What are the 5-year survival rates for melanoma patients treated with Gerson diet therapy. How do these rates compare to conventional treatments. What does the retrospective review reveal about Gerson therapy effectiveness for different melanoma stages.

Understanding Gerson Therapy for Melanoma Treatment

Gerson therapy is an alternative dietary approach used to treat various cancers, including melanoma. This retrospective review examines the 5-year survival rates of melanoma patients treated with Gerson’s diet therapy. The study aims to compare these rates with those reported in medical literature for conventional treatments.

What is Gerson Therapy?

Gerson therapy is a lactovegetarian diet characterized by:

• Low sodium, fat, and (temporarily) protein content
• High potassium and fluid intake
• Hourly consumption of raw vegetable and fruit juices
• Increased metabolism through thyroid supplementation
• Limited calorie supply (2600-3200 calories per day)
• Use of coffee enemas as needed for pain management and appetite stimulation

Study Design and Patient Demographics

The retrospective review was conducted at a hospital in Tijuana, Mexico. It included 153 white adult patients with superficial spreading and nodular melanoma, aged 25-72 years. The main outcome measure was the 5-year survival rate, categorized by the stage of melanoma at admission.

How was the study conducted?

The researchers analyzed patient records and compared the survival rates of those treated with Gerson therapy to published data on conventional treatments. They also proposed a new stage division for advanced melanoma:

• Stage IVA: Distant lymph, skin, and subcutaneous tissue metastases
• Stage IVB: Visceral metastases

Survival Rates for Early-Stage Melanoma

The study revealed impressive survival rates for patients with early-stage melanoma treated with Gerson therapy.

What were the survival rates for stages I and II melanoma?

For patients with stages I and II (localized) melanoma:

• Gerson therapy: 100% 5-year survival rate (14 patients)
• Conventional treatment (reported by Balch): 79% 5-year survival rate (15,798 patients)

This significant difference suggests that Gerson therapy may be particularly effective for early-stage melanoma patients.

Survival Rates for Regionally Metastasized Melanoma

The study also examined survival rates for patients with more advanced, regionally metastasized melanoma.

How did Gerson therapy perform for stage III melanoma?

For stage IIIA (regionally metastasized) melanoma:

• Gerson therapy: 82% 5-year survival rate (17 patients)
• Conventional treatment (Fachklinik Hornheide): 39% 5-year survival rate (103 patients)

For combined stages IIIA + IIIB (regionally metastasized) melanoma:

• Gerson therapy: 70% 5-year survival rate (33 patients)
• Conventional treatment (Fachklinik Hornheide): 41% 5-year survival rate (134 patients)

These results indicate that Gerson therapy may offer a significant survival advantage for patients with regionally metastasized melanoma.

Survival Rates for Advanced Melanoma

The study proposed a new stage division for advanced melanoma and examined survival rates for stage IVA patients.

Did Gerson therapy show promise for stage IV melanoma?

For stage IVA melanoma (distant lymph, skin, and subcutaneous tissue metastases):

• Gerson therapy: 39% 5-year survival rate (18 patients)
• Conventional treatment (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group): 6% 5-year survival rate (194 patients)

While the survival rate for stage IVA melanoma treated with Gerson therapy was lower than for earlier stages, it was still significantly higher than the rate reported for conventional treatments.

The study did not assess the survival impact for stage IVB (visceral metastases) melanoma.

Gender Differences in Survival Rates

The study revealed interesting gender-based differences in survival rates for advanced melanoma.

Were there differences in survival rates between men and women?

For stages I-IIIB, male and female survival rates were identical. However, for stage IVA melanoma, women showed a strong survival advantage compared to men. This gender-based difference in survival rates for advanced melanoma warrants further investigation to understand the underlying factors.

Limitations and Considerations

While the results of this retrospective review are promising, it’s important to consider the limitations and potential biases of the study.

What factors should be considered when interpreting these results?

• Sample size: The Gerson therapy group had relatively small sample sizes compared to the conventional treatment groups.
• Selection bias: Patients who chose Gerson therapy might have had other factors influencing their survival rates.
• Retrospective nature: The study design doesn’t allow for controlled comparisons or randomization.
• Single-center study: Results may not be generalizable to all populations or treatment settings.
• Lack of control group: The study compared results to published data rather than a direct control group.

These factors underscore the need for larger, prospective, controlled studies to further validate the effectiveness of Gerson therapy for melanoma treatment.

Implications for Melanoma Treatment

The results of this retrospective review suggest that Gerson therapy may offer significant survival benefits for melanoma patients across various stages of the disease.

How might these findings impact melanoma treatment approaches?

The considerably higher 5-year survival rates reported for Gerson therapy, particularly for stage IIIA/B males, could prompt further research into dietary interventions for melanoma treatment. These findings may encourage:

• Integration of dietary approaches into conventional melanoma treatment protocols
• Further investigation into the mechanisms by which Gerson therapy might impact melanoma progression
• Exploration of gender-based differences in response to dietary interventions for advanced melanoma
• Development of randomized controlled trials to more rigorously assess the efficacy of Gerson therapy
• Consideration of Gerson therapy as a complementary approach alongside conventional treatments

While these results are promising, it’s crucial to note that Gerson therapy should not be considered a replacement for conventional melanoma treatments without further research and clinical validation.

Future Research Directions

The findings of this retrospective review open up several avenues for future research in the field of dietary interventions for melanoma treatment.

What areas of research should be prioritized based on these findings?

To build upon the results of this study, future research efforts could focus on:

1. Conducting prospective, randomized controlled trials comparing Gerson therapy to conventional treatments
2. Investigating the biological mechanisms by which Gerson therapy might influence melanoma progression
3. Exploring the potential synergistic effects of combining Gerson therapy with conventional treatments
4. Examining the impact of specific components of Gerson therapy (e.g., high potassium intake, coffee enemas) on melanoma outcomes
5. Investigating the reasons behind the observed gender differences in survival rates for advanced melanoma
6. Assessing the quality of life and side effect profiles of patients undergoing Gerson therapy compared to conventional treatments
7. Evaluating the long-term effects of Gerson therapy on overall health and cancer recurrence rates

These research directions could help establish a more comprehensive understanding of the potential role of dietary interventions in melanoma treatment and potentially lead to improved outcomes for patients.

Nutritional Considerations in Cancer Treatment

The promising results of Gerson therapy in this study highlight the potential importance of nutrition in cancer treatment, particularly for melanoma.

How might nutrition impact cancer progression and treatment outcomes?

Nutrition can play a crucial role in cancer treatment through various mechanisms:

• Modulation of inflammation: Certain dietary components can help reduce chronic inflammation, which is associated with cancer progression.
• Immune system support: A balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables can boost the immune system, potentially enhancing the body’s ability to fight cancer cells.
• Antioxidant effects: Many plant-based foods contain antioxidants that may help protect cells from damage and slow cancer growth.
• Hormonal regulation: Dietary factors can influence hormone levels, which may impact the growth of hormone-sensitive cancers.
• Gut microbiome modulation: The diet can affect the composition of gut bacteria, which may influence cancer progression and treatment response.

While the specific mechanisms by which Gerson therapy might impact melanoma progression are not fully understood, these general principles of nutritional oncology provide a framework for further investigation.

What are the potential risks and benefits of dietary interventions in cancer treatment?

Potential benefits of dietary interventions like Gerson therapy include:

• Improved overall health and well-being
• Enhanced immune function
• Reduced side effects from conventional treatments
• Potential synergistic effects with conventional therapies
• Increased sense of control and empowerment for patients

However, there are also potential risks to consider:

• Nutritional deficiencies if the diet is too restrictive
• Interference with conventional treatments if not properly managed
• Financial burden due to the cost of specialized diets and supplements
• Psychological stress from adhering to a strict dietary regimen
• Delay in seeking conventional treatment if relied upon exclusively

It’s crucial for patients to discuss any dietary interventions with their healthcare team to ensure safe and effective integration with their overall treatment plan.

Patient-Centered Approach to Melanoma Treatment

The findings of this study underscore the importance of considering patient preferences and alternative approaches in melanoma treatment.

How can healthcare providers incorporate these findings into patient care?

To provide comprehensive, patient-centered care for melanoma patients, healthcare providers could:

• Discuss the potential benefits and limitations of dietary interventions like Gerson therapy
• Offer nutritional counseling as part of the overall treatment plan
• Collaborate with integrative medicine specialists to develop comprehensive treatment strategies
• Monitor patients closely if they choose to incorporate dietary interventions alongside conventional treatments
• Encourage participation in clinical trials investigating dietary approaches to melanoma treatment
• Provide support for patients in making informed decisions about their treatment options

By adopting a more holistic approach to melanoma treatment that considers both conventional and complementary therapies, healthcare providers may be able to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

What role does patient empowerment play in cancer treatment?

Patient empowerment is increasingly recognized as a crucial factor in cancer treatment outcomes. By providing patients with information about various treatment options, including dietary interventions like Gerson therapy, healthcare providers can:

• Enhance patient engagement in their treatment process
• Improve treatment adherence and patient satisfaction
• Reduce anxiety and improve psychological well-being
• Promote a sense of control and self-efficacy in managing the disease
• Facilitate shared decision-making between patients and healthcare providers

Empowered patients who feel informed and involved in their treatment decisions may be more likely to adhere to their treatment plans and experience better overall outcomes.

Challenges in Studying Alternative Cancer Therapies

While the results of this retrospective review are intriguing, they also highlight the challenges inherent in studying alternative cancer therapies like Gerson therapy.

What obstacles exist in researching alternative cancer treatments?

Several challenges complicate the study of alternative cancer therapies:

• Funding limitations: Alternative therapies often lack the financial backing of pharmaceutical companies, making large-scale studies difficult to conduct.
• Standardization issues: Alternative therapies like Gerson therapy can be complex and multifaceted, making it challenging to standardize treatments for research purposes.
• Selection bias: Patients who choose alternative therapies may have different characteristics or motivations than those who opt for conventional treatments, potentially skewing results.
• Ethical considerations: Randomized controlled trials may be challenging to conduct if patients have strong preferences for particular treatments.
• Integration with conventional care: Studying alternative therapies in isolation may not reflect real-world scenarios where patients often combine multiple treatment approaches.
• Long-term follow-up: Assessing the long-term effects of alternative therapies requires extended study periods, which can be costly and logistically challenging.

Overcoming these challenges will require innovative research designs, collaboration between conventional and alternative medicine practitioners, and sustained funding support for complementary and alternative medicine research.

How can the scientific community address these challenges?

To advance the study of alternative cancer therapies like Gerson therapy, the scientific community could:

1. Develop standardized protocols for alternative therapies to ensure consistency in research studies
2. Establish collaborations between conventional cancer centers and alternative medicine practitioners
3. Utilize mixed-methods research designs that incorporate both quantitative and qualitative data
4. Conduct pragmatic clinical trials that reflect real-world treatment scenarios
5. Implement long-term patient registries to track outcomes of alternative therapy use over time
6. Encourage funding bodies to support rigorous research into promising alternative therapies
7. Promote open dialogue and knowledge sharing between conventional and alternative medicine communities

By addressing these challenges, the scientific community can work towards a more comprehensive understanding of the potential benefits and limitations of alternative cancer therapies, ultimately improving patient care and outcomes.

Five-year survival rates of melanoma patients treated by diet therapy after the manner of Gerson: a retrospective review

Comparative Study

. 1995 Sep;1(4):29-37.

G L Hildenbrand 
¹
, L C Hildenbrand, K Bradford, S W Cavin

Affiliations

Affiliation

• ¹ Gerson Research Organization, San Diego, Calif., USA.

• PMID:

  9359807

Comparative Study

G L Hildenbrand et al.

Altern Ther Health Med.

1995 Sep.

. 1995 Sep;1(4):29-37.

Authors

G L Hildenbrand 
¹
, L C Hildenbrand, K Bradford, S W Cavin

Affiliation

• ¹ Gerson Research Organization, San Diego, Calif. , USA.

• PMID:

  9359807

Abstract

Objective:

Compare 5-year melanoma survival rates to rates in medical literature.

Design:

Retrospective.

Setting:

Hospital in Tijuana, Mexico.

Patients:

White adult patients (N = 153) with superficial spreading and nodular melanoma, aged 25-72 years.

Intervention:

Gerson’s diet therapy: lactovegetarian; low sodium, fat and (temporarily) protein; high potassium, fluid, and nutrients (hourly raw vegetable/fruit juices). Metabolism increased by thyroid; calorie supply limited to 2600-3200 calories per day. Coffee enemas as needed for pain and appetite.

Main outcome measure:

5-year survival rates by stage at admission.

Results:

Of 14 patients with stages I and II (localized) melanoma, 100% survived for 5 years, compared with 79% of 15,798 reported by Balch. Of 17 with stage IIIA (regionally metastasized) melanoma, 82% were alive at 5 years, in contrast to 39% of 103 from Fachklinik Hornheide. Of 33 with combined stages IIIA + IIIB (regionally metastasized) melanoma, 70% lived 5 years, compared with 41% of 134 from Fachklinik Hornheide. We propose a new stage division: IVA (distant lymph, skin, and subcutaneous tissue metastases), and IVB (visceral metastases). Of 18 with stage IVA melanoma, 39% were alive at 5 years, compared with only 6% of 194 from the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group. Survival impact was not assessed for stage IVB. Male and female survival rates were identical for stages I-IIIB, but stage IVA women had a strong survival advantage.

Conclusions:

The 5-year survival rates reported here are considerably higher than those reported elsewhere. Stage IIIA/B males had exceptionally high survival rates compared with those reported by other centers.

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Publication types

MeSH terms

Gerson therapy | Complementary and alternative therapy

Gerson therapy involves a specific organic vegetarian diet with nutritional supplements and enemas. There is no scientific evidence to use it as a treatment for cancer.

Summary

• Gerson therapy uses a specific organic vegetarian diet, nutritional supplements and enemas to treat cancer
• There is no scientific evidence that it can treat cancer or its symptoms
• Gerson therapy can have severe side effects

What is Gerson therapy?

A German doctor called Max Gerson developed Gerson therapy in the 1920s and 30s. He claimed that it helped cure his migraine headaches. So, he went on to use it to treat other diseases such as tuberculosis and cancer.

You might also hear Gerson therapy called the:

• Gerson diet
• Gerson regimen
• Gerson method

Followers believe that changes to diet and nutrient intake can help to treat cancer. They also think that cancer is a symptom of disease of the whole body. 

It aims to rid the body of toxins and strengthen the body’s immune system. This way supporters say it can bring the body back to its normal metabolic state, and the body can heal itself.

The Gerson regime has 3 main parts:

• a strict organic vegetarian diet made up of fruit and vegetables high in potassium and low in sodium
• vitamin and mineral supplements, and specific enzymes
• coffee or castor oil enemas

Gerson therapists believe that people with cancer have too much salt (sodium) in their bodies. This is compared to the amount of potassium.

People following the therapy only eat organic, vegetarian food. This includes up to 13 glasses of fresh juices a day. It is believed that by doing so, it will restore the right balance. And that it will cleanse the liver. 

Up to 5 coffee enemas a day are also given. It is believed that coffee enemas further help to excrete toxins from the liver and colon. And that taking certain supplements and enzymes help the body to get rid of cancer cells.

Scientific research does not support any of these claims.

Why people with cancer use it

They hope it will control or cure their cancer

Your doctor may have told you that conventional treatments cannot cure your cancer. This can be tough to accept.

In this situation, many people look for alternative therapies, including diets such as Gerson. But there is no scientific evidence that the Gerson diet works. It may cause serious health problems and make you feel worse.

The Gerson Research Organisation published a study in 1995. It looked at people with melanoma skin cancer who were doing the Gerson regime. It found that people on the diet had higher survival rates. This was when compared to rates that were published in other scientific studies.  

But a review study in 2014 found that the 1995 research was not accurate. It also did not use a single classification of tumour staging. Tumour staging means the size of a cancer and how far it has spread. The researchers said that they couldn’t say whether the Gerson regime worked.

Gerson therapy is popular with many people who have advanced cancer. But we need more scientific research before it can be used as a treatment for cancer.

Diet may play an essential role in helping to prevent cancer. But there is no current evidence to say that drastic diet changes will kill cancer cells.

Talk to your doctor before making any decisions about following an alternative diet.

To feel more in control

Some people use alternative or complementary therapy to feel more in control of their cancer and its treatment.

To boost the immune system

Some people believe that Gerson therapy boosts their immune system. By doing so, it helps to fight their cancer.

There is no scientific evidence to prove this, partly because of lack of research. We, need more research to have proof. Only then can we say with certainty that Gerson therapy affects the immune system.

How you have it

The Gerson diet is a strict low salt, organic fruit and vegetable diet.

Each day you will need to:

• drink 20 pounds (about 9 kilos) of crushed fruit and vegetables (one glass of juice hourly, 13 times each day)
• have up to 5 coffee enemas and perhaps also castor oil enemas
• take potassium and other supplements, including vitamin B12, pancreatic enzymes and thyroid supplements

You can have Gerson therapy by staying in a clinic, or you can do it yourself at home.

The Gerson Institute refers people to clinics licensed by them. Their most popular one is in Mexico and there is also one in Hungary.

Gerson therapists advertise their clinics as very safe, relaxing and caring. But it is worth finding out if they have the medical facilities needed if any emergencies arise.

People who go to these clinics sometimes say that they feel better psychologically. These places might be very relaxing and caring places to be. But the possible side effects of Gerson therapy are a cause of concern.

You might stay at the clinic for a couple of weeks and then go home to continue the treatment. Or you can order a home therapy deal on the internet.

Treatment can continue for a few months to a few years. Having this therapy at home takes a great deal of time, energy and commitment. It can be almost a full-time job.

Side effects

In some situations, the Gerson diet can cause severe side effects. Some are potentially harmful. Speak to your doctor first if you are thinking of using the Gerson diet.

Coffee enemas remove a lot of potassium from your body and have been known to cause:

• infections
• dehydration
• fits
• salt and other mineral imbalances in the body
• heart and lung problems, even death
• constipation and inflammation of the bowel (colitis) from regular, long term use of enemas which can weaken the bowel muscle

Other reported side effects include:

• loss of appetite
• diarrhoea and sickness
• abdominal cramps
• aching, fever and sweating
• cold sores
• dizziness and weakness

Research into Gerson therapy for cancer

There is no evidence to prove that Gerson therapy works as a cure for cancer. We need more research to compare it with accepted and proven treatments within properly organised clinical trials.

The National Cancer Institute in the USA did a review in 2010. They found no evidence that it helped people with cancer.

Researchers in the UK did a study of 6 patients in 2007. They found that this type of therapy seemed to help people feel better emotionally. It also reduced their need for painkillers. But this number of patients is very small, so these findings are not reliable. The researchers suggested that a clinical trial is necessary. This way it will be possible to see if Gerson therapy works as a cancer treatment.

A review study in 2014 looked at 13 different cancer diets. The researchers looked at all the previous research on Gerson therapy. They found that none of the previous reports on Gerson therapy proved that it was effective.

A study looked at the 5-year survival rate of 153 cancer patients. They found that there were higher survival rates in patients with melanoma, ovarian and colorectal cancer, who were undergoing Gerson therapy. This was compared to patients having other therapies. However, this study was done by the Gerson Research Organisation. The method they used is not reliable and flawed. A further review found the evidence and study unreliable. 

It is difficult to be sure if there is any benefit in using Gerson therapy from the research so far.

This is because:

• record keeping during studies has been quite poor
• it is a complex therapy that can go on over months or years
• we can’t know what other factors might or might not affect the outcome during this time, including the environment or other treatments and diets
• some promoters give only anecdotal evidence, meaning that they use an example of an occasional person getting better as evidence

How much it costs

Gerson therapy can be costly. Do consider the ongoing cost of the treatment before you start.

You will need to buy special equipment if you are thinking of having Gerson therapy at home. Buying organic fruit, vegetables, coffee and supplements will also be an ongoing cost.

You will have to pay for flights and accommodation if you are going to a special clinic in another country. This will be on top of the treatment. Depending on the treatments involved, the cost can be thousands of pounds.

A word of caution

Some elements of the Gerson diet are healthy. For example, eating low fat food and lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.

But it is not healthy if you are eating vast quantities of one food group in a certain way (juicing) without balancing it with other food groups. It can be harmful to people who are already weak and ill. There are also many possible side effects some of which can be severe.

Most Gerson therapists encourage people not to have chemotherapy while having their therapy. This is because they believe that chemotherapy damages immunity. They say that radiotherapy is more compatible with Gerson treatment.

It is up to you to decide whether you want to use any alternative therapy. Stopping your conventional cancer treatments and methods of symptom control can be harmful.

Talk to your specialist about any alternative or complementary therapies that you want to try. Find out all you can about the therapy before deciding to use it.

Many websites are advertising or promoting Gerson therapy. But reputable scientific cancer organisations do not support them. Do not believe information or pay for alternative cancer therapy over the internet.

• Gerson regimen

  B Cassileth

  Oncology (Williston Park). February, 2010. Vol 24, (2):201.

• Surviving Against All Odds: Analysis of 6 Case Studies of Patients With Cancer Who Followed the Gerson Therapy

  A Molassiotis and others

  Integrative Cancer Therapies, March, 2007. Vol 6, (1), 80-88.  

• Counseling patients on cancer diets: a review of the literature and recommendations for clinical practice.

  J Huebner and others

  Anticancer Research. 2014 January; 34(1):39-48.

• The information on this page is based on literature searches and specialist checking. We used many references and there are too many to list here. If you need additional references for this information please contact [email protected] with details of the particular issue you are interested in.

Last reviewed: 

11 Oct 2022

Next review due: 

11 Oct 2025

Print page

Gerson Cancer Therapy: Advantages and Disadvantages | Health

90% of cancers are caused by external circumstances, unhealthy diet and unhealthy lifestyle. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help prevent cancer.

This therapy was developed by Max Gerson (1881-1959) over seventy years ago. Dr. Gerson has treated hundreds of cancer patients with great success, he claims. All of his discoveries and recommendations are collected in the book A Cancer Therahy: Results of Fifty Case (1958). The Gerson Therapy is based on the method of restoring a diseased body by providing cells with essential nutrients.

A large percentage of the nutrients come from fresh fruit, vegetable and raw juices, as well as from cooked foods. The foods recommended for this diet should be organic to maximize the nutritional value of fruits and vegetables.

Dr. Gerson claimed that lack of oxygen in the blood is responsible for causing cancer , and nutrition should be aimed at oxygenating the blood and, as a result, cells.

When Gerson first introduced the world to his insight about the influence of diet on the occurrence and progression of cancer, no one attached any importance to this, but today we know that 90% of cancers are due to external circumstances, unhealthy diet and unhealthy lifestyle, and that with a diet filled with vegetables and fruits, cancer can be prevented .

Gerson did not have these data, but he turned out to be a visionary and used the tools given by nature to treat cancer patients who were abandoned by official medicine. At 19In 1958, he was the first to suggest that cancer is influenced by the sum of many different, unrelated factors. Gerson highlighted some of them.

Now the scientific community has accepted this concept, but then he was rebuffed by his medical colleagues. The list started by Gerson is replenished, every day more and more new substances with carcinogenic potential are discovered.

IMPORTANT! Gerson Therapy is focused on stimulating the metabolism and immune system, eliminating toxins, improving the cleansing function of the liver and kidneys. It is aimed at restoring the work of all organs and debugging the physiology of the patient.

Gerson claimed that his method has a beneficial effect on the treatment of any pathology and is much more effective than chemotherapy.

How did it all start?

Starting his medical career, Gerson suffered from migraine attacks that lasted for several days and unsettled him. None of his colleagues could offer him effective treatment. Then Gerson took up the study of the connection between his illness and nutrition and was convinced that this connection exists.

At first he tried to eat exclusively dairy products, but the migraines did not go away, but when he started eating raw and baked apples, the migraines went away.

From that moment he began to introduce new products and trace their effect on headaches. If Gerson experienced discomfort from the product, then twenty minutes later he began to have a migraine.

Having cured himself through nutrition, he began to observe the response of patients to a change in diet and discovered that Nutrition based on fruits and vegetables can treat almost any disease .

Gerson Therapy Basics

1. Offers a diet program low in fat and salt and enriched with vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and antioxidants.
2. Meat and dairy products are prohibited in the first weeks of treatment, and subsequently allowed, but in minimal quantities.
3. Recommends consumption of thirteen glasses of fresh vegetable juice per day, that is, a glass of juice every hour. Juices should be of three types: apple + carrot, orange; vegetable juice from lettuce, chard, beetroot, watercress, Lombard cabbage, chicory and curly lettuce + apple.
4. Includes a large number of organically grown fruits and vegetables.
5. Prefers the consumption of raw foods.
6. Introduces daily consumption of creamy vegetable soups without salt, like the famous Hippocrates soup created by Max Gerson.

For a deep cleansing of the body, the Gerson Therapy offers daily coffee enemas. Enemas are used to remove harmful products accumulated in the body and to detoxify the body. Caffeine given rectally, according to Gerson, stimulates the liver, increases bile flow, and opens up the bile ducts so that the liver can easily remove waste. Coffee enemas serve both to prevent and treat cancer and to relieve pain caused by tumors.

According to Gerson, these enemas are most effective for the treatment of so-called aggressive tumors: cancer of the ovaries, lung, and melanoma and lymphoma .

In addition to coffee enemas, Dr. Max Gerson offers certain nutritional supplements: thyroid extract, potassium iodide, porcine liver extract, vitamin B12, pancreatic enzymes, and vitamin B3.

How to make coffee enemas?

To make a coffee enema, you need to buy an enema (Esmarch mug) in a pharmacy, prepare filtered water and buy organic unroasted coffee.

Preparing. Boil one liter of filtered or mineral water. Add three tablespoons of ground coffee and boil for three minutes; then leave on low heat for fifteen minutes. Cool to body temperature (37 ° C), filter through gauze and pour into a syringe.

How to use? Lie on the floor with a towel or mattress. Through online stores, you can get a special trestle bed for enemas. You need to lie down on your right side in the fetal position, after hanging the enema to a height of 50 cm. You can hang it on the door latch. Then you need to insert the tip into the anus, open the tap and let the fluid freely enter inside. It is ideal to keep the liquid inside for twelve minutes.

Foods PROHIBITED from Gerson Therapy: alcohol, avocados, berries, dairy products, sugar, sweets, ice cream, carbonated and sweetened drinks, cucumbers, wheat, fish, eggs, mushrooms, coffee, tea, vegetable oil, pineapple, spices (black pepper and sweet pepper), soy, meat, water from under the tap, fats and dry fruits.

Disadvantages of Gerson therapy

• Following the proposed regimen requires the patient and his attendant great effort and full dedication: preparing juices, enemas, food, looking for fresh food, etc.
• Supplements are difficult to obtain and of dubious quality.
• Coffee enemas are not easy for all patients. And some studies have shown that coffee enemas are not always reliable and can even lead to the death of patients.

Benefits of Gerson Therapy

IMPORTANT! The Gerson Therapy is a diet rich in organic vegetables and fruits with a preference for raw foods. Provides vitamins, antioxidants and phytonutrients with anti-cancer properties.

The regimen I maintained has a lot in common with the Gerson Therapy, as you’ve probably already seen, but I stopped supplementing.

Gerson therapy today. Clinical Data

Max Gerson’s daughter, Charlotte Gerson, has now analyzed and expanded on his legacy so that updated information on this method can be found in her book The Gerson Therapy: A Nutrition Program to Save a Life.

American National Cancer Institute qualifies the Gerson method as unscientific .

It cannot be said that there are many scientific studies studying this therapy. I found only one paper that compares the survival of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer who received a standard course of chemotherapy and patients who refused it, preferring Gerson therapy. The survival rate of the first group was three times higher than the one that followed only the Gerson therapy.

When comparing the results of combined treatment ( surgery plus Gerson therapy ) and treatment with surgery alone, it turned out that the first group had a significantly higher survival rate and quality of life. A small study of six cases shows that patients who take Gerson’s therapy have a better survival rate than those who take standard treatment.

The survival results presented by the Gerson Clinic are very impressive, but when analyzed, it becomes clear that the studies are poorly designed and the data obtained are insufficient. If the studies had not been so sloppy, and the data had been obtained according to all the rules, then most likely the results would have been different.

In my opinion, the Gerson diet can be beneficial for cancer patients when standard treatment is combined with diet therapy. Of course, one cannot abandon conventional therapy and follow exclusively the Gerson therapy with coffee enemas and supplements. I think that this is not the best choice.published econet.ru

HEALING BREAST CANCER WITHOUT CHEMOTHERAPY. THE STORY OF KELLY BENKOSKI.

In January 2012, Kelly Benkoski was diagnosed with triple negative invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast (invasive ductal carcinoma). Surgery to remove the tumor was scheduled for January 30th. Since Kelly knew nothing about cancer, she agreed to the therapy suggested by her oncologist – aggressive follow-up chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

2 days before the left lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy, Kelly and her husband came across the movie Forks and Knives and watched it. This documentary completely turned their minds and, as a result, their whole lives. The film is about healthy eating and lifestyle. From this film, Kelly and her husband learned about Dr. John McDougall, and for the first time heard the story of the healing of Ruth Heydrich, whom he helped to recover from stage 4 breast cancer with an anti-cancer diet and exercise.

The next day, Kelly’s husband wrote to Dr. MacDougall and received a reply from him the same day. Correspondence ensued in which Dr. McDougall advised not to rush conventional therapy ( chemotherapy, radiotherapy ) after surgery and sent them medical articles and scientific studies that were intended to help the couple make an informed decision about future treatment.

Neither Kelly nor her husband Sean had ever heard of diet and exercise related to breast cancer . Moreover, when Kelly asked her surgeon why she needed aggressive chemotherapy and radiation therapy , the surgeon told her, “We don’t know what causes cancer, and we can’t say if you will relapse in the future.” Oncologist Kelly confirmed the words of the surgeon. And when asked if she should review her diet during treatment, she replied: “You can eat absolutely anything you want.” The oncologist also added that Kelly should see a cardiologist for an echocardiogram to make sure her heart can handle chemotherapy and medication.

After the operation, Kelly and her husband thought for a long time and finally decided to forego chemotherapy and radiation, and instead attend Dr. McDougall’s 10-day program, becoming his patient . In those 10 days, Kelly’s cholesterol dropped 23 points, her glucose improved, and she lost 2kg without feeling hungry. Kelly’s overall health improved and she was able to do more exercise.

Eighteen months after starting Dr. McDougall’s program and walking for 30 minutes a day, Kelly’s tests showed that she no longer had cancer, her cholesterol level dropped another 27 points, she lost 15 kg (she was overweight). She felt healthier, more energetic and stronger.

Kelly’s husband Sean supports his wife in everything, he also now eats only plant foods, does not eat animal proteins and does not use any vegetable or animal oils. Sean also lost 15 kg, looks and feels great, he no longer needs allergy medication, his joints have stopped hurting, he no longer takes the medication he could not live without.

Kelly is grateful for the movie Forks and Knives, Dr. McDougall, and the cancer diagnosis she once received. The diagnosis turned out to be a blessing in disguise that completely changed her life – she gained new health, changed her lifestyle, gained new knowledge and amazing acquaintances, and began to lead a healthy lifestyle.

CONCLUSION

Anti-Cancer Diet – Eating only whole plant foods can cure many diseases. The anti-cancer diet is the basis of the treatment of any kind of cancer, 50% of success, the foundation without which any treatment will not have long-term results.

The story of Ruth Hendrik , which became an example for Kelly, is proof of this, read it if you have breast cancer and see how boldly people live, how boldly they are healed contrary to public opinion by alternative methods. At one time, her story made a lot of noise and was written about in many newspapers.