Gerson Diet

Dr. Max B. Gerson developed a diet and therapy program that he claimed could treat and cure cancer and other ailments if followed correctly. It is designed to detoxify the body while boosting the immune system and improving metabolism. It is controversial and is not widely promoted as a sound treatment for cancer, though it continues to be used by many to deal with cancer and other ailments such as heart disease, lupus and diabetes.

What It Involves

• The diet involved in Gerson therapy focuses on putting fresh, clean nutrients into your body and keeping toxins and carcinogens out. Choose low-sodium foods, since Dr. Gerson believed sodium helped sustain tumors, and this diet recommends foods that are high in potassium. Food should be as free from additives, pesticides and fertilizers as possible, so organic nutrients are heavily relied upon. Meat is viewed as a carcinogen, especially once it is cooked, and should be avoided when possible. This makes the Gerson diet vegetarian-friendly and focuses strongly on fresh fruits and vegetables. Freshly pressed juices should be drunk throughout the day, as often as every hour.

  The diet is very strict, and vitamin C and iodine supplements are recommended, in addition to other components of Gerson therapy, such as coffee enemas.

  The Gerson diet and therapy program are considered controversial, with no strong studies supporting its ability to cure cancer. While some components of it, like eating fresh produce and avoiding preservatives and other toxins that often come on or in our foods, are good, a well balanced diet is likely to be more beneficial than an extreme one.

  An eating program such as the Gerson diet should not be used without consulting a doctor first. It has some potentially serious side effects, especially if all aspects of the therapy, such as the enemas, are followed. The National Cancer Society has rejected the Gerson diet and therapy program, since there is no substantial evidence that supports its cancer-curing claims.