Mousa—Alkaline Diet and Water, Bacterial Load, and Earthing 24 ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES, VOL. 22 NO. S1 Health Efects of Alkaline Diet and Water, Reduction of Digestive-tract Bacterial Load, and Earthing Haider Abdul-Lateef Mousa, MB ChB, MSc REVIEW ARTICLE ABSTRACT In the article, the author discusses the issue of chronic, low-grade acidosis that is thought to be brought about primarily by 2 factors: (1) advancing age, with a consequent decline in renal function; and (2) diet. An acid-forming diet can induce low-grade metabolic acidosis, which causes very small decreases in blood pH and plasma bicarbonate (HCO 3 - ) that remain within the range considered to be normal. However, if the duration of the acidosis is prolonged or chronically present, even a low degree of acidosis can become signiicant. his article reviews supporting evidence in the literature that has shown that consumption of abundant alkaline-forming foods can result in improvement in bone mineral density (BMD) and muscle mass, protection from chronic illnesses, reduced tumor-cell invasion and metastasis, and efective excretion of toxins from the body. In addition, a large number of studies showing the beneits of alkaline-forming foods have revealed that people consuming water with a high level of total dissolved solids (TDS) (ie, with a high mineral content) have shown a lower incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD), cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer and lower total mortality rates. Consumption of alkaline water also may prevent osteoporosis and protect pancreatic beta cells with its antioxidant efects. In addition, this article discusses the literature that shows that reducing acid production by digestive-tract bacteria can play an important role in increasing blood alkalinity toward the normal upper limit. hat change occurs through good oral hygiene, lossing of teeth, perfect chewing of food, and bowel evacuation as soon as possible. Finally, the author reviews the literature that shows that earthing (ie, the direct contact of the human body with the earth) can supply a current of plentiful electrons. Earthing has been shown to reduce acute and chronic inlammation, blood glucose in patients with diabetes, red blood cell (RBC) aggregation, and blood coagulation. It also has been shown to produce symptomatic improvement in chronic, muscle and joint pain, a reduction in overall stress levels and tensions, a boost in positive moods, an improvement in heart rate variability, and an improvement in the immune response. (Altern her Health Med. 2016;22(S1):##-##.) Haider Abdul-Lateef Mousa, MB ChB, MSc, is a lecturer in the College of Medicine at the University of Basrah in Basrah, Iraq. Corresponding author: Haider Abdul-Lateef Mousa, MB ChB, MSc E-mail address: haideramousa@gmail.com T he human body tends to maintain a tightly controlled pH range of approximately 7.35 to 7.45 in the extracellular luid through respiratory excretion of carbon dioxide and renal excretion of a noncarbonic (ie, a nonvolatile) acid or base. 1 Everyday metabolism produces acid as nonvolatile sulfate from amino-acid catabolism, nonmetabolized organic acids, and phosphoric and other acids. he kidney reabsorbs all of the iltered bicarbonate (HCO 3 - ) and generates new HCO 3 - in the collecting duct. Under normal steady-state conditions, the net quantity of acid secreted and the consequent renal generation of new HCO 3 - equals the rate of metabolic proton generation, preserving pH balance. In metabolic acidosis, either nonvolatile acid accumulates or HCO 3 - is lost (eg, in diarrhea) and that result can occur even when the plasma HCO 3 - is within the range considered to be normal (24-28 mmol/L). 2 An acid-forming diet can induce low-grade metabolic acidosis, which causes very small decreases in blood pH and plasma HCO 3 - , that remain within the range considered to be normal. Within that range, the system equilibrates nearer the lower end rather than the higher end of normal. However, if the duration of the acidosis is prolonged or chronically present, even a low degree of acidosis can become signiicant. A less severe but more chronic, low- grade acidosis is thought to be brought about primarily by 2 factors: (1) advancing age, with a consequent decline in