Urine pH test
A urine pH level test measures the acidity or alkalinity of the urine which is an indicator of your overall health
Urin pH test
The pH scale is a logarithmic scale meaning that for every number on the scale the value increases 10fold, so a pH of 6 is 10 times as acidic as 7 and 100 times as acidic as a pH of 8, etc.
The pH levels vary in the body tissues and organs, some being more acid others more alkaline. The body is constantly lifting and decreasing these pH levels in an attempt to maintain optimal levels as incorrect levels will compromise function.
The pH of selected fluids, organs, and membranes
- Skin – pH 4 – 6.5 for barrier protection from microbes
- Urine – pH 4.6 – 8.0 to limit overgrowth of microbes
- Gastric / Stomach – pH 1.35 – 3.5 to break down protein, absorption of calcium and B12
- Bile – pH 7.6 – 8.8 – to neutralize stomach acid and aid digestion
- Pancreatic fluid – pH 8.8 – to neutralize stomach acid and aid digestion
- Vaginal fluid – pH<4.7 – to limit overgrowth of opportunistic microbes
- Cerebrospinal fluid – pH 7.3 – to bathe the exterior of the brain
- Intracellular fluid – pH 6.0–7.2 – due to acid production in cells
- Serum venous – pH 7.35 – tightly regulated
- Serum arterial – pH 7.4 – tightly regulated
How to test
- Buy pH strips from the chemist which are colour coded with decimal numbers
- Urinate on a strip first thing in the morning, before you eat or drink
- You can monitor daily or minimum 2 times a week.
Result Interpretation
Keeping your urine around 7 – 7.5 pH is optimal. A lower pH will increase the need to alkalise and the body does this by taking amino acids from muscles and calcium from bones to lift the pH, thus increasing the risk of muscle loss and osteoporosis.
Symptom
Score
pH under 6
Very acidic – danger zone, serious changes are needed in diet, lifestyle and supplementation
pH 6 – 6.5
Acidic – changes recommended in diet, lifestyle and supplementation
pH 6.5 – 6.75
Moderate range – consider slight changes in diet and lifestyle
pH 7.0 – 7.5
Optimal – keep up the good work!
pH 8 – 9
Too alkaline – not healthy
NB! - There are certain medications and supplements that affect pH levels
- Acetazolamide, used to treat glaucoma, epilepsy, and other disorders lifts pH
- Ammonium chloride, used in some cough medicines, lowers pH
- Methenamine mandelate, used to treat urinary tract infections, lowers pH
- Potassium citrate, used to treat gout and kidney stones, lifts pH
- Sodium bicarbonate, used to treat heartburn and acid indigestion, lifts pH
- Thiazide diuretics, used to treat high blood pressure and to reduce the risk of stroke and heart attacks, lowers pH.
