This book is an easy, quick read with very short to-the-point chapters (some only a page long!). Dr. Baroody explains clearly what it means to be alkaline, the eating "rule of 80/20" and how eating acidic foods uses up your alkaline reserves.

Dr. Baroody writes many tidbits that other authors of other books on alkalinity overlook, such as the role of HCL acid in the stomach in creating alkalinity, how the moonlight can be alkalizing, as well as certain colors. His book contains a list of foods with their Ph levels, as well as explanations of how altering the foods can change their Ph level. For example, cooking, smoking and even eating foods in bad combinations can increase their acidity.

Dr. Baroody explains that all drugs are very acidic. (Is it any wonder that MDs don't learn the importance of this factor in health? Medical schools are funded by the drug companies.) But that applies to recreational drugs as well, and he claims that it takes years of abstinence to correct the degenerative cycle of marijuana.

This book is a keeper, since it makes a great reference book with its food-Ph lists and also the appendices, which include symptoms of acidity and recipes. Note: newer research may show he is wrong about almonds being alkaline; like other nuts, they are a bit acidic.

This book was easy to obtain on Amazon.com. I had a hard time finding it in a regular book store. It was also cheaper.

This book will put you on the path for healthy living. It demonstrates the need for all of us to live a diet such as this one.

My wife and I have tried to alkalize for many a year with no visible success. This book does an awesome job of outlining why we need to, and how we can accomplish this alkalizing. Most importantly the author describes how one might alkalize via water. I had never heard of this so I was intrigued. After researching the many Chinese and Korean knock offs we purchased the Japanese manufactured machine and within days noticed startling improvements. Thank you Dr. Baroody, if you had not included that chapter we would not be leading the healthier lives we do today!

I am reviewing the ninth edition (2006) of Dr. Baroody's book, Alkalize or Die. Dr. Baroody's book has helped me understand the relationship between acid-forming foods and alkaline-forming foods, yet I must say it required some level of discernment to sift the wheat from the chaff.

One of the positive features to Dr. Baroody's approach to healthful living is his recognition of each person's unique biochemistry. Throughout this book he continues to remind his readers that each person is an individual and therefore might experience variant results when compared to other people.

It is important to understand that Dr. Baroody's theories and principals are based as largely on his personal alternative health experiences (trial and error) as they are on any demonstrable medical science. It is also important to know that Dr. Baroody gives much credence to the metaphysical teachings of eastern spiritualism, which may be a detractor to some readers. In the book's introduction, Dr. Baroody writes, "My viewpoint is founded on ancient Hindu, Chinese, Tibetan, and Greco-European healing philosophies and on several great modern men in the field of health." One of these "great modern men" is Edgar Cayce, who is referenced as an authority many times throughout the book.

So long as the reader is a proponent of New Age and/or Eastern spiritualism, this book should be quite acceptable. For those of us who are more Western in their worldview, the book requires discernment to pick and choose what you care to take from it.

An example of how Dr. Baroody's metaphysical beliefs influence his dietary advice can be seen in his counsel for reducing the consumption of red meat: "The destructive emotion of slaughter is assimilated by the person who eats flesh." (pg. 63). For many, this statement might resonate well with their worldview, but for others this statement will likely be challenged as to it's applicability to the subject of acidity/alkalinity.

Dr. Baroody's experience in the alternative health field appears to be quite extensive. No doubt he has learned a lot from published medical research and other practitioners, yet much of what he proposes in this book is admittedly derived from his own experience; some of which he still doesn't fully understand himself (for example, read chapter 4 on the "Vagus Nerve"). Those readers who are looking for a book filled with footnotes and documented scientific research will be disappointed with this work.

What I found most helpful in the book is Dr. Baroody's exhaustive list of foods with a corresponding rating as to their alkaline-forming or acid-forming properties. Dr. Baroody abandons the conventional 0-7-14 pH scale in favor of a scale he developed to measure alkaline-forming and acid-forming foods. Dr. Baroody's scale (pg. 38) ranges from 0.5 to 7.5. All foods below 4.0 are acid-forming and all foods above 4.0 are alkaline-forming.

The chart I refer to above is alone worth the price of the book. Depending on the readers religious and scientific convictions, the rest of the book may or may not be appreciated.

I am reviewing the ninth edition (2006) of Dr. Baroody's book, Alkalize or Die. Dr. Baroody's book has helped me understand the relationship between acid-forming foods and alkaline-forming foods, yet I must say it required some level of discernment to sift the wheat from the chaff.

One of the most positive features to Dr. Baroody's approach to healthful living is his recognition of each person's unique biochemistry. Throughout this book he continues to remind his readers that each person is an individual and therefore might experience different results from others.

It is important to understand that Dr. Baroody's theories and principals are based as largely on his personal alternative health experiences (trial and error) as they are on any demonstrable medical science. It is also important to know that Dr. Baroody gives much credence to the metaphysical teachings of eastern spiritualism, which may be a detractor to some readers. In the book's introduction, Dr. Baroody writes, "My viewpoint is founded on ancient Hindu, Chinese, Tibetan, and Greco-European healing philosophies and on several great modern men in the field of health." One of these great modern med is Edgar Cayce, who is referenced several times throughout the book.

So long as the reader is a proponent of New Age and/or Eastern spiritualism, this book should be quite acceptable. For those of us who are more Western in their worldview, the book requires the discernment to pick and choose what you care to take from it.

An example of how Dr. Baroody's metaphysical beliefs influence his dietary advice can be seen in his counsel for reducing the consumption of red meat: "The destructive emotion of slaughter is assimilated by the person who eats flesh." (pg. 63) For many, this statement might resonate well with their religious and political worldview, but for others, these type of statements will likely be challenged as to it's applicability to the subject of acidity/alkalinity.

Dr. Baroody's experience in the alternative health field appears to be quite extensive. No doubt he has learned much from medical research and other practitioners, yet much of what he proposes in his book is admittedly derived from his own experience, much of which he still doesn't fully understand (for example, read chapter 4 on the "Vagus Nerve"). Those readers who are looking for a book filled with footnotes and scientific research will be disappointed with this work.

What I found most helpful in the book is Dr. Baroody's exhaustive list of foods with a corresponding rating as to their alkaline-forming or acid-forming properties. Dr. Baroody abandons the conventional 0-7-14 pH scale in favor of a scale he developed to measure alkaline-forming and acid-forming foods. Dr. Baroody's scale (pg. 38) ranges from 0.5 to 7.5. All foods below 4.0 are acid-forming and all foods above 4.0 are alkaline-forming.

The chart I refer to above is alone worth the price of the book. Depending on the readers religions and scientific convictions, the rest of the book may or may not be appreciated.

Here are a few excerpts that convinced me that this book is way off base.

For starters, the book's disclaimer: "The information in this book is given strictly for educational and research purposes. The author and publisher do not prescribe or recommend, and assume no responsibility. In no way should this information be considered a substitute for competent health care by the professional of your choice. In the event you use this information without your doctor's approval, you are prescribing for yourself, with is your constitutional right."

p. 57: "An alcoholic is one who takes more than one drink of anything on a daily basis". That gave me a good laugh.

p. 63: "The destructive emotion of slaughter is assimilated by one who eats flesh".

p. 67-8 cites an unnamed "study" from the "turn of the century" of people in northern Europe that lived over 100 years, stating "many of these lived up to 200 years". Many of the same people in the study had bad diet and were drunkards but they all ate food in moderation as their key to longevity. Umm, this contradicts the argument against alcohol from p.57.

p. 109 "To avoid sunburn is foolish" Oh really, what would my dermatologist think?

p. 115 "Red meat is red because it is dyed. The dye is a petroleum product..." There is some truth to this on meats that have hit their expiration date, but -- red meat is red because it is red.

In retrospect the disclaimer should have read "Rather than forming decisions based on decades of medical research using proven protocols including clinical trials, the opinions provided in this book are drawn from the latest trends in alternative medicines with no scientific basis. After reading this book, please go to my website to buy my products."

Time to go barbecue a pork shoulder.

Not a fun read. It did not keep my interest at all. I wish I purchased another book with the same topic with more "UMPH!"

I've read four books on this subject, and EVERY ONE of them says different things about what is acid and what is alkaline. Even the people who are supposed to be researching and studying this thoroughly don't know what is going on, but they pass the information on anyway and expect us to follow and believe it? In addition, if what all these people are saying is true, then half the American population should be dead. Period. There is no way a human being should be able to live eating the typical American diet of junk food and very little fruits/veggies, smoking, drinking, etc.

There is health-promoting info in here, however, but that is just basic common sense: Eat more fruits/veggies, drink more water, and cut down on meats and alcahol, etc. Because of that, I'll give it a decent rating, but don't expect to find any hard answers in this, or any other book of its kind.

I have been aware of the importance of an alkaline body for over a decade and faithfully drink my alkaline water since the diet is harder to maintain. Dr. Baroody hit's it right on the nose about the importance of alkalinity and acidosis! I haven't had acid reflux, bowel problems, weight problems or sickness issues for 10 years! Cancer isn't even a worry for me or my family. I don't care what some chemistry professor says since he or she is not of physiologist nor a nutritionist and has probably never helped a person get well in their life. GREAT book and great information!

This is nonsensical foolishness. I am a chemistry professor- (Organic, Biochemisty, toxicology) The book is a load of cr*p. There is no scientific basis for much of anything in the book. Plain and simple it is a scam.

I wonder how true this...your stomach has a very acid environment to protect us and to help digest food. Then the food goes into the small intestine where the body makes an alkaline environment (using bile etc). All the digestion products then go to the liver for more processing. Also the human blood stream is kept at pH 7.35-7.45 via complex buffering (bicarbonate ion etc).
Also, the kidneys remove excess acids of alklaline substances. So is it true
that we must eat alkaline when the body is both acid and alkaline inside?

I love this book because it's universal. The science of pH can get complicated, but the rules for using the concepts are easy for anyone to use. Being in the natural health industry, I know there is only so much I can do for my clients. Now, instead of explaining for hours how to balance their pH, I tell them "Alkalize or Die" and offer the book. When they balance their pH, herbs, supplements, exercise all work better and health is the outcome.

I have natural health practitioners all over the country and this book is the "Gold Standard" for pH balancing. You don't need any other book on pH once you have Alkalize or Die in your library.

I am still in full-time employment,and normally it takes me some time to read anything, and especially something as comprehensive as this book.

I have read a lot of similar books and it is comforting to note that these books link in with their findings.

I think the way forward is to use this book as a well-thumbed reference book, and slowly conform to its preachings.

His background is an interesting alternative health almalgamation. The name of his book, "Alkalize or Die", is in itself a marketing scare tactic. As in similar books, I don't see much in the way of hard data to back up the claims made. There are a few pearls, but mostly sand, in this slim paperback. Most of the foods mentioned as being acid-reducers are known to be good for you anyways. I just don't see anything revolutionary. The last 37 pages of the book, the guy is trying to peddle questionable alternative health products. Clever marketing scheme, first I will scare you into buying my book, then I'll sell you a bunch of products to 'save' you from dying..

His background is an interesting alternative health almalgamation. The name of his book, "Alkalize or Die", is in itself a marketing scare tactic. As in similar books, I don't see much in the way of hard data to back up the claims made. There are a few pearls, but mostly sand, in this slim paperback. Most of the foods mentioned as being acid-reducers are known to be good for you anyways. I just don't see anything revolutionary. The last 37 pages of the book, the guy is trying to peddle questionable alternative health products. Clever marketing scheme, first I will scare you into buying my book, then I'll sell you a bunch of products to 'save' you from dying..

Alkalize or Die is an important reference book for those interested in a holistic approach to their health. The author injects too much of his personal spirituality into the text but the science is definitely worth considering. An editor could have helped organize the acid/alkaline values of foods into easier reference groups. Even a comprehensive simple index would be helpful. Disciplining oneself to maintain an alkaline balance is essential to ones health.

This was the only book, of all the books on this subject that I read on the subject of acid/alkaline, that clearly organized the variious foods and made it easy to locate them in the book.

This was the only book, of all the books on this subject that I read on the subject of acid/alkaline, that clearly organized the variious foods and made it easy to locate them in the book.

I'm so "set back" by the assembly of this book, Alkalize or Die. I cannot comprehend what harm we are doing to ourselves by not being more aware of the pH in our bodies. Why are we not receiving this information from our doctors? Because they would be out of business if we knew? Everyone needs to change RIGHT NOW, for their health's sake.

I'm so "set back" by the assembly of this book, Alkalize or Die. I cannot comprehend what harm we are doing to ourselves by not being more aware of the pH in our bodies. Why are we not receiving this information from our doctors? Because they would be out of business if we knew? Everyone needs to change RIGHT NOW, for their health's sake.

My wife and I are raw vegans and do a great deal of research to optimize our diets. We found, however, that though we were eating wonderful things, our pH was still low. A tip from another author then led us to Dr. Baroody's book. We discovered that low stomach acidity was our problem--we weren't digesting all the good things we were eating!

We made some changes based on Dr. Baroody's guidelines and were able to turn everything around. I am now convinced that mastering your body's pH is the single most important thing you can do to improve health, vitality, and disease resistance. No matter what your diet, it can be improved by following Dr. Baroody's advice. Buy this book!

Although the concept probably has merit, you wouldn't know it to read this book. This is a lot more religion that science. I am quite disappointed.

This book contains excellent information regarding what to eat to establish a more alkaline body and reduce a more acid body. This book also includes information regarding how maintain good health by reducing acid and increasing alkaline.

My review is not a review of the book, but rather a review of the review by LMiles. This review seems very strange. First, LMiles states that the book is well written and that the information is sound (worth buying). But then, the rest of the review is an attempt to discredit the author.

LMiles one key mistake is simple. We, the readers, want to learn about natural medicine not about traditional medicine. Clayton is a natural medicine school. LMiles is telling the reader to only accept ND's that have studied Traditional Medicine. I have reviewed the Traditional N.D. programs and they seem to take at least 4 years and have little or nothing to do with Natural Medicine.

LMiles spent how many hows crafting a review that basically states that the author should not reference his education, and that reference ones education is a trick used to sell items.

LMiles review seem much more like a ad for Traditional N.D. Programs, which again seem to teach nothing of natural medicine.

The content of the book contains accurate and important information. The author and his seemingly impressive and extensive "credentials", on the other hand, are somewhat misleading.

What appears to be genuine and traditional schooling comes to the author from the Western Carolina University, where he received a B.S. in Psychology, and a Masters in Educational Counseling in 1974 and 1976; and perhaps the D.C. degree he earned in 1981 from Life University - College of Chiropractic.

What is sketchy are those degrees that afford him the most credibility: the N.D. from Clayton School of Naturopathy in 1991, and the PhD in Nutrition from the American Holistic College. Clayton College of Natural Health (Naturopathy) appears to be an easy admission, short-term, online "degree mill" college that describes their Doctorate level completion as follows:

"A degree from Clayton College can provide personal enrichment, professional growth for an ongoing career, or the foundation for a holistic health or nutrition consulting practice."

This falls quite short the scope of a Doctorate level education from one of the four Naturopathic Medicine colleges in the United States with accreditation from The Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (C.N.M.E.), the only accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Clayton is, rather, accredited by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners and the American Naturopathic Medical Accreditation Board. Both are private accrediting associations designed to meet the needs of non-traditional education (the schools) and are not affiliated with any government agency or recognized by the Dept. of Education. Furthermore, Clayton does not and can not award an ND. What they can award, as listed on their website, is a CTN: Certified Traditional Naturopath for graduates of any "doctoral" program; and a CNW: Board Certified in Nutritional Wellness for graduates of the Master of Science in Holistic Nutrition program or Ph.D. program. So Theodore Baroody saying he "completed an ND from Clayton..." does not of itself make him an ND. And since, conveniently, Clayton titles their courses with "Doctor of Naturopathy", etc., it is easy to mislead. The same is true for his PhD earned at the American Holistic College-Clayton's sister online college. Nuff said.

I hesitated in writing this review because as a person about to about to embark on an ND from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, OR, and as a person on a mission to play some small role in the rescue of us all from the disease that is modern medicine (that was dramatic, I know, but I believe that modern medicine should be secondary and small in comparison to naturopathic healing and prevention), I wasn't sure I wanted to employ the kind of slanderous tactics certain organizations and individuals within the medical and drug industry like to employ to, in a sense, kill the growing competition of naturopathic alternatives. Truthfully, despite his misleading credentials, I wouldn't have written this review...if he wasn't selling products! If he was just passing along good information I'd have just been glad someone was doing it! Anyone! Everyone? ...But this guy is using half the alphabet after his name in what seems to me a mere platform to earn credibility in order to sell...stuff! And that sounds too much to me like the tactics of the ol' drug industry that just wants to keep us sick...and spending our hard-earned cash to be so! Not that I think his products might be harmful in any way, but my method of operation has simply become don't trust it if it can't be trusted.

So my bottom line and humble opinion is, sure, buy the book. It's simple and explained well (although there is plenty out there on the alkaline/acid balance that does not use a book and list credentials to gain credibility in order to sell you products), but think before you buy any of the products he sells in the book and on his website. Perhaps even take his supplement advice and buy them somewhere else! Because I think Mr. Baroody's extensive credentials may have earned him reasonable doubt and the additional title of...DSO, Doctor of Snake Oil?

I AM A DOCTOR OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE IN CALIFORNIA AND I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AS THE SINGLE BEST BOOK ON THE OVERALL HEALTHY DIET, WHICH IS THE KEY TO THE HEALTH OF THE PHYSICAL BODY. PERIOD.

This is a great book. It talks about the chemistry in foods but it sometimes ties this in with homeopathic ideas.

For example when you eat meat you may be affected by the fear that the animal experienced when it was killed. I eat meat but yet there probably is some truth to this.

This book makes a bold statement: white sugar is a poison.

But I think this is true. I used to eat tons of cupcakes and other things and really my stomach had never really been healthy for many years.

I think other sweeteners such as high fructose corn syrup are also poisonous.

These sweeteners are very pervasive in the American diet.

Interestingly you can find natural candy and soft drink in health food stores. These are made with organic sugar and other natural ingredients.

Some things that are sold as food in modern society are really more like chemicals. Those artificial lunches that they want kids to bring to school come to mind. This stuff doesn't even have to even be refridgerated.

Another book which is a great follow on to Alkalize Or Die is:

The Acid-Alkaline Diet for Optimum Health: Restore Your Health by Creating Balance in Your Diet (Paperback)
by N.D., Christopher Vasey

I originally heard about these books in one of the ARE's catalogs.

The ARE is Edgar Cayce's organization (Association For Research And Enlightenment).

Jeff Marzano

Before reading this book I was someone who was very lost. Four years ago I was diagnosed with Bi-polar and obsesive compulsive dissorder. Later on I also found out that I had ADD. I could no longer consentrate or live. I resorted to taking street drugs for relief. I was a "Macdonald's eater", eating 90% acid forming food a day.

Three months ago I ended up in the hospital with something the doctors called total body failure. My bowels were irregular, my left side had doubled in size, i lost 30 pounds in two weeks, was having panic attacks, developped symptoms of Parkenson's, my kidney's had infection in them, severe acid reflux, etc.

Then I began seeing a homeopath who saved my life. She gave me natural herbs that calmed my mind from the ADD & regulated my panic attacks. She also gave me this book.

Now three months later, I can walk around freely where as I couldn't get out of bed before. I enjoy life for once and find no need for the massive consumption of drugs, cigarettes, alcohol as before. I'm closer to God and love my-self more than I thought possible. I look forward to life and thank those who opened my eyes to it.

This book will save your life. Keep in mind, I'm only 18 years old.

I read one of the above reviewers thoughts,
Reviewer: Lizz Clements (NH, USA)... I totally disagree with her, inside this book are charts showing the food pH. values of all fruits, vegetables, starches (even drinks) how mixing starches with proteins, vegetables mixed with proteins, or starches (visa a versa) how they all work together to cause either a healthy alkalized pH. Environment, or how you have created within yourself an acidic environment... This book has a fold out chart showing how to mix each food type, and what will be the results, you could not ask for a more in depth way to know how to adjust food groups easily towards balancing your body pH. causing a healing process... It's very simple after reading this "Fabulous Book" for the lay person to shop, buy, use alkalizing foods to restore your health vitality homeostasis, I recommend it highly, Sincerely Dennis...

With the increasing amount of scientific studies concerning pH balance in the blood and enzymes in our diet, it is no wonder that more and more people are becoming curious about what is essentially causing the catastrophic plague of illness and disease found in modern day human beings. Mr. Baroody's book presents an introductory explanation and study of the body's alkalinity and how certain foods increase the alkalinity or acidity of the bloodstream. As more and more scientists are urging, his advice is to maintain a diet which creates an alkaline environment within the body. I agree with this advice. I have also found this book to be useful in determining which foods have an alkalizing effect on the body. Where this book is inadequate, however, is in balancing the combination of acid and alkaline forming foods in the equation that the author presents. Because he does not specify combining foods to fit this equation in terms of weight, the entire formula can be considered useless because it is not complete. For those of you who are searching for an introduction to alkalization, I recommend this book as a resource and not as a guide.

This is an excellent work. It describes the fundamental
imbalance of the pH factor and the differential impact on a
whole host of disease processes. The ideal diet should contain
a fair amount of foods in the alkaline category. Too much
acidity has been associated with many chronic conditions and
diseases. The pH level may stabilize at approximately 5.5
to 7.0 on a scale of 0-14 with 0-7 being the acid foods
and 7 or more being the alkaline foods. Our daily diet
should consist of an optimal balance of the acid/alkaline
foods. The Baroody work describes this pH balance in considerable
detail. As such, it is a necessary part of the overall
nutritional program for both children and adults.
The standard diet of junk food tends to create a pH bias
which is acidic rather than a representative balance of
acid and alkaline food groups. This aspect is further developed
in the book. As such, Baroody's work is a valuable supplement
to your nutrition planning.

This book is my Salvation. I have FMS, Arthritis, and Thyroid Disease.I have been working on this Acid thing for awhile. Ithink every page has my name on it.Am eating only Alkaline forming foods. I am following this book to the letter. In 2 wks time I feel better. This book is so easy to understand, and for me and my problems, it is what I have been looking for. Dr. Baroody, Thank you so very much. JB Wilson ...

As someone who has suffered various health, and energy problems over the years, I feel well placed to offer my opinion on this particular book. With countless authors offering information on diet and nutrition, how do you know where to start? What is more, with so much contradictory information around, how do you know what is effective, and what is not worth bothering with?

ALKALIZE OR DIE is the book that has helped change my Life. Not only does it give a complete overview of health, but it reveals the true secret of energised living: Alkaline Diet & Lifestyle. Read this book and discover the underlying causes of nearly all disease, both physical and mental. Discover how a change in diet, exercise, colour, and music(amongst other things), can bring your body back into perfect balance. You really can be alive again, and without the need for medical drugs and artificial stimulants.

I believe this book to be a great work, and a must read for anyone interesting in living to their optimum health and energy levels.

*If you like this book, be sure to read WORLDWIDE SECRETS FOR STAYING YOUNG, by Dr Paavo Airola. Together these two books tell you everything you need.*

Having had silicone in my body, I was reaching a rapid death as aging at a rapid speed.. My friend introduced to Alkalize or Die, this book changed my entire being.. I am now reading the Ascension by Theo. Baroody, it too is an amazing revalation of the consious mind.. Having had a "Near Death Experience" this book has reconfermed my conformation..Baroody says it like it should be said, in simple terminology.. I hope to discuss my enlightenment with this most profound caring being.....Truly M. Forcht..