Generics Blog|Medical-Care News

Sixty-eight million Americans suffer from various urinary conditions involving overactive bladder, urgency, frequency and pelvic pain. unfortunately, there is a lack of effective treatments for these debilitating chronic problems but with a new therapy pioneered by a company called pH Sciences, there may be hope for people like Mary Smith.

Mary suffers from interstitial cystitis. She plans her entire day around how close she’ll be to a bathroom. She often has to urinate over 40 times a day. She endures frequent pain and near-constant urgency. Her dream is to spend a whole day at the beach with her grandchildren. She takes a variety of medications and watches her diet very closely. The medications don’t work very well and have some unpleasant side effects. Eating acidic foods like tomato sauce or drinking acidic beverages like coffee throw her symptoms into overdrive. She, as with so many others like her, feels trapped.

Mary’s experience with acidic foods is consistent with recent research suggesting that a condition known as chronic, low-grade metabolic acidosis may play a significant role in the severity of the symptoms associated with these urinary conditions. Metabolic acidosis occurs when the level of acidity in the body is destructively high. Actively managing the acid-alkaline balance in the body may help urinary condition sufferers reduce the severity and frequency of their symptoms.

An innovative natural, alkalizing compound, Alka-Plex(â„¢), was tested by a group of people diagnosed with interstitial cystitis (IC) and shows extremely positive results in reducing pain, urgency and frequency. Interstitial cystitis is among the most difficult of all chronic urinary conditions. This study’s results form the basis of a new research agenda into the ill effects of chronic, low-grade metabolic acidosis, and the launch of a line of natural, science-based products to counteract the effects of destructive levels of acidity in the body.
Interstitial Cystitis

One of the most debilitating diseases related to excess acidity is interstitial cystitis. Interstitial cystitis is a painful disorder that affects well over a million people in the U.S. Interstitial cystitis is an inflammatory chronic pain pelvic disorder that results in recurring discomfort or pain in the bladder and pelvic region. More than 90 percent of those affected are women.

There are two commonly recognized types of interstitial cystitis. The most common type is known as “non-ulcerative IC.” The second and less common type of IC is known as “ulcerative IC.”

Symptoms include urinary urgency, frequency and pain. Pain may vary in intensity as the bladder fills or empties with urine. For some the pain of IC is excruciating. Frequency is not always related to bladder size and many people with IC have normal bladder capacity. Those with severe IC may urinate as many as 60 times a day and more than a dozen times a night. In women, symptoms are often reported to be worse during menstruation.( n1) The causes of interstitial cystitis are not fully recognized. One theory considers IC to be an autoimmune disease, while other theories include the suggestion that its origin might lie in bladder scarring stemming from recurrent antibiotic use. In all cases it can be said that IC always involves inadequate bladder tissue repair, resulting in chronic inflammation of the bladder lining.
Interstitial Cystitis and Urine pH

In interstitial cystitis patients the bladder wall becomes hypersensitive and extremely vulnerable to the corrosive effect of highly acidic urine. Myself and other researchers and clinicians have long noted that moving towards a more alkaline pH of the urine provides considerable symptom relief for interstitial cystitis sufferers.( n2)
Interstitial Cystitis and Chronic, Low-Grade Metabolic Acidosis

Unwittingly the vast majority of those consuming the modern Western diet labor under chronic, low-grade metabolic acidosis. This metabolic acidosis stems from our dietary patterns (diets which are high in protein and refined foods which create metabolic acids and are low in vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds which contain compounds capable of neutralizing metabolic acids).

Chronic low-grade metabolic acidosis hampers the body’s function in many ways. In particular, metabolic acidosis limits the body’s self-repair mechanisms and in this way contributes to the development of “repair deficit” disorders such as autoimmune disease and interstitial cystitis.
Available Treatments for Interstitial Cystitis

In addition to mechanical stretching of the bladder, instillation of the bladder with DMSO, use of oral drugs such as Elmiron, antidepressants, antihistamines and surgery, interstitial cystitis patients report that diet is important. No scientific studies have assessed the relationship between diet and interstitial cystitis or the severity of its symptoms. Nonetheless, IC sufferers have long noted that certain foods can greatly aggravate their condition. Thus an “Interstitial Cystitis Diet” has evolved which suggests that elimination of spicy foods, caffeinated and citrus beverages, highly acidic foods and other items that are often reported to increase inflammation and pain.
A Novel Approach to Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Reduction

Given the severity of the symptoms experienced by those with interstitial cystitis and the limited value of conventional therapies, there is a need for new symptom reduction and healing therapies. In the remainder of this article I discuss a pilot research project looking at one such new and promising alkalizing product developed by pH Sciences, Inc.

The approach to interstitial cystitis symptom relief discussed here concerns a natural, nutritional therapy aimed at:

• Reducing the acid content of aggravating foods and beverages

• Reducing the acidity of the urine, and

• Lowering the systemic burden of chronic, low-grade metabolic acidosis.
Two Year Follow-Up Report on The Use of the Alka-Plex Formula for Interstitial Cystitis

Between November 2000 and April 2001 Tamer® Laboratories, the parent company to pH Sciences, conducted an informal study of 18 interstitial cystitis patients using the patented Alka-Plex compound.

After three months’ use of Alka-Plex, the interstitial cystitis patients reported that there was a 50 percent decrease in bladder and abdomen pain, a 31 percent reduction in urgency and 37 percent reduction of frequency. These results were impressive, particularly given the difficult nature of IC.

In February 2003, a two-year follow-up assessment was conducted on the long-term benefits of Alka-Plex used among the original Interstitial Cystitis Study participants. This assessment was designed and implemented by the Nutrition Education and Consulting Service in East Syracuse, New York.

Fifteen of the original 18 participants were located and interviewed. Thirteen were female and two were male. Five of these no longer continued to use Alka-Plex. While one might expect that the “dropouts” did not benefit from product use, this was not the case. Four of the five subjects who discontinued use reported significant symptom relief with Alka-Plex. Due to various circumstances they did not continue use of Alka-Plex.

The 10 that were still using the formula had developed their own use pattern which met their needs.
Long-Term Sustained Benefits of Alka-Plex Use Among Interstitial Cystitis Patients

Over two years use the symptom relief benefits are not only sustained but substantial. Bladder pain was reduced by 43 percent, urgency of urination reduced by 35 percent, frequency of daytime urination reduced by 38 percent and frequency of night-time urination reduced by 37 percent.

After comparing product use for the short term and then the long term, it is evident that symptoms improved over time. In fact the reduction of frequency of day and night urination was greater over the two-year period.
Symptom Relief

Given the level of pain experienced by interstitial cystitis sufferers, all participants considered a 34 percent to 43 percent reduction in pain to be very significant. One participant detailed that she was so desperate she considered bladder removal. She couldn’t standup or eat without pain, nor could she sleep as she was “up all night” urinating. Her case was the most striking of all, as she reported 100 percent recovery of bladder health and full symptom relief with the use of Alka-Plex.

Another remarkable case of pain reduction involved a male subject with radiation cystitis. He had undergone radioactive “seed treatment” for prostate cancer. Treatment resulted in burning with urination. The pain continued to worsen until he found he would burn up to six hours after urination. Within one week of taking Alka-Plex, and the IC medication Elmiron, he experienced complete relief. He stopped taking Elmiron after a month and used only Alka-Plex with continued complete relief. This man attributes his recovery to the use of the Alka-Plex formula.

Urinary urgency and frequency are devastating symptoms that are also alleviated by Alka-Plex use. One woman reported that before starting Alka-Plex she had to urinate 40 times a day. With the products this was reduced to 25 times a day. In another case one male participant reported urinating 30 to 40 times a day even while using the conventional interstitial cystitis medications (Elmiron and Atarax). When he added Alka-Plex, his daytime urination was reduced by 30 percent and night time by 40 to 50 percent.
Additional Benefits

All users reported important collateral benefits from Alka-Plex use. The most mentioned was improvement of digestion with a correction of acid reflux and less bloating. For many participants, reduced nocturnal urination meant much better sleep. The benefits of more restful sleep appeared to have far reaching healing effects both physically and emotionally. Finally, it is worth remembering that not just IC, but all types of cystitis would likely benefit from Alka-Plex. The dramatic recovery of the man suffering from radiation cystitis illustrates this point.
Conclusion

This investigation concludes that the Alka-Plex formula provides immediate, significant and enduring benefits for those suffering from the symptoms associated with interstitial cystitis.

pH Sciences, under an exclusive license from Tamer Laboratories, is developing a line of Alka-Plex products to counter the effects of destructive acidity in body. Their first product, pH Control, helps reduce levels of urinary acid. By reducing the level of acidity in urine and promoting a healthier environment for the bladder, this enhances the bladder’s overall repair/healing capacity and in this way plays an important role in tissue healing for those suffering from interstitial cystitis.

For more information on pH Sciences and the Alka-Plex formula call toll free 877-363-2243 or visit www.phsciences.com

PHOTO (COLOR): … drinking acidic beverages like coffee can throw symptoms into overdrive…
References:

(n1.) National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, NIH Publication No. 02-3220, March 2002.

(n2.) Brown, Susan. “Immunology and Nutrition: Casting A Broader Net.” Paper presented at the National Interstitial Cystitis Meetings, Washington D.C., 1997.

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By Susan E. Brown, Dr. Ph.D, CCN

Susan E. Brown, Ph.D., CCN, is a medical anthropologist and certified clinical nutritionist. She directs the Nutrition Education and Consulting Service and the Osteoporosis Education Project (OEP), both located in East Syracuse, New York. Dr. Brown conducts primary research and lectures widely on health regeneration and osteoporosis.

Dr. Brown’s publications include Better Bones, Better Body: Beyond Estrogen and Calcium: A Comprehensive Self-Help Program for Preventing, Halting & Overcoming Osteoporosis (New Canaan: Keats, 2000) and The Mend Clinic Book of Natural Remedies for Menopause and Beyond (Dell, 1997), coauthored with Dr. Paula Maas. Information on Dr. Brown’s work can be found at betterbones.com or susanbrownphd.com or by calling 315-432-1676.

Everyone is bothered by gastric acidity occasionally. Many individuals regularly experience heartburn when consuming highly acidic foods and beverages such as coffee, teas, tomato products, wine and citrus fruits. It is estimated that as many as 200 million Americans suffer chronic illness, including gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome and periodontitis (see chart), related to acidity and the body pH (the scale used to describe the acidity or alkalinity of our blood, urine and saliva).

It would be safe to assume that all of us have consumed an over-the-counter antacid such as Rolaids, Mylanta, Tums and Maalox. Millions of individuals are also being prescribed acid blockers including Pepcid, Zantac and Tagamet. While these approaches may be effective in either blocking the release of the acid or neutralizing its effects, many may either contain ingredients known or suspected to be adverse to one’s health or promote an addictive type of dependence on the product.

Today there is an exciting new natural alternative to the current antacid and acid blockers which are available over-the-counter or by prescription. Tamer Nutraceuticals has recently introduced a line of patented natural supplements proven to help balance the body’s pH naturally.

Two of these products, Coffee Tamer and Food Tamer can be added prior to preparation or consumption and reduce the acidity to an acceptable level prior to ingestion. The third, Tummy Tamer, can be taken after meals or any time you are experiencing heartburn or stomach discomfort.

Tamer supplements are recommended for:

* People who consume too much acidic foods and beverages.
* Older people whose bodies become more acidic with age.
* People who experience heartburn or stomach discomfort.
* People who use antacids on a regular basis.
* People who suffer from certain diseases–see sidebar.

The Tamer Nutraceuticals were born from a pound of highly acidic French Roast coffee and a strong case of heartburn. Macit Gurol, chairman of Tamer International, Ltd. realized the potential for an acid-reducer for coffee and applied his scientific insight to the problem. If heartburn was caused by acids and relieved by consuming an antacid, why couldn’t there be an antacid for coffee? In other words, why not stop the problem before it starts?

Gurol, an electrical engineer with an M.S. from the University of Michigan, had spent 30 plus years managing research and development products in the area of complex measuring, switching and control devices for cutting edge high-tech electronic devices. These include cruise control and air bag crash sensors, printed circuits, high accuracy resistor networks and computer touch screen panels. Along the way it was also necessary to assimilate a fairly sophisticated knowledge of chemical engineering in order to execute a number of these projects.

In 1990 Gurol began running experiments looking for ways to effectively develop a product which would reduce coffee acidity. First he established certain goals for the project. The product had to be effective, it had to be healthy, it should not affect the taste of the food or beverage and it should achieve all three within a reasonable cost structure. His first task was to break down the chemical structure of the coffee and identify the acidic elements and develop a natural path to neutralizing them.

By 1995 Gurol had run 350 experiments and developed five formulas which, according to pH meter readings, reduced the coffee acids to an acceptable level. He then conducted numerous tastings and found that consumers consistently chose one particular formula over the regular coffee by a wide margin. That product was awarded a U.S. patent in 1998.

Subsequent research showed the Tamer formula to be effective in reducing the acid level of food and also confirmed it was a potent antacid when taken orally. The line was then expanded to include Food Tamer and Tummy Tamer to accommodate requests from customers.

Tamer Nutraceuticals soon began to realize that their unique calcium, potassium and magnesium formula provided benefits broader than just lowering the preconsumption acid levels of food and beverages or when used as an ingestible antacid.

As we age most individuals experience an increasing decline in bone mass. This problem is manifested in osteoporosis and other conditions which threaten the integrity of the bones. Older persons tend to have a lower pH because of the symptoms of aging. The older body becomes more sluggish, including the digestive system, and loses the ability to absorb the calcium from the food we eat. The over acidic system then leaches the calcium it needs from the bones. However when you are older you need more calcium both for the support of the bones and for the muscles which use calcium to process the protein they need to function properly.

If you are not able to absorb calcium from the food you eat, the body will access it from the bones. This is the beginning of osteoporosis and advanced age disease. Acidosis is also a partial cause of osteoporosis. It is important to understand that the body can only absorb a certain amount of calcium. The idea is not to gorge the body with calcium at one time but with a small amount on a steady basis all the time. The potassium hydroxide in Tamer also helps neutralize acidity. Consequently Tamer could be considered for use as an effective daily supplement for older individuals.

Possibly the most exciting application of the Tamer formulas is its potential as an adjuvant therapy for diseases or conditions. Soon after the introduction of its coffee, food and tummy tamer products, Tamer International began receiving what is now hundreds of testimonials from health care providers who treat patients and individuals who suffer from a variety of diseases that were either attributed to or exacerbated by acidic conditions. These diseases include:

Acidity related diseases:

Gastroesophageal Reflux disease (GERD), Barrett’s disease, Gastritis, Irritable Bowel syndrome (IBS)

Those related to high blood acidity:

Interstitial Cystitis (IC), gout, fibromyalgia (FM), muscle pain after strenuous exercise, hangover after heavy alcoholic beverage consumption.

Those related acidic environment in the mouth:

Gingivitis, periodontitis, Carries.

Others:

Vulvar Pain (anecdotal)

As it became more apparent that there were potential medical benefits to the consumption of the Tamer formulas, Gurol initiated a search of medical journals and the Internet for data on the benefits of raising pH levels for treating disease. With the exception of positive data on interstitial cystitis and periodontal disease, there was very little information available. While the company does not represent its product as therapy for disease, the growing indications of its efficacy in numerous health areas has prompted a series of formal studies at the University of Washington-Seattle to ascertain the benefits of stabilizing pH levels in both avoiding the onset and in treating chronic disease.
Symptoms and illness related to acidity and your body’s pH
COLITIS

A serious, chronic, inflammatory disease of the colon characterized by ulceration and episodes of bloody diarrhea. The ulcerated areas are inflamed and may form abscesses in the lining of the large intestine.
DIVERTICULITIS

Diverticulosis is the presence of small, saclike swellings (diverticula) in the wall of the colon. Diverticula may be present without any symptoms. Diverticulitis is the inflammation of the diverticula.
FIBROMYALGIA

Inflammation or pain of muscles, muscle sheaths and connective tissue layers of tendons, muscles, bones and joints.
GASTRITIS

Mild irritation, inflammation, erosion or infection of the stomach lining. The illness may be acute, occurring as a sudden attack or chronic, developing gradually over a long period of time. Gastritis is part of a spectrum of diseases that include erosion and gastric ulcer.
GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX (GERD)

A reflux (backward or return flow) of fluid of gastric or intestinal contents into the esophagus. Normally the esophagus transports food from the pharynx to the stomach by coordinated contractions. Heartburn (pyrosis) is a symptom of this disorder.
GINGIVITIS

Inflammation or infection of the gums.
GOUT

Recurrent attacks of joint inflammation caused by deposits of uric-acid crystals in the joints, especially the base of the big toe. Gout is a form of arthritis.
INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS

A chronic inflammation of the interstitium (the area between the bladder lining and the bladder muscle).
IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS)

An irritative and inflammatory disorder of the intestine. It is not contagious, inherited or cancerous.
PERIODONTITIS

Inflammation and infection of the gums causing loss of supporting bone. Periodondtis is responsible for more tooth loss than tooth decay.
CHEMOTHERAPY

Treatment of cancer by injecting medications that kill cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. It is used to treat cancers that cannot be completely cured or treated with surgery or radiation.
RADIATION THERAPY OR TREATMENT

Use of high-energy waves (generated by special x-ray machines, cobalt machines and other devices) to treat some forms of cancer. Radiation destroys cancerous tissue but does little harm to healthy tissue.
TAMER Effectiveness Compared to Antacids (Independent test conducted by Pacific Testing Laboratories)

The amount of Tamer and popular antacids required to raise the
pH of 150 ml of a hydrochloric acid solution from 2.0 to a
pH 6.0

Amount of Antacid (mg)

Tamer 373
Rolaids 892
Mylanta 1110
Prelief 1920
Tums 4320
Maalox 6280