Common Kitchen Ingredient Could Serve as a Novel Tool in Fighting Inflammatory Conditions such as Arthritis

From preparing cookies to cleaning the kitchen, baking soda has been a staple in households for many years. Its uses extend beyond simply aiding in baking and removing tough stains.

For many people, baking soda is a popular home remedy for various everyday health issues like coughs, sunburn, muscle pains, and urinary tract infections. Additionally, holistic healthcare providers often suggest it for ailments such as heartburn, ulcer discomfort, and kidney problems.

New initial studies suggest that baking soda may have the potential to assist individuals with autoimmune and inflammatory conditions in managing their discomfort and swelling.

The significant finding emerged during a research project on the effects of baking soda on kidney disease. Kidney disease can lead to a condition called metabolic acidosis, where the body produces excess acid that it cannot expel safely. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), being highly alkaline, helps prevent metabolic acidosis.

Surprisingly, physicians discovered that even in patients without acidosis, baking soda slowed down the progression of kidney disease. This was linked to baking soda positively impacting the immune system response.

Overview

Baking Soda Enhances Immune Response Across the Body

Scientists at the Medical College of Georgia conducted tests with baking soda on rodents over a two-week period and found positive effects on immune cells.

Later, 12 young, healthy individuals were given a single dose of two grams of baking soda dissolved in 250 mL of water. The study showed that baking soda stimulates the stomach to generate more acid, which is then sent to mesothelial cells in the spleen. These cells, found in body cavities and organs, such as the digestive tract, contain microvilli that detect invaders, preparing the immune system for action.

Interestingly, the signal after consuming food indicates a harmless presence like a burger. However, when baking soda is ingested, it triggers a different response, activating the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway, directing immune cells to reduce inflammation.

This immune regulation was not confined to the spleen but occurred throughout the body. Regulatory T cells in rodents doubled after three days, aiding in preventing the immune system from attacking healthy tissues. Similar immune alterations were observed in human volunteers within three hours, suggesting an anti-inflammatory impact.

Researchers believe that baking soda could potentially present a safe method for addressing inflammatory disorders, lessening harmful inflammation in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. However, it is advisable to exercise caution as further proof is required before contemplating self-treatment.

Overview

How Electrotherapy Alleviates Arthritis and Other Painful Conditions

Stimulating the vagus nerve, a lengthy nerve connecting the brain and abdomen, through electrotherapy activates the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. This stimulation shows promise in managing persistent inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes.

Though the precise mechanism of how vagus nerve stimulation reduces inflammation was unclear, it was believed to involve the spleen despite the nerve not directly reaching it. This investigation implies that the stomach's acid secretion prompted by vagus nerve stimulation may play a role, similar to the mechanism seen with baking soda.

Unlike baking soda, research on vagus nerve stimulation is more advanced, with FDA approval for specific conditions like epilepsy and depression. Clinical trials are ongoing to explore its potential in treating autoimmune and chronic inflammatory disorders.

The likelihood of FDA approval for VNS for such conditions in the future is high, unlike baking soda. Possibly, the FDA will consider investigating more cost-effective natural remedies accessible for home use in due course. Nonetheless, it is advisable to refrain from premature self-medication with baking soda without professional guidance.

References:

1. Jimmunol article
2. Augusta University research on baking soda
3. ReachMD program on baking soda and autoimmune disease