The link between being more acidic or alkaline and cancer development can be blurry. Some believe that if the body pH is higher, cancer cells cannot multiply since they can only thrive in an acidic environment. They conclude that cancer cells are comfortable disseminating in areas with a considerably low pH. But guess what! Well, it is not as simple as some scientists have discovered.
They are right to some extent; cancer cells aggregate and create a more acidic environment around them as they generate energy through glycolysis. Lactic acid production in this process definitively leads to the surrounding cancer cells becoming acidic. The findings in several works indicate that cancer cells can also survive and proliferate in both acid and alkaline media. This implies that manipulating our bodies’ pH levels through the foods we eat or any other form of interference will not help prevent cancer.
Our bodies are adept at maintaining blood pH levels, making it difficult to alter through diet. While shifting to healthier foods may improve overall health, it’s unlikely to prevent cancer. However, ongoing research and further studies are paving the way for a better understanding of the pH-cancer connection and potential prevention methods, offering hope for the future.
The Basics of pH and Cancer Cells
pH is a number that depicts the acidity/basicity of a solution, and the extremes of this value range from 0 to 14, where 0 is very acidic while 14 is very basic. That is why the pH scale is arranged such that 7 is in the middle; in other words, it is not more acidic or alkaline but neutral. The values below 7 are said to be acidic, and the values above 7 are said to be alkaline. The blood pH the human body keeps is slightly on the primary side; it hovers in an approximate range of 7.35 and 7.45.
It is well-known that cancer cells prefer a lower pH in the environment than normal cells. This is because they have a higher metabolism and rely on glycolysis to produce lactic acid.
Nevertheless, cancer cells’ utilization of an acidic environment for their growth doesn’t mean at all that the conditions that create the environment in the body leading to the proliferation of cancerous cells are the cause of the diseases, and neither does it mean that the state of alkalinity can cure the disease. Other parameters, for instance, the pl environment affecting the pH level of blood, are related to cancer but in a way that is not understood.
The Role of pH in Cancer Cell Growth
Some researchers have evidence that the cancer cell microenvironment can exist within the limits of acid and base, which is neither exceptionally favorable nor disadvantageous. Another study in 2013 showed that the pH level that cancer cells can survive ranges from 6.0 to 8.0 %, while another study reported an increase of Bacteroides at an alkaline pH of 7. 5.
It is primarily hypothesized that the tumors possess acid secretion because of the high metabolism rate of cancer cells, which grow much faster than the formation of blood vessels to sustain them, hence causing hypoxia. This condition leads to even higher levels of lactic acid that contribute to an even lower value of the extracellular pH level.
Therefore, these conditions change to fit the surrounding challenging environment that the cancer cells are subject to due to their continued metabolism, which makes them grow even with the unfriendly conditions they impose on themselves.
Ayurveda-based Alkaline Environment
Ayurvedic medicine is an approach to treatment that has roots in India. According to this system, one can easily avoid a disease like cancer. The first is that cancer cells thrive in an acidic environment; thus, when we consume foods that shift our body’s pH to alkaline, the cells will not grow.
Ayurvedic therapy advises individuals to consume healthy meals, such as fruits and vegetables, and specific disease-fighting foods, such as turmeric and ashwagandha, for cancer treatment. The literature shows some truth in this claim, but the data is insufficient to conclude that such food arrays can protect men against cancer. Good nutrition and exercise are still the key to a healthy lifestyle!
The Challenges of Altering Body pH
According to alkaline diet enthusiasts, consuming more fruits and vegetables with more alkalizing minerals will reduce the body’s acidity and even cure cancer. But there is no scientific evidence to warrant such assertions.
Our body maintains a steady pH level very well. This proves that the pH level of our blood is maintained to be slightly alkaline, always between 7 and 8, regardless of the food and drink one consumes. 35 and 7. 45. The lungs and kidneys struggle to balance this chemical. We can’t simply alter it no matter how much and what we eat.
Even if a person could permanently alter their body’s pH, it is not guaranteed that this would somehow impact cancer. According to studies, cancer cells have been found to thrive at a wide range of pH levels. Many times, an acidic environment is a result of the disease rather than being the cause of cancer.
All in all, increased consumption of fruits and vegetables is beneficial and may help reduce the risk of cancer; however, relying solely on an alkaline diet will not alter the body’s pH level or help fight cancer. More attention should be paid to correct nutrition instead of shifting the body’s natural functions.
The Potential Risks of an Alkaline Diet
An alkaline diet is based on ‘alkalizing’ food and is generally restricted to fruits and vegetables. It has been argued that this diet can reverse cancer since cancer is caused by acidity. Nonetheless, no evidence backs this claim.
Perks of Alkaline Diet
Nutrient-rich Foods
Another advantage of an alkaline diet is that one can take veggies and fruits rich in fiber, minerals, and antioxidants. These foods also boost general health and the possibility of developing some chronic ailments.
Healthier Eating Habits
A diet that corresponds to whole or plant foods and excludes many processed products can produce more nutritious eating patterns that positively affect weight and health.
Limitations and Risks
Lack of Evidence for Cancer Prevention
Various studies suggest that an alkaline diet may not be conclusively effective in preventing or treating cancer. A person’s blood pH levels are also well-buffered; thus, the dietary systems’ impacts on them are well-controlled.
Potential Risks for Certain Individuals
Alkaline diets come with consequences for patients with specific health complications, such as chronic kidney disease. Although suitable, cooking with many alkaline foods can disturb the body’s electro and mineral balance, which is dangerous.
Conclusion
Alkaline diets to cure cancer are quite an appealing concept, but according to the researchers, there are no studies to back up this theory. Numerous forms of cancer cells exist in various pHs, and it is also crucial to know that the tumor generally results in an acidic state rather than the other way around. The human body maintains a reasonably constant pH; in fact, it is challenging just shifting diets to alter this.
It is unnecessary to overly concern ourselves with food pH levels; eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grain products, and lean protein sources is much healthier. Paying attention to creating a fit body, avoiding stress, and maintaining a good weight also helps reduce the chances of having cancer or almost any other disease.
The treatment options or ways of preventing cancer should, therefore, be discussed with a doctor or some other healthcare provider who can understand your condition and give you advice.