#Yin-Yang Diet

In Eastern Medicine, the Acid-Alkaline (or Acid-Base) Yin-Yang balance of the human body is critical for healthy functioning, and pH is a measurement of the acid to alkaline ratio. Human blood pH should be slightly alkaline, at about 7.3 to 7.4. A value above or below this range can lead to complications and disease.  Research shows that a prolonged acidic environment can give rise to inflammation and cancer and can lead to premature aging from free radical damage. So how do you find the balancing scale of Yin-Yang health? Dr. Maoshing Ni, the author of Secrets of Self-Healing, states that in a Yin-Yang diet, "it's best to favor alkaline (or Yin) foods, such as vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds, some whole grains, like millet, quinoa and amaranth and to eat a smaller proportion of acidic (or Yang) foods such as meat, dairy, sugar, alcohol, and caffeine. Heavy meat eaters tend to be too acidic, and their bodies become overactive, while vegetarians tend toward being too alkaline, rendering their bodies underactive. A balanced diet is essential for functioning equilibrium and health is reflected in the middle zone, called the balanced optimal performance zone." (73, 74).