can potassium supplements reduce cancer levels?

Question

my wife read about some supplement that contains potassium changes ph levels from acidic to alkaline, which supposedly reduces cancerous acidic levels in cells...anyone have experience with someone who has cancer taking these?

Answer 1

I have no idea where you wife is getting this information, but the normal ranges in the body for both pH and potassium are narrow, and deliberately taking them out of the normal range can be very dangerous or fatal. The human body pH is already slightly alkaline at about 7.34. Anything less than 7.0 is usually incompatible with life.

With normally functioning kidneys, some extra potassium is not likely to be harmful, but don't take large amounts.

Answer 2

1) I think the first answering person meant "iodine", with the nuclear war thing.

2) No, potassium is not an anti-cancer agent. Cancer cells use potassium, just like every other cell. In fact, if a lot of cancer cells die all at once in you (with chemotherapy, e.g.), it can raise the blood potassium levels to dangerous or even life-threatening levels.

3) Too much potassium in the blood = dangerous, even fatal. Yes, it would take a concerted effort to hurt yourself with potassium, but it can be done. And potassium intravenously was a classic way to end life quickly and (relatively) painlessly -- Jack Kevorkian could tell you more on the subject.

Answer 3

Um, not sure about cancer. If there is a nuclear war though if you take potassium supplements, in might save your life.....