In this article, I want to talk about the benefits of the alkaline diet for older adults. The so-called golden years can either be a blessing or a curse, depending on whether you’re in good health or plagued with illness. In addition to regular exercise and a positive attitude, a healthy alkaline diet can make a big difference in how well you age.
Older adults often lose muscle mass, partly because kidney function diminishes with age. When that happens, acids accumulate in the body, which must find a way to neutralize them. Often, your body will respond by breaking down muscle tissue to release alkalizing minerals. This coping mechanism will keep you alive, but at the cost of muscle strength. By following an alkaline diet, you can prevent this from happening.
Of course, the biggest sources of minerals in your body are your bones and teeth. Accordingly, when you eat a low-alkaline diet, your body often responds by breaking down your balance in order to release alkaline minerals. Instead of trying to fix osteoporosis after it happens, it’s better to prevent it by following this type of diet.
A third benefit of the alkaline diet is the preservation of kidney function. Your kidneys are the most important organ for the elimination of the acids that are created by an acid-forming diet. Experts suggest that following an alkaline diet can help to preserve kidney function as you age, and even reduce the risk of some types of kidney stones.
As you can see, the alkaline diet has many benefits. I believe that these benefits are especially significant for older adults, whose reduced kidney function makes them less able to cope with the excess acid created by the typical Western diet.
