Acid/Alkaline Theory of Disease Is Nonsense?

[Guest guest]

From:

Acid/http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/DSH/coral2.html

I'd like to get opinions on this - - -

Alkaline

Theory of Disease Is Nonsense

Gabe Mirkin, M.D.

Have you seen advertisements for products such as coral calcium or alkaline

water that are supposed to neutralize acid in your bloodstream? Taking calcium

or drinking alkaline water does not affect blood acidity. Anyone who tells

you that certain foods or supplements make your stomach or blood acidic does

not understand nutrition.

You should not believe that it matters whether foods are acidic or alkaline,

because no foods change the acidity of anything in your body except your

urine. Your stomach is so acidic that no food can change its acidity. Citrus

fruits, vinegar, and vitamins such as ascorbic acid or folic acid do not change

the acidity of your stomach or your bloodstream. An entire bottle of calcium

pills or antacids would not change the acidity of your stomach for more than a

few minutes.

All foods that leave your stomach are acidic. Then they enter your intestines

where secretions from your pancreas neutralize the stomach acids. So no

matter what you eat, the food in stomach is acidic and the food in the

intestines

is alkaline.

You cannot change the acidity of any part of your body except your urine.

Your bloodstream and organs control acidity in a very narrow range. Anything

that changed acidity in your body would make you very sick and could even kill

you. Promoters of these products claim that cancer cells cannot live in an

alkaline environment and that is true, but neither can any of the other cells in

your body.

All chemical reactions in your body are started by chemicals called enzymes.

For example, if you convert chemical A to chemical B and release energy,

enzymes must start these reactions. All enzymes function in a very narrow range

of acidity. (The degree of acidity or alkalinity is expressed as " pH. " ). If

your blood changes its acidity or alkalinity for any reason, it is quickly

changed back to the normal pH or these enzymes would not function and the

necessary chemical reactions would not proceed in your body.

For example, when you hold your breath, carbon dioxide accumulates in your

bloodstream very rapidly and your blood turns acidic, and you will become

uncomfortable or even pass out. This forces you to start breathing again

immediately, and the pH returns to normal. If your kidneys are damaged and

cannot

regulate the acidity of your bloodstream, chemical reactions stop, poisons

accumulate in your bloodstream, and you can die.

Certain foods can leave end-products called ash that can make your urine acid

or alkaline, but urine is the only body fluid that can have its acidity

changed by food or supplements. ALKALINE-ASH FOODS include fresh fruit and raw

vegetables. ACID-ASH FOODS include ALL ANIMAL PRODUCTS, whole grains, beans and

other seeds. These foods can change the acidity of your urine, but that's

irrelevant since your urine is contained in your bladder and does not affect

the pH of any other part of your body.

When you take in more protein than your body needs, your body cannot store

it, so the excess amino acids are converted to organic acids that would acidify

your blood. But your blood never becomes acidic because as soon as the

proteins are converted to organic acids, calcium leaves your bones to

neutralize

the acid and prevent any change in pH. Because of this, many scientists think

that taking in too much protein may weaken bones to cause osteoporosis.

Cranberries have been shown to help prevent recurrent urinary tract

infections, but not because of their acidity. They contain chemicals that

prevent

bacteria from sticking to urinary tract cells.

Taking calcium supplements or drinking alkaline water will not change the pH

of your blood. If you hear someone say that your body is too acidic and you

should use their product to make it more alkaline, you would be wise not to

believe anything else the person tells you.

________________

[Guest guest]

Hi

Ive been on a high Protein diet for about 12 months but Ive included alot of

veggies and salads at the same time - Im gradually increasing the % of

veggies and salads in my diet. Its interesting as I craved protein foods during

my CFS recovery - but now I crave more alkaline foods - hence i have a

feeling my body getting back to Balance.

Regards

Cs

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/10/2006 10:52:44 PM Pacific Standard Time,

clements@... writes:

I'll continue to drink my alkaline ionized water

Which ionizer do you use?

[Guest guest]

The normal blood pH range is 7.35-7.45 pH. Info on one clinics

website reported that blood taken from patients w/ CFS-FMS was found

to be 7.5pH and higher in some cases. According to the quackwatch

article that is not possible. The body would make adjustments to

maintain the correct pH.

There are conditions of alkalosis and acidosis, But the quackwatch

article implies that they are not possible, that the body will correct

these things. There is a metabolic acidosis or a metabolic alkalosis

of the blood in which the pH is affected by the substances taken into

the body. There is a respiratory alkalosis or respiratory acidosis

which is caused by an imbalance in cellular respiration. In the case

of CFS-FMS the blood is in respiratory alkalosis.

Everything written in the article is relatively true. In a healthy

person things work the way the article describes. Everything eatten

is acidified in the stomach and then pancreatic juices nuetralize the

acid making the chyme more alkaline. Those acidifing and alkalizing

minerals are made in the body from raw ingredients that come from

outside the body. If the diet is not adaquately supplying these raw

ingredients eventually an imbalance is going to result.

For example say that someone daily consumes 3 or 4 soda pop over a

very long time (10+ years) with a pH of 3pH (pulled a pH out of the

air for the sake of example I don't know if the pH of soda is 3pH.

anyway ...) It will take very little acid to lower the pH to 2pH in

the stomach. But that fluid then has to go into the intestines where

the pH of the substance must then be raised to 7pH. This is going to

require much more alkalizing buffer.

For each molecule of Hcl that is produced a molecule of sodium

bicarbonate is created. This bicarbonate buffer then helps to

neutralize the acidic chyme as it goes into the intestines.

In the scenario with the soda pop the body is using much more sodium

bicarbonate buffer to raise the pH than was generated by the stomach

when it made the HCl to acidify the substance.

The body has reserves that it can draw upon and down the road it

usually is then able to restock whatever was used to meet short term

requirements. But again this is how things happen in a healthy body.

What if digestion is impaired and the body is not able to replace

these reserves? According to the quackwatch article the author does

not offer this as a possibility. If a person has GERDs then their

body is not creating sufficient amounts of HCl which is going to

impair the bodies ability to absorb a number of minerals. Kinda got

of track, tho point is that not everyone is in exellent health such

that the bodies systems are working as the article describes.

In the short term, the acidity or alkalinity of a food does not make

much difference. However, in the long term, over the course of

several years, if a persons diet tends to be more acid forming and

supplying less alkaline forming foods that is going to eventually

create a condition that the body can no longer balance because it has

exhausted its reserves.

As the article points out enzymes operate in a specific pH range.

Now if an enxyme in the blood is designed to function properly in a pH

range of 7.35pH to 7.45pH. How will the enzyme activity be affected

when blood pH rises to 7.5pH? Its efficacy will be lowered. And,

this lowered efficacy may then contribute to an imbalance elsewhere.

Don't take the quackwatch article as being gospel truth just because

the author has a couple letters behind his name. For every MD with a

theory there can be found another MD with an opposing opinion.

In the end, a person believes what they will. And, believing one

way or another does not make it true. I for one don't believe the

quackwatch article is entirely accurate. For whatever that may be worth.

I'll continue to drink my alkaline ionized water and be sure that my

diet contains a good portion of alkaline forming foods and I will

continue to refrain from eatting things made with sugar which is acid

forming. From my analytical viewpoint it makes sense to me to do so.

All the best,

Jim

>

>

> From:

> Acid/http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/DSH/coral2.html

> I'd like to get opinions on this - - -

> Alkaline

> Theory of Disease Is Nonsense

> Gabe Mirkin, M.D.

> Have you seen advertisements for products such as coral calcium or

alkaline

> water that are supposed to neutralize acid in your bloodstream?

Taking calcium

> or drinking alkaline water does not affect blood acidity. Anyone

who tells

> you that certain foods or supplements make your stomach or blood

acidic does

> not understand nutrition.

> You should not believe that it matters whether foods are acidic or

alkaline,

> because no foods change the acidity of anything in your body except

your

> urine. Your stomach is so acidic that no food can change its

acidity. Citrus

> fruits, vinegar, and vitamins such as ascorbic acid or folic acid

do not change

> the acidity of your stomach or your bloodstream. An entire bottle

of calcium

> pills or antacids would not change the acidity of your stomach for

more than a

> few minutes.

> All foods that leave your stomach are acidic. Then they enter your

intestines

> where secretions from your pancreas neutralize the stomach acids.

So no

> matter what you eat, the food in stomach is acidic and the food in

the intestines

> is alkaline.

> You cannot change the acidity of any part of your body except your

urine.

> Your bloodstream and organs control acidity in a very narrow range.

Anything

> that changed acidity in your body would make you very sick and could

even kill

> you. Promoters of these products claim that cancer cells cannot live

in an

> alkaline environment and that is true, but neither can any of the

other cells in

> your body.

> All chemical reactions in your body are started by chemicals called

enzymes.

> For example, if you convert chemical A to chemical B and release

energy,

> enzymes must start these reactions. All enzymes function in a very

narrow range

> of acidity. (The degree of acidity or alkalinity is expressed as

" pH. " ). If

> your blood changes its acidity or alkalinity for any reason, it is

quickly

> changed back to the normal pH or these enzymes would not function

and the

> necessary chemical reactions would not proceed in your body.

> For example, when you hold your breath, carbon dioxide accumulates

in your

> bloodstream very rapidly and your blood turns acidic, and you will

become

> uncomfortable or even pass out. This forces you to start breathing

again

> immediately, and the pH returns to normal. If your kidneys are

damaged and cannot

> regulate the acidity of your bloodstream, chemical reactions stop,

poisons

> accumulate in your bloodstream, and you can die.

> Certain foods can leave end-products called ash that can make your

urine acid

> or alkaline, but urine is the only body fluid that can have its

acidity

> changed by food or supplements. ALKALINE-ASH FOODS include fresh

fruit and raw

> vegetables. ACID-ASH FOODS include ALL ANIMAL PRODUCTS, whole

grains, beans and

> other seeds. These foods can change the acidity of your urine, but

that's

> irrelevant since your urine is contained in your bladder and does

not affect

> the pH of any other part of your body.

> When you take in more protein than your body needs, your body cannot

store

> it, so the excess amino acids are converted to organic acids that

would acidify

> your blood. But your blood never becomes acidic because as soon as the

> proteins are converted to organic acids, calcium leaves your bones

to neutralize

> the acid and prevent any change in pH. Because of this, many

scientists think

> that taking in too much protein may weaken bones to cause

osteoporosis.

> Cranberries have been shown to help prevent recurrent urinary tract

> infections, but not because of their acidity. They contain chemicals

that prevent

> bacteria from sticking to urinary tract cells.

> Taking calcium supplements or drinking alkaline water will not

change the pH

> of your blood. If you hear someone say that your body is too acidic

and you

> should use their product to make it more alkaline, you would be wise

not to

> believe anything else the person tells you.

> ________________

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I'm pretty new to this acid/alkaline thing and here is my opinion so

far (for what it's worth from a " newbie " !)

I think the American Diet is way too acidic and we need to eat more

fruit, vegetables, whole grains and less meat. Some of

the " alkaline guru's " think that 80% of our diet should come from

alkaline foods - that would be very difficult since whole grains are

acidic and are very healthy. And I think we need a little meat in

our diet (lean meats)

I am trying hard to be more " alkaline " with fresh fruit and

vegetables as I begin my journey to rid my body of Lyme and other

bacterial and viral infections (including chlymidia pneumonia) BUT

many of the published acid/alkaline lists contradict each other.

I guess I agree with the article in that we should be wary of

supplements like it described. Eating a healthier diet would be

best.

I got my PH strips last night and although I've been eating " good "

for the last few days - I am coming up acidic (only did it last

night and this am. though). I am trying not to obsess - especially

since my meds are probalbly causing acidity and I definately need

the meds.

I'd be interested to see everyone's feedback on this.

Molly

[Guest guest]

>>

Jim:

Where do you get the alkaline ionized water?

Thanks

Molly

> I'll continue to drink my alkaline ionized water and be sure

that my

> diet contains a good portion of alkaline forming foods and I will

> continue to refrain from eatting things made with sugar which is

acid

> forming. From my analytical viewpoint it makes sense to me to do

so.

>

> All the best,

> Jim

>

>

>

> >

> >

> > From:

> >

Acid/http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/DSH/coral2.htm

l

> > I'd like to get opinions on this - - -

> > Alkaline

> > Theory of Disease Is Nonsense

> > Gabe Mirkin, M.D.

> > Have you seen advertisements for products such as coral calcium

or

> alkaline

> > water that are supposed to neutralize acid in your bloodstream?

> Taking calcium

> > or drinking alkaline water does not affect blood acidity. Anyone

> who tells

> > you that certain foods or supplements make your stomach or blood

> acidic does

> > not understand nutrition.

> > You should not believe that it matters whether foods are acidic

or

> alkaline,

> > because no foods change the acidity of anything in your body

except

> your

> > urine. Your stomach is so acidic that no food can change its

> acidity. Citrus

> > fruits, vinegar, and vitamins such as ascorbic acid or folic

acid

> do not change

> > the acidity of your stomach or your bloodstream. An entire

bottle

> of calcium

> > pills or antacids would not change the acidity of your stomach

for

> more than a

> > few minutes.

> > All foods that leave your stomach are acidic. Then they enter

your

> intestines

> > where secretions from your pancreas neutralize the stomach

acids.

> So no

> > matter what you eat, the food in stomach is acidic and the food

in

> the intestines

> > is alkaline.

> > You cannot change the acidity of any part of your body except

your

> urine.

> > Your bloodstream and organs control acidity in a very narrow

range.

> Anything

> > that changed acidity in your body would make you very sick and

could

> even kill

> > you. Promoters of these products claim that cancer cells cannot

live

> in an

> > alkaline environment and that is true, but neither can any of the

> other cells in

> > your body.

> > All chemical reactions in your body are started by chemicals

called

> enzymes.

> > For example, if you convert chemical A to chemical B and release

> energy,

> > enzymes must start these reactions. All enzymes function in a

very

> narrow range

> > of acidity. (The degree of acidity or alkalinity is expressed as

> " pH. " ). If

> > your blood changes its acidity or alkalinity for any reason, it

is

> quickly

> > changed back to the normal pH or these enzymes would not

function

> and the

> > necessary chemical reactions would not proceed in your body.

> > For example, when you hold your breath, carbon dioxide

accumulates

> in your

> > bloodstream very rapidly and your blood turns acidic, and you

will

> become

> > uncomfortable or even pass out. This forces you to start

breathing

> again

> > immediately, and the pH returns to normal. If your kidneys are

> damaged and cannot

> > regulate the acidity of your bloodstream, chemical reactions

stop,

> poisons

> > accumulate in your bloodstream, and you can die.

> > Certain foods can leave end-products called ash that can make

your

> urine acid

> > or alkaline, but urine is the only body fluid that can have its

> acidity

> > changed by food or supplements. ALKALINE-ASH FOODS include fresh

> fruit and raw

> > vegetables. ACID-ASH FOODS include ALL ANIMAL PRODUCTS, whole

> grains, beans and

> > other seeds. These foods can change the acidity of your urine,

but

> that's

> > irrelevant since your urine is contained in your bladder and does

> not affect

> > the pH of any other part of your body.

> > When you take in more protein than your body needs, your body

cannot

> store

> > it, so the excess amino acids are converted to organic acids that

> would acidify

> > your blood. But your blood never becomes acidic because as soon

as the

> > proteins are converted to organic acids, calcium leaves your

bones

> to neutralize

> > the acid and prevent any change in pH. Because of this, many

> scientists think

> > that taking in too much protein may weaken bones to cause

> osteoporosis.

> > Cranberries have been shown to help prevent recurrent urinary

tract

> > infections, but not because of their acidity. They contain

chemicals

> that prevent

> > bacteria from sticking to urinary tract cells.

> > Taking calcium supplements or drinking alkaline water will not

> change the pH

> > of your blood. If you hear someone say that your body is too

acidic

> and you

> > should use their product to make it more alkaline, you would be

wise

> not to

> > believe anything else the person tells you.

> > ________________

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

There are other factors involved that may be making you acidic. For

instance, if your endocrine system is not up to par......it could

affect the PH. So you may be eating all these alkalizing foods but

then your adrenals or thyroid may be on the slow side.........and

that could affect the PH.

You mentioned " Whole grains " being good for us. Be careful with

grains. Most of them have phytic acid coating on outside. THey

need to be soaked and rinsed real good.

A book called " Going against the Grain " was a real eye opener for

me. Grains leach on to minerals in the body and can actually cause

a mineral deficiency in the body. In earlier years......most people

soaked grains really good before eating. THis is really important.

Quinoa and Millet are the grains I eat besides rice. I soak them

overnight and rinse them well before cooking.

Tammy

>

> I'm pretty new to this acid/alkaline thing and here is my opinion

so

> far (for what it's worth from a " newbie " !)

>

> I think the American Diet is way too acidic and we need to eat

more

> fruit, vegetables, whole grains and less meat. Some of

> the " alkaline guru's " think that 80% of our diet should come from

> alkaline foods - that would be very difficult since whole grains

are

> acidic and are very healthy. And I think we need a little meat in

> our diet (lean meats)

>

> I am trying hard to be more " alkaline " with fresh fruit and

> vegetables as I begin my journey to rid my body of Lyme and other

> bacterial and viral infections (including chlymidia pneumonia) BUT

> many of the published acid/alkaline lists contradict each other.

>

> I guess I agree with the article in that we should be wary of

> supplements like it described. Eating a healthier diet would be

> best.

>

> I got my PH strips last night and although I've been eating " good "

> for the last few days - I am coming up acidic (only did it last

> night and this am. though). I am trying not to obsess -

especially

> since my meds are probalbly causing acidity and I definately need

> the meds.

>

> I'd be interested to see everyone's feedback on this.

>

> Molly

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/12/2006 6:43:16 PM Eastern Standard Time,

jaegilbert@... writes:

there is a very wonderful and commonsense cookbook - " Nourishing Traditions "

by Sally Fallon that talks about cooking all foodstuffs so they are more

digestible and their nutrients are more absorbable. For grains, she

suggests soaking overnight in water + a little kefir (fresh is easy and

cheap to make at home) or in a pinch, buttermilk which is similar. Check

out Kefir_making

Judith

Yoghurt is another option as it contains similar bacteria.

THe irony is that phytic acid is a known cancer treatment.....

mjh

" The Basil Book "

http://foxhillfarm.us/FireBasil/

[Guest guest]

Tammy - I also eat a lot of quinoa and millet. Do you think that millet has the

phytic acid coating on the outside? (I thought it might not have?) What else are

you soaking them in, in the water? I have heard that something is needed in

order to help 'release' the phytic coating - like a whey, or lemon, or perhaps

vinegar? Les PS: when I rinse the quinoa after soaking, the water is very

frothy; however, the millet's water is not - perhaps the quinoa has more phytic

covering?

Re: Acid/Alkaline Theory of Disease Is Nonsense?

There are other factors involved that may be making you acidic. For

instance, if your endocrine system is not up to par......it could

affect the PH. So you may be eating all these alkalizing foods but

then your adrenals or thyroid may be on the slow side.........and

that could affect the PH.

You mentioned " Whole grains " being good for us. Be careful with

grains. Most of them have phytic acid coating on outside. THey

need to be soaked and rinsed real good.

A book called " Going against the Grain " was a real eye opener for

me. Grains leach on to minerals in the body and can actually cause

a mineral deficiency in the body. In earlier years......most people

soaked grains really good before eating. THis is really important.

Quinoa and Millet are the grains I eat besides rice. I soak them

overnight and rinse them well before cooking.

Tammy

>

> I'm pretty new to this acid/alkaline thing and here is my opinion

so

> far (for what it's worth from a " newbie " !)

>

> I think the American Diet is way too acidic and we need to eat

more

> fruit, vegetables, whole grains and less meat. Some of

> the " alkaline guru's " think that 80% of our diet should come from

> alkaline foods - that would be very difficult since whole grains

are

> acidic and are very healthy. And I think we need a little meat in

> our diet (lean meats)

>

> I am trying hard to be more " alkaline " with fresh fruit and

> vegetables as I begin my journey to rid my body of Lyme and other

> bacterial and viral infections (including chlymidia pneumonia) BUT

> many of the published acid/alkaline lists contradict each other.

>

> I guess I agree with the article in that we should be wary of

> supplements like it described. Eating a healthier diet would be

> best.

>

> I got my PH strips last night and although I've been eating " good "

> for the last few days - I am coming up acidic (only did it last

> night and this am. though). I am trying not to obsess -

especially

> since my meds are probalbly causing acidity and I definately need

> the meds.

>

> I'd be interested to see everyone's feedback on this.

>

> Molly

>

This list is intended for patients to share personal experiences with each

other, not to give medical advice. If you are interested in any treatment

discussed here, please consult your doctor.

[Guest guest]

hi gang -

> I also eat a lot of quinoa and millet. Do you think that millet has the

> phytic acid coating on the outside? (I thought it might not have?) What

> else are you soaking them in, in the water? I have heard that something is

> needed in order to help 'release' the phytic coating - like a whey, or

> lemon, or perhaps vinegar?

there is a very wonderful and commonsense cookbook - " Nourishing Traditions "

by Sally Fallon that talks about cooking all foodstuffs so they are more

digestible and their nutrients are more absorbable. For grains, she

suggests soaking overnight in water + a little kefir (fresh is easy and

cheap to make at home) or in a pinch, buttermilk which is similar. Check

out Kefir_making

Judith

[Guest guest]

Hi Les,

I " m really not sure if the millet also has the phytic acid

coating.......but will look back through the book I have to find out.

I have heard also about soaking the grains in whey, etc. but I have

not done that. Guess it wouldn't hurt though!

Tammy

> >

> > I'm pretty new to this acid/alkaline thing and here is my

opinion

> so

> > far (for what it's worth from a " newbie " !)

> >

> > I think the American Diet is way too acidic and we need to eat

> more

> > fruit, vegetables, whole grains and less meat. Some of

> > the " alkaline guru's " think that 80% of our diet should come

from

> > alkaline foods - that would be very difficult since whole

grains

> are

> > acidic and are very healthy. And I think we need a little

meat in

> > our diet (lean meats)

> >

> > I am trying hard to be more " alkaline " with fresh fruit and

> > vegetables as I begin my journey to rid my body of Lyme and

other

> > bacterial and viral infections (including chlymidia pneumonia)

BUT

> > many of the published acid/alkaline lists contradict each

other.

> >

> > I guess I agree with the article in that we should be wary of

> > supplements like it described. Eating a healthier diet would

be

> > best.

> >

> > I got my PH strips last night and although I've been

eating " good "

> > for the last few days - I am coming up acidic (only did it

last

> > night and this am. though). I am trying not to obsess -

> especially

> > since my meds are probalbly causing acidity and I definately

need

> > the meds.

> >

> > I'd be interested to see everyone's feedback on this.

> >

> > Molly

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> This list is intended for patients to share personal experiences

with each other, not to give medical advice. If you are interested

in any treatment discussed here, please consult your doctor.

>

>

>

>