According to the theory, it is in our best interest to make sure we eat more alkaline foods than acid foods, so that we end up with an overall alkaline load on our body. This will supposedly protect us from the diseases of modern civilization, whereas eating a diet with a net acid load will make us vulnerable to everything from cancer to osteoporosis. To make sure we stay alkaline, they recommend keeping track of urine or saliva pH using pH test strips.
In this two-part series, I will address the main claims made by proponents of the alkaline diet, and will hopefully clear up some confusion about what it all means for your health.d
Will eating an alkaline diet make you and your bones healthier? #alkalinediet #bonehealth
Foods Can Influence Our Urine pH
Before I start dismantling this theory, I want to acknowledge a couple things they get right. First, foods do leave behind acid or alkaline ash. The type of “ash” is determined by the relative content of acid-forming components such as phosphate and sulfur, and alkalis such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. (1, 2) In general, animal products and grains are acid forming, while fruits and vegetables are alkali forming. Pure fats, sugars, and starches are neutral, because they don’t contain protein, sulfur, or minerals.
It’s also true that the foods we eat change the pH of our urine. (3, 4) If you have a green smoothie for breakfast, for example, your pee a few hours later will likely be more alkaline than that of someone who had bacon and eggs. As a side note, it’s also very easy to measure your urine pH, and I think this is one of the big draws of the alkaline diet. Everyone can probably agree that it’s satisfying to see concrete improvements in health markers depending on your diet, and pH testing gives people that instant gratification they desire. However, as you’ll see below, urine pH is not a good indicator of the overall pH of the body, nor is it a good indicator of general health.
Foods Don’t Influence Our Blood pH
Proponents of the alkaline diet have put forth a few different theories about how an acidic diet harms our health. The more ridiculous claim is that we can change the pH of our blood by changing the foods we eat, and that acidic blood causes disease while alkaline blood prevents it. This is not true. The body tightly regulates the pH of our blood and extracellular fluid, and we cannot influence our blood pH by changing our diet. (5, 6) High doses of sodium bicarbonate can temporarily increase blood pH, but not without causing uncomfortable GI symptoms. (7, 8) And there are certainly circumstances in which the blood is more acidic than it should be, and this does have serious health consequences. However, this state of acidosis is caused by pathological conditions such as chronic renal insufficiency, not by whether you choose to eat a salad or a burger. In other words, regardless of what you eat or what your urine pH is, you can be pretty confident that your blood pH is hovering around a comfortable 7.4.
A more nuanced claim has been proposed specifically regarding bone health, and this hypothesis is addressed somewhat extensively in the scientific literature. It supposes that in order to keep blood pH constant, the body pulls minerals from our bones to neutralize any excess acid that is produced from our diet. Thus, net acid-forming diets (such as the typical Western diet) can cause bone demineralization and osteoporosis. This hypothesis, often referred to as the “acid-ash hypothesis of osteoporosis,” is what I will discuss for the rest of this article. I’ll address some of the other health claims in part two.
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The Kidneys—Not Bone—Regulate Blood pH
While more reasonable than the first claim, the acid-ash hypothesis seems to completely disregard the vital role the kidneys play in regulating body pH. The kidneys are well equipped to deal with “acid ash.” When we digest things like protein, the acids produced are quickly buffered by bicarbonate ions in the blood. (7) This reaction produces carbon dioxide, which is exhaled through the lungs, and salts, which are excreted by the kidneys. During the process of excretion, the kidneys produce “new” bicarbonate ions, which are returned to the blood to replace the bicarbonate that was initially used to buffer the acid. This creates a sustainable cycle in which the body is able to maintain the pH of the blood, with no involvement from the bones whatsoever.
Thus, our understanding of acid-base physiology does not support the theory that net acid-forming diets cause loss of bone minerals and osteoporosis. But just for argument’s sake, let’s say that our renal system cannot handle the acid load of the modern diet. If bones were used to buffer this excess acid, we would expect to see evidence of this taking place in clinical trials. Alas, that is not the case.
Clinical Trials Do Not Support the Acid-Ash Hypothesis of Osteoporosis
At first glance, some of the studies may look convincing, because higher acid diets often increase the excretion of calcium in the urine. Some researchers assumed that this extra calcium was coming from bone. (8) However, when calcium balance (intake minus excretion) was measured, researchers found that acid-forming diets do not have a negative effect on calcium metabolism. (9) Some studies found that supplementing with potassium salts (intended to neutralize excess acid) had beneficial effects on markers for bone health, which would tend to support the acid-ash hypothesis. However, these results were only observed in the first few weeks of supplementation, and long-term trials did not find any benefit to bone health from these alkalizing salts. (10)
Finally, even though the hypothesis holds that higher intakes of protein and phosphate are acidifying and therefore detrimental to bone health, multiple studies have shown that increasing protein or phosphate intake has positive effects on calcium metabolism and on markers for bone health. (11, 12) Summarizing the clinical evidence, two different meta-analyses and a review paper all concluded that randomized controlled trials do not support the hypothesis that acidifying diets cause loss of bone mineral and osteoporosis. (13, 14, 15)
So, it appears that neither physiology nor clinical trials support the acid-ash hypothesis of osteoporosis. But again, just for argument’s sake, let’s suppose that these trials are imperfect (which they are, of course; no science is perfect!), and thus we can’t depend on their conclusions. If the acid-ash hypothesis of osteoporosis were true, we would expect to see an association between net acid-producing diets and osteoporosis in observational studies. Yet again, this is not the case.
Observational Studies Do Not Support the Acid-Ash Hypothesis of Osteoporosis
Observational studies have not found a correlation between dietary acid load and bone mineral density (BMD) or fracture risk, nor have they found a correlation between urine pH and BMD or fracture risk. (16, 17, 18) Additionally, higher protein intakes are correlated with better bone health in multiple studies, even though high-protein diets are generally net acid forming. (19) In fact, animal protein in particular (the most acid-forming food of all) has been associated with better bone health. (20, 21) Imagine that! One study included in a recent meta-analysis did find an association between higher protein intake and greater risk for fracture (22), but compared to the numerous more recent studies showing the opposite, this evidence isn’t very strong. Overall, the acid-ash hypothesis of osteoporosis is not supported by physiology, clinical trials, or observational data.
Hopefully I’ve given you a decent understanding of how our bodies handle pH balance, and have reassured you that you don’t need to worry about the acidity of your urine with regards to bone health. Click here for part two, where I tackle some of the other claims of the alkaline diet!
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Here is a summery of the events on this blog
[and why people should NOT listen to James if they are
ON or considering, what is thought of as an alkaline diet]
1] It appears that the majority of the people reading this blog are believers in the alkaline type diet as a result of experience or a feeling or intuition that it makes sense.
2] Naturally, people have asked questions concerning alkalinity or acidity in various area of the body.
3] It appears to me, James has accurately corrected some peoples miss understandings of alkaline and acid in the body.
4] James has presented a number of accurate, facts of details which he has learned, in part, from scientific journals.
5] Based on these facts, he concludes the alkaline diet is, [my word], bogus, which in a microcosmic sense, APPEARS to be true.
6] The problem is, James and a very few others fail at understanding what most of us have EXPERIENCED and/or are able to understand, that there is a bigger picture that his facts do not and cannot address.
7] Science and the medical establishment are not even close to understanding the body, but there has been significant progress in the understanding that, to know the TRUTH of health, diet and the body, one has to include the mind.
8] Enter Steaphen and challenges James and discuses the mind-body connection.
9] Enter Dennis, [me], and makes the profound, if not unbelievable statement that, not only is disease is caused by the mind but that ALL manifestation originates from MIND, [individual and/or collective. Past and/or present]
10] When people mention that some percentage, like 25% of diseases are psychosomatic, or that stress is responsible of some diseases, that is just the conclusion of only the beginning of the understanding of the mind-body connection.
11] The mind actually alters the biochemical functions within the cells of all the major organ systems and tissues of the body. So what we actually have a a MIND-GENE CONNECTION.
12] Simply put. There is nothing that influences the MIND that does not influence the BODY and there is nothing that influences the BODY that does not influence the MIND.
13] One more important clarification:
a] Disease can be healed by way of the mind [can be easy, usually difficult]
b] Disease can be healed by way of the body, [much easier and I suspect that when you heal this way, it is at least somewhat, the mind that is healed which in turn heals the body.
14] So unless anyone want to discuss more details of the mind-body connection, I will TRY to end my comments on this matter since a few of you believe that it is not appropriate for this blog, although I believe there is a natural flow to any conversation, including this blog, so why try to restrict and limit that flow if we are learning? I’ve learned things, even from James.
15] I know there are many of you that have ill will towards James and his friends. Try to check this. This is only his way of trying to help people as it is also my way.
Thanks for listening
Hi Dennis
A wonderfully erudite summary, if I may say. Your ideas and profoundity are quite easily accommodated with experience, and/or a study of the extraordinary implications of quantum physics.
And your remarks about the contributations by Chris and James are pertinent and balanced.
I hope that some who are in trouble, physiologically, will find within your words, (and mine) some realization that solutions (beyond standard medical thinking) are available, and most importanly, that they are effective.
In my experience, when seriously ill, a deep-seated belief in natural healing (without recourse to medications that invariably have side-effects, some as serious as the disease itself) is vitally important. An extraordinary degree of focus and confidence is demanded. It’s not a matter of wishful thinking. It requires a deep felt-analysis of one’s beliefs, and the relationships and stress that can be quite toxic, as well as (and this is the really hard part) the courage to let go those relationships, beliefs, elements that are toxic.
Okay, that said, I’m outta here … I will say to James, Chris and others of like mind, “The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it.”
That quote, along with some very helpful background information on the Simonton Cancer Center, is at http://thesimontondocumentary.org/about_dr_simonton
And no, I’m not associated with, or have any vested interest in the center. Never even been there, or communicated with anyone from there.
Cheers
Once again we have someone attacking the messenger since they cannot attack the evidence already presented. If someone has solid evidence to the contrary then they present it. When they have no real evidence or any clue what they are talking about they instead attack the messenger trying to discredit the messenger since they cannot discredit the evidence.
And once again I have to point out to these morons that the topic of this blog is not me but rather the myth of acid-alkaline balance. Why don’t these people stay on topic? Simple, because they have NO evidence to counter the evidence already presented. So all they can do to fill their overwhelming desire to argue is to argue off topic with THEIR belief system even if it is wrong.
Dennis: ” It appears that the majority of the people reading this blog are believers in the alkaline type diet”
Based on what? Did you poll all the readers of this blog to determine this or are you just assuming as usual?
Dennis: “It appears to me, James has accurately corrected some peoples miss understandings of alkaline and acid in the body.”
Who is “miss understandings”? Is she related to Miss America?
Dennis: “The problem is, James and a very few others fail at understanding what most of us have EXPERIENCED and/or are able to understand”
The real problem is that most of the people who believe the alkalize or die myth have NO clue how the body really works. For example, many alkaline supporters do not realize that all foods are metabolized in to acids. So there is no such thing as a truly alkaline food. The health benefits people get from what is referred to as an “alkaline diet’ has NOTHING to do with alkalizing since the body maintains an alkaline blood pH regardless of what we eat. The health benefits of this diet come from the higher nutrient level, including beneficial acids derived from this diet. If these people would learn how to use some common sense and do a little basic research they would realize these facts. But some people prefer to live by the “ignorance is bliss” model.
Dennis: “Science and the medical establishment are not even close to understanding the body”
I keep hearing this same myth being made by those who prefer to live in the dark. If people really want to be enlightened then they would pick up and read some anatomy and physiology books and look at all the research readily available on places such as PubMed so they can see how much as been learned about the body in modern times. Instead, people like Steaphen and Dennis prefer to remain in the dark ages believing that hardly anything has been learned about the human body. We have advanced so far in this field that we know of thousands of chemicals in the humans body and how they affect our function. All anyone has to do in order to realize this FACT is to spend a little time doing some simple research. They cannot do this by playing ostrich and sticking their heads in the sand.
Dennis: “Enter Steaphen and challenges James and discuses the mind-body connection.”
Which I acknowledged but also pointed out numerous times is off topic. Some people are just too dense to get such a simple fact though. Just like they are too dense to grasp the concept that I am not the topic of this blog either. Of course if they are so dense that they cannot grasp such simple concepts then I guess that is why they are so dense that they cannot grasp the other simple concepts already explained to them.
Dennis: “The mind actually alters the biochemical functions within the cells of all the major organ systems and tissues of the body.”
I can see now where some of Dennis’ confusion is coming from.
When discussing the mind-body connection I am discussing the role of the mind in psychosomatic illnesses and the role the mind plays in countering these rare diseases,
Dennis is expanding this topic to include the well known roles of compounds such as neurotransmitters, peptides and hormones that affect everything in the body including movement, mood, desires, pain, immunity, etc. Of course we know the functions of these various compounds because we know so much about how the body really functions thanks to modern research.
The problem here is that some of these compounds, such as high levels of cortisol, can lead to disease in part through immune suppression. This leaves people prone to disease from pathogenic infection, which IS NOT the same thing as a psychosomatic illness. You cannot simply think away a pathogenic infection or disease caused by a pathogen such as most cancers.
Hi James
You’ve argued in this column that biochemical fact A produces physiological effect B, despite evidence that mind (psycho-social circumstances) can and does change one’s biochemistry.
If you were to apply good science, in the form of psycho-social circumstance A was correlated with biochemcal fact B, which evidenced as physiological effect C, then you’d be a better scientist, and one worthy of commendation.
Steaphen: “You’ve argued in this column that biochemical fact A produces physiological effect B”
You are right, it is a FACT. Now do you know what a “fact” is?
Steaphen: “despite evidence that mind (psycho-social circumstances) can and does change one’s biochemistry.”
Nobody has argued that this does not exist. I even posted on this several times in agreement with you talking about the RARE psychosomatic disorders and how social, and thus environmental, factors can influence disease through nutritional deficiencies and increased susceptibility to pathogens.
So you either don’t understand your own ramblings as you are arguing with someone who backed your points or you are arguing over something you clearly do not understand just to argue.
Now, once again, how about getting back on to topic of the acid-alkaline myth as the title of this blog article clearly states?
Hi James
Please excuse what seems to you my less than erudite ramblings 🙂
My understanding and experience is Mind (cause) -> biochemstry (after-effect) -> physiology (after-after-effect).
Question for you: what is the biochemical process of spontaneous remissions? — without your referring to superstitious explanations of chance, statistics etc — I’ll assume you’re familiar with the literal definition of supersition aka, chance.
There’s a subtely in this thread that I think some would like addressed — your mechanical world view that disallows the enormous power of belief. Chris Kresser is not so overt with his mechanical-universe views. You are quite openly mechanically orientated, and that can (and does) great harm in the realm of natural healing methodologies.
In my work, my colleagues assist with giving biochemical tests. But that’s to placate various sections of the community. Natural, intuitive healing methodologies don’t require them.
That said, I accept that someone such as yourself, along with Chris and Paleo Huntress, will see my responses as ‘ramblings’, incoherent, idiotic .. whatever. Others like Dennis will be quietly agreeing, perhaps with better sense in not replying, seeing the dogmas involved that are steadfastly maintained.
Ciao.
Steaphen,
I don’t know why you have such an overwhelming urge, more like compulsive urge, to keep posting off topic despite several people asking you to stay on topic. I wonder is obsessive compulsive disorder can be psychosomatic? If so there could be help for you yet.
But I will respond to your one question:
“Question for you: what is the biochemical process of spontaneous remissions? ”
There is not a singular answer to this. Can it be from someone dealing with a psychosomatic disorder? Yes, and I have experienced this personally.
On the other hand I have also seen cases of what were referred to as “spontaneous remissions” when people simply got off their medications that were the real underlying cause of their disease/disorder.
As an example, there was a reported case of a man who had a “spontaneous remission” from his AIDS. What people need to realize though that AIDS is not a disease, it is a syndrome. AIDS is an acronym for acquired immune deficiency SYNDROME. Even many so-called AIDS experts have no idea what a syndrome is. If they did then they would not be calling AIDS a “disease” and they would realize that AIDS has more than one cause. One of the primary causes of the syndrome AIDS are the medications given to AIDS patients. In particular AZT (zidovudine) and its analogues. AZT was invested in 1962 as a chemotherapy drug for cancer. It was not developed for AIDS as so many people incorrectly believe. AZT was found to be so deadly though that it was actually banned for human use initially. When AIDS “appeared” the drug was brought back on the market to recoup lost investments despite the fact that AZT can cause AIDS by doing what HIV cannot do, which is to completely collapse the immune system. In fact, HIV cannot cause AIDS under the original definition, which is why the definition of AIDS was changed to fit the HIV virus in the early 80s. Even the largest study ever conducted on AZT, the Concorde Study, found that the AZT shorted the lives of people testing HIV positive.
The reason I bring all of this up is that in the case I mentioned earlier the man that had what was deemed a “spontaneous remission” recovered after he discontinued his AZT. This allowed the bone marrow destroyed by the AZT to regenerate allowing the immune system to recover. Keep in mind that ALL immune cells, including CD4 cells, start out as undifferentiated stem cells produced in the bone marrow.
Bottom line is that not all “spontaneous remissions” involve the mind-body connection.
Now once again, I ask you to stay on topic, which is the acid-alkaline myth, not the mind-body connection.
Hi Paleo Huntress
In reply to your post, date-time March 14, 2014 at 6:10 am
“I’m also not clear on how organisms that DON’T have the ability to “think” …”
Physicist Freeman Dyson explains:
“Quantum mechanics makes matter even in the smallest pieces into an active agent, and I think that is something very fundamental. Every particle in the universe is an active agent making choices between random processes … consciousness is not just a passive epiphenomenon carried along by the chemical events in our brains, but is an active agent forcing the molecular complexes to make choices between one quantum state and another. In other words, mind is already inherent in every electron, and the processes of human consciousness differ only in degree but not in kind from the processes of choice between quantum states which we call ‘chance’ when they are made by electrons.”
It is exceedingly helpful to work with a holodynamic-systems perspective. Then “it” all falls into place, and the **relative** merit and importance of pills, potions, mind and notions becomes clear.
Downward causation limits individuals (be they electrons, viruses, or people within communities), and dysfunctional systems will ensure a corresponding effect within said systems (hence epidemics etc).
As I wrote, a topic for another forum. I find the ideas quite fascinating, but they don’t belong here, they’re diluting the topic of this thread. I’m sure that there are many forums where this discussion would be more appropriate, and I can’t force you to take it there, but I am asking politely. Please stop.
Dear Paleo Huntress
As I responded to James, “This information is related to the topic of this blog, insofar as you’re purporting to establish fact versus “myth”, but have yet to provide a credible basis for your beliefs (beliefs that are not congruent with the dominant psycho-social causative factors of good health and wellbeing).
Specifically, in your self-proclaimed ‘rant’, you say “One behavior that never fails to rankle me is the assignment of absolute cause where there is none”, and then go on to assign wholefoods as the sole reason for their wellness.
Is it your contention that people on wholefood diets (with or without consuming organic meats etc) never get sick?
If not, then you’ve erroneously assigned ‘wholefoods’ as the sole determinant, when obviously there are other determinants at work.
Long story short: I largely agree with your argument that people falsedly believe their diet will ensure health, or whatever.
I believe it is prudent for you to acquaint yourself with the facts regarding psycho-social factors, so that you can let go your need for said rants.
Hi Paleo Huntress
Despite appearances I largely agree with your comments.
However, people believe what they believe for a reason.
Simply negating people’s faith in the efficacy of one particular diet, won’t help them. They took on that belief, or faith in a particular diet, in order (most likely) to offset the highly pernicious negativity within medicine (victims to bugs in the environment etc).
So, I think it behoves all, if you were to recognize the underlying causative factors, and thus, avoid the need to replace one partially effective belief, with another.
Getting their psycho-social circumstances sorted out, is far and away more beneficial than arguing over which chemicals or diets do what, and how.
Dr Herbert Benson doesn’t suggest mind can heal the body only a good day, when facing East while standing on one leg. Mind can heal the body. Period. That healing process will likely involve changing to wholefoods, or in serious illness, raw foods. But diet, according to the data I’ve seen, is not the primary determining factor in their regaining wellness. If people have no will to live, they won’t even both with that nice, raw stick of carrot, or much of anything else.
Steaphen,
“[Some however may misinterpret the quote, as implying that mere wishful thinking is sufficient to manifest reality.]”
It’s good you clarified that. Yes, if one wants to consciously manifest..what they want, then usually, it has to be directed with intent and power in a specific way.
Here is a fun fact of a practical nature, for anyone that still may be reading our conversation.
There are exceptions, but usually cancer is manifested over a long period, like good part of one’s life created by a very specific type of thought. Conscious or subconscious.
Let’s say someone has a 4″ inoperable tumor.
Theoretically, you, me and our friend James could get together, and with a coherent and unified mental technique, we could dissolve that tumor in a few minutes and it won’t matter what the patient is thinking or believing.
This, of course, is using the natural law of “energy follows thought” or what we put our attention on, energy increases in that area. Distance is not a factor.
This is being done today and I believe will be one THE health care procedures of the near future.
Since this does take some skill, I always refer people with cancer to one or two doctors that are using lifestyle improvement and nutrition to systematically eliminate their cancer.
Hi Dennis,
I disagree with you about “we could dissolve that tumor in a few minutes and it won’t matter what the patient is thinking or believing.”
There’s a fundamental violation of personal reality, if that were true.
Years ago I enjoyed reading many Seth books, and one idea that is again and again affirmed, is that no one is subject to, or victim to unconscious forces over which they have no control. Ever.
Here’s the thing: if we can heal people without their consent or agreement, we can also harm them (with “thoughts”).
That violates some very deep, and irreduciable principles of holodynamic systems principles. The validity and strength of the whole rides directly on the validity and the strength of each part within creation.
So you may help heal others, but it will always be in concert with the volition, desires and permission of the recipient.
Steaphen,
I stand…….I mean…. I SIT corrected.
I neglected that crucial point. We have to get permission.
My niece has schizophrenia and before her mother, father and other uncles could use the technique I developed for her, I visited her in the hospital specifically to get her permission for us to help her.
That was not easy for me to do. I loath hospitals. That environment will kill you faster than almost anything.
Hi Dennis
I wholeheartedly agree — hospitals are no place for sick people. lol
There are a few exceptions — when the body is broken (e.g. broken limbs) or has suffered severe trauma, they do serve a highly valuable service.
But for illnesses, no, hospitals are not the best option for those seeking wellness. If you read Norman Cousins’ book “Anatomy of an Illness” he had to check himself out of hospital, and rent a hotel room, in order to recover. That’s not to deny reality — that many recover while in hospital, but that’s more due to the rest, nurturing and encouragement of staff, family and friends, than standard medical practices.
Good. Once again. Your comment allows us to give a more complete picture of the truth.
One of my long standing “lectures” to people as to, ‘how to keep your immune system functioning optimally’,…….I say, you must, if at all possible, stay away from these places; prisons, bars, psych wards and hospitals.
I’m not a bio-chemist but I’m quite sure that the mere thinking of word ‘hospital’, will immediately cause the immune system to malfunction, [I predict you will know of some quote of someone in authority, who verify that.]
Yes, yes yes. As I speak out against the medical establishment, In the same breath, I say to people, BUT if you have an emergency and/or you don’t know what else to do for your health situation, you have to go to the hospital.
I think we agree. Doctors are very good for emergency situations and fairly good at diagnosing health problems, but that’s about it.
P.S.
That was one good thing that came out of the Civil War. It allowed doctors to learn SO much more for many emergencies than they every knew. Great on the job training that I suppose we are benefiting from, to this day.
There appears to be an important element missing in the discussion (alkaline-producing diets).
I think James and Huntress allude to, or infer that our bodies are complex biochemical systems, subject to, or responsive to various nutrients, chemicals, medications etc.
However, as Dr Herbert Benson (Harvard) explains:
“We now have scientific proof that the mind can heal the body.
This means that you have the innate ability to self-heal diseases, prevent life-threatening conditions, and supplement established drug and surgical procedures with mind body techniques that can improve your physiology, biochemistry, brain functioning, and genetic activity.”
I believe those who argue for alkaline-producing diets, and the efficacy thereof, have a valid argument, based on Benson’s research. It is our attitude to our diets that matter most — coincidentally those on junk food diets will likely hold correspondingly poor attitudes to health. However a poor diet does not preclude people remaining well.
The important thing is that those in trouble be given ample encouragement to engage an alkaline-producing diet … if nothing else to minimize extraneous or complicating factors on the path to regain health.
I recall that the Simonton Instute in California advocates a raw food diet for their cancer patients (which by its nature will be majority alkaline-producing). But they also focus on mind, meditation, belief-systems etc.
So despite all the technical detail about which chemicals do what and how, it is secondary to the relationships and attitudes people hold. My suggestion is to start there (beliefs, meditation, expectations) and supplement with raw food or majority alkalizine-producing foods.
Personally, in the past when ill I found great benefit in occasionally engaging a highly alkaline-producing diet. But I don’t get too worried about being overly strict in that regard. In my experience, a negative attitude, stress and related emotional states have a far greater detrimental effect upon one’s health.
A corollary of the above idea that mind can heal the body: the body is a fluid, cooperative system that responds to our deepest and most intimately-held beliefs, attitudes and expectations … e.g. affecting how we metabolize food; inducing allergies in order to highlight unfavourable conditions in our environment (emotional and physical) etc.
A good and accurate comment of which I will back up 100%.
I will also mention that, not only the mind can heal and prevent disease but the actual cause of disease begins in the mind.
Having taught and practiced this concept for 40+ years, I have found though, that it can be difficult to heal diseases solely by thought, since it may not be easy to know, exactly what negative thinking pattern caused the particular disease in question.
So I agree. Work on ANY negative thinking, attitude or emotions AND improve the diet.
Hi Dennis
I agree with you that “not only the mind can heal and prevent disease but the actual cause of disease begins in the mind.”
I was reluctant to say as much … those in trouble (e.g. with cancer) are under enough stress, let alone adding the idea that they caused the cancer (via whichever beliefs, emotions, choices etc) in the first place.
Which is to say, stay focused on health, and let go the need for analysis of what caused the problems in the first place as that is largely irrelevant when ill. Going forward is the key (visualisation of wellbeing, what you will hear from friends and family etc) is crucial. (There’s some research in the field of quantum science that shows we choose which past we experience, based on present choices — i.e. the past does not “cause” the present, so it’s a “waste of time” to look there for the solutions to how to be well)
Dennis: “I will also mention that, not only the mind can heal and prevent disease but the actual cause of disease begins in the mind.”
Yes, the mind can cause illness. These are called psychosomatic illnesses. But this does not mean that all diseases are caused by the mind. Most diseases are caused from pathogens. Stress, and nutritional deficiencies though can weaken the immune system though making us more prone to the effects of these pathogens.
James. You are incorrect. You’re missing the bigger picture. Please be careful about giving out misinformation.
Dennis,
I am not incorrect, which is why you responded without proof to your claim I am wrong.
I have heard all the anti-germ theory propaganda. But in those cases it is also the same where people cannot back their anti-germ theory claims. They just read the bogus propaganda somewhere and take it as the gospel.
James, Please read these words carefully and if you do not get it then keep pondering them until you do.
“There is nothing in manifestation that is not created by thought.”
I could get into much more detail of the exact process of how this works but if one’s level of attunement does not allow them to understand, then no amount of explaining will help.
Hi Dennis
I’m not familiar with who wrote or said that “There is nothing in manifestation that is not created by thought”
In any event, many interpret the “thinking” and :thought” differently.
In my work I explain beliefs involve thoughts, emotions, expectations, faith etc.
Steaphen;
For most practical purposes, they can be considered as the same.
It’s just that [thoughts, emotions, expectations, faith etc.] are what we become aware of after they spring from the original impulse of energy which is a thought.
I should add, I agree with the thrust of the statement. I understand such use of the word “thought”, e.g. like Sir James Jeans
‘The universe looks more and more like a great thought rather than a great machine.”
Some however may misinterpret the quote, as implying that mere wishful thinking is sufficient to manifest reality.
The Native Americans weren’t decimated by thought, they were decimated by the Small Pox virus.
While I can certainly appreciate that our minds have power and I know that the placebo effect is a very real thing, when the placebo effect is controlled for, we still find that illness, drugs and other treatments are very real and that they have very real effects all on their own.
If you don’t believe there is anything valid in either considering or dismissing the acid/alkaline theory, what is the purpose of your contribution? Why would you even follow a medical practitioner’s blog if you believed there was nothing to the physical? And if you don’t routinely follow, why would choose this conversation to get involved in?
Do you routinely post comments in nutrition/medicine blogs telling folks that there is no practical or physical change that they can make that would be more helpful than the mind?
I’m not really clear on what you’re bringing to the discussion.
I’m also not clear on how organisms that DON’T have the ability to “think” can be killed by pathogens… but that is a topic for another forum.
Dear Paleo Huntress
To whom are you responding?
If me, I’m not sure what your point is.
“there is no practical or physical change that they can make that would be more helpful than the mind?”
Where have I implied physicality — diet etc — is not important?
Have you read my replies earlier regarding the Simonton Institute, or my experience of benefitting from an alkalizing diet?
I do ask (if your reply was directed at me) that you be so courteous as to not misquote me.
As for Native Americans, you could also reference the 20+million who died during and just after WW1. Or around half the population of Europe that died due to the Black Plague. Again, what is your point? Have you evidence that poor psycho-social factors played no part in those epidemics?
whoops, my bad.
50-100 million dead from the Influenza epidemic of 1918. I believe influenze of WW1 reached remote Pacific islands and the Arctic,
Steaphen: “Have you evidence that poor psycho-social factors played no part in those epidemics?”
First of all it is not up to other people to disprove your claims. It is up to the claimant to prove their claims. People only ask other people to disprove them when they have no clue what they are talking about and cannot prove their claims. So they try to hide this fact by trying to get others to prove their negative, which is impossible. How can anyone prove that most diseases are not caused by psychosomatics when you as the claimant cannot prove they are since there is no way to prove either way?
Now, can social factors play a role in diseases? Of course. For example, in parts of the world where poor sanitation and poor nutrition leave people more prone to disease from PATHOGENS, not psychosomatic illnesses. Same as in nature where groups of animals can be wiped out by pathogens despite not being prone to psychosomatic illness. A great example of this was when most of Iceland’s sheep population was wiped out by sheep maedna visna virus.
And finally, for the last time. All this is OFF TOPIC!!! The topic is the myth of being able to alkalize the body, which is already maintained in an alkaline state. If you are not intelligent enough to realize that this is what the topic is they why would anyone take any of your off topic rantings serious? If you want to discuss your claims about psycho-social influence on disease then go find a blog article or forum on the topic and rant away where people would love to argue your claims. But this is not the place or the topic of this blog.
Hi James
Nice try.
The information I provide is related to the topic of this blog, insofar as you’re promoting your opinion that alkaline-producing diets have no or little efficacy, despite evidence that people can and do benefit. Your opinion is based on an incorrect understanding of human physiology and biochemisty. As Dr Herbert stated, mind can change one’s biochemistry. So by all means continue your “rant” how various bits and pieces do whatever, but until you combine your biochemistry with the underlying psycho-social causes of that biochemstry, you’re argument is not grounded in good science.
Hi Dennis
I was quite ill about 25 years ago. Seriously ill. All sorts of tests were conducted: medical specialists conferred, discussed, oohed, and ahhhed.
To this day I’m not entirely sure what caused the illness (if anyone has seen or read Anatomy of an Illness, by Norman Cousins you’ll have nearly a word-for-word description of my experience and diagnosis. Yes, almost completely locked up, pain, immobile, jaw locked shut etc. Coincidentally — only becoming aware years later — I did basically the same as he did: Raw carrot-apple juices, fresh salads, high ascorbic acid (Vit. C) intake, peaking around 90,000mg a day AND … an analysis of my beliefs, emotions, expectations etc).
What became crucial was staying immensely focused on regaining wellness. In my experience dwelling on what might have been the cause was hugely counter-productive to my progress towards my then-future wellness.
btw like Cousins I’ve been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis/HLA-B27 genetic marker. That only sharpens my focus to what I must do to remain well, and not get mired in past causes.
Hi Steaphen,
I agree with you about the mind-body connection. I eat whatever and don’t follow any particular diet and I have always been very healthy. When people question me about my diet I point out to them that stress will kill you faster than bad diet.
On the other hand the mind-body connection was not brought up because that was not the topic of the article. The topic is the mythical alkaline diet.
By the way, in response to your statement:
“I think James and Huntress allude to, or infer that our bodies are complex biochemical systems, subject to, or responsive to various nutrients, chemicals, medications etc.”
Keep in mind that it is nutrients that produce our hormones, peptides and neurotransmitters that our emotions are subjected to. We DO NOT have feelings of love, anger, calm, etc. without these chemical compounds. And there are numerous chemical reactions that must occur for the production of these compounds. So yes, the body is a complex biochemical system, subject to, or responsive to various nutrients, chemicals, medications etc.
James
Hi James
Re your “We DO NOT have feelings of love, anger, calm, etc. without these chemical compounds”
You are welcome to that belief.
It is not too difficult to show that mind transcends space-time, and in a very real sense, is in part non-physical, and independent of physicality (including chemicals, hormones etc).
to be more specfic, correct solutions to Zeno’s Paradoxes reveal that reality is discontinuously physical, riding deeper interconnecting non-physical systems and connections.
more at http://beliefinstitute.com/article/correct-solutions-zenos-paradoxes
James
Taking into account delayed-choice experimental data, the various interpretations of quantum fact, e.g. Consistent histories, MWI, and others, I fully concur with this quote of Jane Roberts:
“A sudden contemporary belief in illness will actually reach back into the past, affecting the organism at that level, and inserting into the past experience of the cells the initiation of those biological events that will then seem to give birth to a present disease.
In the current pivoting of its experience, therefore, your conscious mind directs not only the present, but future and past experience of deep neurological events.”
We can accept these sorts of ideas, when we realize that all times exist at-once in the unlimited “fullness” of now, and any ideas to the contrary involve fundamental disconnects that are nonsensical, irrational and cannot be credibly argued.
Hi James
In response to your “On the other hand the mind-body connection was not brought up because that was not the topic of the article. The topic is the mythical alkaline diet.”
In view of the fact (scientific proof) that mind can heal (change the biochemistry of) the body — the biochemical ‘facts’ that you have amply cited (in support of the argument that the alkaline diet is myth), are also “myth”: they are not “facts” totally independent of the subjects mind, beliefs, emotions.
It is helpful to encourage the belief in the efficacy of an alkaline-diet while also bringing attention to their beliefs and expectations. It is not for nought that successful natural healing regimens go raw (food) and at the same time focus on beliefs, stress, meditation etc.
A belief in a mechanical (biochemical) universe, which I sense is your world-view, can be shown to engender dis-ease — it necessarily requires (and is openly stated) that we are victims to random, chance events (mutations). That is perhaps the most pernicious, debilitating, disempowering belief ever perpetuated on the human race.
All is interdependent, and we are far more knowing, intuitive and connected than any science can ‘measure’ or objectify. And, fortunately, that will remain the case. There’s a fullness to life that science can’t and won’t ever get to fully measure, dissect, or objectify (that conclusion easily follows from consideration of the literal meaning of the “infinite” which interconnects and underlies all life).
Steaphen,
Just because something can happen does not mean it will happen. Yes, the mind can affect the body. I gave an example with psychosomatic illnesses. Bit this is not a major cause of illness for a simple reason. For psychosomatic illnesses to occur the person must be suggestible. A simple example of this is hypnosis. Not everyone can be hypnotized because the person must be suggestible to be hypnotized.
For the mind to affect the body the person must also have a strong enough belief. For example the placebo effect, which I have personally seen. But again, this will not work with everyone.
Diseases can have very real causes such as pathogens or injuries. You cannot just think these away.
Hi James
“I gave an example with psychosomatic illnesses. Bit this is not a major cause of illness for a simple reason.”
over 30 years of solid, extensive research by Sir Prof. Michael Marmot and others confirms psycho-social factors are the major determinants of disease.
factors such as genetics, smoking, pathogens account for around 25% of the cause — but even that figure will go down when they do more research on the prevailing beliefs and expectations of those afflicted.
You are welcome to stick with (what I sense is your) mechanical universe views, but teaching that world-view to others will and does cause harm, by disempowering their ability to create a better reality, independent of the ‘facts’.
“In the age of the genome and high-tech medical care, thinking about health typically turns to biology and technology. The discovery of how important control and participation are for health leads in a different direction: to the circumstances in which we live and work.”
and
“The key (to good health) lies in that most important organ, the brain. The psychological experience of inequality has profound effect on body systems”
[source; Michael Marmot, “The Status Syndrome”]
Steaphen: “factors such as genetics, smoking, pathogens account for around 25% of the cause ”
Not even close to being true, but again, this IS NOT the topic of the blog article so no need to continue addressing this misinformation.
Extensive research conducted by Dr Michael Marmot during the 1990’s on British Civil Servants, found that the usual physical, life-style suspects in causing disease (smoking, diet, lack of physical exercise, obesity, heredity) accounted for around one quarter of the causes.
As Professor Emeritus Len Syme of University of California explained, “those factors explain something like 25% – 35% of the gradient, but the rest is unexplained by those factors.”
This information is related to the topic of this blog, insofar as you’re purporting to establish fact versus “myth”, but have yet to provide a credible basis for your beliefs (beliefs that are not congruent with the dominant psycho-social causative factors of good health and wellbeing).
Hi James
“Diseases can have very real causes such as pathogens or injuries. You cannot just think these away.”
I think it would behoove you to state that “I cannot just think these away”.
You are in no position to state what others can do.
Besides, I’ve not inferred it is merely a matter of ‘thinking away’ disease — it is far deeper, and emotional than mere thought.
The whole of society is in a placebo reality of being victims to ‘chance’ mutations. So from that base, yes, most can’t just think away their illnesses. There are deep cultural beliefs that need to be addressed, before we will see more people naturally healing themselves, sans medications, radiation therapies etc.
Part of my work is to undermine (supersede) the superstitions of modern science — that we are victims to external influences, independent of our beliefs.
A simple example: a person develops a strong belief in wellness — they will either intuitively avoid said pathogens, or prevail by changing the damaged biochemistry to heal their bodies.
Correction: “Besides, I’ve not inferred it is merely a matter of ‘thinking away’ disease” should have read “Besides, I’ve not implied it is merely a matter of ‘thinking away’ disease …”
Steaphen,
We are clearly on the same page, although I do believe that science will catch up to the “higher knowledge” of Truth, eventually, in maybe 100 – 300 years, [just a guess], or at least come very close.
Hi Dennis
See my reply (to James, below), date-time stamped March 13, 2014 at 1:56 pm
Steaphen,
I did have a qualification that I forgot to mention. These future scientists will have to be have to have fully unified consciousness.
Having said that, I do realize that science will still have to fall just short, maybe.
Hi Dennis
If by science you mean strictly objective approaches: tools, analysis and measurable confirmation, then no, not ever, not even close (due to never being able to ‘ratio’ — stand apart from, the infinite).
But when they develop a unified consciousness, as you put it, then they’ll “feel” the insideness to things, life, events, and know their genuine nature, without seeking to fully measure, reason and objectify reality.
I like this quote from Jane Roberts:
“(Einstein) was able to listen to the inner voice of matter. He was intuitively and emotionally led to his discoveries. He leaned against time, and felt it give and wobble.”
Like many great scientists, artists and entrepreneurs — they “feel” the inside nature of business, ideas, life, and intuitively find their way forward, for wonderful benefit.
Steaphen; I can’t argue with your first comment.
I remember when I first heard that about Einstein back in the 70s. I thought it was super interesting. He first intuited the concepts then set out to prove them.
Science of the future will be occult or esoteric science of which I consider myself a scientist of.
Hi James
Perhaps I should explain more … there was an ancient belief that the world rested on an enormous tortoise (or on Atlas’s shoulders, same diff).
As explained in in Stephen Hawking’s “A Brief History of Time”, this exchange occurred after a lecture by Bertrand Russell on astronomy:
“… a little old lady at the back of the room got up and said: “What you have told us is rubbish. The world is really a flat plate supported on the back of a giant tortoise.” The scientist gave a superior smile before replying, “What is the tortoise standing on?” “You’re very clever, young man, very clever,” said the old lady. “But it’s tortoises all the way down!”
As physicist Max Planck explained: “… I regard consciousness as fundamental. I regard matter as derivative from consciousness. We cannot get behind consciousness. Everything that we talk about, everything that we regard as existing, postulates consciousness.”
We can’t ever get behind consciousness. We can’t get below the bottom tortoise. We can’t get outside the infinite.
IN fact, the words “reason” and “rational” upon which science is based, is from the Latin root “ratio”. We cannot get “outside” of that which extends everywhere, in order to be ‘rational’ or reasonable about ‘it’.
Science won’t (while restricted to limiting reason), ever get ‘outside’ in order to objectify life.
more is explained here http://beliefdoctor.com/the-modern-superstitions-of-science-and-religion.html
primarily, people will continue to hold a mechanical universe (physical cause-effect) world-view because of short-term expediency, immaturity/ignorance and greed.
As physicist, Dr Bernard Haisch explains:
“… the Leggett inequality that was recently measured … rules out any possible interpretation other than consciousness creates reality when the measurement is made.”
And by measurement, he means when we make a choice and experience reality — every moment we are creating the world we experience. Put differently, the world we experience “pivots” on our beliefs. (an enhanced Many Worlds Interpretation, aka a holodynamic systems view means everything to the minutest detail is tied to our beliefs)
As an interstitial cystitis patient, I beg to differ with you, Chris!
The acid/alkaline debate will continue.
Keeping my urine alkaline is first and foremost for the health of my bladder.
And, it’s making a huge difference in my psoriasis.
Can you explain this is in a way that convinces me that it is something other than my alkaline diet?
Hi Debra,
I know you asked Chris, but I would like to answer you since I am very familiar with interstitial cystitis (IC) and psoriasis. And there is a common denominator between both of these.
IC is the result of damage to the bladder wall, which can occur for several reasons. IC for example can be caused from over distention of the bladder and there is also evidence that bacterial infections can also lead to IC.
Either way the wall of the bladder needs structural proteins to maintain health of the wall. One of the primary components of these structural proteins is ascorbic acid (vitamin C).
Another role of ascorbic acid is supporting the adrenal glands, which get priority of ascorbic acid over the entire rest of the body. This also means that if there is not sufficient ascorbic acid present the adrenals will get priority while the other tissues can become deficient leading to a loss of structural proteins.
As an example of this to understand the concept better look at methamphetamine addicts. Ever see how rapidly they look aged in their skin and how they tend to lose their teeth? The reason is that the methamphetamine severely taxes the adrenals increasing the requirement of ascorbic acid by the adrenal glands. Areas of the body such as the skin and bone become deficient in ascorbic acid leading to a decline in levels of structural proteins leading to wrinkles and tooth loss.
Also keep in mind that IC is an inflammatory condition. The suffix “itis” as in interstitial cystitis means “inflammation of. Inflammation in the body is controlled by the corticosteroids released by the adrenal glands. Therefore, weakened adrenal glands lead to increased inflammatory responses in the body.
Psoriasis is an inflammatory condition classified as an autoimmune disorder, which involves adrenal dysfunction. In short the adrenal glands regulate the production of the specificity of antibodies. When the adrenals are working properly the body produces primarily high affinity antibodies that are more specific to their antigen targets. If the adrenals are not functioning properly then the body can start producing what are known in medicine as low affinity or “autoantibodies” that are involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders.
Therefore, part of the answer to your question has nothing to do with whether the blood or tissues are acid or alkaline. The so-called “alkaline diet” is richer in nutrients such as ascorbic acid and flavonoids that support not only the formation of structural proteins but also adrenal function, which reduces inflammation in both conditions.
Another component to how the so-called “alkaline diet” helping with your psoriasis is that there is an imbalance between two of the body’s chemical messengers in the body known as cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). Normally cAMP is dominant, but in psoriasis the cGMP, which stimulates the cellular proliferation in psoriasis is dominant. The so-called “alkaline diet” is not only higher in anti-inflammatory fatty acids, it is also higher in a flavonoid that blocks the enzyme cyclic adenosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase (cAMPPDE). Blocking cAMPPDE leads to an increase of cAMP restoring the balance between cAMP and cGMP therefore helping with the psoriasis.
None of this has anything to do with alkalizing the blood, which is already maintained in an alkaline state.
James
When you ask someone for evidence of their claims that their diet is the best diet, they invariably trot out trials comparing their whole-food diet of choice, to the Standard American Diet, and then proceed to behave as though the SAD represents every omni diet everywhere.
It doesn’t.
One behavior that never fails to rankle me is the assignment of absolute cause where there is none– and some of the ridiculous statements that come out of buying into that mythology. For example, how many times has one of us read something written by someone who is supposed to be an expert in nutrition, similar to the following,
“… better lipid profiles than those eating the Western diet, based on red meat and saturated fat…”
It is repeated ad nauseum by vegan gurus, their followers and even in scientific literature by many omni “experts”… One would expect then that if this is true, that the bulk of the calories in the Western Diet [SAD] come from red meat and saturated fat… Makes sense, right? But the fact is that according to the USDA’s Profiling Food Consumption in America Report, the SAD gets the bulk of its calories from plant foods, primarily grains/starches, sugar and plant fats. Meaning, THESE FOODS are what the SAD is actually based on– and not meat, especially red meat and saturated fat.
Fast forward to the newly health-conscious person, looking for a healthier diet– and they’ve been seeing posts in FaceBook and at weight loss forums and on the news and in YouTube all talking about the health benefits of cutting out meat! And they think, “That must be the answer, so that’s what I’ll do. I want to be healthier and meat isn’t healthy so I’ll remove it from my diet because I want to be healthy.” <–[healthy user bias in the making]
In doing so, they join some vegan forums, buy a few books from vegan gurus and start reading about the difference between a WFPB diet and a junk-food vegan diet… and they realize, removing the meat isn't enough if they’re still eating Twinkies and drinking soda. Any successful vegan will tell you that vegan junk-food will make you fat and sick just like omni junk-food.
(But wait– 3/4 of the calories in the SAD are already “vegan” and a good part of that IS vegan junk-food, ie: processed grains, breads, white flour, pasta, sugar, vegetable oil, potato chips, soda…)
So, the newly health-conscious person revamps their entire diet. They remove all grain or replace processed versions with whole grain version and maybe even soak/sour it to optimize nutrition. They cut out refined sugar, refined oil, white flour, artificial colors, preservatives and sweeteners, they may quit smoking or drinking– and they start eating fresh produce, drinking plain water or green tea, perhaps they start a fitness program, make it a point to get plenty of sleep, implement stress reduction practices like meditation… etc.. and in a month or two, like magic, they are RENEWED! And it shows! Brighter, more energetic, leaner… improved risk factors, etc…
So you say to them, “You look great! What’s your secret?!”
And their answer?
Right.
Fact is that making the switch to whole foods and a healthier lifestyle causes the SAME improvements in both omnis and vegans, but omnis know it was the change to whole foods and the commitment to fitness and relaxation that is responsible, and most vegans are operating under the illusion that it was the removal of meat.
Then there is the “Eat Right for Your Type Diet”:
The MOST common blood type is type O, across ALL primary ethnicities. What is recommended for Type O?
• Thrive on lean meats and vegetables.
• Eat moderate (smaller) proportions.
• Avoid Always (consider as poison) -Carbohydrates (breads and pastas), Refined Sugars, ALL Dairy, Grains (primarily wheat and corn, which inhibit insulin metabolism).
• Requires efficient metabolism to stay lean and energetic. Avoid Grains, breads, legumes, beans, nuts, but especially gluten (found in wheat) to ensure weight loss.
• Responds best to stress with intense physical exercise
(Looks pretty paleo too, doesn’t it? lol Yeah, I’m biased.)
Anyway, this is the diet being prescribed to the LARGEST segment of the population that chooses to give the ‘Eat Right for Your Type’ diet it a try. And what do you know, the majority of those who do, swear by it! But is it because they’ve matched their diet to their blood type or because what is prescribed for the majority of the world’s population (type O) is a whole food diet, high in fresh produce, low in grains and legumes, devoid of sugar, and processed foods… and having more intense activity to boot? Hmmmm…
Fact is that making the switch to whole foods and a healthier lifestyle causes the SAME improvements in ALL blood types. But whole-food omnis know it was the change to whole foods and the commitment to fitness and relaxation, and most blood-type-dieters are operating under the illusion that it was eating right for their “type” that made the difference.
Moving on:
And finally (for this rant), there is the Alkaline Diet-
This current debate about pH and all of the claims by those who swear (and I believe them) that they’ve seen tremendous improvement in their health and the health of others by following an “Alkaline Diet” falls into this category too.
The following is a list of things to avoid (acidifying) on the Alkaline Diet- Pay special attention to the bolded items-
Sugar, Cow’s Cheese, Homogenized Cow’s Milk, Ice Cream, Meat, Caffeine, Tobacco, Wheat (including flours, pastas and pastries), Corn Oil, Trans-fatty acids, Hydrogenated fats, Junk/Processed foods, Fizzy drinks/soda, Peanuts and Cashews (legumes), ALL GRAINS are acidifying, but the worst areWhite Rice, Corn, Oats, Rye, and barley, Potatoes, Condiments, Wine, Soy cheese/milk, table salt.
The following is a list of things to consume (alkalinizing)-
Goats milk/cheese, Whey, Spinach, Zucchini, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Eggplant, Pumpkin, Collards, Salad Greens, Berries, Dates, Figs, Papaya, Cherries, Bananas, Peaches, Pineapple, Almonds, Cold-water Fish (on occasion), Herbs & Spices, Olive and Flaxseed Oil, Some Fruits (Lemons, Lime, Grapefruit, Watermelon, Tomato, Avocado), Quinoa, Sprouts, Dips like-hummus/tahini/guacamole) sea salt etc.
What is the MOST OBVIOUS difference between what is allowed and what is not? The diet eliminates ALL processed foods with the exception of a couple of “essential oils” and “whey”. It also eliminates (or severely limits) most grains and legumes along with the meat. The person who follows an alkaline diet is following a whole food diet, possibly for the first time in their lives– it will be lower-calorie and significantly more densely nutritious than their previous diet.
Good health is about eating WHOLE FOOD. Vegan dieters get healthy because of the switch from processed food to whole food. Paleo/Primals get healthy because of the switch from processed food to whole food. Eat Right for Your Type Dieters get healthy because of the switch from processed food to whole food. Alkaline Diet dieters get healthy because of the switch from processed food to whole food.
NEWS FLASH!!! Every whole food diet is a SIGNIFICANT improvement over the American Standard Diet!! Showing that your favorite diet out-performs the SAD isn’t saying very much. Switch to whole food and then tweak until you find what works best for you and understand that your whole food diet is no better or worse than anyone else’s whole food diet if it’s working.
EDIT: In case you’re reading this at Chris’ site and not as an email notification, the original post used HTML tags to signify the beginning and ending of a “rant”, but it seems the formatting eliminated them as invalid tags when it posted. My apologies to anyone who isn’t aware that they’re walking into a rant.
I just observed how some commentators just so bad don’t want people to think that alkaline diet is healthy for the human body.
I sometimes believe that some commentators work for pharmaceutical companies, or just get paid for it. I am sure those people exist! (where would pharmaceutical get income if people were healthy?)
– Please provide first evidence that acidic nutrition is Healthy
– best is, feed yourself with acidic nutrition for a whole year and come again
Fact is that my fish cannot survive in acidic water in my aquarium.
There is no such thing as “acidic nutrition”.
Fact is, many fish do just fine in slightly “acidic” water. Values between 6 and 8 are ideal, which is a range of equal distance to either side of neutral. Below a pH of 4.5, (2.5 degrees more acidic than neutral) natural bodies of water are essentially devoid of fish. Scary.
Fact is: Alkaline water can kill adult fish and invertebrate life directly and can also damage developing juvenile fish. It will strip a fish of its slime coat and high pH levels ‘chaps’ the skin of fish because of its alkalinity.
When the pH of freshwater becomes highly alkaline (2.5 degrees more alkaline than neutral), the effects on fish may include: death, damage to outer surfaces like gills, eyes, and skin and an inability to dispose of metabolic wastes. High pH may also increase the toxicity of other substances. For example, the toxicity of ammonia is ten times more severe at a pH of 8 than it is at pH 7. It is directly toxic to aquatic life when it appears in alkaline conditions.
Either extreme is dangerous… and that’s why the human body controls pH through BREATHING.
Oops, I should have shared my source for that info– Lenntech Water Treatment Solutions.
Observer: “I just observed how some commentators just so bad don’t want people to think that alkaline diet is healthy for the human body.”
Nobody ever claimed that. If people paid attention to what they are reading and what has been said they would find that nobody has said an “alkaline diet” is not good for you. What is being pointed out is that there is no such thing as an alkalizing diet since 1. diet has little influence on pH and 2. the body maintains a tight control on pH REGARDLESS of what you eat.
This is not even close to saying that an “alkaline diet” is not healthy. Even though there is no such thing as an alkalizing diet, the so-called “alkaline diet” being promoted is full of nutrient rich foods instead of empty calories.
Observer: “I sometimes believe that some commentators work for pharmaceutical companies, or just get paid for it. ”
I am so tired of listening to this bogus paranoid comment being made every time someone discusses some form of quackery in holistic medicine. I just posted this on Markus’ video in response to some other paranoid poster:
“Just because someone points out some type of quackery in the holistic field this does not mean they are agents of the pharmaceutical companies. That is as stupid of a reasoning as saying that if someone bashes polyester clothing that they must be working for the hemp clothing industry.”
Observer: “Please provide first evidence that acidic nutrition is Healthy”
Do you realize that you are made up of amino ACIDS and fatty ACIDS primarily? And that your body is held together with hyaluronic ACID? Or that your cells need citric, malic and pyruvic ACIDS for cellular energy production? Or that carbonic ACID maintains our circulation, protects us from highly alkaline and toxic ammonia, is needed for the production of stomach acid and the production of uric acid, which one of the primary antioxidants for the body? Or that the body uses glucuronic ACID for detoxification?
I can go on and on and on with my list. The fact is that we cannot survive or even exist without the number of beneficial acids that make us up, allow us to function and keep us healthy.
Observer: “Fact is that my fish cannot survive in acidic water in my aquarium.”
You don’t know much about fish do you? Different fish have different pH requirements. Discus for example do need slightly acidic water. And over alkaline water will kill all fish.
But we are not fish anyway so your comment is irrelevant.
J,
If you think Chris is wrong then why don’t you write your own blog article describing what you think is the truth and let us address it rather than simply attacking Chris with vague comments.
For example, you state “Cellular “acidosis” happens as the blood is regulated by production of bicarbonate & acidity is dumped in the cells from the blood”. Where do you think the acidity comes from? Acidic hydrogen protons are formed routinely WITHIN the cells as the normal part of cellular metabolism. So why would the acid have to be “dumped in to the cells” when the acid is formed in the cells? Secondly, using a little common sense why would the blood be acidic in the first place if the blood is dumping the acids in to cells, which would mean that the acids would no longer be in the blood to be measured?
J: “or the effects where various pathogens may exist & proliferate”
Again, if you think anyone is wrong then present your evidence with details. You are guilty of what you are bashing Chris over: “To simplify & not correctly describe the terms shows ignorance on your part. Does not matter how many journals you read if you cannot grasp the details of processes or simply limit them to basic descriptions.”
Remember that most people don’t have biochemical degrees so make sure you explain it in terms the average person can understand so they can review your statements. Anyone can sound scientific and still not have a clue what they are talking about. For example, not realizing that acidic protons are produced in cells as part of cellular metabolism rather than being dumped in to cells. Or the fact that acidity is primarily controlled by respiration, not bicarbonate.
Chris, what you wrote about is the tight control of blood acidity which is correctly called “acidemia”. Cellular “acidosis” happens as the blood is regulated by production of bicarbonate & acidity is dumped in the cells from the blood. Of course the blood is heavily regulated, a person can’t live in either extremes. I think you misunderstand the details & what it implies as cellular acidosis saturates or the effects where various pathogens may exist & proliferate. Acid to base chemistry is the foundation of life & many products. In correct understanding it can be utilized in conjunction with other factors to increase health. To simplify & not correctly describe the terms shows ignorance on your part. Does not matter how many journals you read if you cannot grasp the details of processes or simply limit them to basic descriptions. In practice the are parameters & dynamics of all systems that require understand with the various stages & degrees of differences as well as logical conclusions equated with the reality & processes of those degrees. Rigidity to basic nomenclature or semantics without understanding also that individuals can have compromised systems for a variety of reasons & idealized levels & functions are not the same for everyone. You’re entitled to your opinions but as far as I’m concerned they’re irresponsible.
Daniel,
Why are you only supplying partial quotes? Here is the full quote from Robert Su, M.D. on June 21, 2013 at 4:53 pm:
“To question that foods do not affect blood pH, we should question why lemon juice would work well in helping ease gouty arthritis and reduce the serum uric acid level.”
Clearly you are trying to argue something not said.
Since you bring it up though did you actually read the study, or just assumed it backed your view based on the title? Let’s take a look at what the study states:
“The human body has an amazing ability to maintain a steady pH in the blood with the main compensatory mechanisms being renal and respiratory.”
Just as has been stated over an over. Note that they did not say diet was a primary means of pH regulation.
“It has been suggested that an alkaline diet may prevent a number of diseases and result in significant health benefits. Looking at the above discussion on bone health alone, certain aspects have doubtful benefit. ”
“However, a recent systematic review of the literature looking for evidence supporting the alkaline diet for bone health found no protective role of dietary acid load in osteoporosis [31].”
“Alkaline diets result in a more alkaline urine pH and may result in reduced calcium in the urine, however, as seen in some recent reports, this may not reflect total calcium balance because of other buffers such as phosphate. There is no substantial evidence that this improves bone health or protects from osteoporosis.”
“At this time, there are limited scientific studies in this area, and many more studies are indicated in regards to muscle effects, growth hormone, and interaction with vitamin D.”
When they do talk about benefits they talk about the nutrients in the diet such as magnesium, which provide benefits that have nothing to do with pH balance as I stated before:
James Jan 15, 2014 “This is why there is really no such thing as an alkaline diet. Just a more nutritional diet.”
So what are these reliable “sources” that show an alkaline diet significantly affects blood pH? Note that sources is plural yet you have not provided even one source backing this claim.
“Clearly you are trying to argue something not said”
Its in bold letters at the top of the page my dude, you just happened to find it in another place, a misunderstanding, i’m not trying anything lol…
But,ok, I been reading some of the comments since last time; there has to be some statistical analysis that shows people with an alkaline style diet have a more defense to life threatening cancers than those with an acidic style diet.
My current theory would be that there is some mechanism is the defense against alkalosis that is beneficial (in regards to cancer) as opposed to the body defending against acidosis. Just because we can’t find a reference in the current text doesnt mean we write it off, thats not what science is about, the text is not a bible that is written in stone.
“FOODS DO NOT AFFECT YOUR BLOOD PH”
some very reliable sources state otherwise
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3195546/
-Your BioChem Degree Chaser-
from my understanding the body is a controlled environment, to say that our blood buffers control a 100% ph regulation even with the consumption of alkaline substances causing neutralization reactions sounds like a bit of an overstatement, and cancer has been shown to thrive in lower PH levels???
Thank you James! You answered all my questions and more! Do you have any blog?
Yes, my blog and videos links can be found here:
http://medcapsules.com/forum/index.php
Talk to me James. My Mom has colon cancer that has metastasized to her liver and omentum. She’s meeting with someone tomorrow about a holistic approach (nutritional products) and this woman is telling her that we have the “alkalize her body” – cancer can’t survive in an alkaline body. So I took to the internet and found this post and have been reading your comments. I am not a medical expert, I just want to help my Mom fight this in anyway possible. Does diet not even help then?
Hi Laura,
I don’t know if you saw my response since my post did not post under your post and so you probably did not get an e-mail notice. My response posted at the top of the comments.
James
I am a layperson and I am reading all these comments and becoming very confused.
I am a 56 year old post-menopausal woman who takes Dilantin for a seizure disorder. I have not had a seizure in 13 years, so I don’t want to switch medications. Seizure meds attack the bones, but, unfortunately, Dilantin is the worst.
Add to that, I am white, of Germanic descent and I am 5′ 1″ and weigh 100 pounds. I have never been anorexic. I have just always been thin. I am extremely active and do not think of myself as “frail.”
But, I have terrible bone scans. In addition to taking calcium and Vit D3 and a good whole food multi-vitamin, I am looking at other dietary changes. I have cut out sodas and caffeine, I don’t think lack of those things will hurt me. I drink water that I purify with a PUR water filter. Not the best, but it is what I can afford and I drink more water now because it tastes better.
I almost have a vegetarian diet because meat is expensive. I eat meat about 3-4 times a month. And I still eat dairy.
I am not going to take the osteoporosis meds because of cancer risk (my dad died of cancer of the esophagus) and because of possible death of the jaw bone. (No wonder my mother could not eat at the end of her life).
I also wear a weight vest and exercise aobut 3 times a week. And I am looking into balance exercises. Basically, everyone should do balance exercises. Anyone older who falls, even if they have good bone scans, can break a bone.
Any advice about what else I could be doing for bone health? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Learn as much as you can about alkalizing and detoxifying your body. Google and use utube to find the the answers. Your bones are alkaline, so you must follow an alkaline Atkins diet if you want results, and you must detox your liver 2 or 3 times a year. The liver and pancreas are the most burdened organs, and must be supported if you want to avoid infirmities. Medications are acidic, so you should try to avoid them by following a regimen that supports your nerves, which need alkalinity and cholesterol. Don’t believe the cholesterol lie. Nerves need cholesterol, and the brain is 50% cholesterol in it’s makeup.
John,
First of all the body maintains a tight pH. You cannot alkalize the body since the body maintains an already alkaline pH. Trying to force the body in to an alkaline pH just puts more stress on the body as it has to work harder to restore its proper pH since excess alkalinity can be deadly.
As for the claim that the bones are alkaline this is not necessarily true. Just because the bones contain some alkaline minerals this does not mean the bones are alkaline. The bones are also composed of amino acids, fatty acids, hyaluronic acid, orthosilicic acid, ascorbic acid, etc. Bone cells also require various acids for energy production, which among other things helps them to regenerate new tissue. And the process of bone remodeling that helps keep bones healthy and strong requires citric acid that helps break down old bone to replace it with new, healthier bone.
There is no such thing as an “alkaline diet”. Even it there were such a thing most people would consider the high protein and the ketosis it causes to form an acidic diet.
And who says medications are acidic? What about alkaline potassium salts prescribed in conjunction with Lasix? Or alkaline Milk of Magnesia, or alkaline calcium carbonate or aluminum hydroxide antacids? Etc, etc, etc.
James
Why do you insist that the alkaline diet is bogus? The standard American diet is acidic and only allows toxins to buildup in the flesh of the body. Dr. Linus Pauling proved that mineral and antioxidant deficiencies (lack of negative ions) is the cause of disease. The American diet is definitely lacking in minerals and antioxidants, which means the body cannot detox itself sufficiently to prevent the buildup. Once the body has reached saturation, debilitation and illness take over normal bodily processes. Alkalization and detoxification is a normal bodily function that continues 24/7, regardless of what we eat. I am only recommending that we assist the body with nutrients that promote A & D.
“Why do you insist that the alkaline diet is bogus? ”
Because it is. There is no such thing as a truly acidic or a truly alkaline food. As I have explained over and over all foods are made acidic in the stomach, then the chyme alkalizes in the intestine. In the long run all foods, including the so-called “alkaline foods” are metabolized in to beneficial acids, which are utilized by the body and excess removed.
Diseases have many causes including alkalinity. For example, studies have shown that excess alkalinity of healthy cells causes the healthy cells to morph in to cancer cells. Alkalinity causes Candida to morph from its benign yeast form in to its pathogenic fungal form. Alkalinity allows the ulcer and cancer forming bacteria H. pylori to survive. In fact, most pathogens are killed by acidity and thrive in alkalinity. Alkalinity can also allow precipitation of calcium allowing the formation of calcium based kidney stones and calcification of arteries. Etc.
Ironically, Linus Pauling was in to high dose ascorbic acid for health, which excess breaks down in the body in to oxalic acid.
Oxalic acid might have contributed to the cancer that killed him, I presume.
Except oxalic acid does not cause cancer.
The vast majority of cancers are viral induced.
what happens in your stomach when you consume h2o with ph of 9.5- nuetralization reaction in the stomach, forcing the stomach to produce more acid for digestion, therefor lowering the amount of acid in the rest of the body, buffers will then buffers will change form releasing PH decreasing factors, however there are not unlimited buffers in the blood and in organs???
Daniel: “what happens in your stomach when you consume h2o with ph of 9.5- nuetralization reaction in the stomach, forcing the stomach to produce more acid for digestion, therefor lowering the amount of acid in the rest of the body, ”
Not quite. When you neutralize stomach acid this interferes with the absorption of B6, B12 and folic acid needed to produce the methyl donor SAMe. Without methyl groups the stomach cannot produce more stomach acid. This is why antacids, including alkaline waters, and acid blockers (proton pump inhibitors) interfere with long term stomach acid formation.
And even if your claim was true the creation of more stomach acid would not decrease acidity. Think about it, what is used to form stomach acid and pancreatic bicarbonate? Carbonic acid, which the body always has enough of. In fact we wold have an excess if carbonic dioxide was not being exhaled all the time. Therefore, any carbonic acid being utilized in stomach acid formation would be replaced immediately maintaining the same blood pH.
Daniel: “buffers will then buffers will change form releasing PH decreasing factors, however there are not unlimited buffers in the blood and in organs???”
I have no idea what you are saying here. But the body is constantly maintaining its pH with its various mechanisms THROUGHOUT life.
The stomach does not produce acids all the time, only when foods are introduced. Water simply passes through most of the time. Also, the pH of the blood is always kept slightly above neutral, or we would die of a heart attack, etc. The blood has to remain alkaline, which the body maintains by transferring minerals from other parts of the body when necessary, but it is our diet that is the main source. You have to think of the body as a living battery, with positive and negative ions creating the current that energizes our nerves (heart beat, etc). Without magnesium ions in our blood, we would die. However, the rest of our body (flesh and organs) is not maintained at an alkaline pH, it is a dumping ground for unneutralized acids from the burning of food for survival. Everything we eat turns into acidic wastes after it is metabolized in our cells, which must be neutralized before it can be transported through the blood to the kidneys. If we are eating an alkaline diet, there’s no lack of minerals for neutralization. But if we’re eating an acidic diet, there won’t be enough minerals to neutralize all the acids. That’s when the acids are left in the body’s flesh and fatty tissues surrounding the organs, etc. This buildup of acids stored in the body is the cause of infirmities and eventual disease. It is the pH of the body (not the pH of the blood) that we are talking about. It is the balancing act between acidity (positive ions) and alkalinity (negative ions) that maintains our health. Negative ions promote health and positive ions promote illness. The body is constantly balancing the two 24/7. That’s why it pays to follow an Atkins diet with plenty of green foods and supplements, and to detox your liver 3 times a year. Google and YouTube for more info. energiseforlife.com is one of dozens that are educational.
John Carraway: “The stomach does not produce acids all the time, only when foods are introduced. ”
Not true. Even the thought of food or drinking water can cause the stomach to start releasing acid.
John Carraway: “Also, the pH of the blood is always kept slightly above neutral, or we would die of a heart attack, etc.”
You are right that the blood is always kept slightly alkaline. That is why diet has virtually no influence on blood pH.
You are wrong about the heart attack part. If anything, excess alkalinity would be more apt to cause heart attacks for several reasons. For one, excess alkalinity constricts blood vessels cutting off the blood flow to critical organs such as the heart. Decreased blood flow can lead to heart arrhythmias or angina and an absence of blood flow from the vasoconstriction will cause a heart attack.
In addition, calcifications, such as those that occur in arterial plaque occur in an alkaline environment. An acidic environment makes calcium soluble and prevents it from precipitating out. Calcified arterial plaque can also reduce or block blood flow to the heart.
John Carraway: “The blood has to remain alkaline, which the body maintains by transferring minerals from other parts of the body when necessary, but it is our diet that is the main source. ”
Again incorrect. As has been pointed out so many times here the main source of pH balance for the body is respiration. Dumping of hydrogen ions through the kidneys is secondary. And there are still various other means of pH regulation used by the body such as sodium bicarbonate, which the body produces all the time in significant amounts.
John Carraway: “That’s when the acids are left in the body’s flesh and fatty tissues surrounding the organs, etc. This buildup of acids stored in the body is the cause of infirmities and eventual disease.”
This myth has been addressed over and over. Please use some common sense for once. The blood, which you admit is kept alkaline helps maintain the alkaline pH of most of the body. Therefore, acids are not accumulating in the body except in the places where they are supposed to such as the stomach and colon.
Alkalinity though can lead to disease. For example, what happens when highly alkaline ammonia builds up in the blood? Coma and death.
John Carraway: “It is the balancing act between acidity (positive ions) and alkalinity (negative ions) that maintains our health. Negative ions promote health and positive ions promote illness. ”
You just proved you have no clue what you are talking about. First of all research negative ions to see why you keep making that error. Then look up positively “charged” ions like the magnesium ion (Mg2+) prevalent throughout the body. You just got done saying earlier in your post “Without magnesium ions in our blood, we would die.” Now you are falsely claiming positively charged ions such as the magnesium you said we would die without “promotes illness”. According to your bogus hypothesis we should all be ill due to the positively charged magnesium ions that keep us alive and healthy.
That’s the problem with pretending you understand the chemistry of the body. There will always be someone that really does understand it and will expose your BS claims.
John Carraway: “That’s why it pays to follow an Atkins diet with plenty of green foods and supplements”
Who said the Atkins diet is full of greens? Atkins was big on high protein and fat, mainly as meats. And selling his low carb processed foods, many of which contained dangerous artificial sweeteners.
John Carraway: “Google and YouTube for more info. energiseforlife.com is one of dozens that are educational.”
If this is where you have been getting your bogus information from then people should do everything they can to avoid that site if they want to stay healthy.
James,
If you read the original Atkins books, he encouraged people to eat lots of green vegetables. His diet was basically a meat and vegetable diet, very healthy for those who follow it regardless of where you sit on the issues being discussed on this forum. The processed crap now being flogged as Atkins, is the result of the Atkins brand being bought by a food conglomerate several years back.
I was referring to the original Atkins book written in the 80’s or 90’s. I don’t know what has become of his protocols since that time. Paleo may be a better diet plan, but I think dairy foods are not included. In any case, anything close to a ketogenic diet would be preferable.
John Carraway: “In any case, anything close to a ketogenic diet would be preferable.”
Why? What makes you think that generating ketone bodies is healthy for the body?
You don’t need to eat an “alkaline diet”, there is not such thing anyway. All you need to do to maintain your body and blood pH is BREATHE.
THIS is the body’s primary control mechanism, and not food… not ever food.
The body doesn’t keep a store of acids that it draws from when it’s time to digest food. The stomach PRODUCES acid. This doesn’t impact your blood or body pH at all.
Have you ever visited the nutrients list at http://www.betterbones.com/bonenutrition/20keybonenutrients.aspx?
Regarding vitamin K2 in particular I know that Susan Brown recommends the MK7 version of vitamin K2 while Chris Kresser recommends the MK4 version. Some say that as the MK4 is not detectable in the body soon after ingesting it this shows that it is not effective, while others say that it shows that the body is utilizing it very rapidly and suggest that it has disappeared into the bones. I don’t know what the truth of it is.
Hi Linda,
Dilantin is a pretty nasty drug, especially for the liver. Supporting the liver therefore with herbs such as turmeric, milk thistle seed, artichoke leaf or schisandra berry would be a good idea.
There are also some ways you can reduce your risk of seizures such as lecithin granules, fish oil concentrates and trimethylglycine (TMG ) supplements to remyelinate the nerves. The hyper-electrical activity associated with petite and grand mal seizures involves short-circuiting of the brain neural system due to loss of myelin to insulate the nerves.
A few other things that most people do not realize about the osteoporosis drugs is that they actually increase the risk of bone fracture, they are very caustic, they can can cause a permanent burning sensation in the body and they can take up 10 years to get back out of the body. They are super dangerous drugs.
As far as bone health goes people often make the mistake thinking that simply taking calcium will build strong bones.
First of all calcium is not the most important nutrient for strong bones. Silica is, followed by the amino acids proline, lysine and glycine, then vitamin C. Next comes calcium, magensium, phosphorus, strontium, manganese, traces of copper, zinc and natural fluoride as well as vitamins A, D, E, K and fatty acids.
Simply taking calcium, especially without balancing it out with sufficient magnesium can lead to high blood pressure, muscle spasms/cramping, constipation, mental fogginess, etc.
It is not really feasible to take all the required supplements individually. But you can get most of these easily in a good diet. There are also a few herbs that are nutrient rich and can provide you with these nutrients such as nettle leaf, alfalfa herb (not sprouts) and seaweeds such as bladderwrack.
I also like adding food grade diatomaceous earth to my water to help saturate the water with silica. Start by reading though this post:
http://medcapsules.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=5235&pid=7879&mode=threaded
James
Thank you James!
Can you comment on what you define as “a good diet”?
I have osteoporosis and lov metabolism and have refused to take any drugs for my bones. I am only taking Erfa Thyroid and want to do everything right so my bones can get strong again. Do you think that it is possible to make strong bones again when diagnosed with osteoporosis?
Hi Hope,
A good diet would be a diet richer in vegetables, vitamin C rich fruits and minimal amounts of red meat and dairy.
Dark green. leafy vegetables in particular are good sources of vitamin K that is great for bones. Fibers in vegetables also feed our beneficial intestinal flora, which also produce vitamin K. Vegetables will also provide some silica, but seaweeds are one of the better choices for a high silica content.
Vitamin C rich fruits include papaya, kiwis, mangoes, berries and peppers.
Red meats and dairy are high in phosphorus, which stimulate the release of parathyroid hormone leading to bone calcium loss.
Yes, it is possible to rebuild the bones when someone has osteoporosis. Bone tissue is constantly being broken down and rebuilt as part of keeping bone in a healthy state. When bone remodeling is inhibited, such as when osteoporosis drugs are used, this leads basically to old, “rotten” bone. This is another reason that bisphosphonate drugs such as Boniva and Actonel increase the risk of bone fracture. I posted earlier on the other reason, which is loss of bone flexibility to allow bones to absorb force.
One problem you are going to run in to though is your thyroid medication. Thyroid medications are well known for causing bone loss due to poor regulation of thyroid hormones leading to temporary spurts of hyperthyroidism.
To make matters worse the longer someone is on thyroid medication the more they shut down their thyroid, which is why the dosage of thyroid medication has to be upped occasionally.
If a person is on thyroid medications and they still have their thyroid it is possible to come off the medication. It is a slow process though as the medication has to be very slowly weaned off of while supporting the thyroid with herbs and supplements such as seaweeds and coleus forskohlii.
I think if you are serious about acid/alkaline theory, and are impressed in any way about the therapeutic effects of alkaline water systems, Tyler Lebaron’s site at http://www.molecularhydrogeninstitute.com/ is a welcome new look at just why these systems seem to work.
Its a great day to start reading Dr. Thomas Levy’s book named Death by Calcium. I love meta analysis but I love proof in the pudding even more and this guy is always at the top of the game.
All I can say is in my 10 years of natural health experience, I have not seen a disease yet, including stage 4 cancer, severe heart disease (mine of 40 years), MS, Fungus, among many others, not very positively and heavily influenced by a (EDUCATED) highly alkalizing diet. Of about 400 folks I have been involved with when orthodox medicine gave up, not one didn’t dramatically improve or completed eliminate what ailed them with it being a primary factor in natural health accountability protocols. . The disease didn’t matter. Just my take. PS: I helped all 400 plus without charge. Whats a person got to loose? Just like Doug kaufmanns anti-fungal diet for a host of disease causes. 120,000 die each year from drugs here in America each year. Haven’t yet heard of any dead from either diet. Lots of egos screaming bloody murder though. Lol.
Todd,
Just a point of logic, what does that “highly alkalinizing” diet eliminate or contain besides the “alkalinity”? Does it eliminate sugar? White flour? Processed food? Vegetable oil? Preservatives? Artificial additives? Does it include whole foods?
What else is eliminated? Do people quit smoking? Quit drinking? Start working out? Participate in stress-reduction activities?
I’m guessing that almost every single one of these variables changes… and yet, you have singled out one factor and you’re religiously sure of it, even though the actual science says otherwise.
Your pudding is a big pile of shi— confounders. I’ll stick to my science.
“Influenced” does not mean cured. Breathing can “influence” a disease but does not necessarily get rid of it.
And what people do not seem to be getting is that there is no such thing as an alkaline diet. The so-called “alkaline diet” is based on the ash content of foods, which ignores the acid content of the food or the various acids formed from the metabolism of the foods. If we did just the opposite and isolated only the acids present in let’s say fruits and vegetables then we could conclude that fruits and vegetable constitute an acid diet. This is a great example of how people take a little information and twist the information to fit their needs, usually to sell books or something else.
Luckily, most of the foods in the so-called “alkaline diet” produce acids that control fungal growth. For example, studies have shown that the dimorphic microbe Candida albicans is kept in check by acidity. In an acidic environment, provided by our acid forming flora, the Candida growth gene is turned off and the Candida is kept in its benign yeast form. If the flora are reduced the pH of the terrain is made alkaline. The alkalinity turns on the Candida growth gene and morphs the Candida in to its pathogenic fungal form leading to what is known as candidiasis. In this fungal form the Candida forms finger-like projections known as hyphae that allow the Candida to dig in to the tissues leading to tissue damage and inflammation.
What the so-called alkaline diets can do is to provide various nutrients including a number of beneficial acids that can help fight pathogens and boost the immune system. An alkaline diet though does not alkalize the blood though. The primary means of pH regulation for the blood is respiration.
My undiagnosed hypothyroidism caused severe cellular dehydration and electrolyte depletion. Weak stomach acids brought on my the condition made it difficult to break down foods properly so I because deficient in many vitamins and minerals. I was jaundice looking because I could not efficiently convert beta carotene to vitamin A. Any needle poke caused a knot to rise on my skin because deficient Vitamin K couldn’t handle normal blood clotting. Because doctors don’t get training in nutrition I was plied with drugs to mask the deficiency symptoms. During all this I developed leaky gut syndrome as a cherry on top of the cake.
My saliva, urine and semen was testing highly acidic and I have no doubt my blood PH regulation was off as well especially due to magnesium depletion. My urine foamed in the urinal and my sweat reeked of ammonia.
By the time I figured this all out and first sought magnesium IVs I was on beta-blockers and other meds. Infusing magnesium into my blood was like coming up for air while drowning. Warmth spread through my body (body temp was now very low) and depression lifted… my face turned pink. Even blood vessels in my irises relaxed and the color of my eyes brightened.
What I believe you are talking about when you say blood PH is not influenced by diet is best case scenarios and the belief that everyone eats their veggies and fruit and that they have no digestion issues or undiagnosed diseases. The way usually pick test subjects I would have be eliminated from the study. That is just not real world anymore. Genetically modified food, over farmed land and loads of anti-biotics in the meat have changed things and our bodies.
Pardon us individuals that have experienced acidic systems for one reason or another not to be listening very closely to what you have to say.
In context with the rest of his comment, I believe that when James says diet doesn’t influence blood pH, he is clearly referring to the pH of the diet, not just diet in general.
He specifically states that the whole food diet eaten by the kool-aid drinkers in an effort to alkalinize their bodies “can provide various nutrients”. I don’t think there is anyone here that doesn’t fully buy into the impact that diet has on overall health.
You could have eaten POUNDS of alkaline-forming foods every day, but if they weren’t rich in magnesium, you’d have had the same issues. Your problem was a magnesium deficiency and it was solved with MAGNESIUM, which just happens to be alkaline.
Your “acidic system” wasn’t balanced by an alkaline diet, it was balanced by supplementing the deficiency causing it.
Again your statements do not make a lot of sense.
First of all saliva and urine pH DO NOT reflect blood pH of pH of the cells. Saliva is normally alkaline unless a person has an overgrowth of acid forming bacteria in the mouth or simply a deficiency of saliva. Urinary pH can vary widely, but an acidic pH can simply imply dehydration among other things. Semen is normally alkaline to allow it to survive the normally acidic female reproductive organs. If your semen was acidic then you likely had an infection.
The most interesting part of your claim is where you say “my sweat reeked of ammonia”. If your system is that high in ammonia that the body is trying to rid itself of the excess ammonia through the skin then you should be in alkalosis. After all ammonia is highly alkaline.
Hypothyroidism is not going to cause cellular dehydration.
Foaming urine indicates protein passing in the urine, so you may have had kidney issues going on.
A jaundice look from carotenes is only going to form if taking overdoses of carotenes. So it sounds like you probably also had liver problems, which would account for the high ammonia levels.
The “knot ” in your skin when being poked sounds like dermographia. If you had a problem with vitamin K then you would be bleeding with a difficult ability to stop the bleeding, not simply having a bump form in the skin. Consider how people on Coumadin can hemorrhage because the Coumadin interferes with vitamin K.
In short it sounds to me like you are doing a lo of self diagnosis without really understanding how the body really works or what your home tests really mean.
“What I believe you are talking about when you say blood PH is not influenced by diet is best case scenarios and the belief that everyone eats their veggies and fruit and that they have no digestion issues or undiagnosed diseases.”
No, that is not what I said at all. The body is more complex than that. Simply eating a diet of veggies and fruit IS NOT going to ensure health. In fact, many strict vegetarians become sick from their diets after years on the diet. The reason is that B12 cannot be derived from plant sources. If they are not supplementing their liver stores of B12 get used up and they develop B12 deficiency anemia. It takes an average of 2-6years because the liver stores a 2-6 year supply of B12.
Furthermore, there are all sorts of diseases whos causes have absolutely nothing to do with diet or nutrition. For example, cystic fibrosis, colds, influenza, typhoid, STDs, etc. To think that a good diet can prevent and cure all disease is completely ludicrous.
And again, acidosis is EXTREMELY rare and quite dangerous. More dangerous though are people self diagnosing themselves without really understanding how the body really works.
I’m getting you now… you want to be right at any cost and you are glib about it. In my mind that makes everything you are saying questionable. There is nothing worse than someone that should know better confidently stating false information to make a point.
I think where you are running into problems with your logic is you appear to not be able to put 2 and 2 together and thats not uncommon. I’ve known some really smart people that have no ability to stray from the text and connect the dots. That is just not good problem solving my friend.
The characteristic yellow tint of the skin in hypothyroidism is due to hyper-beta-carotenemia. Hypothyroidism causes extreme disruption in electrolyte balance according to many studies. Now FOLLOW THOUGH with that thought…. one can become DEHYDRATED as a result. Weakening digestive enzymes can cause havoc to anyones nutritional wellbeing… fats don’t emulsify… vitamin K, etc. A deficiency in K would certainly cause coagulation abnormalities, abnormalities that cleared up quickly when I took vitamin K for a short time. I don’t need you to tell me I’m wrong, I’ve had the experience of curing that deficiency first hand.
If I had you and your logic and problem solving when I needed help to understand what was happening to me I’d have been up the creek… I think thats clear.
I never said diet or nutrition stops any disease (Linus Pauling did)… not sure where you got that from my post. I understand your job is to uphold the status quo for us all as a member of the medical establishment but some of us are just not going to sit around while you get off of dispense your pearls of wisdom that at least in this last posting of yours are flippantly WRONG and not thought though.
I have cured myself of my deficiencies and balanced my thyroid hormone and am now off all other medication despite some very big egos wanting to prevent that type of thing. Now please at least GOOGLE information and perhaps read someones else’s personal experience and learn a little something before posting and condescendingly trying to shoot it all down.
As I said, I’d still be sick if I were listening to you.
I am not the one stating false information. I was simply connecting the dots as you put it and explaining why your statements made no sense. Now you are all pissed off because I exposed your false information.
Your main problems is that you don’t really understand how the body works and you are self diagnosing.
For example, you state “The characteristic yellow tint of the skin in hypothyroidism is due to hyper-beta-carotenemia”. Considering how common hypothyroidism is why don’t we have an epidemic of hyper-beta-carotenemia?
Then you go on to talk about electrolyte imbalances and cellular dehydration. So how do you explain how electrolyte imbalances from water toxemia causing brain swelling? The cells are not swelling from dehydration. Just the opposite.
” Weakening digestive enzymes can cause havoc to anyones nutritional wellbeing… fats don’t emulsify… vitamin K, etc.”
The function of enzymes is not emulsification. Emulsifiers such as the lecithin in bile allow for the emulsification of fat soluble vitamins, not enzymes. Again, this is why people who do not understand the chemistry of the body or how the body really works should not be self diagnosing.
“A deficiency in K would certainly cause coagulation abnormalities”
Yes, nobody is disputing that. But that is not what you were describing in association with your supposed vitamin K deficiency as I pointed out in my last post.
“I never said diet or nutrition stops any disease (Linus Pauling did)… not sure where you got that from my post.”
You implied that this was your belief as well when you wrote this:
“What I believe you are talking about when you say blood PH is not influenced by diet is best case scenarios and the belief that everyone eats their veggies and fruit and that they have no digestion issues or undiagnosed diseases. ”
Being that I never said anything about that that leaves me to belief that this is part of YOUR belief system. What I was referring to is the fact that regardless of what you eat the food will be made acidic. Then the chyme will stimulate an alkaline response upon leaving the stomach. I the long run the metabolites will form beneficial acids that aid the body and the excess will be neutralized or eliminated to maintain the body’s tight pH levels. So it does not matter if you eat steak or lettuce, the end result as far as pH will always be the same, which is the body will simply maintain its pH in normal levels.
Hmmm, interesting that you don’t have any idea what you are talking about but yet you keep going on and on. Mostly at night, so I’m suspecting that a little alcohol is involved and your perhaps dressed as your alter ego… paleo huntress.
“The characteristic yellow tint of the skin in hypothyroidism is due to hyper-beta-carotenemia.”
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8475673
I refuse to interact with a troll playing the contrarian game.
You refuse to interact? Don’t be ridiculous. You couldn’t help yourself if you tried. It’s a shame your alkaline diet didn’t remove the acid in your personality. To accuse someone of drinking becasue they are posting late at night? What kind of sad little person you must truly be.
While I’m quite flattered to be thought James Sloane’s alter ego, do your due diligence and plug our names into a search engine and see what comes up before revealing yourself a fool. Outside of your little bubble, you’ll find a big wide world that disagrees with you.
I see you know as little about me as you do how your body works. That is why you keep assuming things. For example, accusing me of drinking. I may have 2 or 3 drinks a year because I don’t care much for alcohol and have only been drink once in my life unintentionally. When people start attacking the other person instead of the topic like you are doing it just shows the person is clueless to what they are claiming. So all they have left is to attack the messenger instead of the message.
As far as your comment about hyper-beta-carotenemia you totally missed my point. Just because something can occur this does not make it common, nor is the only cause of something. Have you ever bothered to look up the various things that can cause yellowing of the skin? So you are assuming as usual that you 1. Have hypothyroidism and 2. That hypothyroidism is behind the yellowish discoloration you developed in your skin.
Again, this is why people who do not really understand how the body really works should not be trying to self diagnose.
It is like when people try to self diagnose over something like chronic fatigue, which can occur for numerous reasons. So they jsut go with what sounds good to them based on what little they really know about the body.
I have a Facebook page for holistic help for dogs with mast cell cancer. One of my members posted your article, so I wanted to respond here and on my site. My diet which is high in alkalizing foods and lysine has shown empirically that dogs are living longer lives on Cleo’s Diet, which is an alteration of the Budwig Diet. I have had the website for over 6 years – my Cleo was giving 6 months to live with Grade II MCT and she lived another 6 years on top of that with energy and vitality – a Weimaraner, passing at 11.5 years of age. The alkalizing diet did not cure her cancer, as she was very progressed, but I do believe it slowed it down and she lived longer because of it. I saw her numerous tumors disappear on her body, her breathing return to normal – I am not the only one who had success – you can ask many of my 568 members about their experiences, even with lymphoma and leukemia, using Cleo’s Diet which consists of grain free EVO, ( 2:1 ratio of protein to carbs), cottage cheese, and fish oil. I don’t sell anything – I just pass my experience on to others so they can make informed decisions to forego chemo, if they choose.
Here is my comment to your page:
Correct, that you cannot change the blood pH for any length of time – it adjusts back to normal levels really quickly to achieve homeostasis. I should have been using the word “buffering” instead of alkalizing – I tend to use them interchangeably and that was my mistake. The first Moffitt paper uses the word alkalizing, but Dr. Gilles changed the word to buffering to avoid the blood pH confusion – it’s actually body pH change. Lysine is absorbed by our cells – also in the areas where the tumors are located. If there is lysine present in the area, it will buffer the acid coming from the tumor cells. When cancer is present, it does change the BODY’s pH and this can’t really be measured in the blood, but in the body fluids, such as saliva and urine. Does this help?
No, I don’t believe an acid-forming diet is the cause of canine cancer either. I do believe it is an inflammation issue. When dogs are given continually food that causes an allergic response, the body is always in immune response mode. This overloads and exhausts the immune system. With this overload comes the development of cancer. There are numerous publications that inflammation and overactive immune response is a leading cancer cause. I still believe that adding alkalizing foods works – I’ve seen it raise body pH in saliva and in urine of my dogs.
Such an interesting comment. It sounds like you’re doing some wonderful things for the animals whose owners come to you. I have a question and a couple of comments… first the question, how is your treatment diet different from the diets the animals were eating before their cancer diagnoses?
Comment #1. I’m not a T. Colin Campbell fan, he produced some great research but misrepresents it at almost every turn. However, regarding that research, his data showed that when feeding isolated foods to animals (like wheat), he could prevent cancer compared to feeding casein. While we know that this is because wheat doesn’t have a complete amino profile, the most interesting part of this particular research is that it is lysine that was missing from the cancer-free animals’ diets. When the lysine was supplemented, the cancer rates rose to match those of the animals eating casein.
Comment #2. Urine and saliva pH has absolutely nothing to do with body pH.
As previously stated neither salivary or urinary pH reflect blood pH whatsoever. The ONLY way to determine blood pH is with a blood test.
Can lysine help with cancer. In theory yes. But this has NOTHING to do with pH. Research cancer viruses. The vast majority of cancers, including leukemias and lymphomas are caused by viruses. Lysine has some antiviral properties.
In fact, the only chemotherapy drugs that have had any type of high success rate on cancer are the drugs Vincristine and Vinblastine derived from the plant Madagascar periwinkle. These drugs are used to treat leukemias and lymphomas linked to viral infections such as the human T-cell leukemia/lymphoma viruses and Epstein Barre virus. Vincristine and Vinblastine have their very high success rates because these are strong antiviral drugs.
Another great example is betulinic acid, derived from birch bark and chaga (black conch) mushrooms. Betulinic acid is not only successful against cancers due to its strong antiviral effects, but also cancer viruses such as hepatitis viruses and the cancer virus HIV, previously known as human T-cell leukemia/lymphoma virus type 3 (HTLV III). See:
http://medcapsules.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=3600
http://medcapsules.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=3180
http://medcapsules.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=2363
In fact, many acids have known anti-cancer effects such as acidic polyphenols and chlorogenic acid due to their antiviral effects.
The body has various mechanisms by which it maintains its pH. Respiration is the primary means of pH balancing.
James,
Any chance you’re James Sloane? Your comments remind me of articles I’ve read and video interviews I’ve watched with him.
Yes.
Well how cool is that? It’s awesome that you’re commenting here.
For anyone still arguing, James is the pH expert, really and truly. A quick search engine search will show you that you can’t prevail here, he really does know more than all of us.
Great info but your missing a lifetime of volumes of information on fungus and its link to cancer. Virus is but a small part. As the Nobel genius Otto Warburg said decades ago, cancer has many secondary causes but only one primary cause…the fermentation of sugars. This holds completely true today. Antifungals have done incredible work with cancers and fungus, which Doug Kaufmann, and many other top experts would suggest through countless studies over decades, which state cancer and fungus are one in the same. Harvard and Johns Hopkins among them. They just don’t like to talk about it much do they?
Fungal associated cancers are rare. There are a a few mycotoxins that can lead to cancer in severely immunocompromised people such as alfatoxins. But these are easily neutralized with vitamin C.
If you check the real, and more current research, you will find that the vast majority of cancers have been linked to viruses. I have seen a number of cases though of fungal infections being secondary to cancer due to the use of antibiotic chemotherapy drugs. These kill off the beneficial acid forming bacteria that help protect us from many fungi, such as fungal Candida.
And I really wish people would stop misquoting Otto Warburg!!! Otto Warburg never claimed cancer was the result of the fermentation of sugar. Nor did he ever claim that cancer was the result of a lack of oxygen or from acidity as people keep falsely claiming. And Warburg never claimed that a high pH or high oxygen levels would kill cancer cells as people also keep falsely claiming.
Warburg hypothesized that cancer cells had a respiratory defect and would continue to ferment regardless of how much oxygen is present. This became known as the “Warburg effect”.
Warburg’s hypotheses that cancer cells had a respiratory defect and how cancer cells derived their energy were later disproven. We now know today that cancer cells derive at least 50% of their energy production through oxidative phosphorylation. In other words, not fermentation.
And any “expert” who wants to claim that cancer cells and fungi are the same thing are clearly not even close to being real experts. For starters, fungi have cell walls because they are more closely related to plants. Human cancer cells have cell membranes because they are animal cells. So any idiot who cannot figure out that fungal cells and cancer cells have completely different morphologies are not experts by any means!
Cancer cells are actually pretty much fetal cells. Think about it. Both have a faster than normal metabolism and growth rate. Both have a higher glucose utilization than other cells and grow faster in a high glucose concentration. Both utilize human chorionic gonoadotrophin hormone, NOT FOUND IN FUNGI, to hide from the immune system. One of the cancer markers looked for is carcinogenic EMBRYONIC antigen test.
Again, cancer cells and fungi are not the same thing nor are they related.
James are you aware of
Exposure to solvents and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma: clues on …
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17337640
by P Vineis – 2007 – Cited by 25 – Related articles
Mar 2, 2007 – Exposure to solvents and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma: clues on putative mechanisms. … Malignant lymphomas are a group of diseases of uncertain etiology. … and with familial predisposition) indirectly suggest that an immunologic mechanism could be involved in lymphomagenesis from solvents.
I find it interesting that the medical establishment is still claiming to not know the cause of lymphomas when the link to viruses has been known for around 30 years.
In fact, I posted for a short time on the American Leukemia and Lymphoma Society board. Someone decided to argue that viruses were not a cause of leukemias and lymphomas and made a sarcastic remark about I should tell his doctor about this since his doctor never heard of these cancer viruses. So I told the guy that he needs to find a new doctor since these viruses had been known for 25 years at the time. I then posted a number of medical journal studies proving the link between viruses and leukemias and lymphomas. The American Leukemia and Lymphoma Society immediately banned me, erased ALL of my messages and left the posts calling me a quack up despite their policy against posting attacks. They simply did not want people knowing that the cause of leukemias and lymphomas was known because then they would have to admit the cures already exist and there would no longer be a reason for their existence.
A few example though are the human T-cell leukemia/lymphoma virus type 3, which was later renamed the human immunodeficiency virus to hide the link between the virus and the cancers it plays a role in by acting as a co-factor for oncogenic viruses. There are also human leukemia/lymphoma viruses 1, 2 and 4. HTLV 1 and 2 are known to be direct causes of lymphomas.
David the “Bubble Boy” died from B cell lymphoma from the Epstein Barr virus (human herpes virus type 4) he acquired from a bone marrow transplant he got from his sister.
Burkitt’s lymphoma is commonly associated with Epstein Barr viral infections in parts of Africa.
The hepatitis C virus is also known for causing B cell lymphoma.
Simian vacuole virus type 40 that contaminated the polio vaccines given to 80 million Americans has been linked to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma among other cancers.
Various compounds are not directly carcinogenic but rather have been found to be co-factors in carcinogenesis. For example, estrogens are not directly carcinogenic. Instead, estrogens have been found in studies to activate oncoviruses (cancer causing viruses). Sunlight does not cause skin cancer, but rather activates oncogenic human papilloma viruses in the skin. Asbestos is a co-factor to causing mesothelioma by its effect on the oncogenic virus simian vacuole virus type 40.
As far as solvents go there are several possibilities as to their role in the formation of cancer. For example, it is hypothesized that the solvent benzene reacts with estrogens in the body forming otho-quinones that can stimulate the proliferation of blood cells. I am not sold on this hypothesis though since there are not changes in the cells that would prevent the immune system from identifying and destroying the proliferated cells. This would be a good example of what I have always said about what happens in the Petri dish is not always the same as what happens in the body. The Petri dish does not have an active immune system like the body does.
My hypothesis is that the solvents are suppressing immune function allowing the oncoviruses that cause lymphomas to take hold. All three solvents mentioned in the study you linked (benzene, xylene, toluene) are all well known to be highly toxic to the bone marrow. All immune cells start out as undifferentiated stem cells in the bone marrow. When the bone marrow is damaged, such as by solvent exposure there is a decline in stem cells and thus a drop in immune cells that in turn lead to immune suppression. With immune suppression oncogenic viruses can take hold. AIDS is a good example of this. One of the symptoms of AIDS are AIDS associated cancers that result from the immune suppression associated with chemical or viral induced AIDS.
I’ve come to see that clinical trials mean nothing as years ago they said smoking is not a health risk and doctors even promoted cigarettes to runners claiming that it helps.
There is truth to both sides of every story though. Lots of people will take this article and eat even worse then they did before, then become even more sickly. The problem is that people in general are very unhappy (mostly because they are chasing what Hollywood and TV commercials promotes as a happy lifestyle) and food is 1 of those things that can take you out of that unhappy state quickly. The problem is that we feel worse after we ate the wrong thing, mentally and physically, so we turn back to food for a fix and the cycle continues.
We should stop looking for the next best clinical trial or study, proving why we don’t have to take responsibility for ourselves.
Celebrities are nothing more than a walking billboards to advertising firms so don’t fall for that hype either. You can Google anything and find actual supporting evidence why something is true, then Google it again and find evidence why it is false.
In terms of Acid/Alkaline diet for me “PERSONALLY”, When I switched my diet and removed most cooked food, meat and dairy, my body looked and felt different within a very short time (roughly less then a week I could feel and see a huge difference). I had WAY more energy. The problem was that gradually over the course of a year I went back to old eating habits and got all my ailments back. I made the switch too drastically without really studying anything and I just couldn’t keep it for good, but at least not even a doctor can tell me different now because I went through it personally.
For those that are really interested, please Google or Youtube, “Anthony Robbins – acid/alkaline”, also “Fat, Sick and nearly dead” and also ” Heal yourself 101 – Markus Rothkrans”. These guys aren’t selling anything but take you along on their journey, even with doctors. There are way more videos out there of people filming themselves drastically changing their lives. In eons, nature hasn’t changed a thing in the way it works because its perfect as is. It is us that took the apple off the tree and added more sugar to it (why?), baked it to death(why?) and added more sugar coatings to it. Why, so we can make each other dependant on certain foods and make a profit. It always comes down to money in the end. The only way to really be healthy is too eat what nature intended us to eat….ditch that Vitamin-C pill and rather eat an orange, 1 that grows naturally and isn’t genetically engineered to fight of pests. These things evolve to withstand natural disasters and that makes the weak die and what’s left are the ones we eat. Factory farming, engineering and writing articles to support these profit organisations all lead to following a very poor quality of life.
What is the core purpose of this article? To try and prove a point and be right, or tell people not to care about acid/alkaline food? If its the latter then it has achieved its purpose to the detriment of millions.
Warren,
I interpret the purpose of this article is to dispel a potentially dangerous myth. Removing nutrient-dense animal foods from your diet on the misplaced belief that they’re causing detriment based on this myth is a fool’s errand. Chris’ blog is all about eating a whole food diet and he certainly isn’t encouraging people to eat fewer whole foods or fresh veggies, so get off your high horse and quit bashing someone for telling the truth. People don’t need to be lied to to do what’s right for themselves. You’d have to be an idiot to come away from this article believing you’ve just been told that eating highly processed junk-food is being recommended or is healthy. Feel free to extrapolate what that says about you.
Huntress
Awesome. I appreciate your open-mindedness and spirit of true discussion. I realize that the concept of the stomach as an organ of alkalinity versus acidity is out there and not accepted by any mainstream science. I agree that is a theory and I’m not even here to argue that point although I do agree that Robert Young has done very important work in this area and overall understands the biochemistry of the body far more than most health professionals. I would love for this discussion to happen on a panel with these various people because there are important formulas not being talked about at all here in this chemistry. I’m not a biochemist so I won’t go there but let’s say even if the Stomach is mostly acidic like most believe. I agree that it could be so as some functions of the body are acidic in order to achieve a goal let’s say kill pathogens, break down certain foods, etc. I also agree that the hydrochloric acid has a function and it doesn’t make sense to use a drug to shut down this component. It also depends on what one eats that affects the stomach pH. It’s just a fact of biochemistry that at some point there must be an alkalizing process because the body is in general slightly alkaline by design. This is why the lining has the alkaline component, it has to be in order to protect the body. The acid provides a process but the food has to be as alkaline as possible before it goes into the small intestine and affects the blood, this is why the pancreas also secretes bicarb and other glands and systems do too throughout the body. The saliva also secretes a bicarb to combat the effects of acids in our food and this is clearly proven by monitoring saliva pH. The blood has to maintain, as a matter of homeostasis, a slightly alkaline pH. The blood is about 7.365 and is tightly regulated. The tissues also are ideally alkaline as well but the blood is most critical for life and death. If this blood pH varies to a point positive or negative we die. I would never argue that. Chris here is agreeing with that. Yes it is a life or death mechanism and the body will maintain this as best it can no matter what kind of foods that we eat until we die. What I, and many are proposing is that Chris and others are ignoring the degree to which the body will go to maintain this slightly alkaline pH and how the systems individually and as a whole work together to maintain it and are affected over time. Acids pool in various parts of our bodies in the fatty tissues, lymphatic and around organs. That’s a fact and has been medically documented (Fatty tissue samples). If there is only so much mineral in our body at some point we die if we don’t have enough. Many if not most diseases have a related mineral deficiency. When we consume healthy alkaline forming foods that are naturally high in these minerals, this supports the body and helps to build our mineral reserves. Those minerals are not destroyed by the stomach acid and help to build our overall body. The human body is not a completely closed system it’s interdependent and the way in which it wears down over time is often caused through lifestyle and that is going to work against our design. Let’s say one eats a mostly acidic diet, for example what most people ate during this past Thanksgiving holiday Mostly over-ate unclean processed pasteurized animal products, processed foods, sugars and other acidic choices like alcohol, pies etc. What happens in the body? This is basically an overload of acid and while the stomach is acid, if it has to create more acid at some point to deal with toxic food this must be balanced by alkaline salt at some point to neutralize the acid from burning our small intestine. The process regardless takes a lot of biological energy and some people seem to not understand how this wears down our body including depleting our alkaline minerals. This is why a green juice for example is the opposite and gives energy to your body versus take it away, and you can feel the difference in your stomach versus eating a piece of pie or something like that. When you eat the pie and too much crap you burp up acid. I’m not saying green juice is the only alkaline food but it is clearly one of them. This is why we feel the way we do when we pig out on Thanksgiving, our body basically shuts down to pull in the resources to neutralize the effect of what we have done, and help transform as much of the usable food into the blood stream. A lot of alkaline salts are used in that transformation that happens before the food enters the crypts of the small intestine. We wouldn’t want hydrochloric acid going in there. It’s not just the Tryptophan in Turkey like people say, yes that can affect it but all the sugars and other stuff which create acid byproducts and put people into a food coma. Even my vegetarian friends have this effect so I know it’s not just the Turkey. Over time this acidic lifestyle wears down on the body and its systems. A lot of acid, mostly yeast, toxins, etc. get pushed off by the lymphatic system into the fatty tissues and also affect organ systems, etc. Because the blood has to maintain the pH it will pull in whatever alkalinity it can to maintain it and the acids start to saturate the body and creates cancer and other dis-eases. This is what they call acidosis. Yes the blood is alkaline but the body is becoming saturated in acids and will break down the body. On the flip side when you eat living foods, lots of greens, green juices, sprouts, fresh living organic foods, and clean animal products in balance of having mostly alkaline fruits and veggies, your body does not have to go through a hard process in digesting that because it is alkaline by design. It has all the minerals and components in it to support the body, less acid is needed for digestion. I understand there are different opinions. I don’t expect anyone to agree I just believe it because I’ve seen it play out and I do know many of these people who have healed using this approach and I feel this information is important to share. Thanks and looking forward to more discussion.
You clearly only partially understand the way in which the body maintains it’s alkaline design. You are correct in saying that the blood pH is strictly regulated by the body it’s a life or death mechanism. Yes the Kidneys and other systems maintain this homeostasis when you consume acidic foods but you clearly lack understanding on how this wears down over time on the overall design and systems of the body. If you continue to eat acidic foods and drinks without a foundation of living alkaline forming ones, even though your body will compensate and blood will pull in bicarbonate, lungs will respire CO2, etc, over time this wears down on the entire biochemistry of the body. This is why eventually your bones will wear down. I have many testimonials of women who have reversed osteoporosis and osteopoenia following this lifestyle. What you are lacking understanding of is that the body is not a separate system but a connected system, it’s a holistic system. You should have a conversation with Robert Young on this he would run circles around you in a debate and has clear formulas to prove it. And years of research many people have healed cancer by supporting the alkaline design of their body instead of working against it. Over time acids are thrown into the lymphatic and other systems and fatty tissues around organs and this is what gives rise to Cancer. Yes the body must maintain it’s design but overtime if we don’t support it we will detereorate.
“You should have a conversation with Robert Young on this he would run circles around you in a debate and has clear formulas to prove it.”
For those who don’t know, Robert Young is the author of ‘The pH Miracle.’ For your enjoyment and edification, here’s a direct quote from the book:
“Conventional medical thinking is that the stomach should be acidic, which a pH of 1.5 to 3.0, but a healthy pH when food is present is at least 7.2, moving as high as 8.4 as the sodium bicarbonate is released from the stomach lining.
But for every molecule of that heavy-duty alkalizing sodium bicarbonate substance produced, hydrochloric acid (HCl) is also produced, as a waste product. HCl destroys the electron potential of food. But the HCl never comes into contact – or should never come into contact – with the food or liquids you eat. The sodium bicarbonate rises to the surface of the stomach to meet incoming food and drink and alkalize it, but the HCl falls into the gastric pits of the stomach, away from the food.”
…wut? I honestly don’t even know how to respond to that, but I may or may not have burst out laughing after reading it.
At least you’re honest in saying you don’t know how to respond. If you knew how to you would. Are you saying that conventional medical thinking is always correct? If you do then you’re not informed because plenty has been proven wrong over time. Just because a nutrition textbook says something doesn’t mean we cannot question it especially if we have reason to think otherwise. There is a growing body of research that is understanding how the body maintain’s it’s alkaline design I and many others do propose that mainstream science is incorrect in it’s understanding of digestion. It’s all about having the discussion. It’s important to not act like one knows everything because the fact is nobody does there are always new areas to discover in science. There has been research to indicate an alkaline component in the digestive process. Even in the stomach, the layer just outside the epithelium is quite basic. The question is whether or not the bicarb is the byproduct of the hydrochloric acid or vice versa. Regardless, the entire biochemistry of the body is set up to support an alkaline pH in the blood and this is it’s homeostasis. Even if there is a mechanism of acid in the stomach to kill bacteria/viruses like conventional wisdom proposes, the food still must become alkaline before it goes into the small intestine and that bicarb must be produced to counteract the acid otherwise it would burn a hold in our stomach. There is also research to suggest that decreased gastric lining secretion of bicarbonates may play a significant role in duodenal ulcers. The Pancreas also aids in this process of alkalizing, it secretes bicarb before it goes into the crypts of the small intestine. It’s true that overall the human body has an amazing ability to maintain a steady pH in the blood with the main compensatory mechanisms being renal and respiratory. What most people don’t understand especially conventional medicine is how all the systems work together to do this and how the body is depleted of the sodium biarb, potassium bicarb and other alkalizing minerals including calcium in that process. Despite so much advances in science and technology, there is still so much that is not known by mainstream medical science. I’m all for the discussion. I just think it’s important to bring up this information/
I definitely don’t believe conventional medical thinking is always correct, but on the whole I believe that our current understanding of human physiology (including digestion) is pretty advanced and generally trustworthy (or at least more trustworthy than conventional understanding of nutrition). We’re nowhere near knowing everything about how the human body works, but I would definitely need to see some convincing evidence to believe what Robert Young claims in that passage I posted, because it sounds completely and utterly ridiculous (which is why it made me laugh).
You’re correct in saying that the stomach mucosa is protected by alkaline mucus, and that the acidic chyme must be neutralized once it leaves the stomach, but that’s not what Young was claiming. HCl is certainly not a waste product – it IS vital for defending against pathogens (like you mentioned), as well as activating the protein-digesting enzyme pepsin, and converting dietary iron into an absorbable form. This is why the use of proton-pump inhibitors often has such harmful effects on people’s health – because stomach acid is, believe it or not, a crucial component of the digestive process. This is also why HCl is often an extremely therapeutic supplement; when people don’t have enough of it, they suffer consequences.
And honestly, his last two sentences in that passage are just complete nonsense. I mean, “the HCl never comes into contact – or should never come into contact – with the food or liquids you eat”? What? The stomach thoroughly churns its contents after you eat, ensuring that essentially every molecule of food comes into contact with HCl. And “the sodium bicarbonate rises to the surface of the stomach to meet incoming food and drink and alkalize it”? Where did he even come up with that?
I agree with you – I’m all for discussion – but with claims like these, I would need to see some serious proof. (His book conveniently contains no endnotes).
I’ll make my first comment, supporting what you say.
As I have been teaching health and natural healing for 40+ years, will seriously read what you are saying here as opposed to what James has been saying.
Fair warning to everyone. I plan to comment on the truth about meat eating with plenty of evidence to back me up.
[hint] I have not eaten any dead animals in 42 years.
lol Are you hoping to be cole or broccoli slaw?