Alkaline diet
Alkaline diet | |
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Alkaline ash diet, alkaline acid diet, acid ash diet, acid alkaline diet | |
Alternative therapy |
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Alkaline diet (also known as the alkaline ash diet, alkaline acid diet, acid ash diet, and acid alkaline diet) describes a group of loosely related diets based on the misconception that different types of food can have an effect on the pH balance of the body. It originated from the
The "acid-ash" hypothesis claimed that excess dietary production of acid was a risk factor for osteoporosis, but the scientific evidence does not support this hypothesis.[4]
Alternative medicine
A version of this diet has also been promoted by
Urinary and/or saliva testing for acidity has been proposed as a way to measure the body's acidity level and therefore the level of risk for diseases.[6] However, there is no correlation between the urinary pH and the acidity of the body.[9]
Adverse effects
Because the alkaline diet promotes excluding certain families of foods, it could result in a less balanced diet with resulting nutrient deficiencies such as
Proposed mechanism
According to the traditional
Advocates propose that since the normal pH of the blood is slightly alkaline, the goal of diet should be to mirror this by eating a diet that is alkaline producing as well. These advocates propose that diets high in acid-producing elements will generally lead the body to become acidic and thereby foster disease.[2][11] While a selectively alkaline diet may change the pH level in the urine, it has not been shown to elicit a sustained change in blood pH levels, nor to provide the clinical benefits claimed by its proponents, because it is "virtually impossible" to create a less acidic environment in the body.[9] Because of the body's natural regulatory mechanisms, which do not require a special diet to work, eating an alkaline diet can, at most, change the blood pH minimally and transiently.[2][11][9]
A similar proposal by those advocating this diet suggests that cancer grows in an acidic environment, and that an alkaline diet can change the environment of the body to treat cancer. However, contrary to the premise of the proposal, it is rapid growth of cancer cells that creates acidic environment associated with cancer; the acidic environment does not create cancer.[5] "Extreme" dietary plans such as this diet have more risks than benefits for patients with cancer.[5]
Evaluation
The British Dietetic Association named the alkaline diet one of the "top 5 worst celeb diets to avoid in 2018", branding it as "nonsense".[12]
This proposed mechanism, in which the diet can significantly change the acidity of the blood, goes against "everything we know about the chemistry of the human body" and has been called a "myth" in a statement by the American Institute for Cancer Research.[9][needs update]
While it has been proposed that this diet can help increase energy, lose weight, and treat cancer and
These diets have been promoted by
While diets avoiding
History
The role of the diet and its influence on the acidity of urine has been studied for decades, as
Nutrition scientists began to refine this hypothesis in the early 20th century, emphasizing the role of negatively charged particles (
Historical uses of alkaline diets
Historically, the medical application of alkaline diets largely focused on preventing recurrence of
See also
- List of ineffective cancer treatments
- D. C. Jarvis – Advocated higher blood acidity as prevention and treatment
- Hay diet
- List of diets
References
- ^ a b c Vangsness, Stephanie (16 January 2013). "Alkaline Diets and Cancer: Fact or Fiction?". Intelihealth. Archived from the original on 27 March 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g Collins, Sonya. "Alkaline Diets". WebMD. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
- ^ a b Mirkin, Gabe (11 January 2009). "Acid/Alkaline Theory of Disease Is Nonsense". Quackwatch.
- ^ PMID 24094472.
it has never been demonstrated that, in healthy subjects, manipulation of the diet caused any disturbance in blood pH or bicarbonates. The 'metabolic acidosis' predicted with the Acid-Ash Hypothesis has remained hypothetical.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7817-7617-2.
- ^ PMID 21529374.
- ^ a b Kaul, Lalita. "The pH Miracle for Weight Loss: Book Review". Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Archived from the original on 25 February 2017. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
- ^ Skarnulis, Leanna (24 March 2008). "Arthritis diets and supplements: Do they work?". WebMD. Archived from the original on 2012-08-09. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
- ^ a b c d Alice (2 November 2010). "Alkaline diets". American Institute for Cancer Research. Retrieved 21 July 2020. Update 2 November 2020.
- PMID 19782182.
- ^ a b c "Is an alkaline diet better for me?". Canadian Cancer Society. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
- ^ "Top 5 worst celeb diets to avoid in 2018". British Dietetic Association. 7 December 2017. Archived from the original on 29 December 2017.
The British Dietetic Association (BDA) today revealed its much-anticipated annual list of celebrity diets to avoid in 2018. The line-up this year includes Raw Vegan, Alkaline, Pioppi and Ketogenic diets as well as Katie Price's Nutritional Supplements.
- ^ S2CID 19931493.
- ISBN 0-323-00569-1.
- S2CID 33398351.
External links
- Komaroff, Anthony (29 September 2014). "Can an alkaline diet help prevent cancer?". Ask Doctor K. Harvard Health Publications. Archived from the original on 1 March 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
- "Top diets review for 2015". National Health Service Choices. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
- About alkaline diets on ScienceBlogs