What to make of the pH level of urine?

The pH level indicates the acidity or alkalinity of a substance. A balanced pH environment is paramount to the proper functioning of all physiological processes and organs. Let's discover what the pH of urine means and what it suggests about our health.

Urine pH can help determine how effectively kidneys regulate the pH balance in the body. When combined with other urine parameters, urinary pH helps diagnose several health conditions, e.g., problems with the urinary tract, kidneys, and metabolic disorders.

What is the normal pH level of urine?

The urine constitutes water, salts, and other waste products from the kidneys. The normal pH levels in urine are between 6 and 7.5 for most people. This is generally considered on the slightly acidic to neutral side; however, it can fluctuate depending on different conditions, exercise, and diet patterns.

The morning urine is slightly acidic (pH of 5.0 – 6.0), while the pH of urine following a meal is relatively alkaline (also referred to as alkaline tide).

Generally, any number in the range of 4.5 to 8.0 is not a cause for concern. However, chronically acidic urine could indicate underlying health issues or diseases.

It is essential to know that while pH alone may not provide all answers to bodily function, when combined with other urine parameters, it helps diagnose several health conditions, e.g., problems with the urinary tract or kidneys.

What affects pH levels in urine?

The pH level of urine is primarily affected by the food we eat. Research shows that if a person's diet is high in animal protein and grains, the pH of urine is on the lower side, i.e., urine is more acidic. A diet rich in greens and vegetables, such as kale, spinach, celery, etc., will lead to alkaline urine (pH>7). A balanced diet that incorporates legumes, grains, animal/plant protein sources, greens, vegetables, and fruits will keep the overall metabolic system happy and yield a pH within the normal range.

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In healthy individuals, diet is the major factor that affects urine pH. A diet rich in animal proteins makes your urine acidic, and a diet rich in greens and veggies will lead to alkaline urine

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Causes of Acidic Urine

Specific health conditions and general causes of acidic urine are:

• Acidocis of respiratory or metabolic origin
• Diabetes mellitus
• Starvation and dehydration
• Diarrhea
• Presence of acid-producing bacteria
• Emphysema (lung condition that causes shortness of breath)
• High protein diet
• Cranberry Juice
• Medications such as Mandelamine and Monurol (commonly prescribed for the treatment of UTIs).

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Causes of Alkaline Urine

Health conditions and other causes of alkaline urine are:

• Alkalosis of respiratory or metabolic origin
• Hyperventilation (rapid or deep breathing, usually caused by anxiety or panic)
• Vomiting
• Renal or tubular acidosis
• Presence of urease-producing bacteria  (that causes UTIs)
• Vegetarian diet rich in leafy greens

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Why take a urine pH test?

The urine pH test provides insight into how our bodies metabolize our food. In addition, it gives clues about the health of the kidneys, metabolic system, and urinary tract.

The clinical significance and benefits of monitoring urinary pH are to aid in determining the existence of systemic acid-base disorders of metabolic or respiratory origin and in managing urinary conditions that require urine to be maintained at a specific pH.

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Consistently abnormal urine pH levels can indicate ongoing health conditions or be a precursor to a disease that has not produced physical symptoms.

Scientific studies indicate that a urine pH test is beneficial for the following health conditions:

• Monitor kidney function: The urine pH can indicate if the kidneys are correctly removing or reabsorbing acid or base from the body to regulate a healthy pH environment in the body.
• Forestall the risks of kidney stones: An acidic urinary environment is constructive for the formation of renal calculi. Therefore, maintaining alkaline urine discourages the formation of kidney stones.
• Accelerate the treatment of Urinary Tract Infections: An acidic urine is valuable in treating UTIs as it hinders the growth of bacteria in the urinary tract. UTI medications and cranberry juice create an acidic urinary medium that inhibits the colonization of specific urinary pathogens.
• Monitor diet: A urine pH test is an excellent means to monitor the effect of dietary changes on health. Low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets (such as ketogenic and Atkins diets) can confer a marked acid load resulting in an increased risk of kidney stones and other diseases.
• Evaluate treatment effectiveness: The efficacy of medications and treatment regimens (e.g., for kidney diseases, metabolic or renal disorders) can be monitored by measuring urine pH.
• Risk assessment of various diseases: Scientific studies indicate a positive correlation between acidic urine with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes, and kidney stones in gout patients, among other conditions.
• Improving diet and lifestyle choices: Monitoring urine pH can help mitigate the risks of diseases and abnormalities that have yet to produce any physical symptoms.

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Acidic urine creates a constructive environment for kidney stones. Hence, a doctor would use this result to set a direction for further testing for a more conclusive picture of your health. Regular monitoring of your urine's pH level can provide insights into your health and well-being. If the results are not within the normal range, you can ask yourself what led to the observed findings.

Consistently abnormal pH levels of urine can indicate ongoing health conditions or be a precursor to a disease that has not produced physical symptoms. So knowing the pH level of your urine can be helpful in regulating diet, monitoring ongoing health conditions, and keeping an eye on your health and well-being. However, it is essential to know that this test cannot be used in isolation to diagnose any condition. For instance, a high pH could indicate a urinary tract infection (UTI) or a different kind of infection.

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How to undertake a urine pH test?

The pH of any substance can either be measured by an electronic pH meter or by using a reagent test strip. A urine pH test is most often conducted using the latter, i.e., a reagent dipstick test. Urine test strips for pH are similar in principle to a litmus paper test but are configured explicitly for body fluids within the pH range of urine. The reagent pad of the dipstick, when immersed in the urine sample, changes color in response to the composition of the urine. It is a quick and simple test with results ready for interpretation within 60 seconds.

Testing for pH levels in urine does not require any special preparation. It is common practice for a doctor to check any medications or supplements that a person might be taking, as they can interfere with the test results.

A doctor may also request a person to fast before this test. However, this is only likely if there are other urinalysis tests involved.

How to interpret the results of a urine pH test?

A digital pH meter provides a numerical result, typically on an LCD. The reagent test strips produce different colors depending on the pH of the urine. By visually checking and comparing the color of the reagent pad with the color key provided by the test, the pH of the urine can be easily determined.

For example, the Diagnox urine test strips change color from orange and yellow to shades of green with increasing pH values. A bright yellow-green color on the reagent pad indicates a neutral pH of 7. The urine is considered acidic if the reagent pad changes to shades of yellow and orange. Alkaline urine produces green, sea-green, and bluish-green shades on the reagent pad. The test is sensitive to the pH range of urine and can be easily incorporated into your wellness regime.