Exercise on the Alkaline Diet

Article by Gareth Edwards (BSc. DipION. mBANT)

Kepow! Take that….. Historically we’ve had to rely on fictional characters such as Popeye, Doc Broc and (maybe) the Jolly Green Giant to help us believe that the path to increased physical endurance might have more to do with the vegetable patch than a steak. Increasingly though, real life athletes are starting to wake up to the fact endless bowels of pasta, protein powders or chicken may not be helping them get the results that they are after.

“Well that’s all very well Gareth,” I hear some of the keen sportspeople amongst you saying, “but what about the reported diet of Michael Phelps. A herd of cows for breakfast, washed down with coffee and some nice pancakes and syrup. That didn’t seem to slow him down too much ……”

The case of Michael Phelps can actually illustrate some crucial and important factors about human health that all of us might wish to consider. One of the more interesting facts about him was the recent revelation that he had been caught smoking the wicked weed. In my opinion, this suggests either the need to calm down or to escape the pressures of his success. You need to remember that some of the “side effects” of increased acidity are likely to include increased anxiety and insomnia.

Two other important factors that you need to remember about Phelps are that he is (relatively) young and (surprisingly) that he does a lot of exercise! Generally speaking our alkaline reserves (mineral buffers) etc. are high at birth. The combination of alkaline parents and regular alkalising exercise can allow us to “get away with” some heavily acidic eating habits …. when we are young.

Two, more mature, highly successful athletes further elucidate the importance of alkaline dietary and hydration programmes in the sporting arena. Sir Steven Redgrave demonstrated phenomenal resilience to win his fifth gold medal as a diagnosed diabetic. His primary dietary consideration, in an interview that I read, was to ingest sufficient calories. During his stellar and inspiring Olympic career he was sponsored by a chain of burger shops and afterwards ran commercials for a crisp company. I do wonder if an alkaline dietary regime might have allowed him to compete for the sixth gold medal he seemed to strongly desire.

The case of Lance Armstrong seems to demonstrate clearly how a more alkaline eating pattern can not only positively affect the outcome of more serious pathologies (diseases), but also support phenomenal physical endurance. From all reports and Armstrong’s own writing, his diet prior to his cancer diagnosis was largely based on packets and bottles. His post cancer and tour winning diet has been much more about broccoli and fresh vegetables.

Little and large:

Part of Armstrong’s Tour de France success has been attributed to his, post cancer, slimmer build. This, it is argued, makes him the formidable hill climber that has sealed his success.

Because of light winds at the Beijing Olympics, being light was also a priority for the sailors. Women’s gold medallists Sarahs Ayton and Webb and Pippa Wilson told me that they bought all the green leafed vegetables in an entire supermarket as part of their weight losing, greening regime.

So greens can make you strong and light, but what about if you want to bulk up?

The most compelling recent story seems to be that of Dusan Dudas who won the over 50 category in a body building championship as an alkalising vegan. Not only was he big, but also healthy. Before the competition he says he felt calm and was not exhausted afterwards from the intense workload required to build the required muscle.

Protein powders and sports drinks:

With many athletes firmly hooked on gels, caffeine, whey or synthetic protein powder and fizzy, glucose based “recovery” drinks, it can be a bit tough to believe that you can really build muscle and endurance on a plant based diet with added salt.

One of the most powerful indictments of the benefits of alkalinity over sugar based approaches comes from world long distance running record holder Stu Mittleman. I’d highly recommend his book “Slow Burn”.

In my own practice I have seen several cases where people have experienced relatively serious health challenges having followed high protein dietary regimes aimed at building muscle. This type of dietary approach can lead to bowel toxicity. That will either show up as …. you guessed it (open the window someone) or as clear patterns of polymerised protein pools (acid!) in the centre of dried blood samples in the M/OS test.

Ensuring healthy bowel function is one of the most important aspects of building muscle and increasing physical endurance. It is at this delicate and sensitive interface that food becomes blood. Clean healthy blood is essential for building muscle, promoting healthy respiratory function and increased physical and mental agility.

Exercise can be one of the most rewarding, refreshing, health giving and alkalising ways to spend your waking hours.
Alkalising performance enhancing supplements would include:

1. Green drinks and alkalising pH drops
2. pHour salts
3. Udo’s Choice or Hemp oil

And if you feel you are in need of more protein, using a raw, vegan protein powder can be a solution for you.

Juicing and eating greens should also help to build healthy blood and muscles. Cabbage juice (mixed with less strong tasting low sugar juices such as cucumber and celery) can help with intestinal healing.

Gareth has won three sporting national Championships and advised the coach of the women’s sailing gold medallists at the Beijing Olympics on nutrition.

Tagged as: alkaline diet, exercise, sport

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.