pH Test Strips

Background to urinary pH evaluation

The concept of acid-base balance is somewhat controversial in that the text-book view refers to individuals in which there is a significant physiological failure of acid-base control processes.  What clinicians actually refer to is ‘acid stress’.  In this case, blood pH remains within normal range; however, this tight control has occurred as a consequence of a considerable burden on cellular biochemistry.  Urinary and/or salivary pH readings can be used to monitor the burden.

Chronic overload can result in renal issues as well as in loss of calcium, especially from bone stores.  Enzymes function at an optimal pH, so the reason  the body keeps such tight control of pH is in part due to the fact that peak function of enzymes is a cellular priority.

Urinary pH is largely determined by the ratio of dietary protein to total micromineral content. In patients who consume too few plant foods (major source of macro- and micro-minerals), first morning urine is typically low. (Urinary pH equal to or < 5.5 will typically result in significant mineral leaching from bone stores.

Urinary pH monitoring can be a useful tool to encourage patients to see for themselves if they are consuming enough vegetables.

pH Test Strips

The pH of urine and saliva are critical indicators of metabolic function and overall health. Moreover, acidic urine is an indicator that the diet contains an overabundance of acid-forming components and a deficiency of alkaline components. Optimal health requires the exact opposite.

A diet that is abundant in plant foods and phytochemical signalling molecules promotes an alkaline urinary and salivary pH.  An abundance of non-starchy plant foods is not only alkali-forming but is also likely to contain Nrf2 activators.

Indeed, a dietary intake of at least 600g of non-starchy vegetables, the main source of alkaline minerals, is correlated with reduced inflammatory state and improved health outcomes generally.

Product Features

• Dual colour panel for more accurate interpretation
• pH range conveniently from 4.5 – 9.0
• 25 increments between pH 5.5 and 7.5
• Validated against standards
• Economical and ‘practitioner preferred’
• 100 test strips per pack
• 15 second results

So why test with pH test strips?

1. A balanced, plant-rich, diet tends to promote a urinary/salivary pH of between 6.5 and 7.5
2. Assessing urinary pH gives an indication of the adequacy of the diet, especially in terms of plant food intake, given the richness of macro-minerals in plant foods
3. Neutral or alkaline urine and saliva, is in itself, a desirable physiological target for your patients

CAUTION: The test is not reliable in a patient who consumes too little protein.  Such an individual may consume both low protein and low plant food and still remain in the desirable pH range based on the calculated ratio.