Research continues to show that the plant Cannabis sativa L. plays an important role in different physiological and pathological processes.
In cancer patients, cannabis has been shown to alleviate pain, relieve nausea, and stimulate the appetite. In addition, numerous cell culture and animal studies showed anti-tumor effects of cannabinoids in various cancer types.
There are countless studies you can research to understand the heaps of benefits of taking cannabis but I am also here to tell you why you should be considering your diet if you are taking high doses of cannabis especially for cancer or any other medical treatment.
What is an alkaline diet? What does being alkaline mean?
The role of an alkaline diet has been studied for decades. A French biologist, Claude Bernard, studied the effects of how changing from a plant-based diet to a carnivore diet caused pH levels in rabbits to go from more alkaline to more acidic.
Simply put, pH is a measurement of how acidic or alkaline something is. The pH scale measures on a basis from 0–14 with 0 being highly acidic and 7–14 falling between neutral and alkaline.
Studies continue to show that acidic environments help cancer cells grow. So the idea is that a diet high in alkaline foods will raise the body’s pH levels and prevent or even slow down the growth of cancer cells.
Given such, if you can interfere with cancer cell metabolism by either lowering or raising the internal cancer cell pH, you can theoretically stop cancer progression.
There is a general agreement amongst natural healers and medical professionals alike, that changing a cancer patient’s diet is extremely helpful when someone is faced with a cancer diagnosis.
Why you should consider a plant-based diet
The simplest way to achieving higher pH levels in the body is to focus on a plant-based diet. Food choices can help prevent cancer and, when cancer has been diagnosed, nutrition can improve survival.
A plant-based diet is a powerful way to reduce cancer risk. And for people who have been diagnosed with cancer, it is an important way to increase survival.
The more naturally colorful your diet is, the more likely it is to have an abundance of cancer-fighting compounds. The pigments that give fruits and vegetables their bright colors — like beta-carotene in sweet potatoes or lycopene in tomatoes — help you fight cancer.
Plant foods also contain fiber, which helps remove excess hormones that could lead to breast and prostate cancer. Fiber also quickly removes waste from the digestive system, which helps prevent colorectal cancer.
Those who eat a plant-based diet lower their risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and other health conditions.
If you are currently taking cannabis for cancer treatment, considering a plant-based diet could increase your chance of survival and prevention.
Alkaline plant-based foods
- Tomatoes
- Watermelon
- Guava
- Bell pepper
- Carrots
- Sweet potatoes
- Mango
- Pumpkin
- Papaya
- Spinach
- Kale
- Collard greens
- Broccoli
- Brussel sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Garlic
- Onion
- Chive
- Mushrooms
- Blueberries
- Grapes
- Whole grains
- Legumes: beans, lentils, chickpeas, wild rice, etc.
- Sprouts: broccoli, alfalfa, sunflower, etc.
- Fermented Veg: sauerkraut, kimchi, etc.
Tip: The more naturally colorful your meal is, the more likely it is to have an abundance of cancer-fighting nutrients. Pigments that give fruits and vegetables their bright colors represent a variety of protective compounds.
Asa nutrition educator with a focus on prevention and survival, it continues to break my heart to see friends, loved ones, and the friends and family of those loved ones suffer from a cancer diagnosis.
A plant-based diet is a powerful way to achieve good health and help prevent certain cancers.
in Costa Rica. 
