The Alkaline Diet

[Alan]

Day 1:
Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with tomatoes, peppers, onions
Snack: 1 apple, and a handful of walnuts
Lunch: Banana and walnuts
Dinner: Brown rice with steamed brocolli/carrots/cauliflower and a salad

Day 2:
Breakfast: 2 bananas, some grapes
Snack: 1 apple, and a handful of walnuts
Lunch: Leftovers from day 1's dinner
Dinner: Aloo gobi, bhindi masala, salad

Good luck.

 

[blunomore]

There are some proposed benefits to it that could work with what we know about physiology today. They mainly have to do with prevention of osteoporosis as the body might dissolve bone in an attempt to buffer the acidity levels in the blood. There is no evidence in support of this but not really any that shoots it down in flames either.

Please explain what you are saying here?

 

[porchrat]

Please explain what you are saying here?

Referred to as the alkaline and acid ash hypothesis usually. It isn't an established theory yet and may never become one. For all we know it could be total hogwash. However there is little to suggest that it is and little to suggest that it isn't.

Basically in response to high doses of acidic food your body could break down bone in an attempt to create buffers to counter acidity.

Your bone is broken down by cells called osteoclasts. Bone's chemical composition (rich in phsophates and calcium) make it ideally suited to provide a dose of alkalinity where needed to buffer acidity and maintain blood pH.

Obviously the more your bone is broken down the weaker your bones become and the more at risk you are of developing osteoporosis.

Once again I stress that this is only a hypothesis and there is little to support it. Still it could have merit.

The rest of the crap about cancer and diabetes and body acidity alterations from your diet has never been demonstrated in any in vivo study that I am aware of though and modern physiology says our blood pH is very tightly regulated and it would take some incredible occurrence to exhaust our body's ability to buffer against alteration of blood pH through normal means and that by that point you are prety much dead anyway. So I can't accept the claims of these alternative medicine people that you can cure your diabetes with the dietary equivalent of bicarb until I see some evidence.

I certainly wouldn't advocate the diet. Depending on the one you follow some ask you to cut out all sorts of important things like fatty acids leading to an drop in your access to the essential fatty acids (your body cannot synthesise these, one of the few things it can't do ). They also sometimes call for a total dropping of dairy which can cause vitamin D deficiency as dairy is a big source of vitamin D for us (again we don't make this stuff).

I understand that you want to lose weight or stay slim and be healthy. We all do. However make sure that what you are doing isn't going to hurt you. Talk to a professional, not Internet laymen.

 

[Broadcom]

The rest of the crap about cancer and diabetes and body acidity alterations from your diet has never been demonstrated in any in vivo study that I am aware of though and modern physiology says our blood pH is very tightly regulated and it would take some incredible occurrence to exhaust our body's ability to buffer against alteration of blood pH through normal means and that by that point you are prety much dead anyway. So I can't accept the claims of these alternative medicine people that you can cure your diabetes with the dietary equivalent of bicarb until I see some evidence.

So, the pH of blood is tightly regulated at a constant 7.4. If your pH drops to 7.0 you would die from massive organ failure.

But what about the many other organs and metabolic processes in the body which rely on a specific pH to function?

The whole endocrine system for example. Insulin production? Thyroid T4 to T3 conversion? All done in the pancreas with an alkaline pH of between 7.8 and 8.0

 

[porchrat]

So, the pH of blood is tightly regulated at a constant 7.4. If your pH drops to 7.0 you would die from massive organ failure.

But what about the many other organs and metabolic processes in the body which rely on a specific pH to function?

The whole endocrine system for example. Insulin production? Thyroid T4 to T3 conversion? All done in the pancreas with an alkaline pH of between 7.8 and 8.0

Sure. Thing to remember is that the various enzymes that run your body are usually pretty sensitive. They don't operate very well, often at all, outside of their regular pH levels.

It isn't just the blood's pH levels that are tightly regulated. Your pH levels across the board need to be tightly regulated. Sure some areas will have more flexibility than others but if areas with enzymes requiring strict pH levels were able to vary wildly in accordance with something as dangerously variable as acidity of your diet then you would be in serious trouble pretty quickly.

This alkaline diet thing seems to regard the pH regulatory mechanisms in the body as impotent and useless. I don't know where this comes from as evidence has consistently demonstrated that these mechanisms are reliable to incredible lengths, accurate and very intricate.

Organs and such don't receive a direct supply of delicious goodies from your food. The food is processed many many times long before your vascular system finally brings those nutrients to your organs all in an attempt to regulate every aspect of your body's functioning. Then of course in the organs themselves ion channels and the like function to tightly regulate not only extracellular interstitial pH but intracellular pH as well. All of those mechanisms would need to break down in order to have wonky pH levels.

Can you show me the publications demonstrating the relationship between dietary acid/alkaline intake ratios and pancreatic pH levels?

 

[OMB]

as I said, pseudo science

http://www.skepdic.com/robertoyoung.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_O._Young

 

[Hosehead]

I take it you have proof of this damage by over acidity resulting from diet?... sets of scientific publications?

Please provide them.



Your body can make more and get more from the food you eat. Weird how that works huh?

Also some have an infinite supply. Like, did you know that part of the way your body manages your pH is to respire?... yes the simple act of expelling CO2 helps to manage your blood pH... are you saying your ability to breathe is going to be "all used up" as well?


Please provide scientifically valid evidence of people being cured of their cancer or diabetes thanks to alkaline food. Also please provide evidence of the causal link (or perhaps even just correlations) between alterations in blood pH that cause it to fall outside of the narrow ranges with these disease states.



No what gives it quack status is the lack of scientific evidence in support of any of the claims and how it doesn't at all fit with what we know about modern physiology.



Again please provide evidence of the pH changes in those disease states.



Lots of pseudo-science here. How exactly do you define this balance of pH? what levels where? There is no total body acidity or alkalinity, different areas of your body have differen pH levels, this is part of how your body functions.

Do you have scientific studies demonstrating changes of pH outside of the narrow range associated with human blood pH and a reversal of that state through the use of the diet?... if so by all means provide them and I will reevaluate my opinion. If not stop pretending this stuff is established fact.

Look, I'll keep it simple because if you have a geninue interest and are not of the old school stagnant mindset- You'll get the answers yourself. I recommend you start with your open minded thinking on the New Biology. Go and familarise yourself with a copy of the PH Miracle by Robert O. Young, Ph.D,. and if you really want to understand more of the science of the theory you can review it there. Most if not All your above questions are answered and if not ask him yourself.

 

[Kloofvreter]

What do you think of this:

Nothing.

 

[DJ...]

Day 1:
Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with tomatoes, peppers, onions
Snack: 1 apple, and a handful of walnuts
Lunch: Banana and walnuts
Dinner: Brown rice with steamed brocolli/carrots/cauliflower and a salad

Day 2:
Breakfast: 2 bananas, some grapes
Snack: 1 apple, and a handful of walnuts
Lunch: Leftovers from day 1's dinner
Dinner: Aloo gobi, bhindi masala, salad

Er, this is just an ordinary diet, and you are sorely lacking in protein here. Protein is kinda, well, essential to living.

And this alkaline diet is a heap of schit for the average Joe. It has buggerall basis in science and the only reason it works is on the basis of carb and calorie minimising. It ain't a healthy, balanced diet in terms of what we know about human physiology...

 

[Hosehead]

Day 1:
Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with tomatoes, peppers, onions
Snack: 1 apple, and a handful of walnuts
Lunch: Banana and walnuts
Dinner: Brown rice with steamed brocolli/carrots/cauliflower and a salad

Day 2:
Breakfast: 2 bananas, some grapes
Snack: 1 apple, and a handful of walnuts
Lunch: Leftovers from day 1's dinner
Dinner: Aloo gobi, bhindi masala, salad

That's 99% nowhere near the alkaline food groups

 

[DJ...]

Look, I'll keep it simple because if you have a geninue interest and are not of the old school stagnant mindset- You'll get the answers yourself. I recommend you start with your open minded thinking on the New Biology. Go and familarise yourself with a copy of the PH Miracle by Robert O. Young, Ph.D,. and if you really want to understand more of the science of the theory you can review it there. Most if not All your above questions are answered and if not ask him yourself.

Robert Young is a pseudo-science bullschitting fraud. Just 'cos it's in a book doesn't make it true. This theory, and Robert Young have been debunked by actual medical professionals (note, not those pretending to be doctors, as Young was convicted of) for years already...

 

[blunomore]

Referred to as the alkaline and acid ash hypothesis usually. It isn't an established theory yet and may never become one. For all we know it could be total hogwash. However there is little to suggest that it is and little to suggest that it isn't.

Basically in response to high doses of acidic food your body could break down bone in an attempt to create buffers to counter acidity.

Your bone is broken down by cells called osteoclasts. Bone's chemical composition (rich in phsophates and calcium) make it ideally suited to provide a dose of alkalinity where needed to buffer acidity and maintain blood pH.

Obviously the more your bone is broken down the weaker your bones become and the more at risk you are of developing osteoporosis.

Once again I stress that this is only a hypothesis and there is little to support it. Still it could have merit.

The rest of the crap about cancer and diabetes and body acidity alterations from your diet has never been demonstrated in any in vivo study that I am aware of though and modern physiology says our blood pH is very tightly regulated and it would take some incredible occurrence to exhaust our body's ability to buffer against alteration of blood pH through normal means and that by that point you are prety much dead anyway. So I can't accept the claims of these alternative medicine people that you can cure your diabetes with the dietary equivalent of bicarb until I see some evidence.

I certainly wouldn't advocate the diet. Depending on the one you follow some ask you to cut out all sorts of important things like fatty acids leading to an drop in your access to the essential fatty acids (your body cannot synthesise these, one of the few things it can't do ). They also sometimes call for a total dropping of dairy which can cause vitamin D deficiency as dairy is a big source of vitamin D for us (again we don't make this stuff).

Thanks for the explanation.

 

[blunomore]

An Alkaline diet/meal plan/ call it what you want, is not 100% alkaline foods, but more like 70/30 or 60/40 alkaline/acidic foods.

So it does not mean I will never eat meat or dairy products.

 

[Hosehead]

Er, this is just an ordinary diet, and you are sorely lacking in protein here. Protein is kinda, well, essential to living.

And this alkaline diet is a heap of schit for the average Joe. It has buggerall basis in science and the only reason it works is on the basis of carb and calorie minimising. It ain't a healthy, balanced diet in terms of what we know about human physiology...

What we know about human physiology is really what mainstream medicine and mainstream teaching wants us to know so Massive big Pharma can juggernaut along all with the blessings of the FDA. There are alternatives and yes, plenty of quacks and quackery and people who smell money and want a piece of action and jump on the bandwagon - this has been happening for several years and unfortunately it is diluting the message.
With regards to Protein, Ross of energise put it quite well

7. Where do I get protein from?

That is a very, very valid question – but I think it is in the wrong context…but I’ll get onto that. The first question you need to ask yourself is ‘How Much Protein Do I Need?’. Difficult question. Dr Young states that the average person needs no more than 20g per day, but this obviously changes if you work out or lead a very active life. I personally aim for around 50g, but certainly nowhere near the heights of some trainers who propose you should have at least 1-2g’s per kg of body weight.

I suggest you find your own level that you are happy with, within this range (of 20-100g) and then consider where you will get your protein from. When most people ask this about the alkaline diet it is more out of fear that they are not going to get enough – but the more pertinent question is – what is your source of protein i.e. make sure it is a good source!

On an alkaline diet, without any further supplementation I consume at least 30g of protein a day, which is more than enough for the body to function, grow and develop. This level often tops 60g with the introduction of tofu, soy milk etc.

I also supplement with an organic hemp protein at the moment because I’m hitting the gym pretty hard, but this isn’t essential.

Food Sources of Protein on the Alkaline Diet – but to answer your original question, when you’re living alkaline you get more than enough protein from:

– tofu
– soy
– nuts
– seeds
– pulses
– green leafy vegetables

These provide plenty. So relax…

 

[blunomore]

What we know about human physiology is really what mainstream medicine and mainstream teaching wants us to know so Massive big Pharma can juggernaut along all with the blessings of the FDA. There are alternatives and yes, plenty of quacks and quackery and people who smell money and want a piece of action and jump on the bandwagon - this has been happening for several years and unfortunately it is diluting the message.
With regards to Protein, Ross of energise put it quite well

Thanks, that is very helpful.

 

[DJ...]

An Alkaline diet/meal plan/ call it what you want, is not 100% alkaline foods, but more like 70/30 or 60/40 alkaline/acidic foods.

So it does not mean I will never eat meat or dairy products.

Firstly, what exactly are you hoping to achieve with this diet? The science behind it is bullschit, dreamt up by a convicted fraudster who pushes herbal homeopathy on cancer patients, that has been fully debunked already. So I don't understand why you are on it in the first place.

Secondly, you are severely restricting dairy and protein. That is also not healthy in the long-run. I don't understand this diet whatsoever...

 

[Alan]

What about calcium?

 

[porchrat]

An Alkaline diet/meal plan/ call it what you want, is not 100% alkaline foods, but more like 70/30 or 60/40 alkaline/acidic foods.

So it does not mean I will never eat meat or dairy products.

No some do indeed ask you to cut out those sorts of things. Alkaline diet is a term used to describe a collection of diets, not one single meal plan.

If the one you are on doesn't deny you access to things like essential fatty acids and final form vitamin D then that is fine. Besides if you spend a fair amount of time in the sun each day your vitamin D needs can be taken care of anyway. Unfortunately few of us do.

 

[porchrat]

What we know about human physiology is really what mainstream medicine and mainstream teaching wants us to know so Massive big Pharma can juggernaut along all with the blessings of the FDA. There are alternatives and yes, plenty of quacks and quackery and people who smell money and want a piece of action and jump on the bandwagon - this has been happening for several years and unfortunately it is diluting the message.
With regards to Protein, Ross of energise put it quite well

and here comes the Big Pharma conspiracy theories. Yea this stuff really makes you seem more rational mate.

 

[DJ...]

What we know about human physiology is really what mainstream medicine and mainstream teaching wants us to know so Massive big Pharma can juggernaut along all with the blessings of the FDA.

So what we know about the human body is one big conspiracy? Dafuq? It is the most widely tested branch of science out there. Your inference is that there is some global body controlling the message. This is more bullschit...

With regards to Protein, Ross of energise put it quite well

Ross doesn't explain a thing. He quotes "Dr" Young again. And once again the infamous young keeps to form and lies about it by stating that we only need 20grams per day. This is nonsense. Absolute bloody nonsense. I mean do we attack this on the basis of it being the worst generalisation one could possibly come up with? Do we attack it on the angle of it being completely false? Do we attack it on the basis of it simply being a lie to confirm his pseudo-science? Do we attack it on the basis of the stated protein sources being incomplete amino acid strains? Do we attack it on the basis of these incomplete amino-acids being largely un-cooked and therefore insoluble in the human body (we do not have four stomachs like a cow to break down cellulose fibres)?

From which angle would should we deal with this bullschit claim?