Question:
Here are some testimonials from an alkaline diet used by fibromyalgiapatients. Please ignore the religious conotations; these testimonialscame from a church group; now isn't that special!

Betty Kuhnell, a Health Minister in Ohio writes: "Just anote to update you on my progress with 'metal toxicity.' Asyou know I have been on the Diet for many yearsand have been pain free from fibromyalgia for over two yearsnow. However, I continued to struggle with toxicity frommercury/dental and environmental exposures. This wasprobably a large part of my other problems. Well, I amthrilled to report that all the symptoms of metal toxicityhave left! Again, George, thank you for your dedication toteaching us and supporting this Health Ministry. God blessyou all at and thank you each and every onefor all you do and who you are."

Answer: I just want to make an observation here.

In the real world, it is extremely difficult to keep the blood and urinealkalinized. This type of diet is not new- it has been used for years tomanage infection-type urinary stones. Nutritionists and dieticians havefound that such a diet seldom works. By "works" I don't mean its ability toreduce FM symptoms. (There is no proof that this diet works in that way) Imean this diet does not always succeed in reducing blood acidity. Why?

1. The diet is so monotonous that people tend not to stay on it.2. The diet is based on food charts that may not be accurate. You couldfollow the charts and still not have an alkaline urine.

But what if you want to give it a try anyway? There is an easy way and youmay already being doing it.

The most often recommended natural remedy for FM is magnesium mixed withmalic acid. This supplement provides magnesium (in which many of us aredeficient ) and malic acid (a Krebs cycle intermediate that may increaseenergy levels). This malate/malic acid also alkalinizes the blood!

A more alkaline blood may also result in less calcium being excreted in theurine. This means this supplement may also increases serum calcium as wellas magnesium. Can't ask much more from a supplement can you?

Citrate supplements also work this way- so take your calcium in citrateform.

Bottom line:It is not that easy to manipulate serum alkalinity by food alone as somebooks would have you believeYou can accomplish the same goal by taking magnesium and or calciummalate/citrate, supplements you should be taking anyway.