‘Why The Raw Alkaline Diet Is So Important’
By Dr. W. Andralia K., MSc (UK), DLSHTM, ABAARM, Acp
The morbidity and mortality rate of the metabolic syndrome diseases and even cancer are increasing gradually since the last decade due to the changes in lifestyle and the high consumption of fast food. People are becoming more aware of the importance of a healthy diet, including an alkaline plant-based diet. One of the most popular diets is the ‘Raw Alkaline Diet’ that promotes food and beverages (80 % or more) that are pure, fresh, organic and have not been heated in excess of 54 degree Celsius. So why is a ‘Raw Alkaline Diet’ considered crucial for good health and fitness and the prevention of sickness and disease?
There are many articles written about cancer, acidity and its microenvironment. Many researchers have published their research results in the popular peer review journals, such as NCBI or Pubmed. There are many topics about the role of the tumor microenvironment in the relationship to metastasis or the tumor growth. There are two popular publications. First is published by McCarty MF, Whitaker, from the Alternative Med Rev 2010 Sep; 15(3):264-72. The article was titled, ‘Manipulating the tumor acidification is considerable as a new potential cancer therapy’. The researchers mentioned that manipulation of the extracellular and/or intracellular pH of tumors may have considerable potential in cancer therapy. The extracellular space of most tumors is mildly acidic, as it is due to exuberant production and/or presence of lactic acid.
An aerobic glycolysis that is active in tumors is also attributable largely to chronic activation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) - as well as tumor hypoxia, which is chiefly responsible for this phenomenon. Tumor acidity tends to correlate with cancer aggressiveness; in part, this reflects the ability of HIF-1 to promote invasiveness and angiogenesis (blood supply to the tumor). There is growing evidence that extracellular acidity per se boosts the invasiveness and metastatic capacity of cancer cells; moreover, this acidity renders cancer cells relatively resistant to the high proportion of chemotherapeutic drugs that are mildly basic, and may impede immune rejection of tumors. Thus, practical strategies for raising the extracellular pH of tumors may have therapeutic utility in preventing metastasis and tumor growth.
A second famous publication on tissue acidity and cancer was written by Robey IF, Baggett BK, Kirkpatrick ND, et al.. This article is entitled, ‘Bicarbonate Increases Tumor pH and Inhibits Spontaneous Metastases’. Cancer Res 2009, 69(6): 2260 – 2268. It is explained that the external pH of solid tumors are acidic as a consequence of increased metabolism of glucose and poor perfusion. An acid pH has been shown to stimulate tumor cell invasion and metastasis in vitro and in cells before tail vein injection in vivo. This study has proven that the inhibition of this tumor acidity will reduce the incidence of in vivo metastases.
