pH Testing
PLEASE NOTE: pH ranges vary depending upon the body fluid being measured. Therefore, the ideal pH range for the Urine Test, which uses your urine as the base, is different from the ideal pH range for Lemon Test, which reads from your saliva. When checking your pH, please be sure reference the range that corresponds with the type of test you are using.
We recommend the Lemon pH Test while cleansing. The Urine Test is an excellent way to gauge your pH before cleansing. As you proceed deeper into your cleanse, your body will be releasing more toxins, and the Urine pH Test may give you an inaccurate reading. During a cleanse, the Lemon pH Test will give you a more accurate pH reading so you can determine whether you are maintaining adequate electrolyte reserves.
The Lemon pH Test: For checking your pH while cleansing.
Note: No food or juice should be taken for 2 hours before beginning the pH test.
Squeeze the juice of 1/2 of a lemon into 2 ounces of distilled water. No sweeteners! Take all the juice at once, swish in your mouth and swallow. Wait for 2 minutes, and then begin a series of 6 saliva pH readings. Wait 60 seconds between each reading. Record each reading. At least one of the last 3 readings must show a passing result in order to move forward with The Cleanse.
8.0 or Above:
You passed! This indicates that your liver has adequate electrolyte reserves available.
7.5 – 7.9:
You barely passed and may proceed with The Cleanse, but should boost your electrolyte levels while cleansing.
7.0 – 7.4:
Indicates that you have some reserve of electrolyte minerals, but not as much as is needed. Work on increasing your electrolyte reserves. Only the mild phase may be used.
6.9 or Below:
Indicates a possible serious condition. Electrolyte reserves are very low and both the liver and digestion are affected. Only the mild phase may be used and additional support from your healthcare practitioner is advised.
The Urine pH Test: For checking your pH before starting a cleanse
The urine pH test is the best way to determine whether or not your body has enough electrolytes. You will need pH paper and to only consume vegetables, vegetable juice and water for one day before you do this test. The morning of the following day, wet a strip of pH paper in a mid-stream of urine and record your results.
7.0 or above:
You passed! This indicates that your body has a good supply of electrolytes and is eliminating the excess through urine.
6.5 – 6.9
Indicates some electrolyte depletion, but not a serious one. Your body is storing some electrolytes, but is releasing some as well. It should be easy for you to replenish your electrolytes before cleansing.
5.6 – 6.4
A few of the electrolytes from your food are being saved, but your electrolyte reserve is low.
5.5 or below
Your body is depleted of electrolytes. Only the mild phase of The Cleanse is recommended.
pH Testing Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: I have trouble reading the pH paper during a cleanse. Do you look at the color of the paper initially or after it dries a bit?
A: You should be able to read the pH paper within 20 seconds. I do not recommend taking pH tests during a cleanse, except for the lemon test, as you will not have meaningful results. You must pass the pH tests prior to cleansing. During a cleanse most people dump a lot of stored acids, that is part of the cleansing process. So the difficulty in reading the paper is that the reading is an acid reading. If your urine is highly acidic it will not change the color of the pH paper much, if at all.
Q: On the pH test: when we do the 3 readings of the lemon test, do we take an average or just the last numbers? Each test came up different.
A: Take the highest score.
Q: How important are the pH tests?
A: Very! Refer to Appendix I in Cleanse & Purify Thyself, Book 1 for instructions on pH testing. These tests check electrolyte mineral reserves which are critical to the body’s ability to buffer acids. Deficiencies of electrolytes have been shown to result in some kind of metabolic dysfunction. See the descriptions of my alkalizing formulas. Doing a simple pH test is very useful. It will tell you if you are healthy enough to safely do a cleanse.
Q: How do I get electrolyte minerals?
A: In addition to an alkalizing formula, two great sources of these minerals (which are NOT the same as trace minerals) are fresh, raw carrot/beet/celery juice (green, leafy vegetables too) and a fresh vegetable mineral broth. We emphasize that it is best to secure these vital electrolyte minerals from the plant kingdom which the body can readily and easily absorb.
Q: Is it okay to just do the saliva pH test or must I do all three?
A: No, the saliva test is only one indicator and can be inaccurate. It is generally best to do all three tests as various factors such as bacteria and the air a person breathes can affect the saliva pH. By doing all three at the beginning of the mild/gentle phase, it is easier to check an overall trend. Remember that once one is well into a cleanse, it is best to only do the lemon and saliva tests because acids are being released through the urine and may affect test readings.
Q: How important is it to pass the pH tests prior to doing the Power or Master phases?
A: It is extremely important. Refer to Cleanse & Purify Thyself, Book 1. If one is already deficient in electrolytes, he may risk robbing crucial electrolyte minerals from other parts of the body during the deeper cleansing phases of the program. This could cause damage and will definitely inhibit the cleansing process.