The Gerson Cancer Diet, also called Gerson Therapy, is a diet program developed by Dr. Max Gerson, a German doctor, in the 1930s. Gerson Therapy claims to help cure and prevent cancer; it is strict, and patients are warned that altering the program in any way can affect its success.
Purpose
Gerson Therapy is based on the principle that toxins built up in the body cause cell metabolism to change, which leads to cancer, notes the National Cancer Institute. The purpose of Gerson Therapy is to cleanse the body of toxins and restore cell metabolism to proper functioning. Gerson Therapy also claims to reduce levels of sodium in the body while increasing the amount of potassium.
Components
Eating an organic vegetarian diet is the main component of the Gerson Therapy plan. In addition to eating organic produce and whole grains, patients must drink 13 servings of freshly juiced organic produce each day. Juice servings are spaced an hour apart. Coffee or chamomile enemas several times per day and various supplements are also part of this diet program.
Time Frame
Treatments on the Gerson Therapy program can last only a few months or more than 10 years, depending on the type of cancer and the patient's response to the program. A program that lasts at least two years is usually recommended. Typically, the program is administered inpatient at a treatment center for the first few weeks, notes the American Cancer Society. However, the only licensed treatment center is in Tijuana, Mexico.
Considerations
Because of the strictness of the Gerson cancer diet, travel is difficult. You have to determine where you will purchase organic produce while you are away from home. You have to bring a juicer, your enema supplies and all of your supplements with you. For this reason, the diet may not be a good choice if you travel often, for example when traveling for other treatments.
Warning
The Gerson diet program isn't approved as a treatment for cancer, partially because there are no controlled studies of its safety or effectiveness. Cancer patients are encouraged to eat a balanced diet, which is something Gerson Therapy doesn't provide, notes the National Cancer Institute. Additionally, frequent enemas and some of the supplements and injections used for the plan are considered unsafe. Medical complications such as infections, electrolyte imbalance, dehydration and constipation may occur as a result of this diet plan, even death.
