From the Guidelines
The normal blood pH range in humans is between 7.35 and 7.45 units. This range is critical for maintaining proper physiological functioning, as even small deviations can significantly impact enzyme activity, protein structure, and cellular processes throughout the body 1. The body maintains this precise pH through several buffer systems, primarily the bicarbonate buffer system, which consists of bicarbonate ions and carbonic acid. Some key points to consider about blood pH include:
- Acidosis is defined as a pH < 7.35, which can be caused by respiratory or metabolic disorders 1
- Alkalosis is defined as a pH > 7.45, which may occur with hyperventilation or certain medications
- The respiratory system helps regulate pH by controlling carbon dioxide levels through breathing rate
- The kidneys provide longer-term regulation by adjusting bicarbonate reabsorption and acid excretion Maintaining normal blood pH is essential for various bodily functions, including oxygen delivery to tissues, nerve conduction, and muscle contraction.
From the Research
Normal Blood pH Range
- The normal range of pH for clinical laboratories is 7.35-7.45 2
- The normal blood pH range is 7.36 to 7.44 3
- Arterial pH is usually thought of as being 7.40 4
Regulation of Blood pH
- The regulation of the intra and extracellular pH-values plays an essential role in the metabolism of the human body 3
- Acid-base homeostasis maintains systemic arterial pH within a narrow range 2
- The alpha-stat theory of acid-base management interprets the normal value of arterial pH as a value derived from the intracellular pH, which is close to neutrality 4