[nudephil (OP)]

We got this question from listener Wayne:

I don't know how reliable the information I have been researching is, but my understanding is that some previous strains of coronavirus are quite stable at pH 6.0 but become rapidly and irreversibly inactivated by brief treatment at pH 8.0.

I am also aware of a breathing exercise created by Wim Hof, which basically consists of controlled hyperventilation followed by breath holds, that has been used during a scientific trial that was proven to temporally raise participant's blood pH levels as high as 7.75.

My question is how high and for how long would you think the body's pH levels would need to be increased to negatively affect the virus' ability to infect and multiply?

I appreciate that the study which used this breathing technique demonstrated a temporary suppression in the body's immune response that is not preferable when fighting a virus. But if the increased pH levels do negatively affect the virus, I was hoping perhaps the good would outweigh the bad.

What do you think?

[Bored chemist]

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I wouldn't recommend it.
The odds are that the virus has much better pH stability than we do.

[XDRAGON]

Hi, I'm the person who originally asked this question.

Firstly I should say that I don't recommend anyone try this breathing technique without first learning properly about it and checking with a medical professional. Personally I have used the technique a few times, although many people use it every day.

Each round of deep breathing is followed by an extended breath-hold which brings Co2 levels back up and pH levels back down, so the pH increase is only temporary. The breath-hold phase also allows practitioners to lower their oxygen saturation, which will eventually cause the body to respond by creating/releasing more red blood cells.

My belief is that from the moment someone is aware they've become infected, they need to create a hostile environment (while of course not doing anything that harms themself) for the virus and support their immune system. For example by getting lots of sleep, keeping warm, and allowing any fever to do its job.

I'm far from sure that temporarily increasing pH levels using this breathing technique will inactivate the virus, but I was wondering if it could be used as another tool to slow its spread within the body, giving the immune system more time to fight it off.

A previous coronavirus and other enveloped viruses that enter cells by pH-dependent endocytosis confirm that low pH induces complete fusion of the IBV S protein with host cells. I wonder if when a person's pH levels drop, it gives a virus inside that person's body the opportunity it's been waiting for to enter and infect the cell. Perhaps by avoiding becoming more acidic, the person could lower their chances of becoming infected.

[Bored chemist]

As I see it, there are two problems.
One, you are actually messing about with oxygen levels. The Body won't thank you for that- in particular, the immune system won't.
The other is that the body maintains pH 7.4 +/- 0.05 for a reason.That's the pH where it works best.
If your intention is to

support their immune system.

And

not doing anything that harms themself

Then I think you have ruled out changing the pH.

I haven't checked, but I think the virus is probably less fussy about pH than, for example, your brain.

[XDRAGON]

Under normal circumstances, the extended breath holds that lower oxygen levels simply mimic being at higher altitude, triggering the release of EPO that triggers the release of more red blood cells. This gives the same benefits that athletes get from training at high altitudes, but to a lesser degree as the breathing technique only lowers oxygen levels for a few minutes. If someone had the virus it may not be best to hold their breath as long as they would normally.

I will continue to use the technique and the cold exposure that's also part of the system when in good health as studies have shown this to increase leukocyte concentrations. Thermal therapy may also be of benefit. But in terms of using it when someone is ill, I'm still undecided on that one.

I don't believe it's possible to raise pH levels using this technique high enough to negatively affect the body. Out of the many thousands, if not millions of people around the world regularly using this technique, I've never heard of that happening. I believe the low Co2 levels would cause you to get so light-headed that you'd stop before reaching that point.

Again, anyone thinking of trying this for themselves should first learn more about it from official sources and check with a medical professional before trying. Also, you should NEVER practice the breathing technique while in water.

[Bored chemist]

If breathing less offers any benefits then pneumonia will bring them about anyway.

I don't believe it's possible to raise pH levels using this technique high enough to negatively affect the body.

Again, anyone thinking of trying this for themselves should first learn more about it from official sources and check with a medical professional before trying. Also, you should NEVER practice the breathing technique while in water.

I only agree with the second of those sentiments.

[XDRAGON]

OK, I'm not going to get into a debate into whether or not the body adapts to short and very controlled lower levels of oxygen. That's well documented and is why athletes go to high altitude training camps, and is why climbers spend months at base camp on Everest rather than attempting to head straight for the summit as soon as the weather is suitable.

I asked the question about pH in case anyone had knowledge of the viruses behaviour in more alkaline environments. Thank you for your comments.

[alancalverd]

short and very controlled lower levels of oxygen...….. why climbers spend months at base camp on Everest

Yes, you can indeed acclimatise to a lower oxygen concentration, but as you say, it takes months, not minutes.

[XDRAGON]

Absolutely, that's why using this breathing technique needs to ideally be performed daily and doesn't create as big an adaptation as someone would get from living at high altitude for months. In other words, it's not as extreme as moving to high altitude for a few months.

However, even dropping the SpO2 below 91% for a few minutes triggers the same adaptations, only to a lesser extent. And this technique allows practitioners to go much lower than that.