After several hours with nothing to eat or drink, saliva is the principal defense against millions of microbes inhaled with each breath.
 
Weak alkaline saliva prevents coronavirus, ¹ influenza ² virus and adenovirus particles from infecting cells. Innate immunity protects cells against common cold viruses ³ hijacking cellular metabolism.

The normal acid-base balance for blood circulating in arteries is slightly alkaline. This balance is crucial for maintaining normal physiological functions and overall health.
 
The body has several mechanisms to regulate acid-base balance:
Buffer Systems: These include bicarbonate, phosphate, and protein buffers that help neutralize excess acids or bases.
Respiratory System: Adjusting the rate and depth of breathing regulates the amount of carbon dioxide (which forms carbonic acid) in the blood.
Renal System: The kidneys help maintain acid-base balance by excreting hydrogen ions and reabsorbing bicarbonate from urine.

Maintaining normal acid-base balance is essential for enzyme function, oxygen transport, and overall cellular activities.

Acidic Morning Saliva: ⁴ risk, cause, treatment and prevention of illness.

Oral Health and Lactate Shuttle

The normal human oral microbiome contains millions of bacteria. Oral health is maintained by balancing beneficial and harmful bacteria. Disruptions in this balance can lead to oral health issues.
 
High acid levels in the mouth decrease calcium in teeth and make it easier for cavities and tooth decay to form. Eating and drinking sugar and other carbohydrates cause harmful bacteria to produce acids. High levels of acid can fluctuate throughout the day. Untreated infections also can raise acid levels.

Lactic acid ⁵ is produced in skeletal muscles and other tissues during normal metabolism. Lactate which is not used locally can be shuttled to other sites for use elsewhere.
 
During physical exertion, lactate from skeletal muscles is used as fuel in muscles, heart, brain and liver. Any lactate not cleared accumulates in circulating blood. Eventually, lactic acid is oxidized to low levels or buffered in serum bicarbonate.

Serum lactate can appear in saliva, but the levels are generally lower compared to those in the blood. Chloride ions in saliva secreted from cells in salivary glands is gradually exchanged with bicarbonate in ductal cells. Any lactate that arrives in the oral fluid in concentrations above normal values can increase the acidity of morning saliva.

Nitrate-Nitrite-Nitric Oxide Pathway: ⁶
Nitrate-reducing bacteria in the mouth play a significant role in preventing acidic saliva solution. These bacteria convert dietary nitrates into nitrites, which can then be further reduced to nitric oxide. This process helps to neutralize acids and maintain a neutral or slightly alkaline oral microbiome.
 
Acidic saliva, especially in the morning, may indicate an imbalance in the oral microbiome, which can affect the conversion of dietary nitrates into nitric oxide. Leafy green vegetables and beet roots supply nitrates.

When oral bacteria reduce nitrates into nitrites, they produce hydroxide ions as a byproduct. The increase in hydroxide ions makes the oral microbiome more alkaline.
 
Acidic conditions hinder the growth of nitrate-reducing bacteria which reduces reduction to nitrites. Fewer nitrites causes less nitric oxide in the mouth, nose and throat.
 
When serum nitrate levels are low, the availability of nitrates for conversion into nitrites is reduced. This can upset the balance of oral bacteria, leading to a more acidic environment in the mouth, nose and throat.

Respiratory Viral Infection

Respiratory viruses ⁷ are the most frequent cause of human disease. They cause significant worldwide morbidity and mortality.
 
Rhinoviruses cause about 30% of common colds in adults. With more than 100 types of rhinovirus, it’s possible to catch a cold several times, year after year throughout life. Other respiratory viruses include influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza viruses, adenoviruses, and coronaviruses. ⁸

An important part of saliva is millions of bacteria in every drop. Good bacteria are absolutely essential for strong teeth. These bacteria grow and produce substances that have much greater effect than what’s secreted by saliva glands alone. ⁹

Acid-base balance in the mouth, nose and throat is determined by actions of good bacteria growing in acinar cells and saliva. These alkalizing bacteria are essential for good nutrition and healthy teeth.

Acidifying bacteria destroy the enamel of teeth and ulcerate soft tissue. Most dangerous of all, they produce more acid than saliva can neutralize.

Vaccination does not prevent infection. It forms antibodies that reduces illness from infection after cells have already been invaded. Same thing with antibodies formed during recovery from a previous infection.

Protection from infection prevents breakthrough of respiratory viruses after vaccination. Also prevents recurrence of illness after recovery from previous infection. Furthermore, protection from infection extends to variants of the original wild-type strain. Providing protection against any variants that appear and spread in the future.

Acidic morning saliva doesn’t indicate that cells are already infected with respiratory viruses. Rather, it signals danger from decreased protection and greater risk of becoming infected.

Respiratory viral infections disrupt nitrate-reducing bacteria in oral fluid. ¹⁰ Nitrate-reducing bacteria are crucial for converting dietary nitrate into nitrite and subsequently into nitric oxide. Further disruption can be caused by damaged immune response and lessor inflammatory response to the infection.

Maintaining a neutral to slightly alkaline pH in saliva helps support the activity of nitrate-reducing bacteria.

Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic syndrome (CKM)

CKM syndrome ¹¹ is a newly named medical condition that affects heart, kidneys, brain and liver. Connections among heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and obesity, lead to poor health outcomes.

Obesity: Excess body fat, particularly around the waist, is a significant risk factor for CKM and acidic morning saliva.
High Blood Pressure: Hypertension is commonly associated with CKM and acidic morning saliva.
Diabetes: Both type 2 diabetes and prediabetes increase risk for CKM and acidic morning saliva.
High Cholesterol and Triglycerides: Elevated levels of these lipids in the blood contribute to CKM and acidic morning saliva.
Kidney Disease: Chronic kidney disease is a key component and risk factor for CKM and acidic morning saliva.
Metabolic Syndrome: This includes conditions like high blood sugar, high blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels.
 
The CKM syndrome increases the risk of development and progression of cardiovascular disease. It contributes to acidic morning saliva both for those at risk of and those with existing cardiovascular disease.

Brain Health and Cognitive Function

Neurovascular coupling: ¹²
The brain is only 2 or 3% of total body weight but requires about 20% of total energy at rest. With slightly more during physical activity. In spite of large energy requirements, it has a very limited storage of energy. Making brain tissue hugely dependent on adequate blood supply.
 
The coupling between neuronal activity and cerebral blood flow is supported by a mechanism called neurovascular coupling. This process is dependent on nitric oxide.

Sleep: ¹³
During sleep, production of saliva naturally decreases. Poor sleep has an even greater effect in reducing amount and decreasing buffer effects on oral acid production. Non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep plays a crucial role in cognitive performance.
Memory Consolidation: During NREM sleep, the brain consolidates new memories and skills into a more durable format. This process is essential for learning and retaining information.
Optimized Mental Pathways: NREM sleep helps optimize mental pathways for future learning.
Energy Conservation: NREM sleep helps the brain conserve energy so as to function more efficiently.
 
The result of improving NREM sleep is a positive effect on cognitive abilities.
 
Cognitive Function: ¹⁴
The proportion of cognitive function that is conscious is relatively small compared to the vast amount of subconscious processing that occurs in the brain. The majority of cognitive processing occurs outside of conscious awareness.
 
Conscious Processing: ¹⁵
Awareness: Conscious cognitive functions include activities we are aware of, such as deliberate thinking, decision-making, and problem solving.
Limited Capacity: The conscious mind can handle only a limited amount of information at any given time. 
 
Subconscious Processing:
Automatic Functions: A significant portion of cognitive functions, such as breathing, heart rate regulation, and reflexes are managed subconsciously.
Implicit Learning: Many learning processes, like language acquisition and motor skills, occur without conscious awareness.
Emotional Responses: Emotional reactions often happen unconsciously and can influence behavior and decision-making without entering conscious awareness.
 
Subconscious processes influence a wide range of cognitive functions, including perception, memory, and decision-making. It’s estimated that
95% of neurocognitive function occurs at a subconscious level.

Preventive and Protective Actions

Decreasing risk, detecting cause, preventing illness and treating disease involves a combination of choices, persistent efforts and habitual behaviors.

Physical Exercise: ¹⁶
Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week. Add resistance/strength exercises of 45 to 60 minutes including rest periods between sets and sessions on 2 or 3 days each week.

Healthy Diet: ¹⁷

Follow a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Include foods high in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins that support cognitive function.

Nutrition Supplements:

Sodium Bicarbonate (commonly known as baking soda).
Helps buffer lactic acid in muscles.

Creatine Nitrate ¹⁸
Creatine improves strength and muscle mass.
Nitrates enhance blood flow and endurance.

Mental Stimulation:
Engage in continuous learning and mental activities such as puzzles, reading, learning new skills, or playing musical instruments.

Adequate Sleep:

Maintain a regular sleep schedule 7-9 hours quality sleep in a  
restful sleep environment.

Stress Management:
Practice stress-reducing techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises.

Social Engagement:
Stay socially active by maintaining relationships and participating in social activities.

Avoid Harmful Substances:
Avoid tobacco and limit alcohol consumption. Both can have detrimental effects on brain health.

Regular Health Check-Ups:

Monitor and manage chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol.

Implementing these preventive and protective actions can significantly improve health and avoid illness.

Summary

Weak Alkaline Morning Saliva protects mouth, nose and throat from infection by coronavirus, influenza virus, adenovirus and common cold viruses. Acidic saliva weakens the enzymatic protection of epithelial cells in mouth, nose and throat against infection.
 
Also, Acidic Morning Saliva may be an indication of various systemic health issues and diseases.
  

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