Alkalizing Agents/Diet

Panic Attacks

For people with chronic anxiety unrelated to life events, injection of an acid such as sodium lactate can trigger a panic attack, suggesting a connection with tissue pH.

Acidosis

Foods that leave an acidic ash after being metabolized include proteins, starches, alcohol and sugar. These should be avoided when tissue acidosis is suspected. When these types of food are avoided, the tissues become more alkaline. An alkaline diet is composed of approximately 75% alkaline foods and 25% acid foods.

Low acid fruits, vegetables, some fish and poultry, nuts/seeds, legumes and whole grains are the basis for an alkalinizing diet. A list of the acid and alkaline forming foods can be found on our web site. Acid Alkaline Chart.

Nutritionally important alkaline minerals include calcium, potassium, magnesium, cesium and sodium. Sodium is not generally recommended for alkalizing purposes though.

Neuritis/Neuropathy

An alkaline diet can reverse the effects of an overly acidic diet which may be contributing to nerve irritation and inflammation.

Cysts

Some doctors believe that a tendency to form cysts occurs more frequently in those with an acidic body pH. If so, an alkalizing diet may help.

Interstitial Cystitis

Solving the Interstitial Cystitis Puzzle : My Story of Discovery and Recovery by Amrit Willis, RN, BSN focuses on alkalizing the diet. This diet also deals with chronic candida infection and food allergies which can be contributing to the problem of IC. Here is a comment by the author:

“In my search for my recovery from interstitial cystitis, I discovered several books that address health issues with respect to the pH of the body. I was aware that in the IC community it is common knowledge that persons with IC are intolerant of acidic foods and beverages. It is also known in the IC community that alkalizing elements can reduce the symptoms of interstitial cystitis. In my research, I uncovered that an alkali-forming diet can neutralize the acid load in one’s body and thereby assist in restoring one’s health. I wrote this book as a resource for persons suffering from interstitial cystitis because it seems so many of us have been unable to see the forest from the trees. It has been suggested that IC is a syndrome with a variety of origins, and I found this to be true. When one consumes an acid-forming diet, as most Americans do, drink acidic beverages, inhale contaminated acidic air, and live fast-paced stressful lives, one is going to develop a severe acid load in the body that must be neutralized. In order to bring about a balance and neutralize and escort out the acids stored in cells of the body, I discovered this could be done simply and naturally with a change in diet and lifestyle. I wish you a speedy recovery and hope that this book will bring a fresh new vision to understanding interstitial cystitis. I hope this book will also invoke more studies with respect to the pH factor and IC.”

Another book written by a urologist, Larrian Guillespie, MD called You Don’t Have to Live With Cystitis (1985) details a fundamentally dietary approach to interstitial cystitis. She discusses alkalizing the diet, and avoiding aspartates.

Many people also find that certain foods increase their symptoms. The most frequently cited offenders are coffee, chocolate, ethanol, carbonated drinks, citrus fruits and tomatoes. Although there are broad guidelines that most IC patients can follow, discovering which particular foods may cause you problems requires perseverance. Many IC patients report that restricting their diet is an effective form of treatment and believe that it is worth the effort. Some IC patients report that they have the least trouble with rice, potatoes, pasta, vegetables, meat and chicken.