Max Gerson was an American physician of German origin and the creator of the alternative cancer therapy that bears his name, built around changes in diet. Dr Gerson first used his method to treat tuberculosis and migraine, and later other degenerative conditions, acute and chronic, that had long been considered incurable.
Gerson described his approach in the book A Cancer Therapy: Results of Fifty Cases, published in 1958 and reprinted many times since. It appeared in Bulgarian in 2016, published by KIBEA.
The author describes his scientific search and argues for viewing the sick organism as a whole, in contrast to the widespread approach of focusing treatment solely on the affected organ. He emphasises the importance of a properly functioning liver for a person's overall healthy metabolism, and explains how the therapy works in chronic degenerative disease by clearing the accumulated harmful substances and poisons from the body and so activating its own healing mechanisms.
The book includes a detailed explanation of Dr Gerson's theory, supported by the research of his time, together with descriptions of the therapy in practice. In support of the author's arguments, fifty documented clinical cases of cancer patients are presented, followed during their stay at Dr Gerson's clinic and, in a number of cases, after their discharge.
After 30 years of clinical work he drew — and consistently defended — conclusions that were radical for the ideas of his day:
- Diet has a significant effect in almost all illness.
- The human body can heal itself, provided it has the right nutrients.
- Any effective treatment of degenerative disease must treat the person as a whole.
- People with serious illness must help their body clear itself of toxins.
The Gerson therapy uses a whole-body approach that strengthens the immune system and other defence mechanisms.
Metabolism is stimulated by adding natural thyroid hormone, potassium and other supplements, and by avoiding heavy animal fats, excess protein, sodium and other toxins.
With plentiful high-quality nutrients, increased oxygen supply, detoxification and improved metabolism, the cells — and through them the body — are given the chance to regenerate and heal.
Components of the therapy
Diet
The Gerson diet is naturally high in vitamins, minerals, enzymes and micronutrients, low in sodium and fat, and rich in fluids.
Juices
The therapy floods the body with the nutrients of nearly 10 kg of organically grown fruit and vegetables a day, most of which are used to make fresh raw juice. Patients with degenerative disease almost always have difficulty digesting and absorbing food properly. That digestive weakness is also why many patients cannot absorb vitamins and minerals from tablets and capsules.
Detoxification
Degenerative disease gradually leaves the body unable to clear excess toxins in time. The Gerson therapy uses intensive detoxification to eliminate waste, regenerate the liver, reactivate the immune system and restore the enzyme, mineral and hormonal systems. Coffee enemas help the liver detoxify the tissues and the blood. Detoxification also helps eliminate tumours and other dead tissue more quickly once the body has broken them down. In addition, digestive enzymes serve both to absorb nutrients and to help eliminate damaged tissue.
Medicines and supplements
All are made from natural derivatives, among them:
- potassium salt solution
- Lugol's solution (iodine)
- thyroid hormone
- vitamin B12
- niacin
Rest
Because the body is working so hard to detoxify and heal, people on the Gerson therapy need a great deal of rest. If patients overexert themselves, it can undermine the healing process. Rest, rest and more rest are essential.
For their part, the American Medical Association and the American Cancer Society categorically reject the idea that diet can influence the prevention or treatment of cancer, and denounce the Gerson therapy as ineffective and dangerous.
Despite the large number of patients said to have recovered from late-stage cancer and the corresponding detailed documentation of their cases, the authorities continue to deny the validity of the Gerson therapy. There are two possible reasons: either science is unable to explain why the therapy reverses the course of various chronic and infectious conditions, or the financial interests of the pharmaceutical giants are at stake.
This article describes a historical method and the debate around it. It is not medical advice and does not replace consultation with a doctor.
Products from the Chinese company New Era suited to detoxification and cellular nourishment:
- Pine pollen
- Bamboo of Health
- Pine pollen with xylooligosaccharides — for cleansing the intestinal tract
Sources: Wikipedia · gerson.org
Photo by Dan Gold on Unsplash.
