Sodium Bicarbonate and Cancer

More than 1 million people get cancer each year, leading some to turn to alternative medicines when currently accepted treatments do not yield positive results. In addition to sodium bicarbonate treatment, many people choose to undergo alternative treatments such as herbal body detoxification, oxygen therapy and energy/magnetic therapy. Alternative therapies without much research or data sometimes are dismissed as "pseudoscience" among more traditional healers.

Cancer

• In general, cancer refers to the process of uncontrollable cell growth. While healthy cells in the body program their own death (known as apoptosis), cancer cells do not. This causes a buildup of damaged cells growing uncontrollably, which ultimately can lead to the death of the host.

  So what tells a cell to begin growing uncontrollably? Each cell contains deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which, among other functions, tells that cell how to grow and die when necessary. Chemicals, radiation or viruses can damage DNA. Without DNA giving the cell the correct instructions, the damaged cell freely divides its damaged material.

Sodium Bicarbonate

• Proponents of sodium bicarbonate focus on a very specific cause of cancer: cancer caused by yeast. The belief is that the sodium bicarbonate will kill the yeast that causes the cancer. This theory originally gained ground with the comments of Dr. Tullio Simoncini.

  Sodium bicarbonate treats conditions such as yeast infection very well. If yeast causes cancer, then this treatment could become very interesting for some patients. No evidence exists in literature that links the presence of yeast to cancer, however.

Warning

• While some view the use of sodium bicarbonate as ineffective but not harmful, others cite some risks when taking large doses of sodium bicarbonate.

  The Netherlands Health Inspectorate states that the treatment can have harmful effects on the balance of the body in people with high blood pressure, diseases of the heart, lungs or liver and even cancer.

Considerations

• While no scientific basis exists for the use of sodium bicarbonate as a treatment for cancer, some therapeutic value might exist. Cancer patients who believe in this treatment may find some solace in using it as a treatment when all other treatments fail.

Alternative Treatments

• Alternative treatments have use as their name implies: as an alternative to established treatments that do not properly treat the patient. Exercising caution is advised when choosing a treatment, as is discussing any treatment plan with a physician.