The Longevity Handbook

HOW THE PROTON PUMP WORKS This mechanism produces hydrochloric acid necessary for digestion and sodium bicarbonate, to maintain the blood pH at its normal values. When we eat alkaline foods or drink alkaline water, the proton pump generates protons for the stomach lumen (to make hydrochloric acid) and sends bicarbonate into the bloodstream, stabilizing the blood pH. When we eat acidic liquids or foods, the opposite is true: the proton pump produces and sends less bicarbonate into the bloodstream, and this makes the blood more acidic. To compensate for this acidity, bone cells (osteoclasts) release calcium and magnesium from the bones to balance blood pH, leading to decreased bone density (osteopenia, osteoporosis) and calcium deposition in places where it should not be, calcifying and hardening several tissues, such as arteries, and leading to hypertension, formation of atheromatous plaques (which cause myocardial infarction), stroke, peripheral arterial disease, calcification of tendons, ligaments and heart valves, among many other conditions. Leaving magnesium out of cells to alkalinize the system also causes blockage of hundreds of intracellular biochemical reactions dependent on it, leading, among other things, to arrhythmias and sudden death. Do you remember how much I warned you to be careful with the chronic use of medicines for heartburn and reflux, which are precisely blockers of this proton pump – “ome,” “lanzo,” “panto,” “esome,” “prazoles?” Today we know that, the older we are, the more acids we get, and the decrease in bicarbonate is associated with aging. Many other issues are raised in relation to the quality and properties of water, such as hydration power, electrical conductivity, and antioxidant capacity. The hydration capacity is related to the amount of water molecules grouped. Normally, the water molecule is not isolated, but from a large number of molecules together, which decreases its hydration power. When we ionize water, the molecules are grouped in fewer numbers and have greater hydration power. For this purpose, water ionizers are used, which reduces the number of molecule groups, thus increasing their hydration power (some water purifiers already have this technology incorporated). A simple test to find out if the water you are consuming has good hydration capacity is to put, for example, a little lemon balm or chamomile tea in a glass of water to be consumed cold, wait three minutes, and observe if the color changes (that is, if it becomes tea); if this happens, your water has good hydration capacity. Regarding the water’s antioxidant capacity (donating electrons and fighting free radicals), it is necessary to analyze the Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP); the more negative, the better. A good way to alkalize water and at the same time supplement magnesium is to put this mineral in the water you are going to drink. Pay attention: the daily amount and the form of the magnesium used can only be defined individually by your healthcare professional! A few years ago, I created a formula with some minerals, including magnesium, which I used and prescribed for many patients. It was a capsule to be opened and dissolved in a liter of water every day. I took the results to the industry, but I did not get any support for production. Maybe I will try again in the future. Do not worry so much about all the technical aspects presented. The most important thing you need to understand is that it is absolutely necessary, as preventive medicine and for health recovery, to at least drink pure water in the right amount, daily. Thus, do not wait for thirst, swollen feet, dry mouth, lack of tears, dizziness on getting up fast, or strong colored urine to drink water. Drink water constantly during the day. Your health will thank you! However, do not think it will be easy: you will have to create a mechanism that makes this automatic (a habit). Many years ago, I created the habit, even without thirst, of having a glass of water between consultations, which made it easy to establish a routine. Create your own routine and good luck!