Baking Soda for Cancer Treatment? Here’s What You Need to Know

Research recently suggested that baking soda does not prevent cancer, although it might contribute to the complementary therapy for the patients by increasing chemotherapy treatments' effectiveness.

Chemotherapy functions by destroying actively growing cells, although tumors frequently cut off their oxygen supply inside them. This then leads to the shutdown of cells, making it difficult for the procedure to work.

Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and Moffitt Cancer Center scientists investigated breast and colon cancer in mice. They found an increase in the activity of cells after the mice were given water mixed with baking soda.

Reports on the research said this theory is "by reactivating the cells," a tumor can be made "far more sensitive to cancer treatments.

However, the evidence is limited mostly to animals and cell research, so the large-scale human-based study is needed.

Because of this limitation, experts advise never to stop using "doctor-prescribed cancer treatment." And for those who wish to use baking soda to pair with their current treatment, the need to discuss it with their doctor due to possible risks linked to ingesting the substance.

Never discontinue doctor-prescribed cancer treatment. If you wish to use baking soda to complement your treatment, you must discuss this with your doctor, as there can be risks associated with ingesting the substance.

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Research recently suggested, baking soda does not prevent cancer although it might contribute to the complementary therapy for the patients by increasing the effectiveness of chemotherapy treatments.

How Baking Soda Contribute to Health

Also called sodium bicarbonate, baking soda is a white crystalline powder that's alkaline in nature and has a variety of uses and benefits for both household works and health.

Affordable and commonly available baking soda may be a "popularly rising agent in baking," although it has also been presented to have impacts on oral and digestive health.

Some use it as a general mouthwash and a regimen for teeth whitening by simply dissolving the powder in water. According to the report, there has been a review of five studies that found that toothpaste with baking soda content eliminated plaque from teeth more efficiently than those that don't contain it.

Due to baking soda's neutralizing effects, some people depend on it to treat their heartburn by mixing a small amount of it with water.

Baking soda is a famous supplement, too, among athletes. Some studies present that sodium bicarbonate can help them perform at their peak for more prolonged, particularly during high-intensity sprinting and training.

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Baking Soda Can Help in Cancer Treatment

Study shows that cancer cells tend to grow fast, and chemotherapy drugs destroy fast-growing cells. Nevertheless, many cells in solid tumors have their supply of oxygen shut off in a process also called hypoxia. This then leads to the cells' pH levels to decline and become acidic.

When this takes place, the cells cease from properly working. Specifically, they stop the production of proteins and tend to have disrupted metabolism.

As a result, they become dormant or inactive. Suppose the inactive cells are found to be cancerous and unresponsive to therapy. In that case, they have the possibility to reactivate when the original tumor is taken out, leading cancer to develop and grow again.

Meanwhile, for radiotherapy to function properly, there is a need for oxygen to be present at the time of radiation. Under hypoxic conditions, there may be an inadequate supply of oxygen for this radiosensitization.

Since baking soda has the ability to neutralize acid, some study authors believe consuming it could reduce the acidity of tumors and lead inactive cells back to life, making them easier targets for treatments of cancer.

While baking soda helps treat cancer, it is important to know that use of it to complement such a treatment needs to be done only under the supervision and direction of a healthcare provider.

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