An acidic environment in the body robs it of oxygen and enables harmful pathogens to thrive. If kids are too acidic, they cannot assimilate nutrients efficiently from the foods they eat or the supplements they take. The body is then forced to pull essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium from the organs and bones to neutralize the acids. When the body pH is off balance enzyme functions begin to suffer, nutrients become deficient, and the body's ability to deal with environmental stressors begins to decline.