05/12/2026
# Baking Soda & Autoimmune Disease
# # Helpful Science, Harmful Hype, or Somewhere In Between?
There’s a growing trend online claiming that something as simple as baking soda could help calm autoimmune inflammation.
Yes — the same orange box sitting in your kitchen cabinet.
And honestly? The science behind it is actually more interesting than most people realize.
But before we start dumping spoonfuls into water because TikTok or Facebook said it “cures inflammation,” we need to talk about the FULL picture.
Because at LiBellé, we believe natural remedies deserve the same level of respect, education, and research as prescription medications.
Not because natural remedies are “bad.”
Not because pharmaceutical medicine is “bad.”
But because the human body is incredibly complex.
And when you’re dealing with autoimmune disease, inflammation, kidneys, electrolytes, medications, hormones, and immune dysfunction… “natural” does not automatically mean “safe for everyone.”
Especially when it’s used incorrectly.
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# # So… Why Are Researchers Even Studying Baking Soda?
This entire conversation exploded after a 2018 study from researchers at the Medical College of Georgia explored how sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) affects the immune system.
What they discovered wasn’t “alkaline magic.”
It was actually an immune signaling response.
And THAT matters.
Because your body already regulates its pH extremely tightly.
If it didn’t, you’d be in the ICU.
So the idea that baking soda simply “alkalizes the body” enough to cure autoimmune disease?
That’s an oversimplification.
The real science appears to involve communication between:
- the stomach
- mesothelial cells
- the spleen
- and the immune system
Researchers found that drinking small amounts of sodium bicarbonate appeared to send a message to the spleen that the body was “safe” and not under attack.
That signal may encourage the immune system to shift away from aggressive inflammatory activity.
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# # The “Spleen Signal” Explained
This is the fascinating part.
Your spleen acts like an immune system control center.
Inside the spleen are immune cells called macrophages.
Some macrophages behave aggressively and fuel inflammation.
Others help calm inflammation and support healing.
Researchers observed:
- a decrease in inflammatory “M1” macrophages
- and an increase in anti-inflammatory “M2” macrophages
Essentially:
less attack mode…
more healing mode.
That’s why this topic gained attention in conditions involving chronic inflammation like:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Lupus
- kidney disease
- and other inflammatory disorders
And honestly?
That IS worth studying.
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# # But Here’s Where Social Media Gets Dangerous
The internet LOVES turning early-stage research into:
“THIS CURES AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE!”
That’s not what the study showed.
The study did NOT prove:
- baking soda cures lupus
- baking soda reverses autoimmune disease
- baking soda replaces immunosuppressants
- baking soda is safe for everyone
What it showed was:
a potentially promising immune-modulating effect that deserves more research.
That’s a HUGE difference.
And when people are exhausted, hurting, inflamed, dismissed, and desperate for relief…
they become vulnerable to oversimplified wellness messaging.
Honestly?
That’s understandable.
People with chronic illness often spend years trying to feel normal again.
When conventional medicine doesn’t fully resolve symptoms, people naturally start searching elsewhere:
- supplements
- herbs
- detoxes
- diets
- peptides
- grounding
- red light therapy
- frequency healing
- nervous system work
- functional medicine
- and yes…
even baking soda
That curiosity is not stupid.
It’s human.
But experimentation without education can become dangerous.
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# # The Biggest Problem? Medication Interactions
This is the part almost nobody online talks about.
Baking soda can significantly alter how medications are absorbed.
Why?
Because sodium bicarbonate changes stomach acidity and urinary pH.
That means it can:
- reduce absorption of some medications
- increase absorption of others
- change how quickly drugs leave the body
- increase electrolyte imbalance risks
And for autoimmune patients already on complex medication regimens…
that matters A LOT.
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# # Autoimmune Medications That May Interact
# # # Hydroxychloroquine
Baking soda may reduce absorption of Plaquenil, potentially lowering effectiveness.
For lupus patients especially, this could matter significantly.
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# # # Prednisone
Both prednisone and sodium bicarbonate can:
- increase sodium retention
- affect potassium balance
- contribute to swelling and blood pressure issues
Combined improperly, they may worsen:
- edema
- hypertension
- electrolyte imbalance
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# # # NSAIDs
Examples:
- ibuprofen
- aspirin
- naproxen
Baking soda may alter:
- absorption speed
- stomach irritation risk
- protective enteric coatings
Ironically, something people think “protects the stomach” can sometimes create other GI problems.
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# # # Immunosuppressants
Certain transplant and autoimmune medications can degrade improperly or absorb poorly when combined with antacids or bicarbonates.
Some medications require:
- spacing doses apart
- strict monitoring
- or complete avoidance
This is why provider guidance matters.
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# # “Natural” Can Absolutely Help — IF Used Correctly
This is where LiBellé stands firmly in the middle.
Natural remedies are not automatically fake.
And medications are not automatically evil.
There IS room for:
- nutrition
- herbs
- supplements
- lifestyle medicine
- stress regulation
- nervous system healing
- anti-inflammatory support
- mitochondrial support
- gut support
- and carefully researched natural therapies
But there’s a difference between:
“supporting the body”
and
“throwing random internet remedies at chronic illness.”
That’s why research matters.
That’s why dosing matters.
That’s why timing matters.
That’s why interactions matter.
And that’s why individualized care matters.
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# # Why Autoimmune Patients Need to Be Especially Careful
Many autoimmune conditions already involve:
- kidney strain
- blood pressure fluctuations
- electrolyte imbalances
- medication metabolism issues
- chronic inflammation
- GI dysfunction
- adrenal stress
- and nervous system dysregulation
Adding large amounts of sodium bicarbonate without guidance can potentially worsen:
- hypertension
- edema
- nausea
- bloating
- potassium imbalance
- metabolic alkalosis
- kidney stress
And if someone already has:
- lupus nephritis
- heart disease
- chronic kidney disease
- uncontrolled hypertension
- or fluid retention…
this could become dangerous quickly.
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# # The “More Is Better” Trap
This is another huge problem in wellness culture.
Someone reads:
“1/8 teaspoon helped inflammation…”
and suddenly online groups are taking tablespoons daily.
That’s not how therapeutic support works.
Even water can become dangerous in excess.
Even vitamins can become toxic.
Even herbs can interact with medications.
Natural medicine still requires respect.
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# # So… Is Baking Soda Worth Exploring?
Honestly?
Maybe.
But responsibly.
The immune signaling research IS fascinating.
The anti-inflammatory implications ARE promising.
The kidney research IS interesting.
But we are still early in understanding:
- long-term safety
- optimal dosing
- who benefits
- who should avoid it
- medication interactions
- and whether benefits outweigh risks
This is NOT a replacement for:
- rheumatology care
- immunosuppressive treatment
- medical monitoring
- or emergency care
But it may become part of larger conversations someday regarding:
- immune modulation
- inflammation management
- metabolic support
- and integrative autoimmune care
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# # Better Questions To Ask Instead Of:
# # # “Is baking soda good or bad?”
Ask:
- Why might this help?
- Who should avoid it?
- What medications interact with it?
- What dosage was actually studied?
- Is the internet exaggerating the research?
- Is my kidney function healthy enough?
- Is this safe with my autoimmune medications?
- Could there be safer alternatives?
THAT is empowered wellness.
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# # StrongHer Takeaway 💜
At LiBellé, we believe in researching ALL the things.
Not fearfully.
Not blindly.
But responsibly.
Natural remedies can absolutely support healing when used correctly.
But “natural” is not a free pass to skip:
- education
- dosing guidance
- interaction research
- or conversations with your provider
The goal isn’t fear.
The goal is informed empowerment.
Because healing should never rely on panic, trends, or desperation.
It should be built on:
education,
curiosity,
balance,
and respect for how incredibly
intelligent the human body truly is.
– LiBellé Essential Living 💜🦋✨
