POLOKWANE – The prevailing theory in medicine in ancient Greece was “humorism”. This is the idea that there is a balance between four humors (in plain language: juices) in the human body.

The distinguished physician of the day would be extremely knowledgeable about all the humors (black bile, yellow bile, phlegm and blood) as well as the disastrous effects that a minor imbalance can have on the well-being of the average citizen of the Greek Empire.

I still come across remnants of humorism when speaking about acid in the body.

According to this new manifestation of the theory, acid is fourfold. Stomach acid, joint acid, urine acid and blood acid. An imbalance of these humors can wreak havoc on the unsuspecting citizen of the 21^st century.

Let’s dispel some myths.

The only real acid in the human body is stomach acid (also known as gastric acid). This nasty substance is in the same category as battery acid and can dissolve steel.

In a manner that would make a Sci-Fi writer envious, the body produces a deadly concoction of hydrochloric acid and enzymes without dissolving itself. Too little will lead to indigestion, but too much would lead to heartburn, reflux and stomach ulcers.

To say that gastric acid has no impact whatsoever on the other acids will not be completely true. The human body is an intricately woven organic machine.

Any change in one area will ultimately be known and relevant to another area. Gastric acid, however, has no direct effect on any other acid in the body.

When we come to urine and blood, the short answer is: There is no distinct acid involved.

Urine and especially blood is finely tuned to be more acidic or more alkaline in response to certain changes in the body. The pH of the blood is kept within the range of 7.35 to 7.45. Any successful attempt to push beyond these limits will guarantee you a bed in hospital.

Joint acid or gout can in some cases be less acidic than urine. Be that as it may, the acidic nature is not the problem, but the crystals that are formed in the joint.

The burning sensation is that of a myriad microscopic glass-sharp splinters cutting and slicing into the soft joint membranes. Acid is the least of your worries.

Alongside the theory of the humors, the ancient Greeks had several remedies to restore balance to the patient’s body.

Medications that induced vomiting and diarrhea was first line therapy before bloodletting was employed.

Our modern acid-counterpart is no stranger to unscientific and dangerous remedies. A quick google search will reveal several cheap and expensive treatments and diets to help with “acid in the body”. Vagueness with a touch of mysticism.

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