The Gerson therapy requires that the many details of its treatment plan be followed exactly. PDQ Gerson Therapy. A 100% 5-year survival rate for stage I and II melanoma patients in the Gerson system (n = 14) compares favorably to the 79% 5-year rate found by Balch in a recent meta-analysis, but due to extremely low early-stage recruitment, the sample is far too small for statistical significance (2 = 2.56, P = 0.109). I am very proud to be working on bringing you their stories. summary The Gerson. It turns out that taking your health back into your own hands is not an easy matter. Whats more, they may cause serious bacterial infections, rectal burns, and even death (20, 21). The summaries are reviewed regularly and changes are made when there is new information. One popular alternative treatment method is the Gerson Therapy, a nutrition system that involves a specialized diet, raw juices, detoxification, and supplements. However, these studies are small and dont provide enough information about the participants, making it hard to tell if these improvements are due to the Gerson Therapy or other reasons. Dr. Max Gerson developed this in the 1930s as a metabolic therapy to cure chronic migraine. Hence, the present case review study of 6 patients with metastatic cancer who used the Gerson therapy aims a Additionally, since the diet discourages drinking plain water, dehydration may occur if you dont closely follow the recommendations to consume 1520 pounds (79 kg) of organic produce per day and drink raw juice every hour. What is the Gerson Diet? 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. The National Cancer Institute and the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) are sponsoring a number of clinical trials (research studies) at medical centers to test CAM therapies for use in cancer. Theoretically, this process would return the body to a healthier metabolic state. Most summaries come in two versions. The Gerson therapy has been used by some people to treat cancer and other diseases. CONCLUSIONS: The 5-year survival rates reported here are considerably higher than those reported elsewhere. Gerson therapy | Complementary and alternative therapy - Cancer Research UK The Gerson Therapy is highly restrictive, banning meat, sweets, fats/oils, many common hygiene products, and even drinking water. However, no scientific studies indicate that coffee enemas can widen your bile duct. Here are some potential benefits of the Gerson Therapy: While insufficient research has been conducted on the Gerson Therapy, its nutrient-rich, plant-based diet may provide several health benefits including a reduced risk of heart disease and healthier digestion. Almost all patients were from the U.S., while several came from other English speaking countries. The Gerson Therapy requires a significant financial and lifestyle commitment. The amount you would spend on the Gerson Therapy is significantly less than what it costs for chemotherapy and surgery. Understandably, lots of questions come up when looking into any treatment option. For most cancer patients, nutrition guidelines include eating a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain products. The information in this patient summary was taken from the health professional version, which is reviewed regularly and updated as needed, by the PDQ Integrative, Alternative, and Complementary Therapies Editorial Board. The Success Rate of Gerson Therapy - Coffee Enemas Using a two-stage juicing process is believed to produce the best results as it first grinds the vegetables and fruit, mixing the pulp together. People on the therapy must follow an organic, plant-based diet with raw juices, use coffee enemas several times daily for detoxification, and take a wide variety of supplements (1). Experts warn that taking too many enemas can be harmful.1 Cancer patients should, therefore, talk to their healthcare professionals about the appropriate diet, supplements, and frequency of enemas. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) facilitates research and evaluation of complementary and alternative practices, and provides information about a variety of approaches to health professionals and the public. The Gerson therapy is a complex regimen advocated by its supporters to treat cancer and other degenerative diseases. Results. Visuals Online is a collection of more than 3,000 scientific images. 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. Many people turn to home remedies to treat their cancer, colds, and autoimmune disorders, but some of these can cause more harm than good. There are 3 key parts to the therapy: The Gerson therapy was named after Dr. Max B. Gerson (1881-1959), who first used it to treat his migraine headaches. There is no substantial scientific evidence that Gerson therapy treats or cures any condition. Well be here to support you through each step. The PDQ database contains summaries of the latest published information on cancer prevention, detection, genetics, treatment, supportive care, and complementary and alternative medicine. In contrast to the subdued atmosphere I knew from hospital oncology wards, the people sauntering around this place looked like a bunch of international vacationers and retirees. The patients taught me a lot about the choices we make. Gerson therapy and diet are not approved by the FDA in the United States as a treatment for cancer or any other medical condition. An Austrian study with a diet similar to the Gerson diet found that it reduced side effects and improved survival in cancer patients. I never felt like I was doing a film about cancer or dying. Severe electrolyte imbalance has been linked to heart failure and can be fatal (22, 23). However, these claims have not been validated by a third party. He treated several different types of cancer in his practice. The Gerson Research Organization a research group that works closely with the Gerson Institute reported that 153 people with skin cancer on the Gerson Therapy survived much longer than patients on conventional therapy (2). Click Here For Your Free Doctor's Consultation!. Once his patients started the Gerson Therapy diet which is high in potassium and low in sodium their cells would reportedly shrink, which Gerson believed to be a sign of recovery (1). Some chose a protocol very similar to Gerson, and some chose . In 1983-1984, a retrospective study of 38 patients treated with the Gerson therapy was done. The Story of the Controversial Gerson Therapy for Cancer (with Dr PDQ is a registered trademark. And what do experts say about the safety and efficacy of Gerson Therapy? 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. After trying to be a good patient, she eventually disobeyed and read up on the treatment. This will help them manage your care and keep you safe. Symptoms include: Some Gerson practitioners encourage people to stop or delay conventional cancer treatment while undergoing Gerson therapy, but this creates a risk of cancer advancing and becoming more difficult to treat. adroll_current_page = "other"; Many of them had already been through years of conventional treatments and considered this place to be their very last chance. The entire theory behind this treatment lies in the assumption that toxins are the cause of disease and cancer. 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. On the contrary, there were times when she felt that many of the things she loved most had been taken from her: traveling, having coffee with friends, going out to dinner with her husband, drinking a glass of wine while watching a moviealmost everything that rendered everyday life enjoyable was gone. There is little scientific evidence that supports Gerson's claims, though. The loss of appetite often associated with cancer treatments clearly didnt seem to be a problem around here. The Gerson therapy was later used to treat other conditions, including cancer. at the National Institutes of Health, An official website of the United States government, Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM), Questions and Answers About the Gerson Therapy, Questions to Ask Your Health Care Provider About CAM, PDQ Integrative, Alternative, and Complementary Therapies Editorial Board, https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/patient/gerson-pdq, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, The key parts of the Gerson therapy are a strict, The Gerson therapy requires that the many details of its treatment plan be followed exactly (see, Taking too many enemas of any kind can be harmful (see. NCCIH and the NIH National Library of Medicine (NLM) jointly developed CAM on PubMed, a free and easy-to-use search tool for finding CAM-related journal citations. Clinics licensed to provide Gerson Therapy to cancer patients charge around $5,500 per week. Dieters are asked to drink up to one 8-ounce (240-ml) glass of raw juice per hour up to 13 times per day. Would you like to learn more? They were my inspiration to keep going whenever I had doubts about my film. It is based on the role of minerals, enzymes, and other dietary factors. Comparison of 5-year survival rates for all T4b, N1, and N2 (stages IIIA + IIIB) patients of the Fachklinik Hornheide (41%, n = 134) with those of CHIPSA (70%, n = 33) reveals a 71% greater (.29 difference in means) survival advantage (2 = 7.62 with 1 degree freedom, P = 0.006, Power = 0.802). How It Works Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. It is with great . These outcomes suggest a possible direction for broader clinical investigations. A retrospective study found patients with stage III and stage IV melanoma lived longer after treatment with Gerson therapy. The Gerson Therapy bans foods that are high in protein, sodium, and fat. Why should you inquire about cancer treatment centers? Foods low in sodium and high in potassium are said to help correct the tissue damage caused by having too much sodium in the cells. To support your liver, the Gerson Therapy incorporates coffee enemas that allegedly widen your livers bile duct so that it easily releases toxins. Please give us a call to get answers to any questions you have about this page or anything else that you read. Do All Breast Cancer Patients Benefit From Chemotherapy? The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces consumer protection laws. Below, you'll read about survival rate. There are a large number of cancer clinics in Mexico that provide treatment, but . There is one study that shows Gerson therapy to be an effective form of treatment for more than half of the cancer patients tested, but this study has been proven flawed over time. Dr. Gerson published case studies of patients he treated during his lifetime, but researchers at the National Cancer Institute reviewed those case studies in1947 and 1959 and determined that there was no evidence that the Gerson regimen had any particular benefit. A Gerson Basics online program is available that makes comprehensive information easily accessible to cancer patients. Please prove you are human by selecting the Cup. Gerson Therapy (PDQ)-Patient Version - Comprehensive Cancer Information Male and female survival rates were identical for stages I-IIIB, but stage IVA women had a strong survival advantage. The Gerson Therapy requires a significant financial and lifestyle commitment. Over 1,500 backers contributed to a crowd-funding campaign on Kickstarter to help us complete this film independently. Its a story that could have repercussions for all of us and that is likely to change the way we view many things, from the food on our tables to the search for a cancer cure and the way modern medicine handles degenerative disease.