British Journal of Nutrition

Table of Contents - 2010 - Volume 103, Issue 08  

Cambridge Journals Online - CUP Full-Text Page
British Journal of Nutrition (2010), 103:1185-1194 Cambridge University Press
Copyright © The Authors 2009
doi:10.1017/S0007114509993047

Full Papers

Human and Clinical Nutrition

Diet-induced acidosis: is it real and clinically relevant?

Joseph Pizzornoa1 c1, Lynda A. Frassettoa2 and Joseph Katzingera3

a1 PO Box 25801, Bastyr University, Seattle, WA 98165, USA
a2 Division of Nephrology, 12 Moffitt CTSI Clinical Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
a3 Salugenecists, 19531 7th Avenue NE, Shoreline, WA 98155, USA
Article author query
pizzorno j [PubMed]  [Google Scholar]
frassetto la [PubMed]  [Google Scholar]
katzinger j [PubMed]  [Google Scholar]

Abstract

The concept of diet-induced ‘acidosis’ as a cause of disease has been a subject of interest for more than a century. The present article reviews the history of our evolving understanding of physiological pH, the physiological support for the concept of ‘acidosis’, the causes of acidosis, how it is recognised, its short-term effects as well as the long-term clinical relevance of preventative measures, and the research support for normalisation of pH. Further, we suggest differentiation of the terms ‘acidosis’ and ‘acidaemia’ as a way to resolve the conflation of these topics which has led to confusion and controversy. The available research makes a compelling case that diet-induced acidosis, not diet-induced acidaemia, is a real phenomenon, and has a significant, clinical, long-term pathophysiological effect that should be recognised and potentially counterbalanced by dietary means.

(Received November 05 2008)

(Revised July 06 2009)

(Accepted October 21 2009)

(Online publication December 15 2009)

Key Words:Acid–base equilibrium; Acidosis; Diet-induced acidosis; Metabolic acidosis; Endogenous acid production; Renal net acid excretion

Correspondence:

c1 Corresponding author: Dr Joseph Pizzorno, fax +1 206 368 8570, email drpizzorno@salugenecists.com

Footnotes

Abbreviations: NAE, net acid excretion; NEAP, net endogenous acid production; PRAL, potential renal acid load