The Alkaline Diet: Is There Evidence That an Alkaline pH Diet Benefits Health?

Abstract

This review looks at the role of an alkaline diet in health. Pubmed was searched looking for articles on pH, potential renal acid loads, bone health, muscle, growth hormone, back pain, vitamin D and chemotherapy. Many books written in the lay literature on the alkaline diet were also reviewed and evaluated in light of the published medical literature. There may be some value in considering an alkaline diet in reducing morbidity and mortality from chronic diseases and further studies are warranted in this area of medicine.

Examining the relationship between diet-induced acidosis and cancer

“…Although protein is a major factor involved in promoting endogenous acid production, it should be made clear that attenuation of protein consumption is not a recommended dietary strategy for attaining improved acid-base balance. There is scientific evidence supporting the concept that appropriate alkali supplementation in the form of fruits and vegetables serves aptly to neutralize excess [H + produced from protein metabolism [34,194]. The analysis provided discusses how diet-induced acidosis is a potential upstream and indirect trigger in a multifactorial cascade of molecular events associated with carcinogenesis.…”

Investigating Mechanisms of Alkalinization for Reducing Primary Breast Tumor Invasion

“…There is some reporting on the palliative role of alkalinization through sodium bicarbonate treatment in cancer patients [36, 37], but most studies examining alkalinization in cancer treatment focus on animal models for breast and prostate cancer [15–19, 35, 38]. Although diet-induced, endogenous acid production is a relevant factor in chronic diseases [39–41] and may have a potential role in cancer [39, 42], it is not yet clear if dietary alkaline loading helps to prevent cancer or diminishes tumor aggression. …”

Analysis of ash suspension obtained from Piper aduncum that claimed to cure cancer in Papua New Guinea

“…The anions like chloride is the predominant anion that exists in the extracellular space, responsible for maintaining acid-base balances, transmitting nerve impulses and regulating the fluids in and out of body cells [32]. The bicarbonate ions play vital roles as components in the pH buffering system of the human body [33]. Though inorganic chemotherapeutic drugs like cisplatin are available, they function by coordinating to the guanine nitrogens of the rapidly replicating DNA strands, thus killing the cancerous cells.…”