jo anne's place logo

The Alkaline Way

The Alkaline Way of Living

These suggestions are not intended to replace appropriate professional advice.  Please check labels and consult your pharmacist if you take prescription drugs.


An alkaline body chemistry helps counteract inflammation while acidity can lead to disease. Before serious health conditions develop you can cut them off at the roots.  Make a few changes at a time.  Each positive change is a variable in your body’s favour giving it an opportunity to flourish. 


Also see the Alkaline List and Alkaline Forming Foods Chart.


A Healing Diet 
  • 7-10 glasses filtered or spring water at room temperature.  Avoid chlorinated water.
  • Consume a diet that is 75-80% alkaline forming.  Most Important.
  • Shift up to organic.  Pesticides and chemicals can increase acidity.
  • Make fruits, vegetables, raw seed and nuts, beans, legumes, and whole grains your diet mainstays. Avoid wheat unless sprouted.
  • Fermented foods improve digestion and correct pH.
  • Combine foods to avoid acidity - fruit on an empty stomach 30 minutes before other food – animal products and starches digest in very different gastric secretions and should be eaten at separate meals.
  • Consume 1-3 tbsp flax, hemp, or chia seeds daily for fiber and nutrients.
  • Replace salt with Herbamare for all the flavour and 1/3 the sodium.
  • An apple cider vinegar cocktail with meals improves digestion and pH – 2 tsp acv with raw honey (optional) in a cup of room temperature water twice daily.
  • Have complete proteins no later than lunch for better assimilation of amino acids.
  • Cook gently.  High heat generates acrylamides & advanced glycation end products.



The lymphatic system drains waste from every cell of the body.  For the kidneys to eliminate the waste there must be sufficient alkaline atoms.  If not, waste is stored somewhere in your body. 


PH strips are a convenient way to monitor your body’s chemistry. Urine pH readings from 6.5-7.4 indicate there are sufficient alkaline bicarbonates for the kidneys to facilitate elimination. Test daily at different times and make adjustments until you’re in the range at some point each day, then weekly to monitor. It’s not unusual for morning tests to be more acidic as the body is in elimination mode.


Stress can lead to acidosis.  The fight or flight response, even at a low grade, slows down digestion, assimilation, and elimination and increases levels of cortisol and adrenaline. Left unchecked, this can lead to high acid levels in the body eventually eroding health.



Other factors that contribute to acidosis:


Common nutrient deficiencies:


  • B Complex vitamins – stress tolerance, digestion, nerve health, blood pressure, circulation. We recommend Bio-Strath.
  • Vitamin D – anti-inflammatory, needed for calcium absorption, cancer prevention.
  • Magnesium – has over 300 biochemical processes, alkalizing.
  • Omega-3 fatty acids – modulate inflammation, a factor in virtually every body system.
  • Probiotics – regulate PH, anti-inflammatory, support immune function.


Excessive or inadequate activity.
 

Moderate daily exercise in the fresh air and sunshine is ideal for a healthy pH level. Inactivity interferes with lymphatic drainage resulting in acid waste and lactic acid buildup.  If you’re an athlete allow enough time between intense workouts for your body to recover and return to an alkaline state.


Overeating.  An excess of the best food is no better than junk food to the body.


Lack of oxygen/elevated CO2 due to respiratory insufficiency. 

Several times a day  pause and take a deep breath.  Hold your breath for a few seconds then completely empty your lungs.  When you reach the end of the exhalation open your mouth and puff out saying ha-ha-ha-ha until you can’t puff anymore.  You may be coughing or laughing (it is called the laughing breath 😊) but you’ll be on your way to clearing CO2 and increasing lung capacity.  Breathe deeply, exhale thoroughly.


Chemicals, pesticides, some medications, pollution, and off-gassing

Eliminate what you can in your home and workplace. When it’s time to replace personal care products choose chemical free alternatives. Avoid single use plastics and canned goods that do not specify BPA free.


Congestion in any pathway of elimination.

Dry body brush to keep skin’s pores open and the lymphatic system moving. Take sufficient magnesium to ensure bowels move easily.


Fatigue.

Our bodies need repose and the reset of sleep to function well.  Make it a priority to establish a routine (with flexibility) that allows for a peaceful night’s sleep.  Take a break from cell phones, laptops, and the nightly news.



Additional Tips


  • Maintaining a more alkaline system requires adopting a balanced lifestyle. Customers tell us they have seen various health issues improved, or resolved simply as a result of corrected pH: autoimmune disorders, migraines, weight gain, arthritis, indigestion, high cholesterol, etc. 

 

  • Green drinks and/or base minerals can be used to alkalize quickly. Juice fasting or mono diets of fruits and veggies for a day (or more) each week is a healthy, delicious way to promote a healthy alkaline/acid balance.


  • We recommend an annual or semiannual herbal detox to eliminate any toxic accumulations stored in the body.  No matter how clean our diet, modern day living leaves some residue behind!


  • Keep a journal and track your progress. 



A life of balance feels great!



*Revised September 2024

Jo Anne's Place Staff

We have been supporting the wellness of our communities since 1976.


Our highly trained staff are here to help. Our Product Educators have vast knowledge and experience with the products we carry in our stores - whether they take them themselves, have taken brand training, or have received feedback from customers. 


Please visit one of our stores to chat with them about we can help support you and get you feeling your best!

Store Hours
By Jonathan Tessier March 28, 2025
An Easy, Nutritious Path
By April Allen March 25, 2025
Did you know what your skin needs changes based on the seasons? As seasons, and therefore weather, changes our skin adapts to maintain balance. These adaptations can take time, and you can support them with the proper products and ingredients!
By April Allen March 24, 2025
Happy Easter! Looking to switch it up and try some new recipes this year? Here is a roundup of Easter recipes featuring some old favourites and some new additions:
Kidney diagram in hands
By April Allen March 24, 2025
This information is not intended to replace appropriate professional advice. Please check labels and consult your pharmacist if you take prescription medication. The kidneys are an amazing organ system! In Traditional Chinese Medicine they are considered, along with the adrenal glands, a master organ. They perform the critical functions of capturing and recycling nutrients and eliminating liquid acidic waste. When the kidneys fail to perform this detoxification, patients must have their blood filtered through renal dialysis. A Healing Diet - This mirrors recommendations from studies done on kidney function: Drink 7-10 glasses of filtered or spring water. Chloride is a potential carcinogen and potentially damaging to the kidneys as well as the entire body. Consume a diet that is 75-80% alkaline forming. A urine pH maintained in the range of 6.5-7.4 allows your kidneys to readily eliminate acid waste. Chemical free, organic foods are the safest for kidney health. Make vegetables, fruit, raw seeds, nuts, legumes, beans, and wholegrains the mainstays of your diet. Limit red meat and sweeteners. Studies show a whole food plant based diet and the Mediterranean diet can benefit patients with chronic kidney disease. Fermented foods improve digestion and have a positive effect on pH levels. Apple cider vinegar used as a condiment or mixed in water with meals aids in assimilating nutrients, corrects pH, and dissolves calcium and acid crystal deposits. Replace salt with Herbamare for full flavour but 1/3 the sodium. The combination of whole sea salt with other herbs provides a better sodium/potassium ratio. Cook gently. High heat causes acrylamides and advanced glycation end products, both risk factor in type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Basic Supplements – to avoid common deficiencies Bio-Strath – 100% digestible whole food tonic, providing B vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and cofactors. Used by more staff at Jo Anne’s than any other supplement. Buffered vitamin C during fall and winter months. A powerful antioxidant that protects cells from damage and degeneration. Vitamin D 8,000 IU for one month then reduce to the upper limit of 4,000. A steroid hormone precursor that reduces inflammation and the risk of infection. Magnesium – has over 300 biochemical functions. Essential fatty acids – anti-inflammatory, help regulate blood pressure and a deficiency is associated with the development of type 2 diabetes. Probiotics – intermittent use to strengthen the immune system and correct pH Dietary Aids for Kidney Health - Special foods with science backed benefits: In studies ginger, garlic, and onions improved symptoms of kidney disease and increased renal function. Regular consumption could provide significant protection. Watermelon is 92% alkaline water which helps flush the urinary system of stored toxins. It supports the liver to process ammonia thus easing the strain on the kidneys. Finally, it can actually be used to dissolve kidney stones! Some people perform a watermelon fast one day a week, eating only melon wedges when hungry. Urine testing is a convenient way to monitor chemistry. The best time to check is in the morning prior to consuming food or drinks (other than water). If it’s initially difficult to achieve readings between 6.5-7.4 take 1-2 AlkaPure pH capsules upon rising. Once optimum readings are achieved, test periodically. Special Supplements for Kidneys - For an annual or biannual kidney cleanse: Astragalus – numerous studies show this herb has a protective effect on kidneys, liver, and spleen. It is also used in the treatment of cancer, diabetes, and immune disorders. It has been shown to slow tumor growth and significantly extend the lives of those who have undergone chemotherapy or radiation. Nettle is a wonderful cleansing herb for the kidneys. It also helps with all conditions related to inflammation, including arthritis and allergies. Burdock provides a whole body detox by increasing urine output and drawing out stored toxins. It is a natural option to use instead of prescription diuretics but consult your doctor or pharmacist if you are already on diuretics before making a change. Exercise, fresh air, deep breathing with complete exhalation all benefit the kidneys. For those days that you’re pressed for time perform the 4-minute workout by Dr Zack Bush. This easy routine performed 2-3 times boosts nitric oxide production and kidney function. See it online. Following the diet and basic supplement suggestions should have a beneficial effect on your kidneys and your overall health. One of the biggest changes you hopefully will notice is an increase in energy level. Keep a journal to track your progress. *Revised July 2023
By Jonathan Tessier March 19, 2025
Are seed oils bad for you? You may have seen some Social Media influencers claiming that they are. Is there any truth to this? What are the benefits of not eating seed oils? Let's find out.
By April Allen March 5, 2025
Who run the world? Girls! March is Women's History Month, and March 8th is International Women’s Day. What better time than this to lift up the women around us!
By Jonathan Tessier March 4, 2025
What is Circadian Rhythm?
By Jonathan Tessier March 4, 2025
Baked Pasta, better than regular!
By Jonathan Tessier February 25, 2025
Try out some of these delicious international food recipes, most of which you can make with ingredients from our store! There's a lot of diverse recipes in here from Japanese to Indian food!
Rebecca holding green smoothie in a glass cup with a straw
By April Allen February 20, 2025
Celebrate the luck of the Irish with these festive, healthier St. Patrick's Day recipes! We've added some brand new recipes to the list for 2025 - Slainte!
More Posts
Share by: