Re: Iodoral and weight gain?

[Guest guest]

I don't quite understand the salt strategy. I already take 1.5 tsp sea salt each

day for my adrenals. I've looked at the link you provided (yesterday, I think),

and I posted this question earlier but haven't seen a response yet.

As it relates to iodine supplementation, the way I've read it, salt loading is

only to be done when there are detox symptoms? It's not an every day supplement?

Since I take it everyday anyway, I would just keep going with 1.5 tsp each day

(as usual for me), and add 1/4 to 1/2 if bromide detox sypmtoms arise? Please

correct me if I'm wrong

Thanks, Engtovo!

Sherry

>

> if we assume weight gain is a bromide symptom then it should be dealt with

like any other bromide symptom. Making sure you have the right level of daily

salt and then salt loading although weight gain may be a symptom that is too

long term for salt loading as that should only be used for a week or so and

would instead call for pulse dosing or lowering iodine dose and raising it as

you can without starting to gain weight again.

>

> Engtovo

>

> Re: Iodoral and weight gain?

> Posted by: " Jag Jag " jaguarundi21@... jaguarundi21

> Wed Jan 20, 2010 10:42 pm (PST)

>

>

> So, is taking extra salt a way to clear the bromides out and thus lose the

extra weight?

>

> Jag

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Sherry!

Please be patient with getting answers. Your original post

came through at 11:30, and it is only 3:30 now. You might not get answers for a

couple of days, depending on how busy we all are. J

Yes, you are correct in stating the difference between the salt

you take everyday and the extra for bromide detox. I have not kept up with the

extra for bromide detox because I don’t have immediate symptoms, but

maybe that would help me take the weight off. Or maybe it is just that after

taking iodine for over a year my thyroid is beginning to work better and I can

now lose some weight.

I actually ran out of iodine, gave my last bottles to a friend

fighting cancer, and I am waiting for my order to arrive. I have not had any

iodine since Saturday, only the companion nutrients, and the last 3 days I am

freezing again! I definitely need the iodine. Hope my order comes today!

Donna in IL

I don't quite understand the salt strategy. I

already take 1.5 tsp sea salt each day for my adrenals. I've looked at the link

you provided (yesterday, I think), and I posted this question earlier but

haven't seen a response yet.

As it relates to iodine supplementation, the way I've read it, salt loading is

only to be done when there are detox symptoms? It's not an every day

supplement? Since I take it everyday anyway, I would just keep going with 1.5

tsp each day (as usual for me), and add 1/4 to 1/2 if bromide detox sypmtoms

arise? Please correct me if I'm wrong

Thanks, Engtovo!

Sherry

>

> if we assume weight gain is a bromide symptom then it should be dealt with

like any other bromide symptom. Making sure you have the right level of daily

salt and then salt loading although weight gain may be a symptom that is too

long term for salt loading as that should only be used for a week or so and

would instead call for pulse dosing or lowering iodine dose and raising it as

you can without starting to gain weight again.

>

> Engtovo

>

> Re: Iodoral and weight gain?

> Posted by: " Jag Jag " jaguarundi21@... jaguarundi21

> Wed Jan 20, 2010 10:42 pm (PST)

>

>

> So, is taking extra salt a way to clear the bromides out and thus lose the

extra weight?

>

> Jag

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Donna...I apologize...I get a bit anxious sometimes if no one responds

within the first few hours...It seems like if you don't get a response within

that time, there is a good chance that you won't get one at all because the

question will get lost amongst all of the newer posts.

I didn't mean to be a pest

> >

> > if we assume weight gain is a bromide symptom then it should be dealt with

like any other bromide symptom. Making sure you have the right level of daily

salt and then salt loading although weight gain may be a symptom that is too

long term for salt loading as that should only be used for a week or so and

would instead call for pulse dosing or lowering iodine dose and raising it as

you can without starting to gain weight again.

> >

> > Engtovo

> >

> > Re: Iodoral and weight gain?

> > Posted by: " Jag Jag " jaguarundi21@ jaguarundi21

> > Wed Jan 20, 2010 10:42 pm (PST)

> >

> >

> > So, is taking extra salt a way to clear the bromides out and thus lose the

extra weight?

> >

> > Jag

> >

>

> ________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks !I've spent the last 3+ years trying to get my hormones in line and was really ready to start fertility testing and treatment when I found out - whoa- I'm already pregnant!!!Sorry to all about the weight gain freak out- I should have suspected something with all my bras exploding....Sent from my iPhoneOn Jan 21, 2010, at 11:27 AM, ND <blessedark2009@...> wrote:

Congrats Bonnie!!!!!! I'm happy for you. I read on one of the iodine sites that yes you should supplement with iodine when you are pregnant. I can't remember the web site because so many people have been sending links to read, and I read them.I'm sure someone will send some info for you to read.I'm excited for you! from IllinoisFrom: Bonnie Lefrak

<bonniefirstresponsefitnessinc>"iodine " <iodine >Sent: Thu, January 21, 2010 5:16:59 AMSubject: Re: Re: Iodoral and weight gain?

I definitely freaked out....I actually was writing my replies on the train headed towards a doctors appt. Fertility specialist.. .. Come to find out - I'm pregnant!!! So breast swelling, increased appetite, inability to lose weight.... Ummm yeaaaa.... Der!And I did not need any fertility treatments- I have been using t3 and iodine (on and off) since late October.Now the question is - is 12.5 iodoral safe for pregnancy? I am 8 weeks so I am really paranoid. Of course I will consult my docs, but given the past history of ignorance w/ thyroid I'm thinking they won't know.I retract my iodine and weight gain claim - though I know from reading all the posts it must exist.Thanks and sorry!Sent from my iPhoneOn Jan 20, 2010, at 11:14 PM, ND <blessedark2009@ att.net> wrote:

Start out with small amounts increasing a little bit at a time.. Companion supplements, good diet, drink lots of water and you are on your way. You have to start somewhere. Also keep in mind our bodies are not all the same. Someone that is gaining weight may still be taking in more calories, may still be taking in higher sugars, starchs and so on. I came here and felt the way you did a month ago. Then when I felt I understood everything and felt I could follow the protocal even with the salt loading I went for it.What really gets me and correct me somebody if I am wrong, iodine is a supplement. It isn't a prescription that a GP is writing out. I have noticed that some people act like iodine is a poison but yet if a doctor would write out a prescription for something they head to

the pharmacy and fill it and start taking it without batting an eye. Don't be scared. Small increments, if you feel better about that thenwork your way up, but please follow the protocal. You can't just take this supplement and expect a miracle right away. Keep in mind with any holistic supplement that our bodiy needs, it can take anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks to feel any benefit from it.That is the way I feel about it and I just thought I would share.Please do read 's web site and any links that you find in the archives so you can understand why you are taking it, understand what it is doing in your body and read, read, read,

[Guest guest]

Bonnie,

The iodine could have been the missing piece!

Donna in IL

From: iodine

[mailto:iodine ] On Behalf Of Bonnie Lefrak

Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 6:01 PM

iodine

Subject: Re: Re: Iodoral and weight gain?

Thanks !

I've spent the last 3+ years trying to get my hormones in

line and was really ready to start fertility testing and treatment when I found

out - whoa- I'm already pregnant!!!

Sorry to all about the weight gain freak out- I should have

suspected something with all my bras exploding....

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 21, 2010, at 11:27 AM, ND <blessedark2009@...>

wrote:

Congrats Bonnie!!!!!! I'm

happy for you. I read on one of the iodine sites that yes you should supplement

with iodine when you are pregnant. I can't remember the web site because so

many people have been sending links to read, and I read them.

I'm sure someone will send some info for you to read.

I'm excited for you!

from Illinois

From: Bonnie Lefrak

<bonnie@...>

" iodine " <iodine >

Sent: Thu, January 21, 2010 5:16:59 AM

Subject: Re: Re: Iodoral and weight gain?

I definitely freaked out....I actually was writing my replies

on the train headed towards a doctors appt. Fertility specialist.. .. Come to

find out - I'm pregnant!!! So breast swelling, increased appetite, inability to

lose weight.... Ummm yeaaaa.... Der!

And I did not need any fertility treatments- I have been

using t3 and iodine (on and off) since late October.

Now the question is - is 12.5 iodoral safe for pregnancy? I

am 8 weeks so I am really paranoid. Of course I will consult my docs, but given

the past history of ignorance w/ thyroid I'm thinking they won't know.

I retract my iodine and weight gain claim - though I know

from reading all the posts it must exist.

Thanks and sorry!

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 20, 2010, at 11:14 PM, ND <blessedark2009@ att.net>

wrote:

Start out with small amounts

increasing a little bit at a time.. Companion supplements, good diet, drink

lots of water and you are on your way. You have to start somewhere. Also keep

in mind our bodies are not all the same. Someone that is gaining weight may

still be taking in more calories, may still be taking in higher sugars, starchs

and so on.

I came here and felt the way you did a month ago. Then when I felt I

understood everything and felt I could follow the protocal even with the salt

loading I went for it.

What really gets me and correct me somebody if I am wrong, iodine is a

supplement. It isn't a prescription that a GP is writing out. I have noticed

that some people act like iodine is a poison but yet if a doctor would

write out a prescription for something they head to the pharmacy and fill it

and start taking it without batting an eye.

Don't be scared. Small increments, if you feel better about that thenwork your

way up, but please follow the protocal. You can't just take this supplement and

expect a miracle right away. Keep in mind with any holistic supplement that our

bodiy needs, it can take anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks to feel any benefit

from it.

That is the way I feel about it and I just thought I would share.Please do read

's web site and any links that you find in the archives so you can

understand why you are taking it, understand what it is doing in your body and

read, read, read,

[Guest guest]

Congrats, Bonnie So, does this mean that iodine helped you get pregnant?

--

>I've spent the last 3+ years trying to get my hormones in line and was

>really ready to start fertility testing and treatment when I found out -

>whoa- I'm already pregnant!!!

>Sorry to all about the weight gain freak out- I should have suspected

>something with all my bras exploding....

~~~ There is no way to peace; peace is the way ~~~~

--A.J. Muste

[Guest guest]

kelp is not a good material to ingest. Lugols is what you want in the liquid form or tablet form I.e. Iodoral. Unfortunately, kelp is full of toxic substances, arsenic and many others.

Re: Iodoral and weight gain?

I was really excited about starting iodine...But I'm now really deflated and concerned about the weight gain...I've gained and can't lose weight on 1200 calories per day due to hydrocortisone for adrenal fatigue. I can't emotionally tolerate anymore weight gain. This all seems so complicated, especially without the help of a doctor (which I've completely given up on). I don't understand how you are supposed to know what the right amount of iodine is.

[Guest guest]

I've seen WARM water mentioned a few times recently. Does warm just mean room

temperature, or would it actually be heated?

[Guest guest]

For?

Bruce

----- Original Message -----

From: lookonthebriteside

I've seen WARM water mentioned a few times recently. Does warm just mean room temperature, or would it actually be heated?

[Guest guest]

Ruth mentioned it a couple of posts ago on this thread...I believe she

recommended warm water with lemon to " cleanse the system " ...Also, on

breastcancerchoices.org, it's recommended to use warm water with salt under the

salt loading protocol section.

Sherry

>

> For?

>

> Bruce

> ----- Original Message -----

> From: lookonthebriteside

>

>

>

> I've seen WARM water mentioned a few times recently. Does warm just mean

room temperature, or would it actually be heated?

>

[Guest guest]

Engtovo...do you mean that salt loading should only be used for a week or so? I hope I'm not killing myself..I do it every day in my efforts to get that bromide out. Should I reconsider my protocol? Thanks.

BarbF

In a message dated 1/21/2010 4:01:34 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, engtovo@... writes:

too long term for salt loading as that should only be used for a week or so and would instead call for pulse dosing

[Guest guest]

Yes if you are doing a loading protocol for more than a week then you need to back off on the iodine dosage and get to the point where you are only supplementing 1/2 tsp a day and doing well. The fear is that the constant barrage of toxins that cause you to need to take in that much salt will negatively effect your liver, kidneys, etc. We just don't know enough about the possible damages so the iodine docs recommend backing off.

Steph

Re: Re: Iodoral and weight gain?

Engtovo...do you mean that salt loading should only be used for a week or so? I hope I'm not killing myself..I do it every day in my efforts to get that bromide out. Should I reconsider my protocol? Thanks.

BarbF

In a message dated 1/21/2010 4:01:34 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, engtovogmail writes:

too long term for salt loading as that should only be used for a week or so and would instead call for pulse dosing

[Guest guest]

Could be - definitely addressing my reverse T3 issue, adding more fats, and iodine, and acupuncture too ;)Sent from my iPhoneOn Jan 21, 2010, at 8:16 PM, Baker <vbaker@...> wrote:

Congrats, Bonnie So, does this mean that iodine helped you get pregnant?

--

>I've spent the last 3+ years trying to get my hormones in line and was

>really ready to start fertility testing and treatment when I found out -

>whoa- I'm already pregnant!!!

>Sorry to all about the weight gain freak out- I should have suspected

>something with all my bras exploding....

~~~ There is no way to peace; peace is the way ~~~~

--A.J. Muste

[Guest guest]

I guess it would depend on the total amount of salt you are consuming. If you feel fine then it is not likely an issue as far as amount of salt. I think the reason they suggest to not deal with symptoms doing salt loading for long periods of time is that if the salt loading isn't taking care of the symptom in question in in a week or two then you may be overloading your body by detoxing too much bromide too fast which can be very stressful. Many people's adrenals are already stressed so I think it is a precautionary thing to keep yourself in as balanced as possible while moving to saturation. We tend to want to get well really quickly for obvious reasons and some people will push the envelope and put themselves into a major healing crisis. As long as we are listening to our bodies they will let us know if they are getting overwhelmed and then we need to take action. Some people listen to their bodies better than others so I'm sure the iodine docs have found it to be good common sense practice to give a guideline for how long it should take to resolve a bromide detox symptom.

Engtovo

Re: Iodoral and weight gain?

Posted by: "Bbircie@..." Bbircie@... bbircie2001

Fri Jan 22, 2010 5:42 am (PST)

Engtovo...do you mean that salt loading should only be used for a week or so? I hope I'm not killing myself..I do it every day in my efforts to get that bromide out. Should I reconsider my protocol? Thanks.BarbF

[Guest guest]

weight gain a different perspective.

This from Adele 's book Lets Get Well

This looks like low calcium levels, this from Adele :

Because low calcium levels act as a stress, the production of cortisone and aldosterone are stimulated and salt and water are retained in the body, often causing the breasts,hands ,face, feet to swell weight to increase 5-10 pounds

If the blood calcium has been allowed to drop so low as to cause stress causing puffiness and weight gain generous amounts of protein,Vit C, pantotheniv acid(B5) are needed in addition to D3, calcium and magnesium.

If the diet has been deficient in protein,vitamin e or the B vitamins sufficient pituitary

hormone cannot be produced. Vit E which is concentrated in the pituitary gland more than any other part of the body, is thought to be particularly essential. It prevents both the pituitary and the andrenal hormones from being destroyed by oxygen.

The andrenal cortex is even more sensitive to dietary deprivation. A pantothenic-acid deficiency causes the glands to shrivel and to become filled with blood and dead cells.

cortisone and other hormones cannot be produced and the many protective changes charecteristic of stress do not occur. Even a slight lack of pantothenic acid causes a marked decrease in the quantities released.The pituitary, adrenal, and sex hormones

are all made from cholesterol but without pantotheic acid, cholesterol cannot be replaced in the cells after being used up.

There have been a number of references in post to andrenal issues and the above throws some light on the problem.

Her books are available on Amazon, Alibris. Sometimes very cheap but increasingly

going up in price as they become collectors items.

david

From: Engtovo <engtovo@...>Subject: Re: Iodoral and weight gain?iodine Date: Friday, 22 January, 2010, 19:30

I guess it would depend on the total amount of salt you are consuming. If you feel fine then it is not likely an issue as far as amount of salt. I think the reason they suggest to not deal with symptoms doing salt loading for long periods of time is that if the salt loading isn't taking care of the symptom in question in in a week or two then you may be overloading your body by detoxing too much bromide too fast which can be very stressful. Many people's adrenals are already stressed so I think it is a precautionary thing to keep yourself in as balanced as possible while moving to saturation. We tend to want to get well really quickly for obvious reasons and some people will push the envelope and put themselves into a major healing crisis. As long as we are listening to our bodies they will let us know if they are getting overwhelmed and then we need to take action. Some people listen to their bodies

better than others so I'm sure the iodine docs have found it to be good common sense practice to give a guideline for how long it should take to resolve a bromide detox symptom.

Engtovo

Re: Iodoral and weight gain?

Posted by: "Bbircieaol (DOT) com" Bbircieaol (DOT) com bbircie2001

Fri Jan 22, 2010 5:42 am (PST)

Engtovo...do you mean that salt loading should only be used for a week or so? I hope I'm not killing myself..I do it every day in my efforts to get that bromide out. Should I reconsider my protocol? Thanks.BarbF

[Guest guest]

Yes, also Vitamin D is one of the most essential. Blood levels between

40-60ng/ml.

Most get too mucj ca and too little magnesium.

" Clearly, an adequate amount of nutritional magnesium in—proper balance with

adequate nutritional calcium—is key to a healthy stress response. And yet,

today we have diets dangerously low in magnesium.13 Add the recent additions

of nutritional calcium via supplements and food fortifications meant to

stave off osteoporosis, and many of us are getting inadequate magnesium plus

too much calcium. The result is a large occurrence of heart disease "

Bruce

----- Original Message -----

From: ladybugsandbees



Looking around and taking the calcium connection and expanding what I know

and have read my hunch is that weight issues are due to a few things:

1. Low magnesium

2. Low caclium

3. Increased salt intake for bromide elimination brings calcium down -

proper way to bring up calcium is through increased magnesium

4. Manesium enhances detoxification of the cells - notice the reference to

the ATPase pump which is also dependant on B vitamins.

Just putting some pieces together.

Steph

Magnesium / Calcium connection - From Transdermal Magnesium Therapy book

.... " With a low magnesium intake, calcium moves out of the bones to increase

tissue levels, while a high magnesium intake causes calcium to move from the

tissues into the bones. Thus high magnesium levels leads to bone

mineralization. "

" Magnesium deficiency causes an accumulation of oxidative products in the

heart, liver, kidney, skeletal muscle tissues and in red blood cells.

Magnesium is a crucial factor in the natural self-cleansing and

detoxification responses of the body. It stimulates the sodium potassium

pump on the cell wall and this initiates the cleansing process in part

because the sodium-potassium-ATPase pump regulates intracellular and

extracellular potassium levels. "

Sodium

High sodium intake results in increased loss of calcium in the urine,

possibly due to competition between sodium and calcium for reabsorption in

the kidney or by an effect of sodium on parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion.

Each 2.3-gram increment of sodium (6 grams of salt; NaCl salt) excreted by

the kidney has been found to draw about 24-40 milligrams (mg) of calcium

into the urine.

Phosphorus

Phosphorus, which is typically found in protein-rich foods, tends to

decrease the excretion of calcium in the urine. However, phosphorus-rich

foods also tend to increase the calcium content of digestive secretions,

resulting in increased calcium loss in the feces. Thus, phosphorus does not

offset the net loss of calcium associated with increased protein intake.

Increasing intakes of phosphates from soft drinks and food additives have

caused concern among some researchers regarding the implications for bone

health. Diets high in phosphorus and low in calcium have been found to

increase parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion, as have diets low in calcium.

While the effect of high phosphorus intakes on calcium balance and bone

health is presently unclear, the substitution of large quantities of soft

drinks for milk or other sources of dietary calcium is cause for concern

with respect to bone health in adolescents and adults.

[Guest guest]



I cringe when I see the Milk adds in reference to building calcium. Yes Vit D is essential too.

Steph

Re: Re: Iodoral and weight gain?

Yes, also Vitamin D is one of the most essential. Blood levels between 40-60ng/ml.Most get too mucj ca and too little magnesium."Clearly, an adequate amount of nutritional magnesium in—proper balance with adequate nutritional calcium—is key to a healthy stress response. And yet, today we have diets dangerously low in magnesium.13 Add the recent additions of nutritional calcium via supplements and food fortifications meant to stave off osteoporosis, and many of us are getting inadequate magnesium plus too much calcium. The result is a large occurrence of heart disease"Bruce----- Original Message ----- From: ladybugsandbeesLooking around and taking the calcium connection and expanding what I know and have read my hunch is that weight issues are due to a few things:1. Low magnesium2. Low caclium3. Increased salt intake for bromide elimination brings calcium down - proper way to bring up calcium is through increased magnesium4. Manesium enhances detoxification of the cells - notice the reference to the ATPase pump which is also dependant on B vitamins.Just putting some pieces together.StephMagnesium / Calcium connection - From Transdermal Magnesium Therapy book..."With a low magnesium intake, calcium moves out of the bones to increase tissue levels, while a high magnesium intake causes calcium to move from the tissues into the bones. Thus high magnesium levels leads to bone mineralization.""Magnesium deficiency causes an accumulation of oxidative products in the heart, liver, kidney, skeletal muscle tissues and in red blood cells. Magnesium is a crucial factor in the natural self-cleansing and detoxification responses of the body. It stimulates the sodium potassium pump on the cell wall and this initiates the cleansing process in part because the sodium-potassium-ATPase pump regulates intracellular and extracellular potassium levels."SodiumHigh sodium intake results in increased loss of calcium in the urine, possibly due to competition between sodium and calcium for reabsorption in the kidney or by an effect of sodium on parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion. Each 2.3-gram increment of sodium (6 grams of salt; NaCl salt) excreted by the kidney has been found to draw about 24-40 milligrams (mg) of calcium into the urine.PhosphorusPhosphorus, which is typically found in protein-rich foods, tends to decrease the excretion of calcium in the urine. However, phosphorus-rich foods also tend to increase the calcium content of digestive secretions, resulting in increased calcium loss in the feces. Thus, phosphorus does not offset the net loss of calcium associated with increased protein intake. Increasing intakes of phosphates from soft drinks and food additives have caused concern among some researchers regarding the implications for bone health. Diets high in phosphorus and low in calcium have been found to increase parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion, as have diets low in calcium. While the effect of high phosphorus intakes on calcium balance and bone health is presently unclear, the substitution of large quantities of soft drinks for milk or other sources of dietary calcium is cause for concern with respect to bone health in adolescents and adults.

[Guest guest]

Likewise, I seem to go on about mg, but is for a reason.

Its also part of the iodine protocol, for good reason.

Nutritional Magnesium Supports Our Adrenal Glands, Which are Overworked by

Stress.

" When stress becomes constant in our lives—be it mental, emotional,

environmental or physical—the continual state of hypervigilence of our

bodies and cells can be detrimental to our health. This is especially true

when one is low in magnesium—often the case in today’s diet of highly

processed foods. Going through a stressful period without sufficient

magnesium can set up a magnesium deficiency that, if not corrected, can

linger, causing more stress and further health problems...

Without sufficient magnesium, the nerve cells cannot give or receive

messages and become excitable and reactive. This causes a person to become

stressed, highly sensitive and nervous.

" The stress response involves the influx of calcium into cells, resulting in

a drastic change in the cells’ internal magnesium-to-calcium ratio. Normal

cells contain 10,000 times more magnesium than calcium. If the amount of

cellular magnesium falls, however, calcium flows into the cell. With such an

imbalance, calcium puts the cell into a hyperactive state. This can cause

muscle contraction and lead to painful cramping. The muscles need magnesium

in order to relax and is key to stress management and stress relief.

Low magnesium/high calcium levels can cause cells to physically change. High

calcium makes bones stiff and hard, which is good, but in soft tissues it

becomes a problem of calcification. This stiffness in artery and heart cells

can hamper proper function and can be a factor in heart disease. Excess

calcium is a very widespread problem. Excess calcium depletes magnesium in

the body.

Noted author and researcher, Mildred S. Seelig, MD, explains “Calcium is an

important essential nutrient, but it must be guarded and controlled, and

balanced by adequate magnesium if it is not to cause damage to the cells and

the body as a whole.†For these exact reasons excess calcium can become a

real problem, while excess magnesium, on the other hand, is not a concern.

Unlike calcium, magnesium does not build up in the body—excess amounts are

simply flushed out "

http://www.nutritionalmagnesium.org/index.php?page=Managing+Stress

Bruce

----- Original Message -----

From: ladybugsandbees



I cringe when I see the Milk adds in reference to building calcium. Yes Vit

D is essential too.

Steph