All of the organ systems of the body work together to maintain homeostasis of the organism. If homeostasis fails, death or disease may result.

Homeostasis is mainly controlled by the organs in the central nervous system and the endocrine system (hormones). Organs in the two systems send commands to other organs in other systems to allow them to carry out certain functions. Example for the nervous system: You have stepped outside into some snowy weather.

The endocrine and central nervous systems are the major control systems for regulating homeostasis (Tortora and Anagnostakos, 2003) (Fig 2). The endocrine system consists of a series of glands that secrete chemical regulators (hormones).

Homeostasis maintains optimal conditions for enzyme action throughout the body, as well as all cell functions. It is the maintenance of a constant internal environment despite changes in internal and external conditions.

Genetic, lifestyle or environmental factors can cause an imbalance of homeostasis. What happens if there’s disruption? If homeostasis is disrupted, it must be controlled or a disease/disorder may result. Your body systems work together to maintain balance.

Three factors that influence homeostasis are discussed: fluids and electrolytes, energy and nutrition, and immune response mediators. Cell injury induces changes in the sodium-potassium pump that disrupt fluid and electrolyte homeostasis, and surgery causes changes in functional extracellular fluid.

Individuals with low mood or a history of depression appeared to have impaired mood homeostasis, according to a study of two large population samples published in JAMA Psychiatry.

The body’s homeostatic control mechanisms ensure that a balance between fluid gain and fluid loss is maintained. The hormones ADH (antidiuretic hormone, also known as vasopressin ) and aldosterone play a major role in this.

Regulation of body fluid pH is one of the most important physiological functions of homeostasis, because activity of most chemical reactions via enzyme proteins is dependent on fluid pH. Proton transport across the plasma membrane of muscle cells is important for maintaining the appropriate intracellular pH.

The maintenance of blood pH within normal limits (7.35-7.45), called acid-base homeostasis, is a complex synergy involving three organs (lungs, kidneys and brain) as well as chemical buffers in blood and blood cells (erythrocytes).

The kidneys are slower to compensate than the lungs, but renal physiology has several powerful mechanisms to control pH by the excretion of excess acid or base. The major, homeostatic control point for maintaining a stable pH balance is renal excretion.

Other Examples of Homeostasis

• Blood glucose homeostasis.
• Blood oxygen content homeostasis.
• Extracellular fluid pH homeostasis.
• Plasma ionized calcium homeostasis.
• Arterial blood pressure homeostasis.
• Core body temperature homeostasis.
• The volume of body water homeostasis.
• Extracellular sodium concentration homeostasis.

The body’s chemical buffer system consists of three individual buffers: the carbonate/carbonic acid buffer, the phosphate buffer and the buffering of plasma proteins. While the third buffer is the most plentiful, the first is usually considered the most important since it is coupled to the respiratory system.

The renal system regulates the pH of extracellular fluid. The changes in pH induced by the respiratory system are in minutes, while the changes induced by the renal system are in the order of days.

Use the following tips to decrease acidity in your body, reduce risk of diseases and optimize health.

1. Reduce or Eliminate harmful acidic foods from your diet. Sugar.
2. Choose healthier acidic foods.
3. Increase alkaline foods to 70% of your diet.
4. Incorporate alkalizing lifestyle choices.

To keep the pH of your vagina at a consistently healthy level, follow these tips:

1. Whenever you have sex, use a condom. The barrier will not only protect you from STDs, but it’ll also prevent alkaline semen from disrupting your vaginal pH levels.
2. Take probiotics.
3. Don’t douche.
4. Eat yogurt.
5. See your OB-GYN.

When the pH level is lower than 6.5, the body is considered acidic and when the pH level is higher than 7.5, the body is considered alkaline.

Start to maintain a more alkaline pH in your body through diet by:

1. Improving your intake of vitamins and minerals through food choices and supplements.
2. Planning nutritious meals and snacks.
3. Reducing sugar and caffeine.
4. Keeping regular meal times—an important factor for maintaining blood sugar levels.
5. Drinking a lot of water.

So here are 14 natural ways to reduce your acid reflux and heartburn, all backed by scientific research.

1. Don’t Overeat.
2. Lose Weight.
3. Follow a Low-Carb Diet.
4. Limit Your Alcohol Intake.
5. Don’t Drink Too Much Coffee.
6. Chew Gum.
7. Avoid Raw Onion.
8. Limit Your Intake of Carbonated Beverages.

In this article, learn about eight natural ways to lower uric acid levels.

1. Limit purine-rich foods.
2. Eat more low-purine foods.
3. Avoid drugs that raise uric acid levels.
4. Maintain a healthy body weight.
5. Avoid alcohol and sugary drinks.
6. Drink coffee.
7. Try a vitamin C supplement.
8. Eat cherries.

The recipe: add two tablespoons of non-iodized salt to a quart of warm water. You sip the salt water on an empty stomach, with the goal to drink the whole thing in less than 5 minutes. You can expect to feel an urgent need to do #2 within 30 minutes to an hour. Pro tip: Avoid eating or drinking until the poop comes.