Gerson therapy, also known as the Gerson diet, was developed for cancer patients in the 1930s by Max Gerson, M.D. The principle behind the diet is that cancer patients have a sodium level that is too high and a potassium level that is too low that must be corrected to control the cancer. The vegetarian diet includes drinking fresh organic fruits and vegetables that have been juiced. Patients following this diet must drink one juiced drink every hour for 13 hours per day. Additionally, patients are expected to have several coffee or camomile enemas a day, notes the American Cancer Society. Special supplements are also used as part of this diet. Following this diet while traveling requires a considerable amount of advanced planning.
Step 1
Contact grocery stores and farmers markets in the area you are traveling to so you can find out if they offer organic fruits and vegetables. If the grocery store doesn't sell organic fruits and vegetables ask if the employee on the phone can recommend a place that may sell the items you need.
Step 2
Pack your juicer, supplements and enema kit in your bag so that you can follow your diet program while you are away from home. If your juicer is large and bulky, consider placing it in a box that has handles to make it easy to carry, or invest in a hand juicer. You should also pack an aluminum-free pot and utensils so that you can properly prepare your foods.
Step 3
Prepare servings of your juice for while you are traveling. You need one serving of juice for each hour you will be on the road. Place each serving in a separate container. Put these containers in a cooler with either dry ice or ice to keep them cool and fresh.
Step 4
Understand that it may be difficult to find suitable foods to eat at restaurants while you are away from home. Whole grains should be easy to find, even at restaurants; however, organic fruits and vegetables without any added salt may be difficult to locate. If you are unable to find organic fruits and vegetables at restaurants, choose plain whole-grain foods while you are there and then find a store that sells organic produce that you can prepare according to your diet plan.
Step 5
Plan your daily activities around your enema schedule if you are incorporating the coffee or camomile enemas. In some cases, especially if you have been on the diet for a long time, you can discontinue the enemas while you are away from home. Contact your Gerson therapy adviser to determine if this is possible.
Tips and Warnings
- If possible, plan to stay at a hotel or home that has a working kitchen so you can prepare your meals, especially if you like cooked fruits and vegetables at meal time.
- This diet plan hasn't been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a cure or prevention for cancer, notes the National Cancer Institute. Additionally, this diet plan may be dangerous because it isn't a balanced diet and the frequent enemas may cause health problems, including electrolyte imbalances, low potassium levels and death.
Things You'll Need
- Juicer
- Supplements
- Enema kit
- Aluminum-free pots and utensils
- Cooler
- Ice
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