines.com/ or http://www.chansonwater.com/.

The Bones of the Matter: 13 Reasons You May Be At Risk For Bone Loss And Not Even Know It

Researchers estimate that about 1 out of every 5 American women over the age of 50 have osteoporosis and that men over age 70 are at a higher risk for osteoporosis. However bone loss can begin as early as our 30s and may be a direct result of diet and lifestyle.

Calcium and phosphate may be reabsorbed back into the body from the bones to combat acidity as we age, which weakens bone tissue and can result in brittle, fragile bones that are more prone to fractures. Once diagnosed with osteoporosis, one can expect to lose an additional 1 to 2 percent of bone mass each year if they take no action to prevent or slow bone loss. It's precursor osteopenia has no symptoms, but your doctor can perform special spine and hip X-rays to measure bone density.

While osteoporosis has some well-known risk factors such as a low-calcium diet, inactivity, and bad genes, the following triggers may surprise you.

High Dairy Consumption

A 12 year long Harvard Nurses’ Health Study found that those who consumed the most calcium from dairy foods broke more bones than those who rarely drank milk. Surprised? Although cows milk contains 118 mg of bone-building calcium in every 100 grams, the problem is that those 100 grams also contain 97 mg of phosphorus, and phosphorus actually blocks the absorption of calcium.

Like all animal protein, milk acidifies the body which in turn triggers a biological correction. Calcium from our bones is used to neutralize the acidifying effect of milk. Once calcium is pulled out of the bones it leaves the body via urine, so the surprising net result is an actual calcium deficit after drinking milk. For more information on the dangers of milk, click here.

Medications

All medications--whether they be over-the-counter, prescription, or the very drugs which are designed to help osteoporosis--are acidifying to the body. Just as with milk consumption, your body needs to buffer acidity by pulling alkaline minerals from within the body, primarily calcium from your bones. Long-term use of any drug can therefore weaken the bones. In particular, antidepressants, glucocorticoids (steroids), anticonvulsants and the contraceptive Depo-Provera have been linked to bone loss.

Eating Disorders

If you are currently suffering from or have ever experienced anorexia or bulimia you are at a higher risk for osteoporosis due to malnutrition, excessive weight loss, calcium deficiencies, severe drops in estrogen, and excess cortisol production. To prevent further damage, those with eating disorders should seek professional help immediately.

Smoking, Excessive Alcohol Consumption

Smoking cigarettes may interfere with calcium absorption and is associated with an increased risk for bone fractures, while large amounts of alcohol can deplete hormones and increase cortisol levels, contributing to an alarming loss in bone density. Fortunately, bone health will return gradually after you stop smoking. It is recommended that you try to limit alcohol intake to a maximum of one drink per day.

Diabetes, Gastrectomy and Weight-Loss Surgery

The bone structure of diabetics is a little more porous than that of non-diabetics, so it’s easier to break.

Some evidence points toward an increased risk for bone loss after weight-loss surgery or the removal of part of your stomach because it could affect the ability of your digestive tract to absorb calcium and vitamin D.

Inflammatory Conditions, Kidney Disease, Hypoparathyroidism, Estrogen Deficiency

Chronic inflammatory conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia put you at risk for osteoporosis, while kidney disease and hypoparathyroidism can also wreak havoc with your hormone levels which ultimately affects your bone health. And anything that causes a drop in your estrogen levels can harm your bones, which is why bone loss accelerates after menopause.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is extremely toxic and harmful to all cells including bone cells. Fortunately one can generally recoup most, if not all, of their bone mass once treatments are over. However, you might want to consider a plant-based diet as an alternative to conventional cancer treatment.

Steps You Can Take to Help Prevent Bone Loss and Increase Bone Mass

1. Replace cows milk with one of the following more alkaline alternatives: almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, rice milk or goats milk.

2. Adopt a plant-based diet. Research shows that it's better to get your nutrients from food than from supplements. Consider the amount of calcium your body will absorb from eating 100 grams of the following alkaline foods: almonds (254 mg), broccoli (130 mg), kale (187 mg), sesame seeds (1,160 mg) and kelp (1,093 mg).

3. Drink Chanson alkaline ionized water. Reverse osmosis, distilled, and most bottled waters contain water that has been stripped of all minerals and is actually acidic. Drinking Chanson alkaline ionized water may be a significant source of calcium, providing over one-third of the recommended dietary intake of this mineral in adults. Chanson alkaline ionized water is micro-clustered which makes it easier to absorb at the cellular level and thus improves mineral absorption and overall hydration.

4. Make sure you are getting adequate amounts of Vitamin D. According to PubMed, it is recommended that you get 800-1,000 international units of vitamin D3 daily, which helps your body absorb calcium. The best source of vitamin D is natural sunlight (10-15 minutes a day without sunscreen). If this isn’t possible for you, Vitamin D supplements may be helpful.

5. Engage in weight-bearing exercise. During weightbearing exercise, bone adapts to the impact of weight and the pull of muscle by building more bone cells. Try walking, jogging, dancing, stair climbing, bowling or golf.

DISCLAIMER: The information in this article is intended for educational purposes only. The author of this article is not a medically trained physician; therefore, any theories or suggestions put forward are intended to supplement and not replace the advice of medically or legally trained professionals.