b'CHAPTER ONEGreen PowerW hen you hear the term green power, what comes to mind? Perhaps visions of solar panels or a hillside dotted with energy-generating windmills? But instead, lets think about green power in more personal terms. Think about the super-concentrated power that green foods provide your body. From the veggies that grace your dinner plate to nutrient-dense algae and grasses, greens are a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and other micronutrients that scavenge free radicals, help detoxify the body, build blood, and enhance energy. One of the most important ways these green foods foster good health is by balancing the bodys pH.This Is Your Body on AcidThink back to high school chemistry class and you may remember hearing about pH, which is the measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. The pH scale ranges from 0, which is the most acidic, to 14, which is the most alkalinewith 7 considered neutral. In your body, your blood needs to be kept in a slightly alkaline range between 7.35 and 7.45. Normally your blood pH is tightly regulated and shifts only when you are very sick. However, intercellular acidity, which is measured by urinary or saliva pH testing, can change significantly due to lifestyle. Fortunately, the body has a unique buffering system that protects your bloods pH to keep it in a safe rangebut it does so at a cost. 7 Results of acidity.When blood and other bodily fluids become too acidic, the pancreas and kidneys secrete neutralizing bicarbonate. Key alkalinizing minerals can also be pulled from Acid-Promotingbones to aid in the buffering process. But as a result, this extra buffering can deplete the body of alkaline minerals like sodium, Habits to Avoid potassium, calcium, and magnesium. At the same time, cells canEating the Standardbecome less efficient at making energy and produce more waste (lactic acid), increasing acidity. In fact, when you are acidic, energy American Diet production in the cells is as much as 19 times less! Being acidic Not drinking enoughlowers the bodys ability to repair damaged cells and undermines water its ability to detoxify heavy metals and other contaminants. Soft drinks (diet orOver time, acidity can contribute to a host of health problems, regular) or high-sugarincluding bone loss, muscle wasting, and high blood pressure. drinks from any sourceIt also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and Chronic stress orcognitive problems. overworkWhat causes this acidity?Stress, diet, mineral deficiencies,Sleep deprivation and exposure to environmental toxins can contribute to an acidic pH.T oo little or too muchArguably the most detrimentaland the easiest to fixis your diet. If exercise youre eating the typical American diet, filled with overly processedSmoking foods high in sugar and carbohydrates, soft drinks, and meat and dairyespecially cheeseyoure on a bad dietary acid trip. 4G R E A T G R E E N S !'