Gerson therapy

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for medical treatment. Please consult your oncologist before trying any complementary therapy.

When the body’s inherent system to regulate cell growth goes off track, a cancer is born. Ideally, human body has an inbuilt mechanism to monitor the cell growth. There is no reliable evidence that Gerson therapy treats cancer (National Cancer Institute, Cancer Research UK). Coffee enemas can cause serious harm, including infections and dangerous salt imbalances.

Gerson Therapy and Cancer

According to this principle, cancer thrives when there is an imbalance between sodium and potassium in the body.

There are various ways in which Gerson Therapy strives to restore this balance. Originally developed in 1920 by Max Gerson, a German doctor, the technique employees three core components:

1. Drinking a glass of fruit/vegetable juice every hour, 13 times a day
2. Consuming coffee/ castor oil enemas
3. Supplementing the diet with potassium, Vitamin B12, thyroid supplements and pancreatic enzymes.

Gerson therapy is not proven to treat cancer, and enemas can be harmful, causing dehydration, infections and dangerous electrolyte imbalances.

Adhering to this therapy involves strict discipline in following a demanding diet; please talk to your oncologist first. To make it easier for cancer patients, there are Gerson therapy centres that take it upon themselves to monitor the diet and provide the patient with supplements. These centres usually provide psychological relief and a calming environment to the patients.

References & More Information

1. Credit: Beyond Conventional Care Therapies
2. ZenOnco.io Integrative Oncology Cancer Care
3. Helen Cooke, Helen Seers, CAM-Cancer Consortium. Gerson therapy [online document]. 
4. Cancer Research UK 
5. Lerner M. The Gerson Diet—A Radical Anticancer Therapy, in Choices In Healing: Integrating the Best of Conventional and Complementary Approaches to Cancer
6. National Cancer Institute: Gerson Therapy (PDQ®)—Health Professional Version
7. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Gerson Regimen
8. Moss Reports (purchase required): description of the Gerson regimen as well as a description and evaluation of several clinics offering the Gerson Regimen