Fast Facts about How pH Affects Your Life Every Day

(ARA) - pH may be one of those things everyone learned in chemistry and thought, “When will I use this in life?” The reality is that it affects your life every day. We all were taught that pH is the measure of how acidic or basic a liquid is, but in practical application, what pH represents is way more than some litmus papers or the table of elements. It plays a valuable role in maintaining balance and creating optimal health.  Here are just a few examples of how pH matters in your everyday life.

* Avoid the fizz
Sometimes the only thing that goes perfectly with a slice of late night pizza is an ice cold soda. But soda can do a lot more than contribute to an increase in your waistline; it can actually cause your teeth to decay at a quicker rate.  

In fact, according to recent study from the American Dental Association, people who consumed sugared sodas three or more times daily had 17 to 62 percent more tooth decay than those who did not drink sugared sodas.  The problem is that our teeth are protected by our saliva, which is alkaline (low in acid) with a pH of 7.2 and above. The acid found in soda (phosphoric and citric acids) is known to have a high acidic pH level anywhere from 2.5 to 3.3, which can be highly erosive to the enamel of your teeth. In addition, the sugar from the soda provides food to the bacteria in the mouth that cause tooth decay.

Don’t worry, there is some good news: you don’t have to give up your love for the carbonated beverage.  If you ever have a craving for a fizzy drink, opt for the diet version. The non-nutritive sweeteners found in diet soft drinks have not been proven to directly affect dental decay. If you must have regular soda, try drinking through a straw that is positioned toward the back of the mouth; this method is the best way known to reduce the abrasive potential of the soft drink.

* What you need to know to stay healthy down below
Every woman knows that even a small change can cause big trouble in the vaginal area. Sometimes unpleasant odors, unusual discharge, itching or burning can occur, leaving you to wonder what’s going on and how it can be fixed. Don’t just assume it is a yeast infection -- it could be something more! Pick up an over-the-counter pH test like the Vagisil Screening Kit for Vaginal Infections. You can test your pH level to help determine what could be going on and whether or not you may need to see a doctor for medical treatment.

Why pH? Well, a normal vaginal pH of 3.5 to 4.5 is optimal for maintaining balance of the necessary good bacteria in the vagina. Yeast infections do not change your vaginal pH, so if you have a reading between 3.5 and 4.5, accompanied by symptoms such as those previously mentioned, it may indicate yeast, which can be treated with an over-the-counter product. However, if this is your first yeast infection, see a doctor. But if the vaginal pH value is 5.0 or higher, contact a doctor right away. You may have an infection that requires a prescription.

* Beat Smelly Feet
If taking your shoes off often causes noses around you to wrinkle and tends to clear the room, you may have Bromhidrosis, commonly known as smelly feet. Smelly feet are often singled out as belonging to athletes, but strong foot odor is actually a condition that is universally experienced because feet tend to sweat a lot.

Perspiration is normal and healthy, but when it becomes excessive, it can leave a foul odor lingering on feet and in your shoes. As a result of being inside a closed shoe all day, perspiration on the feet cannot evaporate like on other parts of our body. A moist foot in an enclosed space helps the bacteria that make isovaleric acid grow. This acid is what causes smelly feet.

The best way to prevent smelly feet is to keep your feet clean and dry. After showering, be sure to dry your feet completely, especially between the toes, to eliminate any additional moisture. Sprinkle your feet or the inside of your shoes with a foot powder like Odor-Eaters foot powder. Since it is specifically designed for the foot, it works better than regular talcum powder to keep the odor neutralized all day. The baking soda it contains can help neutralize the acids that cause smelly feet. Don‘t forget to air out your shoes daily. Alternating shoes regularly will also help to reduce odor by starting the day with dry shoes. Feet definitely sweat profusely with exercise; so if you go to the gym, be sure to get a few sets of gym sneakers to alternate every other day.


Courtesy of ARAcontent and DawgByte Productions

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EDITOR’S NOTE:

About Vagisil
Vagisil products, including Original Strength Vagisil Creme, Maximum Strength Vagisil Creme, Vagisil Medicated Anti-Itch Wipes, Vagisil Deodorant Powder and Gynecort Anti-Itch Creme, can be used to help with the symptoms associated with external vaginal discomfort, like itch, odor, wetness and burning while the prescribed medicine works at treating the infection. The new Vagisil Screening Kit, which helps women identify the possible source of their vaginal discomfort, is available in the feminine hygiene section at food, drug and mass merchandise stores.

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