Hi Ken, 
You said: 
>To more or less repeat the Cordain view, an alkaline diet helps fight
cancer.  

[Ron] Are there any clinical trials or anecdotal reports to support that
claim?  

>Our acidic diets and environments are the main contributors
to all disease. 

[Ron] Although there may be some merit to this claim, I'd like to see some
evidence for that as well. Remember that hyperacidity can reflect food
allergies. The stomach is where most of our histamine production takes
place. Excessive histamine causes excessive acid production. Still, it would
be nice to see where this is coming from. 
 
>For necessary reactions and functions to occur, our
body must maintain a proper pH. This involves adequate alkaline
reserves in the form of acid-buffering minerals (magnesium, potassium,
zinc, etc), adequate oxygen, and water. When an alkaline environment
is present, our immune system works better which can help repair
damage done.  

[Ron]  A mildly alkaline state is a normal state for the blood and is
homeostatically maintained. Is that what you mean?   

>Two books have been recommended by various people. One
is "The Acid-Alkaline Food Guide" by Dr. Susan Brown. And also "The
Paleo Diet" by Dr. Loren Cordain.
[Ron] I'll have to revisit Cordain's book. I haven't looked at it since it
was first published. It has been sitting on my shelf ever since.

>Cordain of course says that a blanket restriction of all types of
carbohydrates is a big mistake because antioxidants, phytochemicals
and fiber are great allies in fighting cancer, heart disease and
osteoporosis.  Not starchy grains etc. but low glycemic fruits and
vegetables.

[Ron] If that is the case, why does a ketogenic diet provide so many health
benefits as I outlined in my earlier post? 

>And  Cordain agrees that high protein diets-- the lean meat and fish
variety-- do improve insulin metabolism and have prolonged survival in
people with cancer, among many other benefits.


[Ron] Again, do you have an citations to articles that support this? If not,
where are Cordain's data coming from?

I have a great deal of respect for Loren Cordain, but these claims need more
support than that the mere fact he asserted them. 

Alfred Korzybsky said that "language moulds thought." I'm open to my
thoughts being moulded, but not without some  supporting data. 

Best Wishes, 
Ron