The nervous system encompasses the central nervous system (CNS), including the brain and spinal cord, as well as the peripheral nervous system, which contains nerves that connect the CNS to all other parts of the body. The nervous system’s job is to communicate with other systems in the body, coordinate internal organ functions, and respond appropriately to external environmental conditions. The nervous system is also responsible for maintaining homeostasis in the body.
When your internal environment is in a state of non-clinical latent acidosis, neuron or brain cell activity can be disrupted. When neurons are not functioning optimally, you tend to forget things and are subject to “brain fog”. For example, the extreme over production of lactic acid in fibromyalgia patients can cause “fibro-fog” from high brain lactate levels.
Lipid or fatty acid metabolism is also affected by excessive acid, which directly affects nerve and brain function, as the brain is up to 70% fat! When this happens, endocrine system damage can occur, throwing off hormone balance and cell to cell communication. More serious neurological problems can also develop, like multiple sclerosis and macular degeneration, when inflammation becomes chronic and cellular energy diminishes. When pH levels are optimized, oxygen levels elevate augmenting mitochondrial function stimulating cellular respiration.
Many other disturbances of the nervous system can arise when the body becomes acidic and inflamed. For instance, degenerative disk disease (a progressive and painful spine disorder where disks between the vertebrae begin to deteriorate) can also ensue. The brain produces chemicals called neurotransmitters that transmit signals from the neurons to neighboring cells. Premature aging due to continuously unmanaged pH levels can stymie this process, and neuron intercommunication can be altered. When brain cells are too acidic, this internal communication becomes impaired, potentially resulting in depression, anxiety, psychosis, ADD, ADHD, and crippling diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Being that the brain needs to communicate through the nerves and spinal cord to all other body systems (circulatory, urinary, digestive, etc.), every system in the body can be disrupted if the nervous system becomes acidic and inflamed.
When tissue acids buildup they can BURN the nerve endings, sending pain signals to the brain. Chronic acidosis is the main cause of neuritis, or inflammation of the nerves. Although environmental toxins, metals, infections, and excessive alcohol can initiate neurosis, it can be seen as a direct result of incessant stressors, and inferior diet and lifestyle habits! Nerve damage can lead to increased sensitivity to pain in conditions like arthritis, bursitis, and tendinitis. MORE INFO AND STUDIES ON ACID INDUCED NERVE STIMULATION IN THE SKIN.
Research has also associated pH imbalances to less known conditions of the nervous system.
Researchers in a 1975 study noted that poliodystrophy along with mitochondrial myopathy, a progressive degenerative condition of the central nervous system, presented elevated acidic conditions throughout the body. (1)
A 1984 study reported that acidemia is commonly found in Melas syndrome, a condition mainly affecting the brain and nervous system where there is the presence of stroke-like episodes. (2)
Another 1975 study showed that increased acid levels in the blood, particularly pipecolic acid, are associated with the progressive loss of neurological function (a condition known as pipecolic acidemia). (3)
A 2006 German study observing 42 boys found a significant positive correlation between the pH in the brain and the intelligence quotient (IQ). Researchers concluded that the lower the acid concentration in the brain, the higher the child’s IQ! (4)
The consequences of excessive acid accumulation in the body are destructive and numerous for the nervous system, leading to nerve conditions, neurological problems, and/or disruptions originated in the brain. All neurological conditions are inflammatory involving pH imbalances.
1-Shapira, Y., Cederbaum, S. D., Cancilla, P. A., Nielsen, D., & Lippe, B. M. (1975). Familial poliodystrophy, mitochondrial myopathy, and lactate acidemia. Neurology, 25(7), 614-614.
2-Pavlakis, S. G., Phillips, P. C., DiMauro, S., De Vivo, D. C., & Rowland, L. P. (1984). Mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and strokelike episodes: a distinctive clinical syndrome. Annals of neurology, 16(4), 481-488.
3-Thomas, G. H., Haslam, R. H., Batshaw, M. L., Capute, A. J., Neidengard, L., & Ransom, J. L. (1975). Hyperpipecolic acidemia associated with hepatomegaly, mental retardation, optic nerve dysplasia and progressive neurological disease. Clinical genetics, 8(5), 376-382.
4- http://www.vivalis.si/uploads/datoteke/cms_48921ca478e63.pdf German study-2006
Stock photo ID:503603809 -nervous system