Using Baking Soda to Help Beat Cancer:
Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) is a natural substance used for a number of different household tasks such as baking and cleaning. Research has shown that it is a powerful tool in identifying and stabilizing cancer growth as well (1). Cancer is a complex disease process and there is no one cause or one cure.
It is a disease that develops from damage to the bodies internal environment creating genetic mutations and alterations in the bodies metabolic dynamics. The use of baking soda along with a number of other intensive health strategies to boost the bodies natural healing rhythms are necessary to reverse the process in a natural way.
The human internal ecosystem is stabilized by several different buffering systems that keep the body functioning at a high level for as long as possible. One of these buffering systems is pH.
Our blood stream should be slightly alkaline at 7.365 pH at all times for the body to be healthy. Maintaining pH balance through proper diet and lifestyle is one of the most critical tools to optimizing your health.
Using Baking Soda to Regulate pH Levels:
Baking soda is used to regulate pH as a counterbalance to acid build up in the body. It plays an important role in the pH balance of cells and tissues, cell voltage homeostasis and it increases carbon dioxide and oxygenation. It is also great for helping the body to effectively detoxify and heal from oxidative stress and radiation exposure.
Sodium bicarbonate is used by many natural health care practitioners as a first line of defense against a number of health problems. These include cancer, flu, diabetes, kidney disease and the common cold (2). Baking soda can be used in a bath and the body can absorb the health benefits through the skin or nebulized for lung conditions.
Baking Soda and Cancer Identification:
Relatively new research has found that sodium bicarbonate is a good identifier of cancer cell growth. Cancerous regions of the body accumulate acids and they convert bicarbonate into carbon dioxide. A United Kingdom Cancer Research team found that they could identify changes in bicarbonate on MRI scans with high sensitivity (3).
Cancerous regions of the body have a significantly lower pH than surrounding tissue. The researchers worked with mice that had metastatic breast cancer and they boosted the MRI sensitivity more than 20,000 times. They then inserted bicarbonate and watched via MRI what kind of changes they could observe. It was clear to the research team that the more acidic the tumor the more bicarbonate is converted into carbon dioxide.
Professor Kevin Brindle of the UK’s Cambridge Research Institute at the University of Cambridge was the lead researcher of this ground breaking study (4, 5). He said “This technique could be used as a highly-sensitive early warning system for the signs of cancer. By exploiting the body’s natural pH balancing system, we have found a potentially safe way of measuring pH to see what’s going on inside patients. MRI can pick up on the abnormal pH levels found in cancer and it is possible that this could be used to pinpoint where the disease is present and when it is responding to treatment.”
Baking Soda Slows Cancer Growth:
Cancer cells produce their energy through anaerobic glycolysis with their primary fuel source being glucose. The byproduct of this biochemical pathway is lactic acid and other acidic metabolites. Studies have shown that the extracellular pH in cancer growth regions is typically much lower than in normal tissue due to this metabolic pathway.
This high acid environment also promotes invasive tumor growth in primary and metastatic cancers. Taking in sodium bicarbonate orally has been shown to raise the pH of tumors and reduce the formation of spontaneous metastases in mouse models with metastatic breast cancer (1). It also reduced the rate of lymph node involvement and reduced the chances of spread to the liver.
Researchers in this field have made the reasonable assumption that increasing systemic concentrations of pH buffers such as sodium biocarbonate would reduce intratumoral and peritumoral acidosis. In mouse models they have also found that the reduction of tumor acid concentrations reduces tumor growth and invasion without altering the pH of blood or other tissues (6).
Additionally, it is also known that tumor acidosis creates chemoresistance to certain chemotherapy drugs such as doxorubicin and paclitaxel (7). So if one had an acidic tumor and they wanted to use the standard chemotherapy route using baking soda to optimize pH levels would only make the chemotherapy more effective.
Remember, cancer is a very complex disease process and using baking soda alone will not “cure” cancer and you shouldn’t listen to anyone who tells you otherwise. However, research shows that using baking soda along with a myriad of other natural therapies to improve immune coordination can help the body to combat cancer naturally.
How Do You Use Baking Soda in Your Body:
Using baking soda to increase the pH levels of the body is always beneficial if the body is an acidic state. Contrary to popular opinion, baking soda does not contain aluminum but baking powder which is a different product may contain aluminum. So there is no need to buy “aluminum-free” baking soda but you would definitely want to purchase “aluminum-free” baking powder if you are going to use that for baking.
Arm & Hammer and other similar commercial brands use a chemical process that turns trona ore into soda ash. This then reacts with carbon dioxide with the soda ash to produce baking soda. This is not necessarily bad but it does use a chemical process. Brands like Bod’s Red Mill, Frontier and other natural companies procure their sodium bicarbonate directly from the ground in its natural state. These are the preferred brands to use.
Baking Soda Safety:
Every tumor has its own unique characteristics and not all tumors are highly acidic. However, regardless of the strength of the acidity of the tumor, balancing pH and creating a slightly alkaline environment in the body is always helpful to the body’s internal systems. Ideal pH testing on the pH strips should be between 7.0-8.0 – nothing higher than 8.0 or discontinue using baking soda immediately until the pH lowers.
The key to using sodium bicarbonate safely is in testing and monitoring both urinary and saliva pH with pH test paper or an electronic tester. You should do this every morning and chart results. If you are taking a bath with baking soda take your salivary and urinary pH when you get out. If the pH goes above 8.0 than stop using the baking soda until the pH drops back down.
There are consequences to unregulated usage of baking soda. These include alkalosis, kidney problems, lowered stomach pH levels, etc. To avoid this, just be responsible with your usage and make sure you take the time to monitor your pH levels throughout the day. To avoid digestive problems don’t take the baking soda in water within 30 minutes of meals.
The Baking Soda Protocol:
Measure your pH with pH strips throughout the day and only use this drink when you are testing out acidic. Also, I don’t recommend using baking soda before or after a meal (at least 30 minutes) as it will lower the stomach acid secretions and affect the digestive processes.
Mix ½ tsp of baking soda with 2 tbs of fresh lemon juice or organic apple cider vinegar (ACV) to create an alkaline forming environment in the body. The combination will foam and fizz, so use a tall glass and wait for all bubbling to stop. Then add 8 oz of water to the mixture and drink all at once. This mixture works to neutralize the pH, buffers stomach acid and reduces acidosis.
Drink this baking soda – lemon/ACV combination throughout the day except just before and after meals until you are able to get your pH levels between 7.0-8.0.
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I wish I had this information year ago
Thank you for this article. How long can you continue using baking soda? I battle with being acidic. I find that drinking 1/2 to 1 tsp of baking soda with water before I go to bed keeps me alkaline throughout the day, but I recently stopped because I was unsure if this would damage my stomach lining. Is it safe to continue to do this? Thank you for taking the time to answer my question!!!
Hey Kathy, this is a great thing to do. The only time you want to avoid using the baking soda with water is 2 hrs before – 2hrs after a meal. You want your food to have already gone through your stomach so it is fully digested.
So drinking the baking soda and water at night is ideal. Blessings!
Is it 2tbs of vinegar? Seems like a lot.
Yes, 2 tablespoons
Hi , when I can buy pH strips ?
Great article , thank You 🙂
Holistic Chef Barry is so sorry to tell you this information about baking soda sodium bicarbonate Dr. Jockers. According to my information the Cancer Doctor in Italy that used sodium bicarbonate successfully on his cancer patients did not use oral administration . No instead the sodium bicarbonate was injected directly into the tumor on the operating table . Big difference . Also your hydrochloric acid must stay acidic in your cut to break down your food chime and convert the proteins into amino acids and other sub nutrients before your digestive organ the pancreas can properly neutralize your acidic food chime into a more alkaline state that is required inside the small intestine . Alkalinity starts in the back end and not in the front end Dr. Jockers . Your friend in all things concerning natural health Holistic Chef Barry Anderson .
Hello Holistic Chef Barry,
We are not all doctors or surgeons, so its great to know that there is something we all can do to receive the benefits of baking soda. It is sometimes easy to miss an important point being made when reading an article, but Dr. Jockers did make the point of taking the baking soda well away from mealtimes so it would not interfere with the strength of the hydrochloric acid when we are eating. Hope this clarifies and helps. Kindest regards from a fellow traveller on the quest for optimal health. LOHO Linda
Thanks for sharing Linda!
Amazing information on baking soda.Is there any side effects of using baking soda, particularly any possibility of developing hypertension with use of baking soda?
Regards,
Dr Prakash,
Just make sure to take baking soda AWAY from meals (at least an hour before/after). If you have issues with hypertension than I recommend checking it regruarly as overdosing on baking soda could cause problems.
Thanks a lot for your valuable suggestion Dr David. Is there any other safe drinks / foods which can be considered for the persons with hypertension, in order to make body alkaline. How about use of Apple cider vinegar on regular basis?
Yes absolutely, using ACV and lemon (either fresh squeezed or lemon essential oil) are excellent for people with hypertension.
Thanks Dr David.
Hi Dr. David, I’m hearing that people are taking BS with molasses and that the sugar turns on the cancer cells and they die from the alkalinity. Any thoughts on this?? I’ve been doing the BS with lemon juice but I can switch over to molasses. What do you think?? donM
Yes this can be very effective Don!
Dr jockers,I have angiomyolipomas in my both kidneys.is the baking soda daily in take of 1 tsp in 1 glass of water can clear the tumours?
Mary Rose,
This strategy will have benefits for you. Also, follow the strategies outlined here and here.
If you have cancer and are also taking calcium supplements, please consult with your doctor and naturopath before taking ACV and baking soda. My sister has 4th stage Breast cancer, took ACV, baking soda and calcium and is now experiencing crisis hypercalcemia.
Hi Joanne,
Thanks for your feedback and sorry to hear about this! I typically don’t recommend supplemental calcium.
I am currently taking chemo treatments for stage 4 lung cancer. Will the baking soda and molasses treatment help or hurt the chemo?
Hey Delbert! As long as you are monitoring your body’s pH it can be helpful in this case.
Can I take the baking soda and molasses treatment with the essicatea
Yes you can use both Janice!
My platelets are still low can I go ahead and start the baking soda treatment
I’d like to know the answer to this as well because my platelets are also low. I have ITP.
Likewise I’d also like to know the answer to Janice’s questions about how long do you take the BS lemon treatment and when to do tune-ups?
Hey Deb!
This is safe to perform with low platelets. Also this can be done daily as long as it is at least 1-2 hours away from meals!
How many days do I stay on the baking soda and mollesses treatment when do I know when to stop and how do I do the tune up and how many times for the tune up I can’t afford supplements so I just take Walmart brands it’s all I can on a very fixed income thank you very much for helping me I have took harsh chemo and radiation since 2013 no more will l take that again I have cervical cancer if they were to do a operation they would have to remove my bladder
Dr Jockers I have had Sleve Surg lots of hang over & sweat!Now I have always BEEN SOAKED N SWEAT ALL OVER ESP TOP OF HEAD BUT THERE ALSO COMES W/THIS A BODY NO MATTER HOW MANY SHOWERS I DO PER DAY! WHAT CAN I DO TO STOP THIS PROB PLZ PLZ PLZ HELP, NOW UNDER BEAST &a TUMMY I HAVE USED NYSTATIN POWDERS BUT THEY COME N SUCH A SM BOTTLE U LUCKY TO HAVE NUFF FOR A WK 🙁 BUT I DO NOT WANT TO FIGHT THE BO PROB I HAVE TRIES FM BODY WASH ALSO THANK U!!!!!!!!!!
A OLD NANA!!!!
Hey Barbara,
You will want to eat very clean and supplement with a good probiotic. Sleeve surgery alters your gut in a way that may be contributing to what you are feeling. Here is an article on how to eat: https://drjockers.com/5-benefits-healing-diet/
Here is a great natural deodorant as well! https://amzn.to/2lZAonK
Does this really work im on clinic trails i ask nurse she said should it shouldnt interfere
Dr Jocker,
My mother in 80 suffers much Osteoporosis and Squemas cell cancer at the moment.
She is taking calcium ,vitamin D3 and other supplements.
after 3rd time surgery now and prepare radiation process in next week..
But she has receiving antibiotics IV to cure before radiation in this week.
But her tumors would be recurrent again.
Can consume baking soda and apple cider at this moment ?
your kind prompt reply would be highly appreciated.
Hey Diana, So sorry to hear about what you and your mother have been going through. I would recommend going through and following the strategies in these articles:
https://drjockers.com/top-24-cancer-fighting-foods/
https://drjockers.com/the-diet-that-destroys-cancer/
https://drjockers.com/top-10-natural-cancer-treatments/
Blessings!
Hello Dr. Jockers, Question about a week ago I had a BBQ and later that night I had coffee and donuts. The next day I didn’t feel quiet good of course never sleep with a full stomach! I went to the doctor and the pain subsided but I noticed I have a lump on the upper right abdominal. I’m kinda concerned but will follow with my doctor! Any advice or info is appropriated. Thanks
Sorry to hear about this Juan! It is hard for me to tell what you are dealing with just from this comment. If this is a reflection of how you eat on a regular basis I’d definitely recommend reading this article.
https://drjockers.com/5-benefits-healing-diet/
Thanks for your article. Had done sodium bicarbonate (total 1 TEAspoon per day) protocol with ACV and molasses.
But after a several day, caused me to feel want to vomit, loose stool, night leg cramp and sleepy. Maybe due to sodium imbalance caused by potassium depletion.
My country donot sell potassium bicarbonate to replace baling soda. Any suggestion what I shoud do?
Hey Yos, good question. You cans simply increase your potassium intake from food sources. We have a great article on that here: https://drjockers.com/5-signs-of-a-potassium-deficiency/
Hello I my husband is was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer and is currently on opdivo and will have radiation treatment starting next week as there is a small area in his shoulder can the BS and molasses protcall be used while taking opdivo and radiation?
This should be no problem Zena!
Thank you for the reply! I have also done some
Research about essiac tea is that also something that can be taken with radiation? I have read it’s not good with chemo therapy but what about radiation!
Hey Zena, Essiac tea can be used alongside either.
Hi Doctor ive recently had an Angiogram done & my results have come back as 1 of my kidneys being enlarged & the other only 80% of the size it should be with 6 gore stones showing up, there is also a little scarring on my bladder & a small lump on my pancreas but have been told its nothing to be concerned about, im really wanting to gv this method a try & need to kno how much how often & for how long, i have also had to treat superficial blood clotts in my lower left leg with clexane thinners injected in my lower stomach area once daily will i still be ok to try the BS & ACV
This method can be used daily and is very safe. Try just starting with the recipe detailed in this article upon rising in the morning and wait at least an hour to consume any food. Also, take a look at these articles:
https://drjockers.com/beat-gallstones-naturally/
https://drjockers.com/5-phases-to-heal-utis-naturally/
Also Will this help treat ongoing urinary tract infections?
My husband was recently diagnosed with glioblastoma brain cancer which has some differences than other cancers. He is currently going through chemo and radiation and a clinical trial drug. I want him to add the baking soda drink but want to make sure it is safe to take during his treatment.
It is safe Beth! I would also highly recommend a ketogenic diet and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Dr. Jockers can you please clarify how exactly ACV and Baking Soda taken mixed together will be beneficial? If ACV is an acid and BS is a base won’t the two cancel out and produce water and carbon dioxide? or at best you will either have a slightly less acidic ACV or slightly less basic BS. What exactly is the mixture that is produced that provides a benefit? is it the sodium acetate that is also produced as a by-product?
I have the same question as Jerry. Dr. Jockers approved of one commenters use of the BS (no ACV) with water before bed to alkalize the body. Although I have heard of many benefits of apple cider vinegar alone with water,etc. I would like to know what the reasoning is to combining them (rather than BS alone)
You can combine the 2 and get the benefits of both.
2 tablespoon of vinegar?
Hi doctor,
My mother-in-law is 77, she’s suffering from Acute Myeloid Lukimea recently and she’s diabetic and has Coronery Artery Disease. Do you think the use of baking soda and Apple vinegar can help her in anyway?
Thank you and God bless.
Hey Dikran, so sorry to hear about this. It could be a consideration, but take a look at these articles:
https://drjockers.com/beginning-cancer-healing-journey/
https://drjockers.com/plant-based-ketogenic-diet/
Hi Dr Kickers, I’m Samantha. My husband has stage 4 min small cell andiocarsinoma. He takes etodilac, fentanyl pain patch, gabapentin and hydromorphone (dilada, don’t know the spelling). He also does radiation and chemo. I’ve asked the drs if he can have molasses and baking soda with these pain meds and they don’t know. So if you could answer that I’d appreciate the help. And also, can he have it with chemo and radiation? One more question is can he have vitamin b17/amygdalin, curcumin and rm-10(medicinal mushroom tablets) with his current pain meds? Not one dr can tell me the answer to that. Please help. Tia
Samantha again. I apologize for saying dr kickers, autocorrect inserted that. Meant to say Dr Jockers.
Hey Samantha, I am so very sorry to hear that your husband is going through this!! Although I am unable to give medical advice, I don’t see any problems with the B17, curcumin and medicinal mushrooms while he does the pain meds and chemo. I wouldn’t do the baking soda at the same time as other meds, but you can do it away from them and away from foods. Be Blessed!
Hi Dr Jockers,
Is this BS/Lemon ACV combination safe for pregnant?
Yes, but only once per day and away from meals.
Dr. Jockers,
My husband has been on a year chemo treatment and we thought things were going good until his last Pet Scan. He has stage 4 lung cancer. What would be the best way to get this remedy to the lungs, Inhalation? If so How? We have been doing the THC in it’s purest form because we were told that works and we thought it was for awhile because the tumors were almost gone. HeLP!
Hey Robin, I would not recommend inhaling baking soda. This article details the strategies I would use to support the body. In particular, hyperbaric oxygen therapy with the ketogenic diet. https://drjockers.com/beginning-cancer-healing-journey/
have a blessed day i have a liver enlagrment can i ask its is posseble can cure my prblem if i use this baking soda and lemon or apple cider venigar?
Hey Agnes, it may be helpful along with the tips in these articles:
https://drjockers.com/improve-liver-health-naturally/
https://drjockers.com/16-best-foods-liver-health/
Dear Dr.Jockers.My wife has been diagnosed in September with ovarian cancer,stage 1A,clear cell carcinom.She had a surgery which removed both ovaries and uterus.She was rushed to have chemotherapy and she refused.She has been eating vegetables only,berries,apricot seeds,also macadania nuts,walnuts ect..She also only drinks filtered water,Essiac tea,takes a lot vitamine C,..A few days ago,she started taking bicarbonate sodium 2-3 times a day.She also checks pH level.I read that,sodium bicarbonate should be taken for two weeks and then pause for a week.What do you think please and also..do you have any other advice for my wife?
Thank you very much.
Check out these articles Serg!
https://drjockers.com/beginning-cancer-healing-journey/
https://drjockers.com/fasting-strategies-cancer/
https://drjockers.com/plant-based-ketogenic-diet/
Hi Delbert. Did you take sodium bicarbonate for lung cancer? Is it healing you. Thank you.
Hi Sergio. was your wife heal by taking Baking soda.? Thank you
I have a problem of lymphoma, i have taken chemotherapy two times, how far this combination of Backing Soda and molasses help and for how long.
Sorry to hear that. We don’t have enough research or evidence to know…but we believe it can be helpful. Blessings to you!
I took the baking soda and acv as a drink and now I have bumps all over with itching and burning, help!
Sorry to hear that! I would stop using it!
I was diagnosed with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma in 2017 on my tongue. In August of 2018 it had moved into the lymphnode of my neck. I have had 2 surgeries and been through chemo and radiation ending in Jan of 2019. Went back for a check up in June 2019 to find that there is now another small spot located on my neck right in the area that was radiated the hardest.
I know that the baking soda remedy is not a proven science yet by it seems to have some positive pieces to it. I have struggled with severe acid reflux my whole life and presently use nexium to keep it under control but may be what would keep my body more on the acidic side. I am looking for what you think the best routine might be for someone like me moving forward as I am getting ready to begin another round of chemo and immunotherapy. It sounds like the soda could possibly enhance this treatment to finally get it out of my body. I am thinking maybe one glass a day and monitor it with strips.
Thought?
Hey John, I am so very sorry to hear this! I highly recommend working with a functional health practitioner that will get to the root cause and customize a specific plan to navigate your healing journey! This article can help: https://drjockers.com/functional-nutrition-tips-to-find-a-great-health-coach/
Does sodium bicarbonate 10g help overcome foot nail fungus?