Balance is key. And when it comes to our body’s pH levels, it’s the key to life! The absolute first thing I did after receiving my diagnosis, was change my diet. Even prior to my diagnosis, I considered myself a healthy eater, but facing a life-threatening disease forced me to take it to a whole other level. I stopped eating meat and haven’t consumed it in close to 5 years, I drink green juice every single day, I drink alkaline water only and I ditched sugar all together. Now shifting from meat and potatoes to quinoa and kale is not for everyone but when facing a disease such as cancer, the switch should be a no brainer. Let me explain…
An alkaline diet focuses on maintaining optimal body pH (more on this later) by limiting acid-inducing foods and drinks such as caffeine and alcohol, meat and dairy, and anything processed or fried, and replacing it with alkaline-inducing substances like raw veggies, low-glycemic fruits and green smoothies galore.
By ingesting foods that maintain proper pH rather than stressing your body to self-correct its pH level, this diet can reduce inflammation, boost immunity, and improve overall health (including shedding some pounds while both preventing and treating diseases like osteoporosis and cancer). Studies suggest that cancer cells thrive in an acidic (low pH, low oxygen) environment but cannot survive in an alkaline environment (high pH, high oxygen). Dr Otto Warburg, renowned Nobel Prize winning medical doctor, discovered that tumor cells are anaerobic (do not breathe oxygen) and cannot survive in the presence of high concentrations of oxygen. Tumor cells can survive only with the help of glucose (sugar) in the environment without oxygen. Therefore, cancer is nothing but a defense mechanism, which our cells use to survive in an acidic environment without oxygen.
pH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline something is, and our blood pH needs to maintain a slightly alkaline level to keep us healthy. Every substance has a pH that falls on a scale from zero to 14. The closer to zero, the more acidic a substance is; seven is neutral, and as a substance climbs toward 14, the more alkaline it becomes. Normal and healthy blood pH is between 7.35 and 7.45, with the body working to maintain this through respiration, urination, and mineral depletion. If we are not eating enough alkaline-forming foods, this is when our immune systems become compromised and we become more vulnerable to viruses and disease.
The theory goes that consuming acid-inducing foods and drinks creates an unhealthy cellular environment and sends distress signals throughout the body, leading to colds, outbreaks and inflammation. It’s suggested that this continual acid-dumping, via crap food, can create chronic disease such as arthritis, osteoporosis and cancer. Experts suggest thinking of it like a sliding scale—the more you eat and drink your way left, the more work your body must do to get back to normal. And making your body work really hard day in and day out will ultimately take its toll.
The chart below demonstrates some basic foods that are acidic and alkaline. For a more detailed list click here.
To see if you’re on track, you can test your pH levels by heading to your local drugstore or online retailer and pick up a pack of pH test strips. You do so by testing urine samples. You can test your pH levels often throughout the day, but try to do so at the same time each morning, as your body will be more acidic the earlier you measure.
Given all of the pros and benefits of an alkaline diet, you may be wondering if there are any downsides. There are no studies to suggest that an alkaline diet is bad for you, but some experts warn that being too restrictive could cause your protein and calcium intake to drop. Still, as any vegetarian can tell you, obtaining meat-free protein ain’t really no big thang if you know what to eat, and leafy greens provide what some experts suggest is a superior source of all-important calcium.
Ultimately, what we put into our bodies is either working for us or against us, and when facing a health crisis, we need everything working in our favor. As with anything in life, moderation is key and it’s okay to treat yourself to something you miss and crave here and there, but when your fate is threatened, try to limit the cheat days. It’s much easier said than done…believe you me, I know how hard it can be! However, I know in my heart and being that my diet has been instrumental in keeping me alive, especially after a misdiagnosis resulting in the wrong treatment protocol. Essentially I went untreated for years, and am still alive and healthy, thanks to diet changes and practices that I researched and implemented. I hope that you too make these changes to live healthier lives!
As the famous words of Hippocrates suggest, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”
XO
I read about a body’s pH balance and the Alkaline diet about a month or two back, but am just starting to really educate myself about it! I read that bottled alkaline water is just as bad as “regular” water because of the plastic it is manufactured in and was wondering how or where you get yours from! Thanks!!! (P.S. I’m a new subscriber to your site and love it!!)
Thank you so much for subscribing to the site and I’m beyond touched that you love it! You are actually right on about bottled water…whether it be alkaline or any type of bottled water (which is generally glorified tap water). Most bottled water companies claim their brand of water is pure, yet they still put it in plastic bottles that release chemicals from the plastic into the water. Especially when they are stored in hot areas exposed to the sun. Most plastic bottles contain petrochemicals like Phthalates and BPA, which are among the cancer-causing chemicals known to be present in foods and beverages stored in plastics. Kind of defeats the purpose. There are bottled water brands however, that use Phthalate-free and BPA-free plastics, which are the bottled waters you should purchase. The bottles will be labeled as such so you know that the chemicals aren’t present… so definitely look for these indicators on the labels of the water you purchase.
I personally own a Kangan Water Machine which produces alkaline water straight from my faucet. This machine alkalizes the water and I am able to control the pH level. It was quite an investment up front, but I don’t have to purchase bottled water anymore. It was the first thing I purchased after my diagnosis. I kept hearing about alkaline water and figured it would be worth the price, if it were to do what it claims to do. I think it was money well spent. The water is super oxygenized and tastes great. I think it has been key in keeping me healthy.
Needless to say, I really never have to purchase bottled water anymore unless in a pinch..and if I do I always make sure the plastic doesn’t contain the toxic chemicals. I hope this answers your question. I plan on posting more about this subject n the near future as well.
Thank you for reaching out! XO
With Love,
Steph
Hello Stephanie,
Your dad and I worked in the detective bureau in Hollywood many years ago. We were sitting across the table from each other and we had many a laugh as we both like to joke a lot. It was a good time. As life is in the department, he and I moved on in different directions and would occasionally see each other during different functions. Years went by and the next thing we know we both retired and we met again in Oregon where he and I had moved. He in Springfield and I in Salem. I have since moved to Washington state but he and I stay are in touch by e-mail and occasionally we meet for breakfast.
A few years ago he mentioned your situation and I could really feel his concern since you were so young. I have two daughters 28 and 30 years old and I could easily put myself in his shoes as a father.
I read the history of your cancer and I am amazed that with today’s scientific achievements such mistakes could be made. However let me correct that. I am not surprised. Twice in my life I have also been misdiagnosed with skin cancer and thyroid cancer. I asked for a second opinion in both instances and both times, lucky me, it was not cancer.
A third time a doctor told me that I needed heart surgery so they can place a stent. Again I asked for a second opinion and it turned out to be nothing. That was over 25 years ago.
We have a tendency to regard doctor’s as gods, and they appear to be such to one who is suffering, but as you said they are human that’s why it behooves each one of us to take interest in our own health and ask a lot of questions and second opinions and third opinions if necessary.
It appears that you have taken charge of your health and you have taken the appropriate steps and I hope and wish you well. I have sent your blog to my daughters because no parent wants to see their kid get sick. I will check your blog periodically and see how you are progressing and I hope we get to meet some day. You sound like someone with a good head on her shoulder and feet planted firm on the ground.
Regards and best wishes
Bill Karalekas
Hi Bill. Thank you so much for the message. My dad is quite the funny guy… sometimes too funny! Your experiences are just confirmation that it’s so important to get second and third opinions. It makes me so upset, but maybe by sharing our experiences, people will be encouraged to get other opinions and not take doctors’ opinions as the “be all and end all.” I wish I had done so years ago. Thank goodness you were wise enough to do so.
Thank you passing along the info to your daughters and I too hope that we get the opportunity to meet one day. And thank you for the compliments…I guess I can say my Father raised me well. 🙂
All My Best,
Stephanie