Baking Soda as Part of Cancer Treatment and Prevention?

3 comments by Nelson Montelauro

It may sound dubious that one of the most common, inexpensive household items could have anti-cancer benefits, but the implications of using Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO3) to neutralize tumor acidity in cancer treatment are profound, and could potentially lead to significant advancements in how cancer is managed. Baking soda has many other uses, and its ability to create alkalinizing effects have cast this kitchen staple in a new light.   

Influence on Current Treatment Strategies

According to many clinical investigations, integrating Sodium Bicarbonate therapy into existing cancer treatment regimens could enhance the effectiveness of current therapies. The main reason is that solid tumors exhibit an acidic external pH due to increased glucose metabolism and poor perfusion, which promotes tumor cell invasion and metastasis. Thus, increasing the pH of the cancer cell environment might have effects on cancer metabolism.

One study examined whether inhibiting tumor acidity with oral sodium bicarbonate in mice could reduce metastases in vivo (1). The findings showed that sodium bicarbonate selectively raised tumor pH and decreased spontaneous metastases in mouse models of metastatic breast cancer. The researchers found that sodium bicarbonate treatment increased extracellular pH (without affecting intracellular pH), and reduced lymph node involvement. The therapy also involved injecting baking soda into the tumor site in the spleen, where it notably inhibited liver metastases, suggesting it affects extravasation and colonization. However, its impact varied with different cancer models, inhibiting prostate cancer metastases, but not melanoma. The mechanism is unclear, but since acidic conditions are known to increase the release of cathepsin B, a key protease in matrix remodeling, the authors suggest that NaHCO3 may help reduce metastases by inhibiting cathepsin B release (1).

Another 2020 study published in the Journal of Integrative Cancer Therapy, entitled "Does Baking Soda Function as a Magic Bullet for Patients With Cancer? A Mini Review", examined several in vivo studies on the use of sodium bicarbonate in cancer. They write: "We must emphasize that baking soda alone without any other anticancer therapies is only effective for some cancer cell lines with less aggressiveness, such as breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell line and prostate cancer PC3M cell line."

By increasing the extracellular pH of tumors, this approach may inhibit the invasive and metastatic behavior of cancer cells, potentially making tumors more susceptible to conventional treatments like synthetic drugs and radiation. This synergistic effect could improve patient outcomes and reduce the likelihood of cancer spreading to other organs, and could also be used in combination with other natural herbal anti-cancer treatments. 

Potential Benefits of Baking Soda in Cancer Treatment

  1. Reduction in Metastasis: This study highlights that Sodium Bicarbonate therapy can significantly reduce spontaneous metastases, particularly in metastatic breast cancer models. This could translate into longer survival rates and better quality of life for patients suffering from aggressive cancers.
  2. Targeted Approach: Sodium Bicarbonate selectively raises the pH of tumor cells without affecting normal tissues, minimizing potential side effects. This specificity is crucial in developing therapies that are both effective and safe.
  3. Non-Invasive Treatment: Oral administration of Sodium Bicarbonate is a non-invasive method, making it easier to integrate into patients' daily routines compared to more invasive treatment options like surgery or intravenous chemotherapy.

Significance in the Broader Context of Cancer Therapy

The findings underscore the role of the tumor microenvironment, particularly pH, in cancer progression. By shifting the focus from solely targeting cancer cells to also modifying their surrounding environment, Sodium Bicarbonate therapy represents a novel and promising approach in cancer treatment. In the chart shown on the left, the anti-cancer potential of baking soda is listed and the amount of sodium bicarbonate used. The authors write that, "Buffer therapy, or targeting the tumor acidity through alkalization, has been a widespread anticancer therapy. In addition to baking soda, researchers have found several other buffering agents to manipulate the tumor pHe, including Tris-base, 2-imidazole-1-yl-3-ethoxycarbonylpropionic acid, and free base lysine. Similar to sodium bicarbonate, these agents have been confirmed to inhibit tumor progression in the preclinical studies" (2). 

In conclusion, the use of baking soda to neutralize tumor acidity offers a promising adjunct to traditional cancer treatments, with the potential to inhibit metastasis and enhance overall treatment efficacy. However, further research is essential to understand its mechanisms, optimize its application, and ensure its safety across various cancer types. Sodium bicarbonate can be problematic for some people, and increases the sodium load in the body, so when consuming for its alkalinizing benefits, consult with your healthcare provider to see if it is safe for you.   

Consuming Baking Soda: Benefits and Safety Precautions

Baking soda has been shown to lower the blood pH when consumed orally (3). However, based on results from animal studies, this may not translate into increased intracellular pH. Taking baking soda orally should be taken with caution with respect to sodium levels, to avoid salt intoxication or hypernatremia. It can also cause hypokalemia, excess calcificaiton, and impairment of tissue oxygenation in high doses. When using any alkali therapy, it is important that the individual stays within a certain range of bicarbonate levels, which are between 17.5 mM and 22.5 mM (4). Taking sodium bicarnate as a dietary source of carbonate, should be taken with other minerals and electrolytes to counteract these potential side-effects, such as potassium and magneisum. One recipe is to combine NAC, which is acidic, with baking soda, to create a sparkling beverage that neutralizes the acidity for easier assimilation.

Dr. Hulda Clark emphasized the importance of obtaining sodium bicarbonate from uncontaminated sources, and wanted to provide patients her own brand of pure baking soda. She unfortunately found in her testing that many supermakret brands were contaminated. Make sure your brand is tested and comes from a reputable manufacturer.

For Further Reading:

Killing Cancer with Oxygen: Treat Your Cancer at Home with Oxygen and Baking Soda March 2024 Excertp: "A body with a healthy acidity level (pH = 7.0) supplies ten times more oxygen to the body than does a body with a pH of 6.0."

Sodium Bicarbonate Cures Cancer And We've Known it for 100 Years: We Debunk QuackWatch.com

Save Your Life with Basic Baking Soda: Becmoing pH Balanced in an Unbalanced World

The Sodium Bicarbonate Cancer Cure - Fraud or Miracle?

Dr. Tullio Simoncini: Is the Cause of Cancer a Common Fugus?

Sources

  1. Robey, I. F., Baggett, B. K., Kirkpatrick, N. D., Roe, D. J., Dosescu, J., Sloane, B. F., ... & Gillies, R. J. (2009). Bicarbonate increases tumor pH and inhibits spontaneous metastases. Cancer research, 69(6), 2260-2268. https://aacrjournals.org/cancerres/article/69/6/2260/552860/Bicarbonate-Increases-Tumor-pH-and-Inhibits
  2. Yang M, Zhong X, Yuan Y. Does Baking Soda Function as a Magic Bullet for Patients With Cancer? A Mini Review. Integrative Cancer Therapies. 2020;19. doi:10.1177/1534735420922579

3 comments


  • Nelson

    Mike – NAC is short for N-acetyl cysteine, which is a popular supplement for detoxification. This form is very acidic though and can cause stomach discomfort, but can be buffered with a carbonate. Using baking soda, or magneisum carbonate, can be a good way to consume a variety of nutrients in acidic form.


  • Mike

    In your last paragraph of this article ( Baking Soda as Part of Cancer Treatment and Prevention?) you said: “One recipe is to combine NAC, which is acidic, with baking soda, to create a sparkling beverage that neutralizes the acidity for easier assimilation.” What is NAC?


  • Nelson

    Some other good resources on the use of sodum bicarbonate:

    Mark Slaon: Sodium Bicarbonate vs Cancer:
    https://endalldisease.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Sodium-Bicarbonate-Vs-Cancer-Second-Edition-End-All-Disease.pdf

    Lemon and Baking Soda shows additional anti-cancer activity:
    https://www.met.edu/knowledge_at_met/lemon_and_baking_soda_a_miraculous_combination_stronger_than_chemotherapy


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