Dr Otto Warburg stated this in the 1920’s regarding the respiration of normal cells vs cancerous cells. “The prime cause of cancer is the replacement of the respiration of oxygen in normal body cells by a fermentation of sugar. All normal body cells meet their energy needs by respiration of oxygen, whereas cancer cells meet their energy needs in great part by fermentation.”
Normal, healthy cells respirate by burning oxygen with a small amount of glucose in order to produce their energy; this is aerobic respiration, or “with oxygen.” Warburg found that cancerous cells acquire their energy by breaking down large amounts of glucose through a process known as fermentation; this is anaerobically, or “without oxygen.” This change in energy production occurs when the cellular oxygen levels drop below a certain level and the respiration process of energy production is forced to make the switch over to the fermentation process in order for the cells to survive. How can we create a healthy environment for our cells? By changing the cellular environment to one that is alkaline and oxygenated.
The Standard American Diet (SAD)– The Standard American Diet (SAD) is high in meats, dairy, soda, coffee, alcohol, grains, processed foods, fast foods, poor quality fats, sugars, chemical additives, sodium, and is generally very low in essential vitamins and minerals. When we consume the SAD diet, we are setting ourselves up for disease by creating an ideal low-oxygen, acidic environment for cancer to thrive.
pH refers to “potential of hydrogen.” The pH scale runs from 1 – 14, with 7 being in the middle (or neutral). Any number lower than 7 is within the acidic range, and any number above 7 is within the alkaline range. The pH of the different bodily fluids will vary for many reasons. For example, your urine and vaginal fluid will measure slightly acidic because this helps to keep unfriendly bacteria from colonizing in these areas; the saliva normally measures slightly alkaline as this helps to prevent tooth decay; and the blood is slightly alkaline at 7.365- 7.4, with your bodies buffering systems working very hard to keep it within that tight range. When this natural buffering system finally become overloaded, these excess acids are dumped into the tissues. As more acids accumulate, the once healthy tissues begin to deteriorate and the cells will become toxic and acidic. Over time, these cells continue to increase in acidity causing some of them to die. Yet, some of these acidified cells are able adapt to their new environment, in other words, instead of dying as normal cells should do, some cells are able survive by becoming abnormal cells (or malignant).
Acid vs alkaline– Acidic foods such as processed grains, meats, dairy, coffee, alcohol, soda, sugars, fast food and processed foods all add hydrogen molecules to the body, making it more acidic; and alkaline foods such as most vegetables and fruits will remove hydrogen molecules from the body, making it more alkaline.
When we eat diets that are primarily composed of acid-forming foods, the body must continually take steps to neutralize the excess acid by drawing minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium from your bones, teeth, and organs to keep itself within a healthy range. So when we eat, we either provide the body with the abundance of nutrients that it needs to maintain optimal health or we are left in a state of continually drawing upon our mineral reserves until this delicate system can no longer sustain health.
Acidic cells create an acidic body and an acidic body is a precursor for disease-People with a balanced pH are able to resist sickness and diseases because their body is naturally able to fight them off, while those who are overly acidic or overly alkaline will be more prone to illness. Having an acidic body inhibits nerve function, damages cells, and creates a low-oxygen environment for diseases (such as cancer), viruses, and fungus to thrive. Some signs of excess acidity will include fatigue, running out of breath, with general muscular aches and pains. Acidosis is especially problematic because it interferes with normal cell function. An example of this is in the production of white blood cells which are essential for a strong immune system. Poor functioning white blood cells are produced in acidic environments, thus making it easy for infections and diseases to take hold.
Acid and Alkaline Ash- The most common method to test whether is food is acidic or alkaline is to incinerate a sample of it and then analyze the mineral content of the ash afterwards. If the ash is high in alkaline minerals, then the food will probably have an alkalizing effect on the body after it is digested. If this is true, then when you ingest any food or liquid, the end result after the digestion and assimilation of the nutrients should result in either an acid or alkaline-forming effect. All foods and beverages can then be considered either alkaline or acidic based upon the ash that is created after digestion.
Most of the foods that people are eating today fall into the acid-forming category. One way to begin to normalize your pH is by stopping your consumption of the standard American diet and to begin eating a diet that is rich in fresh organic fruits and vegetables, and by juicing a variety of raw leafy greens such as kale, chard, spinach, watercress, and wheatgrass, along with other vegetables and fruits. In addition, you can drink plenty of spring water with fresh squeezed lemon or lime juice which will also leave behind an alkaline ash following digestion. Make it your goal to eat 80% alkaline foods, with only 20% acidic. Use the food chart below to help guide your choices.
How to test your pH
You can test your pH level using pH testing strips that are made for saliva and urine. They can be purchased from health food stores or online and can be used as a measurement of what is going on inside of the body. The proper strip to purchase is a narrow or short range, which will measure from 5.0 to 9.5 or so.
To test the saliva: The first test of the day is upon waking before eating or drinking anything, otherwise wait at least two hours after eating or drinking to ensure that the food that you have consumed does not alter your test results. Cleanse the mouth by filling it with saliva and then swallowing or spitting it out. Fill the mouth again with saliva and place the test strip on your tongue for 10 seconds. The strip will change colors based on the results. Use the insert from the package to determine pH. Test 4 times per day to get a clear picture of what is going on inside of your body. You will find that your pH will fluctuate throughout the day. This is normal . Your goal is to register slightly more alkaline than acidic, around 7.2 to 7.4, it is at this level that oxygen is plentiful.
Alkalinity = cellular oxygenation
It takes time to raise the pH:
If you have cancer -Those with cancer are generally very acidic, often registering around a 5.5 or lower. If you are extremely acidic, you may not even be registering on the tape at all depending on how low the calibration of the strip is compared to your level of acidity. Additionally, it takes time to raise the pH from an acidic state to an alkaline range, sometimes taking weeks before you even begin to register on the tape, and then taking up to 12 weeks before you can reach your goal of 7.2- 7.4.
It is at this pH level that oxygen is plentiful and the cancer cells become inactive and begin to die. Once this level is reached, you must hold yourself there until you have confirmation that the cancer is completely gone. Also, please be aware that you cannot return to your old dietary habits after having cancer. Make the necessary changes to your diet and lifestyle and plan on sticking with them for the long term. Please read the testimonials at the bottom of the page for more information on using this diet.
Over-alkalizing- Please don’t go overboard and over-alkalize your body either. Just as an overly acidic body is harmful to health an over-alkalized body would be as well. Just work on reaching your goal of 7.2- 7.4 and then maintain that level until the cancer is gone.
pH for leukemia, myeloma and lymphoma- Additionally, those with certain cancers such as leukemia, myeloma, and lymphoma sometimes do better with diets that are more balanced and can include can more animal proteins in their diets. Read more about the work of Dr Nicholas Gonzalez.
Soda/coffee – Soda has a very low pH, with nothing scoring below 3 on the pH scale. They contain phosphoric acid, which is not only bad for your teeth, but also terrible for bone health by promoting a chronic deterioration of the skeletal system. Try drinking water with fresh lemon juice to help you break this habit. Additionally coffee is another acidic beverage, try limiting yourself to only 1 cup of organic coffee per day and then switching to green tea which is more alkaline instead.
Supplements- minerals are the key to making the body alkaline. Look for a quality supplement that can provide your body with all of the vitamins and minerals that it requires for good health. I like Dr. Williams’ Daily Advantage.
Water with minerals
“Buy a filter or be a filter”- Consider purchasing a reverse osmosis water system that will remove the fluoride, chlorine, chromium 6, arsenic, lead, and other chemicals and metals which are found in municipal water supplies. A simple carbon filtration system will only remove chlorine so don’t assume that any filter will do. Installing an appropriate water filter will make sure that you are getting the purest drinking water possible. RO machines and water distillers will remove toxins from the water but they also remove the essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium, thus making the water more acidic. You can find RO systems that will filter the water and then add minerals back into it such as this one. Regular maintenance is required on this type of filtration system with the filters requiring to be changed regularly, so if you are not mechanically inclined many companies offer to rent these systems to you for about $25.00/ month and will come in and do the maintenance for you.
Recipes to make filtered water more alkaline:
Mineral Rich Alkaline water #1- slice up 2 organic lemons, 2 organic limes, 2 Tbsp of raw organic honey, 1/2 tsp of Himalayan Sea Salt, and one gallon of filtered water. Stir well and let this sit in the refrigerator for several hours. Sea salt contains 82 trace minerals which can enhance this water with minerals. Minerals = alkaline and the lemons and limes will leave behind an alkaline ash following digestion, making the body more alkaline.
Alkaline water #2– adding Trace Mineral Drops into filtered water and storing this in the refrigerator. This water does have an odd taste so adding fresh lemon juice or a little stevia or raw organic honey may help it to become more palatable.
Alkaline water #3 – can be made by adding 1/8 tsp of baking soda to an 8 ounce glass of water. This should be taken away from mealtimes as it may disrupt digestion, or at bedtime when you will not have to worry about food intake. Limit yourself to only 3 tsp of sodium bicarbonate per day. Look for a natural form of sodium bicarbonate such as Bob’s Red Mill which can be found at your local grocery store. The early morning is a good time for this as it helps to neutralize all of the acid that has accumulated during the night.
Alkaline water #4- another highly alkaline beverage can be made with 2 cups of filtered water, the juice of one lemon, 1/2 tsp of baking soda and Stevia to taste. Add all ingredients except for the baking soda into a large container and stir. Add the baking soda last and do this slowly. This may foam up a bit, but continue to stir gently until it settles down. Once again, limit the sodium bicarbonate to only 3 tsp per day, and only take this on an empty stomach as it may impede food digestion.
Alkaline water #5- adding Organic Wheat Grass Powder to your water.
More ways to oxygenate
Exercise- will help to improve your circulation and oxygenate the cells. Walking, stretching, yoga, swimming, biking, hiking, jumping on a mini trampoline, etc.
Deep breathing– most people are shallow breathers. Here is an exercise to help you become more conscious of your breath and this will assist your body in becoming better oxygenated, as well as relieve stress, and has the added benefit of releasing toxins through the lungs. Take a full breath, in through the nose and then expand the chest fully. When you think your lungs are full, then try sucking in just a little more air. Hold this for a few seconds and then breathe out through pursed lips to expel the air out slowly. Repeat this exercise for 5 minutes at a time, and do this multiple times per day or when you need a boost of energy.
Anger, jealousy, and bitterness all have the ability to create a stressful and acidic internal environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit by incorporating meditation, visualization, forgiveness exercises, and EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique). You can find notes on all of these