Just checked my pH...5.5 that's bad right?

If your pH is 5.5 then you are dead.

Flag going up...

/thread

dead like zombie or well on my way to the grave?

I just pissed on a test strip. The color showed 5-5.5

Could it be a bad strip?

What could I take to correct it?

good urine pH is between 4 and 8 5.5 is perfectly fine

Organic apple cider vinegar will help regulate your Ph.

I thought you were talking about your blood pH being 5.5.. my bad.

First of all, you are most definitely not dead, as as been mentioned. ;-)

Body pH is measured by several ways, and will likely be different depending on whether it is blood pH, urine pH, skin pH, etc. Also, pH will vary...there is actually a 'curve' shown as a chart with some pH testing supplies and on the internet...based on time of day. There are also considerable opinions regarding pH levels. You did not say how you measured your pH, but I am guessing you are referring to a urine pH of 5.5...which is the easiest to measure...and 5.5 is common for a 'traditional western diet' consuming population. ;-)

A very acidic pH of 5.5 simply means that you may need to alter your diet to include a lot more vegetables and fruits, and less meat, processed foods, refined sugars and starches, etc. Look online for acidity/alkalinity food charts, and remember that certain foods that you 'know' as being acidic foods...such as lemons, limes, tomatoes, etc...actually have an alkaline effect in the body.

A good (as in alkalinizing and delicious, too!) drink is 'clean' water (no fluoride, chlorine, aluminum, or other chemicals, etc.) with thinly sliced lemons (or limes) and cucumbers in it. You can also just put thinly sliced cucumbers in clean water alone...it is quite delicious and refreshing...or add any other alkaline-acting food you like. Feel free to add a little bit of cayenne, too...or whatever else you like.

Coffee is on the acidifying side of the pH chart...I forget where it falls exactly, but it's all about balance. Green tea is alkalinizing so maybe you want to have both, substituting green tea for some of the coffee. Add a little bit of natural honey or organic dairy if you like. Some foods are considered 'neutral' also on the pH scale, making it pretty easy to put together a pH balanced meal that will help keep your pH balanced.

You asked about using baking soda to achieve a more alkaline pH. While baking soda 'can' be used to raise pH levels, remember that it is called "sodium bi-carbonate" so you can affect other balances with all that sodium, such as potassium and iodine (the reason for "iodized salt"...remember?), with large amounts of sodium in bi-carbonate form. The body takes up sodium over potassium, as I understand it...so you will want to do a bit of homework. ;-)

Better is calcium carbonate (I think that's the one...you may not want to quote me in case my "old timer's disease" is back)...but do not take this as my advice. I am NOT giving you advice, and certainly NOT medical advice, since I am NOT a medical practitioner of any type....I am only offering up some things I have discovered and tried myself to balance body pH over the years.

Remember, also, if you are thinking that the calcium carbonate (assuming that's the particular compound) will work for you, that certain other ingredients must be available ("bio-available") to your body for calcium absorption to occur. Otherwise, the calcium leaves the body by the body's filtering mechanisms...untouched. But, if your body can use the calcium to neutralize the acidity in your body, your body will not then steal so much calcium from your teeth and bones to neutralize the acid. ;-)

Do yourself a favor and visit a good healthy foods store and check out the pH balancing products if you want additional balancing outside your food. With a proper pH balancing diet, you may not need supplementation anyway. You can also check out pH balancing products online, and if you get too confused, some companies will actually talk to you, also. ;-)

Remember, also, that some things that make bones more 'dense' actually de-mineralize them in the process...not what you want to happen. Read up on fluoride and its effect on bones and teeth..."fossy jaw" (Fosomax) and dental fluorosis are good places to start...and its friend aluminum. Remember that fluoride is in many dental products. ;-)

I have periodically taken at least two (2) pH balancing supplements...one herb and mineral based pills, and one I call 'the mineral salts' which is a powder that is stirred into water and drunk. I also have a trace mineral supplement that is a liquid, added a few drops at a time to anything you drink...water, in particular...which is virtually tasteless.

Speaking of water, drink plenty of clean water to flush out the impurities. You can add zeolite to it if you wish to help filter gunk out of your system. Your choice. ;-)

Being interested is a good start. Checking into pH further is even better. Altering your diet is optional but may mean the difference between success and failure.

Good luck...take care!