Alkaline Diet Questions with Gareth (#2)

Hey everyone!

Each fortnight we’re putting the best alkaline diet questions we receive from you to our Alkaline Diet Expert, Dr Young trained blood analyst and highly qualified nutritionist – Gareth Edwards.

Gareth is right at the very top of his field, so these answers are absolutely the best you’ll find from arguably Britain’s most qualified expert in this area!

Q&A With Gareth Edwards

Question One: Green Drink vs Chlorophyll

I have some questions for Gareth about the difference between liquid chlorophyll and green drinks:

a. 1 Ltr of powdered Greens 3g v Liquid chlorophyll drops under tongue (10), do they both build equal amounts of blood cells, ( reduce / increase Liquid drops, much greener than powder).

Both of these supplements should help build healthy red blood cells, but the chlorophyll is more likely to have a direct impact on red blood cell counts and shape. The powder is a food supplement and contains other nutrients which could help promote intestinal health. This ultimately will also help build blood.

b. Knowing that powdered Greens boost the energy of an alkaline water drink / PH drops, do the liquid chlorophyll drops also boost the energy, or just build blood.

The reason why the greens boost the energy of the water is because they have a micro-electronic charge attached to them. Chlorophyll does not. It may still contain some of the energetic qualities of the plant from which it was extracted. Remember to keep it in the fridge once opened.

c. How much do you recommend I take of the liquid chlorophyll daily to build my blood cells, 10 drops 3 times a day enough, or more?

That should be enough. Remember that what else you eat and drink and your exercise plan are also going to affect the situation. Your Doctor or a qualified nutrition consultant can order a test to assess the number and size of your red blood cells, so use that to see if you are making progress. Having live blood analysis will show you whether there any improvements in the quality (shape, form, interaction) of your red blood cells.

Remember to keep eating and drinking fresh green leafy vegetables too. This is the best way to get fresh living chlorophyll bound up in a super healthy nutrient package. (If you’re stuck for recipes, you might be interested in the Energise Alkaline Diet Recipe Book)

Question Two: Protein & Carbs on the Alkaline Diet

Firstly, I am a gardener and for one reason or another work seven days a week. My job is physical all day long plus I go to the gym four or five times a week so I would say I’m physically fit. Will alkaline diet have enough protein and carbs to keep me going throughout the day?

Secondly, I also take protein supplement for the gym. Will it still be ok to take protein drink with the diet plan? And will the diet plan help reduce body fat percentage and allow me to build muscle mass?

Finally, how soon will the sugar cravings reduce?

I wouldn’t get too hung up about needing protein and carbohydrate for energy. The percentage of protein in muscles is actually quite small and trying to build it by consuming animal protein is likely to put a strain on your body systems. Carbohydrates generally provide a “dirty” fuel for your body to run on. What that means is that they can give you energy but, usually at a cost to your overall health and wellbeing.

Stu Mittleman (World long distance running record holder) explains in great detail in his book “Slow Burn” (available here) how you can train your body to burn fat rather than sugar (or carbs) as fuel.

So moving towards an alkaline nutrition plan means using salt to ensure conductivity of energy related “transmission” in your body and deriving calories more from healthy fats such as olive oil, avocado hemp oil and almonds. You may experience some level of fatigue as toxic or acidic waste is flushed out of your body, but persevere through this, drinking water and green juices.

If you do feel that you need grains, then focus brown / wholegrain and try experimenting with some of the more alkalising species such as buckwheat, quinoa and millet (See the upcoming Energise Alkaline Recipe Book for more information)

Most protein supplements are fairly acidifying. I’d focus more on a green vegetable and grass powdered drink and liquid chlorophyll to build healthy red blood cells. These are what becomes muscle. You could look at Raw Power supplements (available here) if you feel you have to have protein. This plan absolutely should help you to build muscle mass and loose body fat and … stay calmer. Read Dusan Dudas’ testimonial if you feel you need convincing – he recently won his category in the >50 category in the body builders champs on a totally alkalairian diet.

Remember that body fat is usually a protective mechanism created by the body to “warehouse” acids.

Drinking greens either as powder or juice is the best way I’ve found to curb sugar cravings. Using the spray salt pHlavor and adding salt o your food can also help.

Question Three: Which Oil is Best?

I am 41y / 5ft 9 / 138 lbs / fit and living an Alkaline Lifestyle for 5 years (Dr Young). My last cleanse included supplements (Dr Young’s COWS), inf sauna, exercise etc. We had juiced greens and 2 soups with Organic CP Hemp oil (30g) in each. After the 10 day cleanse I went for my first ever colonic (bowel movements 2-3 times) and the therapist showed me the outlet tube which was all oily, she said I wasn’t absorbing oils. So:

1. Is this normal, am I missing something, taking too much in one go?
2. Fish oils better than seed for absorption?
3. When best to take, what best with (food /liquid /on own)?

A couple of thoughts come in to my head here. You seem quite light for your height, so that does make me wonder if you do have an absorption challenge. If that is the case then increasing your intake of pHour salts may help with the breakdown and digestion of the fat.

You could consider having the M/OST dry blood test done to asses whether you are showing any signs of bowel toxicity. If you have a history of having taking medication over a sustained period of time or have followed poor dietary practices for a long time in your past, you might want to consider carrying out a gallbladder flush. Do this under the supervision of a qualified practitioner, experienced in supporting patients with this.

The quality of the oil could also be a factor. Make sure that the hemp oil is cold pressed and has been kept refrigerated from the time of pressing. Rancidity is likely to make the body keep it “outside” you.

Some practitioners believe that fish oils are more effective in the body than vegetable oils. I don’t subscribe to this view and it is highly unlikely to affect absorption.

The amount is quite high, but that shouldn’t be a problem. You might want to use more olive oil and less hemp oil. That would be cheaper! It shouldn’t really matter whether you take the oil with food in juices or alone.

Question Four: Alkalising & Tooth Health

I would like to ask a question to Gareth about tooth decay and how an alkaline diet can positively increase the health of teeth as we age and also prevent fillings etc? Any advice would be welcome.

The primary link between dietary pH and dental health is associated with the mineral Calcium. If we become acidic through dietary or lifestyle choices or involuntary poisoning, then our body will use calcium, in order to buffer (neutralise) these potentially life threatening liquids. Teeth and bones are the store houses of this essential mineral that will be called on.

It is also important to have healthy blood supply to the teeth, in order to maintain their optimal health. Green, plant based diets are the best way to promote the manufacture and maintenance of healthy blood.

Some acidic foods and drinks can have a directly acidifying effect in the mouth. It is therefore important to have healthy levels of the bicarbonate buffering minerals present which are normally released in the saliva. Using pHour salts and chewing your food well should help with this.

The acidic sugars in sweets, fruit and fruit juice may erode the protective enamel from teeth directly in the mouth.

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Note: This blog is only my opinion. It is not medical advice or diagnosis. Only opinions based upon our own personal experiences or information detailed in medical/academic journals or other publications is cited. WE DO NOT OFFER MEDICAL ADVICE or prescribe any treatments. Please consult with a medical professional before making any diet or nutrition changes. Refer to our full disclaimer for more information.