Interactive Human Body

How does hyperacidity affect the body?

Hover over each body link to read the explanation.

Stomach The stomach produces hydrochloric acid for digestion but also produces bicarbonate which is essential for digestion. When your body is acidic, it takes the bicarbonate bound for the digestive system, causing problems with digestive function. Bone As pH decreases there is an increase in activity of the cells which break down bone so that the body has enough minerals to buffer the low pH. More and more researchers think this process is one of the main causes of osteoporosis, not a simple calcium deficiency. Connective Tissue The connective tissue is where many acids are stored to keep them out of the blood. A decrease in pH can activate MMPs - increasing inflammatory and degenerative processes throughout the body. Joints A decrease in pH causes activation of MMPs. Blood Blood must have a very strict pH—7.35 to 7.45—and so all the other organs and tissues in the body must adjust when the body is hyperacidic to try and buffer the excess acids. Digestive System The pancreas and liver secrete enzymes that require an alkaline pH to function, using bicarbonate as an alkalinizer. If the body is too acidic, the bicarbonate is used internally as a buffer and digestive insufficiency may result. Immune System A decrease in pH can activate the cells that increase inflammation and especially the immune reactions that lead to allergies and other inappropriate immune responses. Lungs The lungs help to buffer the body—decreasing carbon dioxide in the body through healthy respiratory function helps to keep the body from becoming acidic. Kidneys The kidneys help to keep a proper acid-base balance by increasing or decreasing excretion of both hydrogen ions and bicarbonate. Lymphatic System The lymphatic system is essential for drainage of toxins and acids out of the connective tissue.