Cachexia is progressive body wasting with the loss of fat tissue and muscle mass resulting from chronic diseases, such as cancer, congestive heart disease, etc. There is weight loss, weakness, and anemia, but cachexia is not the same as starvation. Cachexia may be present even before the cancer becomes obvious.

Acidity can be the cause of protein breakdown and branched-chain amino acid oxidation seen with cachexia. The author proposes that increased acidity of the body fluids may be the cause of the muscle protein loss seen with cachexia. Alkalosis increases protein production and reduces muscle protein breakdown. Tumor masses have been found to be more acidic than normal tissues.

Branched-chain amino acids (leucine, valine and isoleucine) serum levels are reduced in chronic acidosis and cachexia. Low carnitine levels may contribute to the production of cachexia. EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) is the only treatment besides acid balance that can reverse the muscle deterioration of cachexia.

Hypoxia may be involved with the cause of cachexia. Hypoxia increases the production of lactic acid with increased breakdown and loss of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA). Aerobic exercise increases oxygen levels in the treatment of cachexia.

CONCLUSION: The author proposes that cachexia is the result of chronic acidosis. Sodium bicarbonate will treat it by increasing the pH. Anorexia is said to be a consequence and not the cause of cachexia. Cachexia is not the result of reduced food intake. Hypoxia can increase lactic acid and general acidity.

NOTE: pH paper can be used to check for acidity of the urine, a reflection of serum pH. “TriSalts” contain potassium bicarbonate to treat chronic acidosis without sodium. Branched-chain amino acids are metabolized, primarily, in skeletal muscles.

Read about the benefit of melatonin in cachexia related to cancer.

To read the author’s abstract of the article click on the link to the author’s title of the article above.

PMID: 18180110.

Summary #249.