Baking Soda for Arthritis and Autoimmune Diseases?

Study Finds Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Baking Soda

The Journal of Immunology published a study by scientists at the Medical College of Georgia reporting common baking soda may relieve the effects of inflammatory autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and others.

Researchers found that daily consumption of small amounts of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) causes a shift in body pH towards alkalinity and reduces the number of inflammatory cells being released into the blood and an increase in anti-inflammatory immune cells.

The experiments first focused on the cells of the spleen because that is where blood cells are formed and stored. With exposure to baking soda the spleen produced less M1 inflammatory macrophages. These are scavenger cells sent out by your immune system to attack foreign bodies and cellular debris and clear it away. In autoimmune disorders these cells are overly expressed and attack the persons normal tissues causing destruction. The baking soda water caused the spleen to produce more M2 cells which are anti-inflammatory in nature.

Later the researchers found similar findings in the kidneys and then the blood itself concluding that baking soda water could cause a shift in whole body chemistry that would be anti-inflammatory. These findings have caused some doctors to recommend baking soda for patients with kidney disease.

WARNING: EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION OF SODIUM BICARBONATE CAN BE A HEALTH RISK

How Much Baking Soda to Drink?

Across the internet there seems to be a consensus that 1/2 a tsp (teaspoon) dissolved in a 6-8 glass of water taken 3 times per day is sufficient and not excessive. The study indicated that it took approximately 2 weeks to see the shift in immune cells, so this is something you may consider over the long-term and not expect to see immediate changes. Baking soda is inexpensive and if taken as instructed, very safe and natural.