Alkaline?

[green_the_fish]

Hi. First of all, I know this is a very controversial subject!
I don't want to recommend this, but I also don't want to slam it. I know that the IC diet is aimed at keeping the body neutral, as opposed to alkaline or acidic. I just have a few questions to ask about the effects of alkalinity in general.
Anyway, my mother has recently become very interested in the subject of bodily acidity. She's been hearing me talk about this in relation to urine for months, and she recently saw an infomercial on TV selling some alkaline pills, so now she's really into it.
She would like to purchase some alkaline pills for herself. I guess if she did that, I'd probably try them as well, if only out of curiousity.
So...
Are there any known positive effects to keeping the body alkaline?
Are there any known negative effects to keeping the body alkaline?
Is it possible to keep the body alkaline with dietary supplements, as opposed to dietary changes?
Would my mother's chronic heart condition (tachycardia) be affected either way by the alkaline diet?
Could taking alkaine supplements be a way to test if I really have IC? As in, I take alkaline supplements, and if I get worse I have a weak bladder lining (as in IC), but if I have no reaction, then I don't have it? Kind of like a potassium sensitivity test, but using alkaline?
Okay, I think that's it. My mother says hi!

[liznazz]

Many homeopaths promote the alkaline diet as a health benefit. I believe that keeping the body at a neutral or slightly alkaline level is best. My uro suggested I try to keep a similar level. Too much acidity in the bladder (obviously as we IC'ers know) can cause more discomfort. I have read that some people on the boards follow a strict alkaline diet and have felt improvement. Vegetables are alkaline, and so are fruit but I know that I am restricted in the fruit area. ( Just tried a mango a few days ago and my flare is just calming down!) I use vegetable capsules (contains lots of greens) to help keep my body as alkaline as possible. You can find alkaline charts/diets by using a search engine and you and mom will be able to see which foods are considered alkaline and which are acidic. Good luck! liz

[Katrina]

I test my alkaline/acidity every so often and have found that when my body is less acidic it does me good! I also have found that being very careful about my diet is necessary in the short term. Wish this were an easy simple subject but your right....we need to be very careful with this.

[Sarojini]

I think that anyone who starts taking supplements like this should discuss it with his/her doctor. Many heart conditions can be adversely affected by pH balance, because many of the levels of electrolytes (potassium, sodium, and others) that regulate heart function and nerve conduction can be affected by pH balance. As a biochemist, that is my take on your mom's situation.

However, as for your situation, you may be able to try a more alkaline state... just don't go overboard. It is best to keep the body at a fairly neutral pH (ie, pH 6.8-7.2). This is the range in which it is designed to work optimally, and my feeling is that messing with it too much either way can cause problems in the long run....

[ICNDonna]

Healthy urine is slightly acid --- alkaline urine could be a sign of infection. Definitely talk with your doctor before embarking on this.

Donna