The Alkaline Diet and the Warburg Effect

Abstract

The changing diets accompanying our modern life style have increased the content of foods that form acidic metabolic waste residues in the body. Wastes from these metabolic processes are released into the interstitial fluids and the blood, slightly changing their pH temporarily. This link may in turn have an impact on the incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
 According to Warburg effect theory, an acidic cellular and circulatory environment may cause various specific health problems such as hypoxia and cancer, whereas an oxygen-rich optimum-alkaline environment could retain healthy cells. However, the mechanisms by which the diet may be influential on blood pH-related parameters and on health have remained largely unknown.
 This paper begins with a detailed presentation of the concepts, issues and the existing evidence regarding alkaline and acid forming diets, and summarizes the three main mechanisms by which the diet influences the acid-base balance in the body. It then presents the findings of a small exploratory study in which one author (HB) followed diets traditionally thought to produce alkaline or acidic residues. After each diet period of one month (with a two-month wash out period), pH, oxygen saturation, and carbon dioxide partial pressure were measured for arterial and for venous blood. 
 The resulting data indicated that the diets followed changed blood pH-related parameters in the expected directions according to the acid-base theory of health. Increased intake of acid-forming foods resulted in a slightly lower pH level, but a significant reduction of oxygen saturation in the blood, whereas increased consumption of alkaline forming foods maintained the high oxygen saturation in the blood that, according to Warburg effect theory, may, if maintained, reduce the incidence of NCDs. Further cross-over research of this kind is needed, utilizing large samples and testing various dietary modifications.

On the Origin of the Warburg Effect in Cancer Cells: Controlling Cancer as a Metabolic Disease

“…In normal conditions, healthy cells utilize aerobic cellular respiration to produce the energy (ATP) they need [24]:…”

Global trends of cancer: The role of diet, lifestyle, and environmental factors

“…Hence, most cancers may be preventable by modifying dietary and lifestyle factors and reducing exposure to environmental carcinogens. Furthermore, a healthy balanced diet with alkalizing effect may be beneficiary for cancer patients as they often experience a significant metabolic acidosis as per the Warburg effect [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 15 , 88 ].…”

Effect of Diet on Depression: A Review of Nutritional Solutions

“…A diet high in acidogenic (acid-forming) foods (See Bahrami & Greiner, 2021. ) may increase the risk of depression, anxiety, stress, and obesity.…”

“…Hence, reducing high dietary acid, such as by sufficient consumption of foods that have alkalizing properties (As explained in Bahrami & Greiner 2021), these are not alkaline foods, can be effective in reducing depression and other mental disorders (Mozaffari et al, 2020). Some foods that form acidic metabolic waste (strong acidifiers) and increase acidity of the blood more significantly include red meats from pork, commercial dairy products, soft drinks, chocolate, coffee, high-fructose corn syrup, table sugar, frying oil, sour plums, peanuts, and fried potatoes (Bahrami and Greiner, 2021;Corriher, 2009). In comparison, plant-based foods result in significantly less acid load (Ronco et al, 2021), and could perhaps be beneficial in treating the depressed patients.…”

“…In comparison, plant-based foods result in significantly less acid load (Ronco et al, 2021), and could perhaps be beneficial in treating the depressed patients. Foods that form alkaline metabolic waste include raw almonds, date fruits, olive oil, figs, grapes, lemons, apples, pomegranates, fresh ginger, garlic, onion, carrot, and celery (Bahrami & Greiner, 2021;Bridgeford, 2015). However, bicarbonate supplements and alkaline drinks are not very effective over the long-term (Bahrami & Greiner, 2021).…”