Can Alkaline Diet Treat Cancer - Research Paper Example

Can Alkaline Diet Treat Cancer The human body comprises mainly of what an individual consumes. The foods we eat determinethe nature of our health and wellness. Nowadays, there are widespread cases of degenerative diseases that are mainly attributed to the environmental events during the past two centuries. In the past 20 centuries before industrial revolution, there were no extensive cases of cancer reported in the traditional communities. Today, cancer is the most fatal terminal disease that that has continued to give medical researchers sleepless nights. The effects of cancer in the human body dishearten and make one view life as useless. Amid the rising cases of cancer, the main question is; what actually went wrong after the widespread industrial revolution that cancer and other degenerative diseases have become close components of human life? The answer could be very simple; our eating habits. Before the advent of industrial revolution, human beings survived on natural food substances with balanced amount of minerals that boosted the body immune system as well as performing detoxification. Today, because of industrialization we embrace consumption of processed foods rather than the natural diets. Going by the evident trend in the manner in which cancer spreads today or simply comparing and contrasting the lifestyles of agrarian periods and the current industrial periods, it is determinate that consumption of natural food is the surest way of preventing cancer (Earl 292). In this case, natural foods are considered as food substances rich in alkaline or high pH values. The main alkaline food substances are citrus fruits, fresh vegetables, nuts, legumes and seeds. Alkaline food substances do not encompass substances like grains, excess salt, excess dairy products or meat. Earl states that alkaline food substances play a significant role in ensuring preventing an individual from developing cancerous cells (292). It is however not stated that an individual should not consume acidic food substances, but at regulated low amount. This is because acid is usually required for digestion purposes in the stomach but should always be at the pH of 1.3-1.75. In order to fight cancerous cells, blood and not the stomach requires a high alkalinity level, pH of 7.34-7.46. The reason why a high proportion of acid is never essential for the body is because it results to the development of toxins that suppress the body immune system thereby inhibiting cells from absorbing oxygen. Further accumulation of acid and inhibited supply of oxygen lays ground for attack and encourages development of bacteria, fungi and yeast that lead to development of degenerative diseases inclusive of cancer. In a healthy body setup, cells require abundant supply of oxygen that assists in ensuring aerobic body functions and help in vexing strange substances and conditions from the body. Alkaline cells are highly capable of absorbing high amount of oxygen estimated to be twenty times more than the acidic body cells (Jensen 10). Dominant alkaline conditions in the body coupled with abundant and required levels of oxygen supply in the body is very essential in inhibiting development and survival of the microorganisms that cause cancer. Well maintained levels of alkalinity in the body helps in activating body cells, which raises immunity of the body. With a strong immune system, the body avoids the development of cancerous cells. Under high alkaline conditions, the cancerous cell as are dormant and unable to divide in the body. As aforementioned, alkaline diets are simply naturally derived food substances. In that connection, eating a lot of millet bread, brown rice and unprocessed wheat products is one of the best ways to enhance alkalinity of the blood (Kehr). The above food substances contain particular molecules known as laetrile (Vitamin B17), which has been proved as a safe destroyer of the cancerous cells. Laetrile molecules strategically confront non cancerous cells as well as cancerous cells, but the difference occurs on how it responds to either cancerous or non cancerous cells. Health professionals clarify that when laetrile molecules hit on the noncancerous cells, the molecules breaks safely without killing the non cancerous cells (Kehr). However, when the laetrile hit on the cancerous cells, it breaks in a way that results in safe destruction of the cancerous cells. During an encounter with cancerous cells, laetrile breaks into two molecules of glucose one of which is molecule of hydrogen cyanide and the other is a molecule of benzaldehyde. According to Kehr, the combined action of the two molecule constituents of laetrile results in safe destruction of the cancerous cells. Consumption of cruciferous vegetables like the cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, Chinese vegetables and the kales plays a big role in ensuring nutritional supplements that help in protecting individuals against cancer (Jensen 10). The above listed vegetables among other complimentary types contain indole-3-carbinol believed to stimulate the liver enzymes to help in reducing levels of hormones and immune suppressive substances. In addition, the indole-3-carbinol nutrients obtained from the cruciferous vegetables have the great capabilities of fighting the cancerous cells that cause breast cancer in two major ways (Jensen 10). One way may involve conversion of excess estrogen found in the breast into harmless forms. Another way is by absolute prevention of overproduction of the estrogen hormone. Cruciferous vegetables are also known to contain sulforaphane believed to be capable of neutralizing carcinogens that contributes to the development of cancerous cells. Green food substances contain fibers deemed to have great capability of fighting as well as preventing cancer. The fibers have the potential of intertwining and can move through the colons while cleaning any element of stuck cholesterol on the walls of the colons. This process as performed by the fibers in the colon is the main remedy against colon cancer. Fiber diets are also believed to help in lowering level of the suppressive estrogen that leads to breast cancer (Jensen 17). Still in the components of the alkaline diets, beta carotene found in yams, carrots and pumpkins is believed to poses more powerful antioxidants that deter the growth of tumors in the body. In addition, the carotenoids lutein and the zeaxanthine nutrients present in spinach and collard greens, and trace amount in kales and mustard seeds contains substantial amounts of natural antioxidants that can be obtained from the shelves of pharmacies (Jensen 11). Tomatoes are additional components of alkaline diets. Tomatoes are believed to contain large elements of lycopene, which when consumed in abundance have the capabilities of protecting an individual from developing mouth, rectum, esophagus and stomach cancers (Jensen 11). Another source of alkaline food substances from among animals is the omega 3 oil obtained from fish (Barnes 49). Omega 3 oil is saluted by health professionals for its capabilities of reducing production of prostaglandin E2 that is effective in reducing appetite. The loss of appetite results in a condition called cachexia, which highly is attributed to death of cancer patients (Kliment 209). Heated Sesame seeds and olives are a rich source of natural oil that assists in fighting cancerous cells by encouraging oxidation. Additionally, free range chicken and cattle bred, without injection of antibiotics or growth hormones and pesticides offer reliable source of alkaline diet. Red meat from free range animals are highly recommended since it contains iron that reacts with oxygen to result in free radicals that are essential for detoxification (Oelke 70). However, it is restricted that for perfect benefit from the use of the red meat, individuals have to consume the diet in small amounts and less often. Apart from solid diet as have been mentioned above, liquid diet mainly water rich in alkaline is another immune defense against cancer. Alkaline is recommended for consumption as deterrence against cancer since its molecules are believed to exist in small clusters thereby standing greater chance of reaching the finer spaces of the body. In addition to its finer nature, alkaline water is essential in detoxifying unwanted materials in the body (Barnes 52). The detoxification power of the alkaline water enables oxygen penetration into the cancerous cells. According to Barnes, health scientists accentuate that when the oxygen penetrate into the cells, the initially anaerobic processes change to aerobic thus making presenting a situation that is least conducive for the survival of the cancerous cells thereby leading to retard growth and development of the malignant cells (51). Most surprisingly is the fact that alkaline water apart from oral intake can also be effective when using for bathing (Barnes 52). Health professionals believe alkaline water is capable of penetrating the pores on the surface of the body thus inducing oxygen into the probable cancerous cells and that repeated use leads to deprived growth and development of the cancerous cells. Alkaline water may however be ineffective when scientific principles of acid and bases are not adhered to. For example, it is never practical and fruitful to continue drinking or using alkaline water while at the same time consuming acidic food substances. Such practice will only lead to neutralization reaction of acid and base thus resulting to normal water. Also, alkaline water may not be a perfect remedy or way of preventing cancer when consumed alongside trans-fatty acids and hydrogenated oils. In conclusion, degenerative diseases like cancer are mainly caused by our poor eating habits. Currently, almost all human beings are tuned towards, consumption of processed foods whose nutritional values are lowered thus the low immune system that leads to development of cancer cells. It is worth to recall that cancerous cells like breeding in acidic environment and any acidic food contributes to addition of acid that provides good breeding atmosphere for the cancerous cells. Even though, it is not restricted that individuals should not consume acidic foods, but the practice should be controlled and maintained at lower levels. This is because acid plays significant role in supporting digestion of food as well killing certain microorganisms in the stomach. Basically, alkaline food substances encompass vegetables and green food crops that are not processed. Alkalinity of the blood should also be maintained at 7.34-7.46 of the pH scale. Apart from solid food substances, alkaline water either processed or the natural bore whole water has the capacity of reacting to produce elements that inhibit growth and development of cancerous cells. Above all, it should be noted that the basic contributor of alkaline diets in the dispelling of cancerous cells mainly increased absorption of oxygen that results into aerobic respiration that is unfavorable for survival cancerous cells. . Work cited Fee, Earl. The Complete Guide to Running: How to Be a Champion from 9 to 90. New York: Meyer & Meyer Verlag Publishing, 2005. Print. Johnson, Ben and Barnes Kathleen. The Secret of Health: Breast Wisdom. Garden City, NY: Morgan James Publishing. 2008. Print. Oelke, Jane. Natural Choices for Fibromyalgia: Discover Your Personal Method for Pain Relief. Stevensville, MI; Natural Choices Inc., 2003. Print. Kliment, Felicia. The acid-alkaline balance diet: an innovative program for ridding your body of acidic wastes. New York: McGraw Hill Publishing, 2002. Print. Jensen, Bernard. Dr. Jensens Nutrition Handbook: A Daily Regimen for Healthy Living. Lincolnwood: Keats Publishing, 2000. Print. Kehr, Webster. How to Prevent Cancer. 16 Dec. 2011. Read More