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Caesium

Caesium is a chemical element. In its natural state, caesium is not radioactive, but it can be made radioactive in the laboratory. Both variants of caesium are used as medicine. Despite safety concerns, non-radioactive caesium is taken orally to treat cancer. This is sometimes referred to as "high pH therapy". According to proponents of this therapy, taking cesium chloride orally reduces the acidity of tumor cells, which are described as very "acidic". However, these claims are not supported by science.

There is no scientific research showing that the pH of tumor cells is different from the pH of other cells or that cesium affects the pH of tumor cells or other cells. Non-radioactive caesium is also used to treat depression. Doctors sometimes treat cancer patients with radioactive caesium (caesium-137). In industry, radioactive caesium is used in instruments that measure thickness, moisture and fluid flow.

How does caesium work?

There is not enough information about how caesium might work. Some people who advocate "high pH therapy" say that cesium affects the pH of cancer cells, but there is no scientific research to support this.

How effective is caesium?

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of cesium in treating cancer. However, new research suggests that cesium in combination with other vitamins and minerals may reduce the death rate in patients with various forms of cancer. There is also not enough scientific information to assess the effectiveness of cesium for depression. More scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of cesium for these conditions.

Safety and side effects

High doses of cesium may not be safe. There have been reports of critical, life-threatening low blood pressure and irregular heartbeat in some people who have taken high doses of cesium over several weeks. There is not enough information to judge whether lower doses are safe and harmless. Possible side effects of oral cesium ingestion include nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and tingling in the lips, hands and feet.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and lactation: Not enough is known about the use of cesium during pregnancy and lactation. For this reason, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid cesium. Irregular heartbeat: Caesium could make an irregular heartbeat worse, so people who suffer from an irregular heartbeat should not use caesium.

Interactions

Caesium should not be used in combination with the following medications:

Drugs that can cause an irregular heartbeat (QT interval prolonging agents). Caesium could cause an irregular heartbeat. Taking cesium in combination with drugs that can cause an irregular heartbeat could lead to serious side effects including arrhythmias.

Care should be taken when taking caesium with the following medications:

Anti-inflammatory medications (corticosteroids)

Some anti-inflammatory drugs can lower potassium levels in the body. Caesium could also lower potassium levels in the body. Taking caesium in combination with some anti-inflammatory drugs could lower potassium levels in the body too much.

Diuretics

Large amounts of caesium can lower potassium levels in the body. Diuretics can also lower potassium levels in the body. Taking caesium in combination with diuretics could lower potassium levels in the body too much.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of caesium depends on various factors such as age, state of health and others. At this time, there is insufficient scientific data to make a statement about appropriate dosage ranges for cesium. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.

References

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  2. Environmental Protection Agency. Cesium. 2002. Available at: www.epa.gov/radiation/radionuclides/cesium.htm
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  5. O'Brien CE, Harik N, James LP, et al. Cesium-induced QT-interval prolongation in an adolescent. Pharmacotherapy 2008;28:1059-65.
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  10. Vyas H, Johnson K, Houlihan R, et al. Acquired long QT syndrome secondary to cesium chloride supplement. J Altern Complement Med 2006;12:1011-4.