Gerson Therapy

by National Cancer Institute

The Gerson therapy is a complex regimen that has been used to treat cancer and other diseases.

In 1947, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) reviewed the cases of 10 patients treated by Dr. Max B. Gerson. The patients were also receiving other anticancer treatments, however, and it was not proven that changes in the patients' conditions were due to the Gerson therapy or another treatment. The NCI has not made any other reviews of Dr. Gerson's therapy.

Patients should talk with their health care providers about an appropriate diet to follow.

Questions and Answers About the Gerson Therapy

1. What is the Gerson therapy?

The Gerson therapy has been used by some people to treat cancer and other diseases. It is based on the role of minerals, enzymes, hormones, and other dietary factors. There are 3 key parts to the therapy:

Diet: Organic fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to give the body plenty of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and other nutrients.

Detoxification: Treatments to remove toxic (harmful) substances from the body.

Supplementation: The addition of certain substances to the diet, mainly to increase metabolism.

2. What is the history of the discovery and use of the Gerson therapy as a complementary or alternative treatment for cancer?

The Gerson therapy was named after Dr. Max B. Gerson, who first used it to treat his migraine headaches. In the 1930's, Dr. Gerson's therapy became known to the public as a treatment for a type of tuberculosis (TB). The Gerson therapy was later used to treat other conditions, including cancer.

3. How is the Gerson therapy administered?

The Gerson therapy requires that the many details of its treatment plan be followed exactly. Some key parts of the regimen include the following:

Drinking 13 glasses of juice a day. The juice must come from organic fruits and vegetables and be taken once every hour within 15 minutes of being made. Eating vegetarian meals of organically grown fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Taking a number of supplements, including an iodine solution called Lugol's iodine, vitamin B 12, potassium, thyroid hormone, a crude liver extract with B12 (taken by injection), and pancreatic enzymes.

Taking enemas regularly, including coffee or chamomile enemas, to remove toxins from the body.

Preparing food without salt, spices, and aluminum cookware or utensils.

4. Has research been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the Gerson therapy?

In 1946, Dr. Gerson told Congress that about 30% (3 out of 10) of the cancer patients treated with his therapy had a good response. In 1947, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) reviewed the cases of 10 patients treated by Dr. Gerson. The patients were also receiving other anticancer treatments, however, and it was not proven that changes in the patients' conditions were due to the Gerson therapy or another treatment. The NCI has not made any other reviews of Dr. Gerson's therapy.

5. What are the recommendations for diet for cancer patients?

For most cancer patients, nutrition guidelines include eating a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain products. However, general guidelines such as these may have to be changed to meet the specific needs of an individual patient. Patients should talk with their health care providers about an appropriate diet to follow. Information about diet during cancer treatment is also available from the Cancer Information Service (1-800-4-CANCER [TTY: 1-800-332-8615]).

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