The Open Systems Biology Journal

2012, 5 : 1-12
Published online 2012 April 25. DOI: 10.2174/1876392801205010001
Publisher ID: TOSYSBJ-5-1

RESEARCH ARTICLE
pH is a Neurally Regulated Physiological System. Increased Acidity Alters Protein Conformation and Cell Morphology and is a Significant Factor in the Onset of Diabetes and Other Common Pathologies

Graham Wilfred Ewing, *
Montague Healthcare, Mulberry House, 6 Vine Farm Close, Cotgrave, Nottingham NG12 3TU, UK

* Address correspondence to this author at the Montague Healthcare, Mulberry House, 6 Vine Farm Close, Cotgrave, Nottingham, NG12 3TU, UK; Tel: 00-44-115-9890304; Fax: 00-44-115-9899826; E-mails: ;graham.ewing@montague-diagnostics.co.uk

ABSTRACT

Background

The body’s physiological stability is maintained by the influence of the autonomic nervous system and the dynamic interaction of the organ systems which regulate all aspects of the body’s function. These physiological systems and their function have been overlooked by the genetic paradigm. A better understanding of these systems may lead to an improved understanding of the fundamental relationship involving sense perception, neural function and organ networks, and cellular and molecular biology. This article follows earlier articles by the author which illustrate that sleep, blood pressure and blood glucose are neurally regulated physiological systems.

Aims:

The purpose of this article is to discuss how Grakov’s mathematical model of the physiological systems (i) influences the contemporary understanding of the processes which regulate the pH in biological systems i.e. that pH is a neurally regulated physiological system; (ii) is a significant factor in the emergence of changes to cell morphology and, ultimately, the onset of pathologies; and (iii) involves environmental factors more commonly associated with phenotype.

Results:

It considers the fundamental role played by pH e.g. regulating the levels and redox state of minerals, protein conformation, the activation of proteins and enzymes, and how this influences metabolic function. It considers the consequences of increased acidity, in particular from alcoholic beverages and acidified soft drinks, and how this influences the processes which regulate the body’s physiological stability.

Conclusions:

The article concludes that the body’s impaired ability to regulate its acidity, exascerbated by the consumption of highly acidic beverages, is a considerably underestimated factor in the subsequent development and onset of many common pathologies e.g. diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, alzheimer’s disease, cancers, etc.

Keywords:

Cognitive, neuroregulation, top-down, systems biology, physiological systems.