for “power of hydrogen” & is measured on a scale from 0 to 14 – neutral is 7.0 – anything below 7 is considered acidic, and anything above 7 is considered alkaline. A healthy, optimal pH for the colon is between 5.0 to 6.5, which is considered acidic since it is below the neutral pH of 7.0. At this acidic pH, the growth of pathogens is inhibited. A pH of below 5.0 is potentially concerning. Stool pH is relevant to a variety of GI symptoms and issues. Potentially problematic species such as E. coli, Bacteroides, and Desulfovibrio and yeast species such as Candida begin to proliferate when the pH starts to rise above 7.0.
increasing levels of fiber in the diet can rapidly decrease the pH within just a couple of weeks In one study, people who doubled their fiber intake from 17 g to 34 g per day experienced a progressive drop in stool pH over a mere 2 weeks. Goldilocks level for pH – not too high or too low (usually problem is too high) although in those with diarrhea it can become too low due to loss of beneficial acids S.B. Naaeder, D.F. Evans, and E.Q. Archampong, “Effect of Chronic Dietary Fibre Supplementation on Colonic pH on Healthy Volunteers,” West African Journal of Medicine 17, no. 3 (July-September 1998): 165-167
stool pH above 7.5 is associated with increased risk of colon cancer, likely due to the production of carcinogenic compounds A process called protein putrefaction, where bacteria break down protein to form harmful compounds, occurs much more at alkaline pH. At higher pH pathobiont bacteria (bacteria that can be either harmless or harmful at certain times) such as Bacteroides, E. coli and Clostridia ferment proteins to produce amines, indoles, and ammonia, which have negative effects on gut permeability, inflammation and motility.
absorbing certain minerals such as calcium and iron. Their absorption declines when the pH starts getting into the alkaline range. So, maintaining this acidic pH is crucial to maintaining healthy absorption and optimal digestive function, preventing dysbiosis, and preventing colon cancer.
gut microbiome worldwide has been steadily increasing from 1926 through current times, from an average of 5.0 up to 6.5, likely as a result of decline in beneficial keystone SCFA producing species such as bifidobacteria. There has been a corresponding rise in dysbiosis seen in the infant microbiome during this time Dysbiosis in infant microbiota has been linked to long-term health implications such as higher risk of developing autoimmune disorders, chronic inflammation, asthma, and other immune-mediated diseases.
biggest contributors to healthy pH are short chain fatty acids, which are produced by our healthy bacteria. The most important and well-known of these SCFAs is butyrate, which has several beneficial properties. As we discussed, butyrate is the primary fuel for the intestinal cells, reduces G.I. and systemic inflammation, promotes normal intestinal permeability, has anti-cancer effects, improves the gut-brain axis and can even heal “leaky brain”, an impaired blood-brain barrier.
of short chain fatty acids is a high- fiber diet with a diverse blend of plenty of plant fiber, which will be used by the good bacteria to produce SCFAs. Your bacteria use the fibers in these prebiotic foods to produce short- chain fatty acids.
lab usually has a normal range of 7.0-7.5 for stool pH, but optimal is 5.5-6.5 Two fibers have the effect of increasing the production of short-chain fatty acids, and thereby acidifying the intestine and lowering its pH.
– green tea, beans, red wine and kiwi • Inulin – Jerusalem artichoke, jicama, chicory, onion, garlic, asparagus and leek • Arabinoxylans – rye, barley, rice, oat and sorghum 20 Prebiotic Foods That Support your microbiome including Faecalibacterium Prausnitzii
lactic acid and acetic acid that contribute to maintaining the healthy acidity in the colon. Vinegar is defined by its content of acetic acid; consuming fermented foods that contain vinegar (or ACV) delivers the acetic acid to the intestine, where it helps keep pH at a healthy low level.
lab or Quest Diagnostics if you typically use that lab (message me if you do not want to do this test for any reason) Pick up collection container from the Sutter lab (order will be placed electronically today) Return the collection container after stool sample collection Any questions?
autoimmune
rasmusluckow
garrettdimon
soudai
62gerente
jlugia
bluesmoon
notwaldorf
marcelosomers
nonsquared
shlominoach
bkeepers
deanohume
