Alkaline diet
Alternate names: Acid-Alkaline Diet, Acid Ash Diet, Alkaline Acid Diet, Alkaline Ash Diet, Alkaline Diet, Dieta Alcalina, pH Diet, Régime alcalin
Background
The alkaline diet focuses on eating foods that are slightly alkaline (have a pH above 7). This is based on the idea that acidic foods can lead to disease.
Proponents of the alkaline diet believe that eating a diet rich in acidic foods might disrupt the pH of the bloodstream, because the body's normal pH is slightly alkaline.
People use the alkaline diet for aging, athletic performance, breast cancer, heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Proponents of the alkaline diet believe that eating a diet rich in acidic foods might disrupt the pH of the bloodstream, because the body's normal pH is slightly alkaline.
People use the alkaline diet for aging, athletic performance, breast cancer, heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Safety Safety definitions
The alkaline diet is possibly safe for most people. There's no reason to expect safety issues as long as nutritional needs are being met.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if the alkaline diet is safe to use while pregnant or breast-feeding. Avoid use unless under medical supervision.Effectiveness
Effective Effectiveness definitions
There is interest in using the alkaline diet for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Dosing & administration
There is no specific alkaline diet. Advocates of the diet suggest consuming 75% to 80% alkaline foods and 20% to 25% acidic foods. Acidic foods include meat, eggs, dairy, white flour, sugar, caffeine, saturated fats, processed foods, carbonated beverages, peanuts, and white rice. Raw fruits and vegetables are a focus of this diet. Be sure to seek and follow relevant directions from your physician or other healthcare professional before using this diet.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
It is not known if this treatment interacts with any medicines. Before using this treatment, talk with your health professional if you take any medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 07/12/2023 11:00:00. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
