Gerson Therapy - Heal Navigator What really matters is the Gerson therapy success rate. The Gerson Institute also recommends staying at one of their clinics or working with a Gerson practitioner outside of a clinic. This article was originally published March 3, 2014. Instead, youre encouraged to drink up to 13 glasses of freshly pressed juice or herbal tea per day. You should discuss any possible treatment changes with your oncologist before agreeing to them. Gerson therapy can cost upwards of $15,000.2 Moreover, it requires the patient to follow a complex nutritional regimen and strict diet for at least 2 years. Taking too many enemas of any kind can cause changes in normal blood chemistry, chemicals that occur naturally in the body and keep the muscles, heart, and other organs working properly. . Answer (1 of 8): Considering that the Gerson therapy is an easily debunked piece of pseudo-scientific claptrap, and one that has been directly responsible for plenty of patient deaths, I would suggest that chemotherapy is more effective. In the following weeks I encountered the other people who would become the protagonists of my film: Over the last years, whenever anyone has asked me what the film I was working on was about, they looked at me with pitying eyes, Oh jeez, thats a tough topic. Wow, how do you deal with such a sad subject over such a long period of time, especially since youve gotten to know the patients so well?. The Gerson Therapy requires a significant financial and lifestyle commitment. Coffee enemas as needed for pain and appetite. CONCLUSIONS: The 5-year survival rates reported here are considerably higher than those reported elsewhere. This may include cooked and raw vegetables, salad, and Hippocrates soup. The Gerson treatment for cancer is the original "metabolic therapy" of which there are now countless different varieties all claiming to cure various diseases by "detoxifying" the body and, in recent years by "boosting the immune system". However, highly restrictive diets are seldom recommended by doctors because of the risk of nutritional imbalances. A diagnosis of cancer can be devastating. Visit The Food Cureswebsite, watch the trailer and sign-up for updates! Filming them confirmed what I suspected from the beginning: that they have a mighty story to tell. I never knew how to respond to that question, because the truth is that it was neither very sad nor very tough. It can cost more than $15,000 to start and must be followed for a minimum of 2 years. Of 18 with stage IVA melanoma, 39% were alive at 5 years, compared with only 6% of 194 from the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group. The Gerson therapy has been used by some people to treat cancer and other diseases. One example is acupuncture. The loss of appetite often associated with cancer treatments clearly didnt seem to be a problem around here. Will the therapy be covered by health insurance? Survival impact of Gersons cancer therapy in stage IVB melanoma was not assessed. Surviving against all odds: analysis of 6 case studies of - PubMed An individual case evaluation is always recommended, and this directory will provide general information on conditions that have had success with the Gerson Therapy, conditions that are not safe, and conditions that require significant medical modifications to the protocol. This program involves a restricted diet and detoxification with multiple daily enemas. The follow-up was contact with patients by mail or phone and included anecdotal reports (incomplete descriptions of the medical and treatment histories of one or more patients). Dr. Gerson believed that aromatic acids interfered with the healing process. These Boards are made up of experts in cancer treatment and other specialties related to cancer. Six Courageous Cancer Patients. One Radical Choice - Gerson Institute MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. I first met Marie, one of the protagonists of my upcoming documentary The Food Cure, in the sunny courtyard of the licensed Gerson clinic in Mexico. adroll_pix_id = "BOEXIP7YQBCZLC4U5GPQ4X"; The Gerson Therapy: The Proven Nutritional Program to Fight Cancer and Free shipping for many products! Would you like to learn more? According to a panel of experts at a National Institutes of Health (NIH) meeting in November 1997, acupuncture has been found to help control nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy and pain related to surgery. What could be more important than getting the word out that FOOD CURES CANCER? Here is a list of foods you cannot eat on the Gerson Therapy: Spices and fruit such as pineapples and berries are prohibited because they contain aromatic acids, a plant compound. Alternative Cancer Treatments In Mexico|Gerson Therapy Hospital Mexico Stage-related 5-year survival rates for adult, Caucasian melanoma patients who used Gersons therapy are considerably higher than rates reported elsewhere in the melanoma literature. Please prove you are human by selecting the Tree. She told me that the weeks before arriving here had been the worst in her life. Green vegetables used in in the green juice Supporting the vigour of intestinal flora which helps with food digestion and protects against certain kinds of infection. Before starting the Gerson Therapy, you must apply on their website by submitting medical records, then undergoing a case evaluation to see if you are eligible. What is the Gerson Diet? The juice must be freshly made from organic fruits and vegetables and be taken once every hour. In stage IVA (any T, any N, M1-only), Gerson patients achieved a 39% 5-year survival rate (n = 18) which is considerably higher (.33 difference in means) than the 6% 5-year rate (n = 194) of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (2 = 19.3 with 1 degree freedom, P < 0.0001, Power = 0.997). As a subset of the NLM's PubMed bibliographic database, CAM on PubMed features more than 230,000 references and abstracts for CAM-related articles from scientific journals. When it comes to treating cancer, Gerson therapy requires some level of belief by the user base. However, it remains to be seen how effective this form of cancer treatment actually is. To my amazement, they kept returning to a big, colorful buffet and piling heaps of food on their plates first soup, then salad, then warm dishes, then desert. Gerson's theory was that cancer is caused by cell changes occurring due to processed food and environmental factors, low immunity, and an imbalance of sodium and potassium in the cells. In 1947 and 1959, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) reviewed Most of the published information on the use of the Gerson therapy reports on retrospective studies (reviews of past cases). A considerable number of patients with cancer have used or are using the Gerson therapy, an alleged anticancer metabolic diet. Peter Lechner and his colleagues, all of them surgeons, have been testing the Gerson method as an adjunct, often with chemotherapy or radiation, in 60 post-operative cancer patients, male and female, ranging in age from 23 to 74, and representing many different forms of cancer. The low success rates and the damage to vital organs that the chemo would cause shocked her, and after several torturous nights in which she endlessly weighed out the pros and cons in her head, Marie decided to cancel her appointments and try the Gerson Therapy instead. The Gerson therapy approach generally consists of: Thirteen glasses of raw green-leaf juices and carrot/apple juices per day, drinking one 8 ounce glass each hour. This is awesome! Want to use this content on your website or other digital platform? Learning how to transition your home and lifestyle can seem daunting, but with our special patient portal for Gerson patients, everything you need to succeed is in one place. The NCI Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine (OCCAM) coordinates the activities of the NCI in the area of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). The information provided on this website or through other communication outlets is educational in nature, and should not be used as a substitute for the counsel of an experienced medical professional. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/patient/gerson-pdq. Please comment if you know of anyone that is using this method to treat their cancer. Gerson therapy | Complementary and alternative therapy - Cancer Research UK The diet and supplements are meant to flush toxins out of your body, while detoxification is supposed to support your liver. U.S. residents may call the Cancer Information Service (CIS), NCI's contact center, toll free at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. The low success rates and the damage to vital organs that the chemo would cause shocked her, and after several torturous nights in which she endlessly weighed out the pros and cons in her head, Marie decided to cancel her appointments and try the Gerson Therapy instead. Dieters are required to do 1 coffee enema per 24 ounces (720 ml or 3 glasses) of juice consumed. Dieters are asked to drink up to one 8-ounce (240-ml) glass of raw juice per hour up to 13 times per day. Metabolism increased by thyroid; calorie supply limited to 2600-3200 calories per day. Trials are based on past studies and what has been learned in the laboratory. I dont have cancer (that I know of) thank the Lord but I do have an autoimmune disease and can well-empathize as I know just how these people might feel by their choice to go against convention which renders them so isolated from the day to day of our fast food & alcohol-oriented society. Additionally, in a case study, six people with aggressive cancers who followed the Gerson Therapy survived longer than expected from conventional treatments and experienced improved quality of life (3). I developed a deep respect for Marie and the other patients in my film over the next three years. What benefits can be expected from this therapy? Although this therapy is meant to treat a wide range of chronic diseases, the Institute mentions that certain conditions do not respond well to the Gerson Therapy. Donations to this project will go directly to the filmmakers, not to the Gerson Institute. Now that she was here, she attributed her well-being to a feeling of deep relief about her choice, as though somebody had given her back her organs and her life. MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. In the 1930's, Dr. Gersons therapy became known to the public as a treatment for a type of tuberculosis (TB). Neither the setting nor the patients attitudes correlated with my expectations. The Gerson Therapy was invented by Dr. Max B. Gerson in the early 1900s as a nutrition-based treatment system for chronic diseases, such as cancer. Main Outcome Measured. . I am very proud to be working on bringing you their stories. Some complementary and alternative therapies may affect their standard treatment or may be harmful when used with conventional treatment. The enemas contain coffee or chamomile tea, ostensibly used to remove toxins from the body. In stage IVA (any T, any N, M1-only), Gerson patients achieved a 39% 5-year survival rate (n = 18) which is considerably higher (.33 difference in means) than the 6% 5-year rate (n = 194) of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (2 = 19.3 with 1 degree freedom, P < 0.0001, Power = 0.997). (A subscription or other fee may be required to access full-text articles. Will the therapy affect conventional treatment? INTERVENTION: Gersons diet therapy: lactovegetarian; low sodium, fat and (temporarily) protein; high potassium, fluid, and nutrients (hourly raw vegetable/fruit juices). Gerson therapy is a type of alternative cancer treatment that requires the use of a specialized diet. Gerson therapy is a strict diet and supplement regimen that claims to improve health. The Gerson Therapy requires a significant financial and lifestyle commitment. Many people have recovered from illnesses using the Gerson Therapy, however many factors can impact whether an individual person will make a successful recovery. Intervention: Gerson's diet therapy: lactovegetarian; low sodium, fat and (temporarily) protein; high potassium, fluid, and nutrients (hourly raw . An organic diet and nutritional supplements are used to boost the immune system and support the body as the regimen cleans the body of toxins. Health care professionals who offer alternative cancer therapies submit their patients medical records and related materials to OCCAM. One of the studies reviewed had analyzed patients with pancreatic cancer. However, a user would be allowed to write a sentence such as NCIs PDQ cancer information summary about breast cancer prevention states the risks in the following way: [include excerpt from the summary].. Gerson Therapy: Separating fact from fiction - cancerdoctor.com ROCK ON, SARAH and CANCER FIGHTERS EVERYWHERE! Results. Publications available from the FTC include: If you would like to reproduce some or all of this content, see Reuse of NCI Information for guidance about copyright and permissions. It was developed in the early 1900s by Dr. Max B. Gerson, who used it to relieve his migraine. The Gerson Therapy diet helps restore the body to optimal functioning by: The accomplishment of these goals is done through the consumption of fresh, organic produce all year round comprising fruit and vegetable and fruit juices in addition to whole grains, cooked vegetables and whole fruits. This includes boosting the bodys natural immunity to fight cancer. It consists of a specialized diet to "detoxify" the body and rebuild the immune system, adding vitamin and mineral supplements to help in these processes. Free shipping on online purchases of $18.00, Written and transcribed by: The Gerson Institute. In most cases, patients are required to stay for a minimum of two weeks which is about the time it takes for the treatment to yield any significant impact on the body. Amazon.com: Customer reviews: The Gerson Therapy: The Proven According to Dr. Gerson, people with cancer also have too much sodium and too little potassium in the cells in their bodies, which causes tissue damage and weakened organs. There are a large number of cancer clinics in Mexico that provide treatment, but . 5-year survival rates were computed for melanoma patients treated with a nutrition-based cancer therapy developed by Max Bernard Gerson, M.D. Practitioners are of the opinion that the Gerson Therapy is ineffective if the dietary guidelines are not strictly followed or combined with guidelines of other nutritional healing programs. The PDQ database contains summaries of the latest published information on cancer prevention, detection, genetics, treatment, supportive care, and complementary and alternative medicine. Gerson Therapy treatment practitioners believe this two-stage process of juice extraction draws out more vitamins, essential enzymes, minerals and other vital nutrients that help with healing. These supplements include potassium, pancreatic enzymes, Lugols solution (potassium iodide and iodide in water), a thyroid hormone supplement, and vitamins B3 and B12.