This diet named after Dr. Max B. Gerson was first used to treat migraine headaches, then tuberculosis. Some people now use Dr. Gerson's diet, which is based on his theory that consuming too much sodium and not enough potassium damages the cells, as a complementary treatment for cancer. This approach requires a strict diet of fresh, organic fruits, vegetables and whole grains, along with a number of supplements, which Dr. Gerson claims help to correct cell metabolism, and enemas, which Dr. Gerson claims help to remove toxins from the body. This diet is not approved by the FDA for cancer treatment.
Allowed Foods
Dr. Gerson's diet requires you to drink 13 glasses of freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juice per day, one every hour. Most, but not all, fresh fruits and vegetables are allowed, along with organic flax seed oil, one or two slices per day of unsalted non-fat rye bread, wine or cider vinegar, oatmeal, half a banana per week, brown or wild rice once a week, sweet potatoes or yams once a week and one or two tsp. per day of honey, grade B maple syrup or unrefined blackstrap molasses.
Foods to Avoid
Dr. Gerson's diet requires avoiding all foods containing protein, fat or salt, as well as all processed foods and restaurant food. Also avoid avocados, berries, alcohol, non-herbal teas, coffee as a beverage, coconuts, cucumbers, flourine in toothpaste, beans and legumes, mustard, mushrooms, bean sprouts, white sugar, soy, white flour, basil, oregano, paprika and pepper.
Risks
Dr. Gerson's diet is not nutritionally sound, as it doesn't allow protein or fat. Because it is so restrictive, it may lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Too many enemas can also be dangerous, causing changes to your blood chemistry that affect the functioning of your muscles and organs, including the heart. There are no clinical studies proving Dr. Gerson's diet is effective for treating cancer, so using this diet to the exclusion of conventional therapy is risky and may lead to the spread of your cancer.
Considerations
Do not replace conventional treatments for cancer, such as radiation, chemotherapy, surgery or immunotherapy, with Dr. Gerson's diet. Speak with your doctor before trying Dr. Gerson's diet as a complementary treatment. Evidence supporting the use of this diet is mainly anecdotal and was provided by the Gerson Research Organization, rather than a third party.
