High Alkaline Diet?

[MikeMartial]

Seems a lot of fighters these days are into this; in the recent issue of BlackBelt mag, Couture is quoted as saying:

"I'm taking some excellent new supplements and use a high alkaline diet with whole foods and a lot of grains..." Couture is known for his conditioning, and wouldn't fuck around and waste his time with garbage. At 42 years old, he just can't afford it.

A MMA school I train at has their professional fighters on a high alkaline diet. A lot of hype these days about it on other websites.

Initially, I thought it was just tree-hugger bullshit or a pure fad; after reading an article by Berardi here, I'm wondering if there's a significant benefit to it.

Anyone else have any experience with this? Heard the good, the bad? Other articles?

 

[Gymgurl]

Hey I saw this on the diet board...did you learn anything about it yet?

 

[MikeMartial]

Hey I saw this on the diet board...did you learn anything about it yet?

Not a whole lot...I was actually curious if anyone followed a diet similar to this. I posted the exact same question on a couple of martial arts forums I visit, but didn't get a whole lot of hits.

It's either a fad that will fade, or something that needs more studies done on it.

The key in the whole diet is the buffering of acid, specifically lactic acid. I know it sounds a bit insane, but I may actually try supplementing sodium bicarbonate, based on this article Buffering Agents And Exercise Performance

Another link here

 

[Supercharge]

Mike,
I have tried this diet at one time. My body did not do well on Na and Ca, so I stuck with other two main Alkaline minerals. K and Mg. That worked out pretty good. Most people from what I later found out, do good only on Na and Ca or K and Mg. Not both. Be careful with Na, especially during spring.

 

[gjohnson5]

Seems a lot of fighters these days are into this; in the recent issue of BlackBelt mag, Couture is quoted as saying:

"I'm taking some excellent new supplements and use a high alkaline diet with whole foods and a lot of grains..." Couture is known for his conditioning, and wouldn't fuck around and waste his time with garbage. At 42 years old, he just can't afford it.

A MMA school I train at has their professional fighters on a high alkaline diet. A lot of hype these days about it on other websites.

Initially, I thought it was just tree-hugger bullshit or a pure fad; after reading an article by Berardi here, I'm wondering if there's a significant benefit to it.

Anyone else have any experience with this? Heard the good, the bad? Other articles?

Whole foods and organics is a direction I'm heading in myself.
It's harder to get your protein when it has to be organic eggs and organically fed cows beef. But I want to read more in what the article says. Most anything high in protein will be acid based food.

 

[gjohnson5]

Not a whole lot...I was actually curious if anyone followed a diet similar to this. I posted the exact same question on a couple of martial arts forums I visit, but didn't get a whole lot of hits.

It's either a fad that will fade, or something that needs more studies done on it.

The key in the whole diet is the buffering of acid, specifically lactic acid. I know it sounds a bit insane, but I may actually try supplementing sodium bicarbonate, based on this article Buffering Agents And Exercise Performance

Another link here

sodium bicarbonate also reduces stomach acid... This doesn't sound like it would work well in conjunction with a pre workout meal.

 

[MikeMartial]

sodium bicarbonate also reduces stomach acid... This doesn't sound like it would work well in conjunction with a pre workout meal.

Excellent point; timing would be highly essential to decrease any side effects. And I have yet to try this out---mainly for fear of tossing my cookies while working out.

 

[PyRoTeK]

I can look up some stuff on this as myself am interested in the subject of pH balance. I will say this, I believe your body is bogged down by foods we all eat none more so than here in the United States. I believe that pH balance is very important. I'll do some research on this and post back after awhile.

 

[MikeMartial]

I'll do some research on this and post back after awhile.

Awesome, more info is always better. If you hear of any anecdotal reports on this type of diet, post 'em up also.

Just this weekend we had a local MMA/MT event here, and I ended up doing the pre-medicals and event medical stand-by. I asked the one fighter I knew if he was still doing the high-alkaline diet, and he replied "oh yeah, for sure"---not only is this guy in his late 30's, and in great shape, he made his fight look easy.

I'll have to hook up with him and get the details on the what and why of his diet.

 

[gjohnson5]

Not sure where pyrotek lives but in America we heat a heavily acidic diet.
1. meats
2. nuts
3. fruit
4. lemon/lime
5. beer/wine

You wanna cut down your acidity , stop drinking.

 

[Supercharge]

Lemons are actually alkaline.
They are acidic prior to digestion. After they digest, their minearals make them alkaline in the body.
Food is clasified as alkaline, when it contain acidic baffers, as lemon does.

 

[PyRoTeK]

Ok I have not had alot of time but I did find out a couple of things. Your body has a balance or at least should have acid and an alkaline ratio.

1.In order to function to optimal capacity, the internal body environment must remain as close to alkaline as possible...acidic environment inside your body will show up as a sickness or disease. It's the body' s attempt to balance it's internal environment to more alkaline state.
2.Alkaline foods could help you alkalize your body but you need to know the right ratio of acid and alkaline foods to have the best results possible on alkalizing your body.

Lemons and rhubarbs are acids. You know that just by tasting them. Other foods create acids during the metabolization process. Proteins, fats, and carbohydrates break down into phosphoric and uric acids, acetyl acetic acids and fatty acids, and succinic and Pyruvic acids respectively

ADD FRESH, RAW, GREEN VEGETABLES TO YOUR LUNCH AND DINNER.

What is an Acid?

Whether or not a substance is classified as an acid has to do with what happens when the substance dissolves in water. If the substance releases hydrogen ions, it is considered acid. The number of hydrogen ions that are released is what determines whether a substance is more acid or less.

Another way to identify an acid is by tasting it. Most of us automatically classify lemons, rhubarbs and vinegar as acidic solely because of the way they taste. We don’t realize that strawberries and tomatoes and plenty of other foods are acids too. The only reason foods that are classified as acids don’t taste acidic is because they do not release as many hydrogen ions as do other noticeably acidic foods.

Besides taste, acids have another noticeable characteristic. By nature, acids are harsh and can even be corrosive. Water, which dilutes a substance, is what helps acids assume this corrosive power. When we eat, water appears in the form of saliva.

Many cleaning products on the market today get their power from acids. We have come to believe that these amazing products contain some type of miracle ingredient, but that simply isn’t true. Next time you notice a build-up of calcium deposits on your pots and pans or inside your sink, rub on a bit of vinegar and watch them disappear. Do you know about the cola experiment? If you drop a coin into the soda, after two days, the surface develops scars and pits. What’s more interesting is that a piece of meat will be completely dissolved after this time!
Never rely on taste to determine whether a food is acidic. If you’ve ever eaten meat, you know it does not have an acid taste yet it is an extremely acid food. Taste will fool you. Acids are easily neutralized which will lessen the acid taste, as will eating a combination of foods.
What is an Alkaline?

When a substance does not give up its hydrogen ions after being placed in a solution of water, it is considered less acidic. In other words, the substance is alkaline. Alkaline substances differ from acids in that they are not corrosive; they are much gentler. Calcium is the most prominent mineral inside the body. Most of the calcium, about two pounds worth, is found in the skeletal bones.

An alkaline is good for alleviating acidity inside the body. That is why milk is often prescribed in cases of accidental ingestion of poisons that are acidic and also why potato juice can soothe an acid stomach. Foods that are alkaline would never pass the acid taste test because they have no acid taste at all.

As with acids, taste should not be relied upon to determine alkalinity. You’d never think of white sugar or bread as acids but in fact neither is considered an alkaline. It is not until the body begins to digest and utilize these foods that their acids are released.

I got this from a site Alkaline4life.

 

[PyRoTeK]

I erased this because it was misinformation.

 

[MikeMartial]

Pyro,

Don't watch paid advertising. Period.

The colon:

-Doesn't "build up mucus"---I've seen colonoscopies of 80 year olds, and in regular people (without diverticulitis or colon cancer) they are pink and smooth. This is a bad myth that unfourtunatley seems to still be propegated.

-No villi, or "little hairs" line the mucosa of the large intestine. 'nuff said.

-Is responsible for very little absorbtion or electrolytes or water. Most of that occurs in the small intestine. This is why people can live without most of their large intestine. Think of it like this: The large intestine makes poop. Yup.

Instead of paying 38 bucks a bottle for herbs that make you shit, just make sure your fiber intake is up to par.

Now, can we get back to main topic of High Alkaline Diets in Relation to Martial Arts Performance?

 

[PyRoTeK]

Pyro,

Don't watch paid advertising. Period.

The colon:

-Doesn't "build up mucus"---I've seen colonoscopies of 80 year olds, and in regular people (without diverticulitis or colon cancer) they are pink and smooth. This is a bad myth that unfourtunatley seems to still be propegated.

-No villi, or "little hairs" line the mucosa of the large intestine. 'nuff said.

-Is responsible for very little absorbtion or electrolytes or water. Most of that occurs in the small intestine. This is why people can live without most of their large intestine. Think of it like this: The large intestine makes poop. Yup.

Instead of paying 38 bucks a bottle for herbs that make you shit, just make sure your fiber intake is up to par.

Now, can we get back to main topic of High Alkaline Diets in Relation to Martial Arts Performance?

I looked up the colon, and yes you are right, there are no villi in it. I went to the main site where this guy is selling his stuff and got the contact information in hopes of finding out if this is just a scam.

 

[needtogetaas]

food forum.

 

[PyRoTeK]

"I looked up the colon" <----I did not actually, literally look up it, I meant to state I looked into information pertaining to the colon.

 

[MikeMartial]

"I looked up the colon" <----I did not actually, literally look up it, I meant to state I looked into information pertaining to the colon.

LMAO

 

[fortunatesun]

I'm going to give this a try. Been feeling I could be doing better with my intake for a while now, though I'm a fairly careful eater. Judging by the chart in Berardi's article, I should be strong to the finish if I eat my spinich.