Role reversal - Letter to the Editor

Men's Fitness, May, 2002 by Timothy G. Buchman

"Maintain Your Muscle" [December 2001] was well-written and informative, but contains an important error. Tip No. 6 is entitled "Lower Your pH." In fact, what is desirable is to maintain or increase the pH. Lowering the pH is defined as progression, not reversal, of acidosis.

The text is otherwise correct. As an aside, temporary tissue acidosis is common during workouts and actually helps red blood cells unload oxygen where it is needed most. The metabolic acidosis that is a by-product of workouts can only be corrected by the kidneys. This explains why MEN'S FITNESS and other authoritative sources emphasize the importance of hydration--drinking plenty of water--before, during and after workouts.

--TIMOTHY G. BUCHMAN, PH.D., M.D., EDISON PROFESSOR OF SURGERY, WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, ST. LOUIS, MO

Thanks for the heads up about the subhead. What's more important is that, according to your reckoning, we got the information correct.