Do we know what fruits and vegetables may best be combined or are
incompatible? Our observation is that almo st all of plant produce is
compatible, although Dr. Gerson urged the use of specific combinations of
carrot and apple, carrot only, and juice made from various greens. Avoid
other juiced produce. At which section of one’s gastrointestinal tract is juice absorption
best? The entire length of the intestin al tract (23 feet or 7 meters from the
top opening of the stomach to the anus) goes to work on enzymes in juices
and takes them into the bloodstream. But not too much nutrient absorption
takes place in the stomach, lar ge intestine, and rectum. Is there a “vital force” taken into the body from juice drinking? It’s
strictly our opinion, but we say “Yes!” The live enzymes in vegetables and
fruits may be absorbed into the physical, mental, and spiritual self and
probably do invigorate one’ s soul. At least, we hope so. Are the kidneys flushed more effectively if the recommended juices
are consumed? Yes, physiological testing has shown that juice enzymes are
cleansing agent s—sometimes truly diuretic in nature. You can test this
concept yourself by juicing large, white asparagus and drinking the product.Drinking celery  juice is nearly as good a diuretic too. By drinking juices
like these, you’l l then urinate a lot, resulting in well-flushed kidneys and a
swabbed-out urinary tract. As stated, we do possess some opinions that come from our observations
or good scientifically based answers for questions you may put forth, but
not for all such questions. SOME PERSONAL  RULES ABOUT  JUICING
Now we offer a bit of knowledge for you to assimilate. Since the
therapeutic enzymes in freshly  produced plant juices do oxidize out of
existence and into free radical destruction by exposure to the oxygen in air
for any prolonged period, we must offer two parts of one definite rule to
follow . Although compromises may be inevitable, the ensuing two-part rule
comes from representatives who offer telephone advice when you call for it
at the Gerson Institute:
1. If at all possible , try to freshly prepare each of your 8-ounce glasses of
juice and drink them down immediately . This is especially important for
the very ill patient. 2. In the morning, do not prepare all juices for drinking during the day in
order to store them for later use, because before the day’s end you’ll
probably be swallowing deficient juice with many nutrients missing. TYPES OF  JUICING  DEVICES
Partly on an intuitive belief but mostly observing results in his patients,
Dr. Gers on presumed that the method of juice extraction decidedly affected
the conc entration of nutrients his patients took into their bodies. Forty years
after his death, we know from analyses of juices produced by each type of
juicing device that some machines are better than others for the production
of quality drinking liquids. Also , the clinical results experienced by patients
using each type of juicer provide further support for Dr. Gerson’ s original
presumptions. Although there are six types of juicers manufactured, which  we will
describe briefly , our preference focuses on one particular product type. Wewill cite the lesser machines first and move on to the best kind to use for the
Gerson Therapy program—discussed near the end of this section. Below are descriptions of the forms of juicing mechanisms which do
produce vegetab le and fruit juices but, compared to the sixth one that we
prefer , a few of them hardly provide anything really drinkable in acceptable
qualities and quantities. 1. Masticating Juicers
Masticators, as the term describes, chew up the vegetables or fruits and
extract their juices in one step. The juice quality is fairly good, but the
amount of vegetable or fruit pulp remaining is excessive with some of the
plant enzymes being left behind in so much pulp. While the juice produced
by mast icators is richer in nutrients than that from centrifugal juicers (see
below), it is less nourishing than what’ s acquired from the type of triturator
or grinde r/press that we prefer (see the sixth device to be described). Also, a
masticating juicer heats up inside its grinding chamber , which tends to
damage the enzymatic quality of the resulting juice. Manufactured brands
of masticating juicers include the Champion@, the Green Power®, and the
Royal®. Their prices are moderate and range between U.S.$225 and
U.S.$700. 2. Centrifugal Juicers
By far the most common and least expensive of the juice extractors,
centrifugal juicers are also the least desirable for fulfilling requir ements of a
patient on the Gerson Therapy . A centrifugal juicer works by pushing the vegetable or fruit part against a
rotating disk whose teeth reduce it to pulp. Centrifugal force then throws
the plant pulp against a basket screen through which the juice is strained,
while the pulp remains behind. Such a mechanism sounds just right, but
there are problems with the centrifugal procedure. a. The produce does not get ground finely enough, particularly in the
green leafy sort of vegetable. b. The centrifugal force is less effective than the pressing action of other
juicers in extracting juice. Such inadequate pressing causes minerals andphytochemicals in the pulp to remain in the pulp; thus, the juice that’s
rendered is lower in healing enzymes and other nutrients. c. Dr. Gerson said about centrifugal juicers, “When the grinding wheel
rotates against a resistance with insuf ficient access of air, positive
electricity is produced and induces negative electricity on the
surrounding wall. The exchange of positive and negative [ions] kills the
oxidizing enzym es and renders the juice deficient.” He went on to say
that his patients who utilized centrifugal juicers did not experience
healing successes with their self-administration of his therapy .3
Among the centrifugal juicers, those with a vertical-wall baske t such as
the original Acme Juicerator® (which may no longer be manufactured)
presents an enzyme deficiency problem. In contrast, centrifugal juicers with
angled-wall juicer baskets (currently popular because of vast amounts of
promotion and advertising) such as those found in the Juiceman®, the
Braun®, the Hamilton-Beach®, and others don’t have such a serious
problem. Even so, centrifugal juicers offer an overall lack of nutrients and a
reduced quantity of juice when compared with other types. As with the
masticator juice machines, the centrifugal types are moderately priced. 3. Wheatgrass Juicers
Being small and highly specialized devices, wheatgrass juicers are
designed specifically to extract the chlorophyll-laden juice of wheatgrass. The Gerson Therapy does not use wheatgrass inasmuch as most patients
find it to be extremely harsh for assimilation by the stomach. Besides, the
desirable components in wheatgrass are already found in the Gerson green
leaf juice, which is recommended for ingestion two to four times every day
and is much easier on the digestive tract. 4. Citrus Juicers
Used for orange or grapefruit juicing exclusively , a citrus juice apparatus
is a reamer -type device that cannot be used for any other type of fruit or
vegetable. One should never use a citrus juicer that presses the skin. Dr.
Gerson believed that citrus was the least important juice for achieving a
therapeutic effect and added it primarily for the patient’ s convenience as astart to his or her day. Spurred by the media hype of the Florida and
California orange juice industrie s (remember O. J. Simpson and the slogan
his former fans called out to him: “Juice! Juice! Juice!”), many people drink
orange juice as their first act in the morning. Even so, orange juice has been described by nutritionists as bringing on
too much mucus formation when large quantities are consumed. In our
opinion, it may be better for you to replace grapefruit and orange juices
with either apple juice or carrot  juice. Citrus juices should not be used by
patients suffering from collagen diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or
lupus erythematosus. 5. Blender/Liquefiers
Certain liquefyi ng machines like the Vita-Mix® Total Nutrition  Center
are powerful blenders and not really juicers at all. They grind the produce
into a fine pulp, but they don’t extract its juice. Since there is no reduction
of bulk with a blender/liquefier , to derive the nutrients equivalent to those in
104 ounces of freshly produced organic plant juice, a person would need to
ingest an alarming quantity of produce. According to our calculations, it
would amount to at least 6 poun ds of carrots, 8 pounds of apples, and four
heads of lettuce every day, in addition to eating three regular meals. That’ s
much too much bulk food for anyone to take into one’s digestive tract in a
twenty-four -hour period, especially very ill people with little appetite and
disturbed digestive systems. Yet any juicer is better than no juicer at all. Even the less effective type
of juice machine will furnish more nutrients than might be consumed in the
equivalent quantity of produce. But don’t let price be the governing factor in choosing your juicing
device. At the Gerson Institute, observations have repeatedly been made
that some patients rigorously following the Gerson Therapy by use of a
lower -cost centrifugal juicer have failed to experience either reductions in
tumor masses or healing reactions even after many weeks on the program. However , when they switched to the grinder/press juicer we’re about to
describe, their healing reactions occurred rapidly , and many saw dramatic
improvements in their conditions. Be advised, therefore, that the choice of
an appropriate juicer may be a life-or -death matter .Among the various kinds of juice machines marketed today , we prefer
only a couple of brands coming from the one particular extractor type to
which we have alluded. W e’ll now discuss this sixth kind of juicer . 6. The T riturator (Grinder)/Pr ess Combination
Possessing a grinder or triturato r for turning vegetables and fruits into a
fine, juicy pulp and a hydrauli c press for extracting the juice ’s enzymes
from this pulp, the particular juicer—a triturator (grinder)/press
combination machine—is the most acceptable choice for people suffering
from serious degenerative disea ses, especially for cancer patients. It is the
juicer type of our preference. After grinding (the definition of “trituration”),
juice is extracted  from vegetable or fruit pulp by being squeezed under high
pressure of as much as 2,000 pounds per square inch (PSI). Dr. Gerson recommended this type of machine above all others and
suggested to his patients that they mix the pulp of different vegetables or
fruits together thoroughly before pressing to enhance the extraction of
certain nutrients . Such a course of action is possible only with a juicer that
separates the grinding and pressing functions. Research indicates that Dr.
Gerson’ s selection of a grinder (triturator)/press type of machine produces
as much as fifty times higher amounts of certain essential nutrients such as
the lycopene in ripe tomatoes or the proanthocyanidin in the seed
membranes of grapes, both of which have proven anticancer qualities. Taken from a triturator/press type of device, the vegetable or fruit juice is
much fuller -bodied than that produced by other kinds of juicers. Moreover ,
it is free of pulp and furnishes about a 35 percent greater quan tity of juice
from the same amount of raw produce that might have been put through
other juicing machines. Green leafy vegetables offer up even more quantity
when processed by a triturator (grinder)/press extractor . You can see that we
favor such a juicing device over others, and, in fact, both autho rs own and
use this type of machine many times daily . But the triturator (grinder)/pres s extractor is expensive. And only two
manufacturers produce it, the Norwalk® Juicer Sales and Service Company
and the K & K Company . Accor ding to the model chosen, prices  for the two
kinds of triturato r (grinder)/pres s extractor are the most expensive of all the
juicers. They range in retail cost from U.S.$800 to U.S.$2,0 95. From asurvey we conducted, no less than four out of every five Gerson Therapy
patients have chosen to invest in a triturator (grinder)/press extractor for
participating in their self-administration of personal treatments or for
merely enjoying the deliciousness of freshly squeezed organic vegetable
and fruit juices. When considering your investment in a juicer , therefore, know that the
higher -priced triturator (grinder)/press machine produces more  juice from
less produce than other types and most likely offers greater value in the
long run. Given the quantity of produce used by an individual on the
Gerson Therapy , the more expensive juicer will, in our judgme nt, probably
pay for itself in less than a year . HOW T O JUICE WITHOUT  UNDERGOING A  NERVOUS BREAKDOWN
Whatever the juicing apparatus one uses, to produce vario us juices
without under going a nervous breakdown, particularly during the beginning
weeks of the Gerson Therapy program, we have some helpful hints to of fer. The patient or the patient’ s support person will be spending three to five
hours of each waking day in front of the juicer producing the healing liquids
that impart nourishment to body parts, tissues, and cells which  have been
lacking them. (That’ s one of the reasons the patient’ s immune system is
performing in a lesser manner than it’s supposed to.) So, here is our series
of what we anticipate will be helpful suggestions:
• Place the machine in a location that’s pleasant to view—in front of a
picture window , next to the sound of music, close to favorite
photographs, and so on. • Since wash water for the juicer will be required regularly , have the
machine’ s location be near the sink. • Because the juice goes in unde sirable directions on occasion, it’s a good
practice to place the device on a large cafeteria tray to save your
countertop from excessive washing. • It’s not uncom mon for vegetable pulp (especially carrots and green
leafy items) to end up on the ceiling—especially during the first weeks of
the juicing regimen. But this occurrence may be minimized by holding
the flat of your hand over the open-mouth tube into which the produce isfed. Without letting your fingers get ground with the vegetables, this
action will stop produce splatters and feedback. • Wear a lar ge apron to protect your clothing from such splatters too. • Figure  in advance how many carrots, apples, greens, peppers, chard, red
cabbage, and other produce will be required for each day’s juicing. Then
scrub and wash them in advance, cut them into smaller pieces, and bag
them in suf ficient quantity for each session of juicing. • Consider making your clothes washer into a giant “salad spinner” by
putting greens for the day into a mesh bag and running them through the
“damp dry” cycle on the washer for twenty seconds to get rid of the
excess water . • Use small pillowcases wrapped inside a large garbage bag to hold all of
the day’ s greens and keep them from getting limp before use. • Purchase vegetables and fruits several times each week to ensure their
freshness. Don’ t let them sit around for an entire week before they are
turned into juice. This suggestion relates to green leafy items in
particular . Still, you may need a second refrigerator . • Of course, acquire only organically grown produce, and at all costs
avoid plant life that’s come in contact with chemicals such as pesticides
and herbicides. Chemicals on fruits and vegetables are a major reason
that degenerative diseases of all types cause disability and death. Degenerations are known to some members of every family in the form
of pathological symptoms. • Inasmuch as some organic produce becomes unavailable when it goes
out of season (such as apples), it’s advantageous to arrange in advance
with your produ ce distributor for you or the support person to buy and
pay for a couple  of months’ supply (but greens won’ t keep), to be held in
the distributor ’s cooler until needed by the patient. • If you can afford it, install your own walk-in cooler for the advance
storage of out-of-season produce. • After each juicing, try to disassemble the machine and wash its separate
parts. It’s tempting to do this after every third or fourth juicin g, but be
aware that bacteria or other unwelcome microor ganisms may lodge on
the food debris. • Use of a sink disposal unit and a sink sprayer hose makes it easier to
clean the juicing apparatus.• For a press-type juicer such as the Norwalk®, rinse off pulp from the
pressing cloths, wring them out, place in Ziploc® bags, and store them in
the freezer . Such an action keeps them microor ganism-free. • Once a week, boil the pressing cloths in purified water . • If, after some time, the juice taste is “off” or “pulp explosio ns” occur
too frequently , the fault probabl y will lie with overused cloths. It’s time
to replace them because the cloths’ pores become clogged with fibers
from the pulped juice. • If work or travel make it difficult to produce fresh juices durin g the day,
here is the procedure to follow . Acquire a glass-lined or stain less steel
vacuum bottle (Thermos®) and fill it with juice completely to avoid
excess air exposure. Avoid storing green juices, but carrot/ apple juice
may be stored. From our obser vations over a quarter of a century of advising on the
Gerson Therapy , we’ve arrive d at some insights. A main one is that
degenerative disease patients who make and consume juices throughout the
day have a higher rate of healin g success than those people who regularly
prepare juices several hours in advance of drinking them. Numbers of recipes have been devised by exponents of the Gerson
Therapy juicing program. Patients and other supporters of the Gerson
Institute have created various formulations for juice combinations. For
instance, there are recipes for carrot/apple juice, carrot juice by itself, citrus
juice, green leaf juice, and many  additional ones. Most of these  recipes are
presented in chapter 22. Our final suggestion is to check out this last
chapter of our book and use its recipes to your advantage. References for Chapter Nine
1
Winter, R. A Consumer ’s Dictionary of Medi cines: Prescription, Over -
the-Counter , and Herbal, plus Medical Definitions. New York: Crown
Trade Paperbacks, 1993, p. 343. 2
The Gerson Institute. Gerson Therapy Practitioner ’s Training Seminar
Workbook . Chula V ista, Calif.: The Gerson Institute, 1996, pp. 17, 18. 3Ibid., p. 19. OceanofPDF .comChapter Ten
THE GERSON SAL TLESS DIET
In April 1997, Celia Collins, aged fifty-eight, a professional puppeteer ,
arrived at the Gerson clinic in Sedona, Arizona (now closed), diagnosed
with breast cancer . Her pathology was described in medical records she had
brought with her as “an infiltrating ductal carcinoma (closed mar gins) of the
right breast 1.5 centimeters in diameter and involving three lymph nodes.”
The tumor was classified by the woman’ s oncologist as stage II cancer at
grade III (most aggressive) and non-estrogen-receptive. In April 1997, the
computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan that Mrs. Collins had
under gone also showed some areas that doctors declared they needed to
“watch” on her liver and lung. She chose to receive a lumpectomy breast procedure, after which the
attending oncologist recommended that six months of chemotherapy be
carried out. But her breast surgeon did not agree. He said that in his
experience such a series of toxic chemical treatments had neve r prolonged
anyone’ s life and he would not suggest that she accept chemotherapy . The
oncologist also wanted Mrs. Collins to take seven weeks of radiation
therapy with some extra radiation “swats” for the closed margins. The
breast sur geon did not express enthusiasm for radiotherapy either . “I was staggere d by being confronted with the oncologist’ s negative
choices. They just did not add up and so I began to look for some options. I
selected the Gerson Therapy rather than accept the chemo and radiation,”
Mrs. Collins stated for publication. (To see this former cancer patient, you
may view her photograph on the facing page).Celia Collins
She was intrigue d with Dr. Gers on’s saltless diet, for the woma n had for
years suspected that most of us take in too much salt by excessive
seasoning. And she often experienced cellular edema (swellin g) from the
sodium chloride added to foods. So Mrs. Collins thought she would adapt
well to the Gerson therapeu tic saltless eating program. Thus, she
immediately embarked on the full menu plan of the Gerson Therapy . “The decision made, my daughter and I took off for the Gerson  Healing
Center in Sedona where we involved ourselves in the healing atmosphere. It
was so refreshing and invigorating. Everyone was exceedingly positive,
happy , and encouraging, even the cleaning lady. The care, the wonderful
saltless food, the other patients and staff... were all special and good. As a
result, my healing took place swiftly . I underwent another CAT scan in
September 1997 , after being on the Gerson Therapy for six months, and all
of the scans were reported as clear of cancer—my lesions are gone. And it’sofficial from my breast surgeon too, who additionally reported on my
diagnostic tests. He said that I am free of cancer without havin g taken any
chemotherapy or radiation,” said Celia Collins. “I’m so happy!”
WHY THERE  IS NEED OF A  SALTLESS  DIET
A main therapeutic concept put forth by Dr. Max Gerson is that elevating
the cancer patient’ s potassium level while restricting sodium in the diet acts
against tumor formation.1 Dr. Gerson was a strong exponent of eating a
saltless diet to eliminate the retained sodium (chemical symbol Na),
chloride (indicated as Cl), and water (H20), together with toxins and
poisons from the tissues all over the body . Dr. Gerson wrote that NaCl (salt)
excretion increa ses in tuberculosis, cancer , and other chronic diseases after
two to three days on a saltless diet. This increased salt excretion stays at the higher level for up to two
weeks, when it drops to norma l on the saltless diet. Sometime s purgative
flare-ups in the form of nausea , diarrhea, and nervous disturbances occur . They have been identified as “healing reactions” by the Gerson Institute. Such reactions come from greater bile secretion and stimulation of the
visceral nervou s system. After each flare-up, the reacting patients feel
easier and improve both physically and mentally .2
Freeman Cope, M.D., writing in the peer-reviewed journal Physiological
Chemistry and Physics,  said: “The high potassium, low sodium diet of the
Gerson Therapy  has been observed experimentally to cure many cases of
advanced cancer  in man, but the reason was not clear . Recent studies [this
was in 1978] from the laboratory of Dr. F G. Ling and associa tes indicate
that high potassium, low sodium environments can partially return damaged
cell proteins to their normal undamaged configuration. Therefore, the
damage in other tissues, indicated by toxins and breakdown products from
the cancer, is probably partly repaired by the Gerson Therapy through this
mechanism.”3
Much more needs to be explained about ingesting no salt and adding
potassium, sodium’ s mineral antagonist. We discuss potassium below . Not
only does elevated blood pressure improve from high potassium usage and
reduced sodium intake, but the saltless diet is responsible for reversing both
acute and chronic illnesses of all types such as arthritis, diabetes, multiplesclerosis, cardio vascular diseas e, autoimmune diseases, chronic fatigue
syndrome, and many others. In fact, each of the fifty-two disorders listed in
this book which react positively to Dr. Gerson’ s dietary program,
exemplified by patient case histories, respond exceedingly well to avoiding
the ingestion of salt. T oo much sodium consumption can be a killer! ALBER T SCHWEITER  SAYS THE  WHITE MAN’S SALTED DIET HARMS  BLACK
AFRICANS
In 1954, the much heralded humanitarian, concert organist, medical
missionary and Nobel laureate Professor Dr. Albert Schweitzer , M.D.,
wrote that the black Africans residing all around the area of his Lambaréné
hospital in Gabon, French Equatorial Africa, had been altering their dietary
practices and adapting to the salted diet of white people. Dr. Schweitzer ’s
medical efforts on their behalf were being made more difficult because of
the people’ s elevated salt intake. “Many natives, especially those who are living in larger communities, do
not now live the same way as formerly—they lived almost exclusively on
fruits and vegetables, bananas, cassava, ignam, taro, sweet potatoes and
other fruits. They now have begu n to live on condensed milk, canned butter ,
meat-and-fish [salted] preserves and bread,” Dr. Schweitzer wrote. He
traced the appearance of cancer , appendicitis, and other degenerative
diseases among black Africans to this dietary change.4
“Based upon my own experience, going back to 1913, I can say, if cancer
occurred at all [then], it was very rare but that it has become more frequent
since.... It is obvious to connect the fact of increase of cancer with the
increased use of salt by the nativ es,” the Nobel laureate continued. “For the
past forty years,  practical experience was gathered about the effects of salt
limitation upon diseases of the kidneys. It was shown just here that radical
limitation of salt intake, which corresponds to the usual saltless nutrition,
decreases the burden on the [black Africans’] diseased kidneys. As soon as
the diseased kidneys are not over-irritated and over-burde ned by the
excessive intake of chlorides in nutrition, they recover in an amazingly
short time and . . . eliminate more NaCl on a saltless diet than on the salt-
rich diet!”When salt is removed, howeve r, need something else be substituted? Some nutritional supplements, especially potassium, are in order . While the
composition of all nutritional supplements used as part of the Gerson
Therapy is the subject of our chapter 11, potassium’ s efficacy is discussed
immediately below . THE USEFULNESS OF  POTASSIUM FOR  HUMAN  METABOLISM
Potassium (chem ical symbol K) is a mineral element needed by all plants
and anim als to live and thrive. It is the essential mineral required within all
tissues and cells in the body for normal smooth function and for all their
activities. Since it is required in the cells, not in the fluids, it is referred to as
the “inte rcellular” mineral. Potassium is contained in all foods, particularly
in fruits , vegetables, and whole grains. Animal sources, such as fish and
meat, also contain potassium, but the plant-based material is easier to
absorb. Potassium is absorbed from foods through the intestinal tract; any excess
is released in the urine. The kidneys play an important role in determining
how much potassium is released or absorbed into the system. If the kidneys
are irritated by chemicals, drugs or other problems, they may release too
much potassium, contributing to a deficiency . Potassium can also be lost
through vomiting, diarrhea and surgical drainage, as well as laxatives and
diuretics (agents  that increase the flow of urine). Loss through  the skin is
rare but it can result from sweating during too much exercise or when
overheated.5
Part of the Gerson Therapy involves consuming a diet not only loaded
with high-potassium foods but also supplemented with elevated doses of the
mineral itself. In fact, from the Faculty of Life Sciences at Bar-Ilan
University in Ramat-Gan, Israel, Professor Jacob Shoham, M.D., Ph.D.,
commented about potassium quantities in his friendly and informed
September 28, 1998, letter of inquiry to Charlotte Gerson. Dr. Shoham
wrote, “Potassium obviously is a central pillar in the whole structure of Dr.
Gerson’ s therapy . We are dealing here with enormous amounts of K—about
20 grams in the [supplemental] potassium solution during the first four
weeks, reduced to half thereafte r, about nine to ten grams in the juices, andprobably two to three grams in the food, all together about thirty grams per
day during the first weeks and then twenty grams per day subsequently .”
Dr. Jacob Shoham was concerned about the possibility of hyperkalemia,
an overabundance of potassium in a person’ s metabolism, which could
possibly occur from a patient’ s conforming to the Gerson Therapy
recommendation of K supplementation. Yet adverse signs or symptoms of
hyperkalemia are not an effect from the high dose of potassium
supplementation. Several Gerson Therapy patients have accidentally ,
through misinterpretation of labeling, self-medicated with potassium at
levels approximately thirty-two times the recommended dosag e of K for
periods of up to three weeks . They did this without under going any
significant adverse ef fects. Over time, from experience of users, elevating K
intake to neutralize too much sodium (Na) in the tissues appear s to be safe
and ef fective. Excess K is easily excreted by normal kidneys. Also, more than forty years ago, Dr. Gerson answered the hyperkalemia
question in his celebrated book. He declares: “The content of potassium in
the serum is, in many cases, misleading.” Then he goes on to say, “It
[potassium in serum] does not give any definite indication of an increasing
or decreasing amount of K present in the tissues of essential organs.... More
coincident examinations of K made at the same time in serum and tissues
and in different  stages of the [cancerous] disease, are necessa ry for such
decisions.”6
Dr. Gerson advises that hyperkalemia occurs from seven specific sources:
(1) “loss of fluids—blood, in majority of cases dehydration”; (2) “Epilepsy
—most cases”; (3) “Cancer patients more often in the period before they go
over to the termi nal stage (on the way to elimination)”; (4) “Nev er in cancer
patients during restoration time”; (5) “Addison’ s disease”; (6) “Anuria—
uremia (inability of liver and kidneys to excrete excess potassium in
solution—lost from essential organs)”; (7) “Acute and chronic asthma, and
other degenerative aller gies.”7
Potassium belon gs to a chemical group that is associated with both
phosphoric acids and carbohydrates, and the three substances readily
combine with colloids; therefore, Dr. Gerson suggests that we may speak of
these four grouped ingredients of the metabolism as the potassium, groups. Na is part of its own chemical group, the sodium gr oup. We take in an enormous amount of sodium, not necessarily with the
foods we prepare ourselves but with those we purchase already packaged,especially those mixed ingredients that people eat in restaurants. Dining
outside the home is an unhealt hy way to eat and live. It’s an underlying
source of degenerating illnesse s such as high blood pressure, stroke, and
cancer . In his monthly newsletter Heath & Healing®, Julian Whitaker , M.D.,
writes, “The way to bring your sodium-potassium ratio back into balance is
to eat lots of vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and fruit. These wholesome
foods naturally have an excell ent sodium-to-potassium ratio of at least
1:50.” Dr. Whit aker adds that some fruits, such as oranges, offer a good
mineral proportion of 1 part sodium to 260 parts potassium. Bananas have
an even more ideal sodium-to-potassium content of 1:440.“8 However ,
bananas are too high in sugars, especially for cancer patients. They may be
eaten only in moderation. POTASSIUM  SUPPLEMENT ATION ON THE  GERSON  THERAPY
At the Gerson Therapy hospitals, when patients are beginning their
therapeutic programs, blood tests and urinalyses are performed once a
week. This would be the case when someone is under the care of a Gerson
certified practit ioner as well. Monitoring of blood and urine values of
patients on a continuous basis is of great importance. Monitoring laboratory tests should be repeated about every six weeks,
depending upon the severity of an individual’ s disease process. In the early
stages with the debilitated patient, every four weeks would be
recommended. These laboratory studies must accompany numer ous clinical
examinations. One of the most important laboratory tests involves the
determination of the blood serum’ s potassium levels. K levels for sick
Gerson patients will often fall between 5.9 and 6 milliequivale nts per liter
(mEq/L). Normal ranges for non-Gerson patients generally record at 3.4 to
5.1 mEq/L.9
Particularly in the initial stage s of treatment, Gerson patients ingest
significant potassium supplementation of up to 150 mEq/day . Even in the
presence of elevated potassium  serum levels, it’s necessary to continue K
supplementation. Dr. Gerson tells us that K ions are indispensable in certain
enzymatic reactions and K plays a role in tissue protein  synthesis. Normally , musc les, brain, and liver possess much higher K content than Nacontent. As long as K remai ns normal, Na is diminished, and that’s
maintaining a healthy state. At the Gerson Therapy hospita ls, after blood testing upon the patient’ s
hospital admission, 10 percent potassium solution is administered
immediately . The K administration takes the form of 4 teasp oonfuls ten
times daily added to all juices, and this dose usually continues for three to
four weeks. Then the amount of K is reduced to half. Presenting  a warning,
Dr. Gerson says, “The combination of the blood level with the clinical
observations teaches us that the restoration of the potassium content in the
organs is a dif ficult and long-drawn-out process.”10
A compound solution of potassium salts is made from 33 grams (g) each
of potas sium acetate, monophosphate, and gluconate, diluted in 32 ounces
of distil led wate r. As stated, dosages vary from 1 to 4 teaspoonfuls (tsp),
representing from  3.5 to 14 grams of K per day. This medication is added in
equal amounts to each of the carrot/apple, greens, and orange juices (but not
to the pure carrot juices) daily , about 1 to 4 tsp per juice drink. Further information about nutritional supplementation with potassium
compound salts is provided in chapter 1 1. We place emphasis on medicating
with potassium because it form s a keystone for achieving healing benefits
from use of the Gerson Therapy . This K medication is primary to the
treatment of tissue damage syndrome (the penetration of Na into tissues),
found in all cancers and in most other degenerative diseases. It combines
with the other medications and dietary regimen to increase cellular K levels,
reduce intercellular edema, and restore normal cell function. As we alluded before, patients have experienced some misunderstandings
using this high- dose K medication, even though instructions are provided
on the container . You must dilute the contents of the container holding the
concentrated K powder into 32 ounces of water . Spoon the diluted liquid
you have created into the juice s. Do not spoon the powder itself into the
juices or you will be mixing in an overabundant dose. No adverse side
effects occur at this usual dosage, except perhaps for an irritation in the
throat due to the strong potassium salts. Eating oatmeal gruel heals the
potential throat irritation. Store the potass ium solution in a glass container rather than in plastic or
metal. It needs no refrigeration but should be held in a dark closet (pantry)
or stored in a brown- or amber -colored bottle or jar. One quart of potassium
solution will last from one to three weeks, depending on the prescribeddosage. Discard any of the remaining potassium solution and replace it if,
after some time has elapsed, it becomes cloudy . POTASSIUM  COMPOUND  FOR ONE’S ENEMA  SOLUTION
The same potassium solution that is added to juices for drinking may be
applied directly to enemas for the relief of abdominal spasms that occur
from colon contractions. The dosage of this potassium compound consists
of 2 to 3 tsp of K solution placed into each enema. At times, lesser amounts
of wate r combined with the potassium compound for enemas may be
required simply because the abdominal spasms may be too great to accept
any increased liquid pressure into one’s colon. Discontinue adding
potassium compound to the coffee enema after six to eight days or it will
cause irritation of the colon. TISSUE  DAMAGE  SYNDROME  FROM CELLULAR  POISONING
According to a 1977 published report by Freeman Cope, M.D., a
pioneering physician and research physicist, medical science has learned
that cellular structures become poisoned by exposure to carcinogens,
athero-gens, antigens, allergens, and other offending pollutants in our
surroundings. The cellular pollutants may cause oxygen starvation, trauma,
generalized insult, or other tissue damage of the cells that takes the form of
a syndrome, a series of symptoms and signs that manifest themselves in a
repeated pattern. Any part of the body can under go tissue damage
syndr ome,  a cycle  of cellular destruction,  which Dr. Cope defines as “the
damaged config urational state in which the cell proteins lose their
preference for association with K+ rather than Na+, and the water content
of the cell increases (the cell swells).”11
As described by Dr. Cope, the tissue damage syndrome prese nts an ill
patient’ s dysfunctional cells with this series of pathological symptoms:
1. The damaged cells lose potassium. 2. The involved cells readily accept sodium. 3. The cells swell with too much water . The symptom that may be recognized most readily by the attending
health professional is then labeled cellular edema. Cellular edema does notallow for the manufacture of energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate
(ATP). ATP is the energy storage compound of the body; it’s the energy
currency that results from burning sugar through oxidation. ATP gets
manufactured, then it’s used up, is manufactured again, and becomes used
once more on a continuous basis. During the course of this metabolic
process, ATP liberates bursts of energy for cellular use. ATP is an adenosine
molecule possessing three strong phosphate bonds that contain the required
energy. The cell must have ATP or it dies. If enough cells die, tissue dies. If
too many tissues die, an organ or body part dies. If too many organs die, the
person dies. When an excess ive amount of water is present in the cell, the production
of ATP is inhibi ted or stops altogether . At the same time, prote in synthesis
and lipid (fat) metabolism stops. On the Gerson Therapy , the damaged cell
is confronted with less sodium, is allowed to bind with potassium, is
delivered of its excess water content, and is improved in its mitochondrial
function. Certain organelles, those tiny chemical factories inside of each
cell called mitochondria,  perform the energy functions of burning sugar
with oxygen, synthesizing protein, and metabolizing fats. To elimi nate the excess cellular water which shows up as edema, before
Dr. Freeman Cope described and named tissue damage syndrome, Max
Gerson was treating the condit ion as far back as the 1920s. Dr. Gerson
eliminated sodiu m from the diet, fashioned an eating program that was high
in potassium, supplemented the diet with additional potassium, and
developed the means to remov e from the bloodstream toxins that inhibit
normal cellular enzyme functions, metabolism, and respiration. To paint a defini ng picture of just what tissue damage syndrome is, think
of Dr. Cope’ s discovery in this way. See the cell as an industrialized nation
with its mitocho ndria as the nation’s industrial cities. They are the cities of
industry . When a cell (as the nation) has lost potassium, gained sodium, and
swollen with water , it’s equivalent to all of its cities’ sewers backing up. Then the industr ial cities are shut down in their function. Energy cannot be
made by the cities of industry to clean out the sewers. The entire
industrialized nation (that damaged cell) becomes over-polluted, becomes
severely dysfunctional in every facet of its existence, and dies. Tissue
damage syndrome has been the responsible agent for cellular death. By eating the saltless diet and supplementing with elevated doses of
potassium, clinically undiscernible but laboratory-measur able tissuedamage syndrome can be avoided. During the time that Dr. Max Gerson
was writing his life-saving book , A Cancer Therapy : Results of Fifty Cases
and The Cure of Advanced Cancer by Diet Therapy:  A Summary of 30
Years of Clinica l Experimentat ion, this information was published in the
American Cance r Society’ s health professionals’ journal Cancer .12 There is
no better means of removing the puffy malfunctioning spher e of partial
metabolites and cellular edema from diseased tissue materials than
application of the Gerson Therapy’ s saltless and high-potassium diet. References for Chapter T en
1
Regelson, W “The ‘grand conspiracy’ against the cancer cure.”
Commentary , Journal of the American Medical Association. 243:337–
339, Jan. 25, 1980. 2
Gerson, M. A Cancer Therapy: Results of Fifty Cases and The Cure of
Advanced Cancer by Diet Therapy:  A Summary of 30 Years of Clinical
Experimeritation,  6th edition. Bonita, Calif.: The Gerson Institute, 1999,
pp. 164-166. 3
Cope, F.W. “A medical application of the Ling association-induction
hypothesis: the high potassium , low sodium diet of the Gerson cancer
therapy .” Physiological Chemistry and Physics,  NMR. 10:465-468, 1978. 4
Schweitzer , A. Briefe aus dem Lambar enespital (Letters from the
Lambaréné Hospital ). Africa, 1954. 5
The Mosby Medical Encyclopedia. New York: New American Library ,
1985, p. 589. 6
Op. cit.,  Gerson, M., 1990, p. 93. 7
Ibid. 8Whitaker , J. “Minerals, Part 3: Lower your blood pressure with the ‘K
factor ’. Health & Healing®  9:1-3, June 1999. 9
The Gerson Institute. GersonTM Therapy Practiti oner’s Training  Seminar
Workbook. Bonita, Calif.: The Gerson Institute, 1996, p. 31. 10
Op. cit.,  Gerson, M., 1990, pp. 208, 209. 11
Op. cit.,  Cope, FW , 1978. 12
Waterhouse, C.; Craig, A. “Body-composition and changes in patients
with advanced cancer .” Cancer  11 (6), November/December , 1957. OceanofPDF .comChapter Eleven
NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS ON THE DIET
Living in upstate New York, forty-two-year -old Tom Powers Jr. saw a
mole on his right temple as he stood at the mirror shaving. As a result of
Mr. Powers’ telephone description, his family doctor asked him to have it
biopsied right away and made the appointment with a pathology laboratory . By mean s of a special instrument that pierces directly through  the skin, a
small cylindrical specimen was removed by punch biopsy . Immediately
thereafter , Tom Powers learned that he had been struck by malignant
melanoma. As described in Chapter 6, malignant melanoma  is a highly dangerous
tumor consisting of melanocytes, the melanin-forming cells. It usually
occurs in the skin, eye, and mucous membranes, often developing from
excessive exposure to sunlight. Spread of this skin cancer to other parts of
the body, especially to the lymph nodes and liver, is common. Melanin or
its precursors (melanogens) are excreted in the urine, and the skin may be
deeply pigmented. While Tom Powers waited, deciding what to do, metastatic melanoma
growths recurre d, this time in three places: first on the biopsied operation
site, then on his chest, and finally on the left arm. These cancer resur gen-
cies popped out just eight days after the biopsy had been performed. It was
apparent that the patient’ s circumstances were life-threatening. “I consulted four different medical doctors, who agreed that neither
surgery, radiation, nor any known form of chemotherapy , alone or in
combination, of fered hope for a cure of this type of cancer at this stage in its
development. In unvarnished terms, my situation was viewed as terminal,”
Tom Powers Jr . wrote. (Mr . Powers’ photograph may be viewed below .) The patient and his family learned from friends and a Gerson program
participant that the Gerson Therapy is highly successful as a treatment for
malignant melanoma. (We suggest, again, that you refer to chapter 6 for thepercentages of Gerson treatment success according to the melanoma
tumor ’s staging.) “The fact that my cancer had metastasized did not rule out the chances of
complete remis sion for me. I had avoided radiation therapy or
chemotherapy and this was in my favor; it meant that my immune system
had not been artificially suppressed and would respond better to this
metabolic treatment plan with its highly specialized nutritional
supplements,” advised Mr. Powers. “The supplements consist of potassium
salts, thyroid, Lugol’ s iodine solution, pancreatic enzymes, and niacin, plus
medicinal injections with vitamin B12 and liver. Castor oil taken orally and
by enema is used as a liver organ detoxifier rather than as a nutritional
supplement. Tom Powers Jr . “On May 14, 1982, I began the Gerson Therapy and became expert at
treating myself at home. Dr. Gerson’ s genius, to my eternal gratitude, had
his nutritional supplementation  working beautifully . Remissio n occurred. By July 1, 1982, all visible tumo rs were gone. They just faded away and the
skin appeared normal once again. I had no further surgery. I had no
chemotherapy or radiation thera py. When my family physician saw me next
in September 1982, he was deeply impressed to find the disease inpermanent remis sion. I remained on the Gerson Therapy for twenty months. I have had no recurrence of the cancer in the fourteen years since,”
concluded T om Powers Jr . According to guidelines present ed by the American Cancer Society , this
patient has experienced a “cure.” From Tom Powers Jr., the last report that
he furnis hed about his prolonged remission or cure of malignant melanoma
arrived at the Gerson Institute during December 2000. To date, he has
flourished in excellent health for eighteen years. NUTRITIONAL  SUPPLEMENTS  ADVOCA TED BY  DR. GERSON
As mentioned by Tom Powers, there are just a few nutritional
supplements used in the Gerson Therapy . Iodine supplements in the form of
Lugol’ s solution are utilized, for example. Lugol’ s solution (as described in
the U.S. Pharmacopeia), often incorporated into medicines, consists of 5
grams of iodine and 10 grams of potassium iodide per 100 milliliters (mL)
of purified water . Raw liver juice had been an integral part of the Gerson veget able-and-
fruit-juice-drinking procedure until 1989. Then, because of bacterial and
parasitic contamination of most commercially available domestic animal
livers from calves, the practic e of drinking raw liver juice  had to be
discontinued. Liver injections can be continued by the patient instead. Also,
supplementing with coenzyme Q10 helps to replace some of the raw liver
substances. (Chapter 12 discusses about the importance of detoxifying or
cleansing the liver .) In addition to liver detoxification, pancreatic enzyme tablets are always
prescribed along with potassium compound, potassium iodide, thyroid
extract, niacin, and hydrochloric acid as well as pepsin, a digest ive enzyme. Niacin forms part of the coenzyme NADH, which detoxifies the body of
cancer -causing pollutants. That’ s all! In general, no other  nutritional supplementation is required
because the organically grown vegetarian eating plan is massiv ely packed
with natural nutrients. A degen erative disease patient participating in the
Gerson program becomes well once again and remains that way merely
from eating what nature offers as our bounty . We will explain everything
there is to know about the Gerson Therapy’ s form of nutrition,supplementation, and detoxification starting immediately after this next
section. THE GERSON  HIPPOCRA TES SOUP
One of the main recommendations in Dr. Gerson’ s nutritional program to
counter all types of acute and chronic diseases is that a person should eat a
daily quantity of vegetable soup—not Heinz’ s
 or Campbell’ s
 (both
loaded with salt), but soup that you make from scratch. (We furnish the
recipe for preparing Dr. Gerson’ s special Hippocrates soup near the end of
chapter 8 as a discussion of the eating plan.) As we’ve stated, the Gerson
special Hippocrates soup is a staple for all patients for both lunch and
dinner because it aids the kidneys to accomplish their job of detoxification. In addition to the Hippocrates soup itself, fresh vegetables are mandatory ,
stewed in their own juices. The soup stock becomes loaded with nutrients. (In Dr. Gerson’ s time, neither he nor any member of the nutritional science
community had as yet identified the phytochemicals present in certain
vegetables.) Such phytochemicals ingested in this manner are easily
absorbed and assimilated. As you’ve been advised, informed nutritionists
usually refer to phytochemicals of this type as nutraceuticals,  because they
produce a pharmaceutical-like  effect in the body , almost like the
individualized components of nutritional supplements, but more easily
assimilated. Such good eating along with detoxification, as by giving oneself enemas
made from organic coffee, keeps the gut free of disease-producing waste
products, the liver clean, and the whole body system vigorous. What could
be better for managing your day? As you’ll learn by reading chapter 12, the
only really healt hy way to ingest coffee is by use of an enema bottle applied
for its assigned purpose. ADJUNCTIVE  SUPPLEMENT ATION WITH  THYROID  MEDICA TION
In the next section you will learn that iodine is a trace element required in
the manufacture of thyroid hormone, and this is important because iodine
deficiency is a source of thyro id gland pathology . When such pathology
occurs, symptoms of long-term health difficulties appear (including adisturbed immune system), and thyroid medication may be required. Thyroid medica tion, in fact, is an integral part of the adjunctive nutrient
supplementation in the Gerson Therapy . The thyroid gland adds iodine to the amino acid tyrosine to create the
several thyroid hormones. Beca use they regulate metabolism in each body
cell, a deficiency of thyroid gland hormones can affect virtually all body
functions. The severity of symp toms in adults ranges from extremely mild
deficiency states as in subclinical hypothyr oidism  to severe deficiency
which sometimes may become life-threatening as in myxedema .1,2
Deficiency of thyroid hormone may come from defective hormone
synthesis or lack of stimulation by the pituitary gland, which secretes the
thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). When thyroid hormone levels in the
blood are low, the pituitary secretes TSH. If thyroid hormone levels are
decreased and TSH levels are elevated in the blood, this usually indicates
defective thyroid hormone synthesis, known as primary hypothyr oidism. If
TSH levels are low and thyroid hormone levels are also low, an
endocrinologist will likely recognize that the patient’ s pituitary gland is
responsible for the low thyroid function. Such a situation is referred to as
secondary hypothyr oidism.3,4
Because thyroid hormone enhances production of mitochondria, the tiny
chemical factori es or organelles in each cell which produce cellular power
(ATP), Dr. Gerson made use of pure, desiccated thyroid gland as an
adjunctive supplemental medication for underactivity of the thyroid gland. The Gerson Institute continues to recommend such a thyroid product,
consisting of desiccated pork thyroid gland, supplied in a dose of ½- or 1-
grain tablets made by the West Pharmaceuticals/Jones Medical
Laboratories. The normal initial treatment dosage for a cancer patient is 1.5
to 5 grains per day, tapering down to 1 to 3 grains daily after three to ten
weeks. The use of synthetic thyroid is not recommended, because only the
natural material relieves symptoms of hypothyroidism on a permanent
basis. If thyroid causes the patient’ s heart to race up to 120 beats per minute
(tachycardia), overdosage with thyroid may be suspected, and this
medication should be discontinued, at least temporarily , and subsequently
reduced. Also, no thyroid medication is given during menstruation. Adjunctive to supplementation with desiccated porcine (pig) thyroid is
the mineral iodine, which is a main chemical component of human thyroidhormone. In the Gerson progra m, iodine is nutritionally supplemented in
the form  of a solution (Lugol’ s) which has standard usage in orthodox
medicine. NUTRITIONAL  SUPPLEMENT ATION WITH  LUGOL ’S SOLUTION
Named after its inventor , the French physician Jean Guillaume Auguste
Lugol, who lived from 1786 to 1851, Lugol’ s solution is a deep brown
liquid, with the odor of iodine. It consists of the mineral iodine (chemical
symbol I) and potassium iodide (KI) dissolved in purified wate r. Each 100
mL of Lugol’ s solution contains  4.5 to 5.5 grams of iodine and 9.5 to 10.5
grams of potassium iodide. Orthodox medicine, following United States
Pharmacopeia  guidelines, uses this concentration, administered orally , as a
souce of the iodine mineral in preparation for a patient under going thyroid
surgery. It is also referred to as compound iodine solution. 5
Lugol’ s solution works with potassium, the main base ion of intracellular
fluid. Acting together , Lugol’ s solution and potassium are biochemically
syner gistic medications that increase cellular energy of normal cells, reduce
intercellular edema, restore normal cellular functions, and elevate cellular
potassium levels. Being syner gistic, they interact to produce increased
activity that is greater than the sum of the effects of the two substances
given separately to patients. Max Gerson, M.D., applied a half-strength Lugol’ s solution consisting of
5 grams of potassium iodide plus 10 grams of iodine with water added to
make 200 mL. The typical dosage for cancer patients not pretreated with
chemotherapy is three drops, six times per day. This is reduced after two or
three weeks to one drop six times a day. Patients treated with chemotherapy
as well as those with other degenerative diseases start with one drop six
times per day. After five to six weeks, this dosage is adjusted to three or
four drops per day .6
Lugol’ s solution  becomes a critical factor in the control of the oxidation
rates of cells when it is adminis tered correctly by adding it, with potassium
(see the section immediately below), to the orange and carrot /apple juices. It shouldn’ t be added to the green juice or pure carrot juice. Accuracy and
appropriate dosages of Lugol’ s solution are essential for the success of the
Gerson Therapy .The half-strength dosage is taken only during the first three to four weeks
of treatment in the following manner: put three drops in each of six orange
and carrot/apple juices so that one is consuming eighteen drops or six times
three drops of Lugol’ s solution  daily . As mentioned, do not put Lugol’ s
solution in any of the green juices. After the startup period, reduce  the Lugol’ s solution dosage to only one
drop in each of six juices daily for eight weeks. Then lower the dose to only
one drop in each of three juices per day for the duration of treatment. When a patient is being treated at a Gerson Therapy hospital or by a
certified Gerson-trained physician in private practice, the Lugol’ s solution
is premi xed at half strength to a 5 percent dilution. The product must be
used as supplied and not diluted further .7
The Lugol’s solution works by causing iodine to invade cancer tumors
when inflamed. This situation may be especially significant for
inflammatory skin cancer such as inflammatory breast disease (carcinoma)
and mela-nosarcoma before healing sets in and again later in inflammatory
flare-ups. The solution’ s iodine is necessary in the control of normal cell
differentiation. The larger dose such as is used in the beginning weeks of
the Gerson Therapy is favorabl e for inhibiting excessive growth of tumor
tissue.8
A similar physiological response to Lugol’ s solution occurs from the oral
ingestion of potassium compound salts, which cancel out the toxic products
of sodiu m compound salts. Potassium ions are the neutralizing factors for
sodium ions and actually react like antidotes to them. POTASSIUM  COMPOUND  SALTS
Dr. Gerson discovered that patients with chronic degenerative illnesses
exhibit a marked decrease of potassium (K), one of the elemental
substances important in enzyme  production as well as muscle contraction
and strength. According to his research, the beginning of all chronic disease
is the loss of K+ ions from the cells and invasion of sodium (Na+) ions into
the cells—and with it water . Such a situation (as we learned in chapter 10)
brings on edema and the resulting cellular/physiological malfunctions that
go with it—loss of electrical potentials in the cells, improper enzyme
formation, reduced cell oxidation, other symptoms of tissue damagesyndrome (TDS ), and worse. The building of almost all the body’ s enzymes
by the cells requires K as a catalyst (activating agent). In contrast, Na
permeating the tissues inhibits (slows or stops) enzyme production. To
stimulate enzym atic action, therefore, it’s mandatory to eliminate excess Na
and substitute K for the cells’ use. At the same time, detoxification
procedures will remove accum ulated intermediary substances and other
interfering poisons.9
Besides detoxifying with coffee enemas (see the next chapter), the best
way to simultaneously pull sodium from the tissues and infuse  them with
potassium is by drinking volum inous amounts of fresh fruit and vegetable
juices. The juices contain large quantities of K and cell-cleansing enzymes. More than the juices alone, however , a solution of potassium compound
salts added to these juices ensures that K in quantity is ingested and
assimilated. As discu ssed in chapter 10, a solution of potassium compoun d salts is
made from 33 grams each of potassium acetate, potassium monophosphate,
and potassium gluconate, dilute d in 32 ounces of distilled water . Typical
potassium dosages vary from 1 to 4 teaspoonfuls ten times per day of the
prepared solution, representing 3.5 to 14 grams of potassium daily . Such a
quantity of medication is added  every day in equal amounts to each of the
juices, including carrot/apple, orange, and the greens but not the pure carrot
juice.10
The primary benefit these potassium compound salts offer is for their
treatment of TDS, found in all cancers, and in most other degenerative
diseases. The K compound comb ines with the other medications and dietary
regimen to accomplish simila r effects to that of iodine. Potassium
compound salts solution, which needs no refrigeration, should be stored in a
dark glass bottle, not plastic or metal. Discard it if it becomes cloudy with
age.11
As stated, K is syner gistic with I, and together they reduce swelling in the
tissues, in part by pushing out Na. ACIDOL  PEPSIN
A general name for several enzymes of the gastric juice created in the
stomach, pepsin catalyzes the hydrolysis of proteins to form polypeptides.The stomach’ s parietal (wall) cells secrete enough hydrochloric acid (HCl)
from the blood to acidify the food predigested by saliva to a low pH of from
3.0 to 1.5. This acidic pH temp orarily deactivates the plant enzymes, and
the predigested food passes to the lower or pyloric portion of the stomach
(the pylorus), from which the stomach lining’ s chief cells also secrete
pepsin. In the pylorus, pepsin continues the digestion of protein. Adequate
HCl is required to activate pepsin from its inactive enzyme form
pepsinogen insid e the chief cells, and to maintain the stomach pH below
3.0, the optimum pH at which pepsin does its work.12
Acidol pepsin  is the most important of the three gastric enzymes by its
speeding along the hydrolysis of proteins with preferential cleavage at the
amino acid residues of phenylalanine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and leucine. Acidol pepsin is secreted by the gastric mucosa in the form of pepsinogen
and has an optimum pH of 1.5 to 2.0.13
Acidol pepsin capsules (betaine HCl and pepsin) are part of the Gerson
Therapy medica tions for purposes of aiding digestion of foods and juices. They are the source of the supplemental hydrochloric acid that was
administered by Dr. Gerson and remain actively used today . Take them
before each meal in a dosage of two capsules three times a day, as a source
of HCl. NIACIN  (VITAMIN  B3) SUPPLEMENT ATION
Acting as a coen zyme in several important biochemical function s, niacin
or vitamin B3 is involved in the metabolism of lipids (fats), gastrointestinal
tract functions, workings of the nervous system, and promotion of healthy
skin growth. An overwhelming number of scientific studies show that
niacin is effectiv e in reducing both cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the
blood; moreover , vasodilation (opening of the blood vessels promoting
increased circulation) is another cardiovascular benefit derived from niacin
usage. It also significantly increases high-density lipoproteins (HDL). Niacin reduces the incidence of gastrointestinal cancer and the risk of
gallbladder disease.14
The Optimum Daily Intake (ODI) for vitamin B3 nutritional maintenance
supplementation varies from 25 mg to 300 mg daily; for therapeutic
purposes, howev er, Dr. Gerson had his patients take six 50-mg tablets ofniacin daily for six months. In advanced cases of cancer or other
degenerative diseases he used 50 mg of niacin every hour around the clock
(1,200 mg of niacin). By today’ s standards in accordance with the practice
of ortho molecular medicine as first recommended by a candidate for the
Nobel Prize in Medicine for 2001, Canadian orthomolecular psychiatrist
Abram Hof fer, M.D., Ph.D., 1,200 mg of niacin is a usual dose.15,16
Ingesting such an elevated dosage of niacin can create a skin-flushing
effect with temporary and harm less redness, heat, and itching. Dosing with
niacin should be discontinued during menstruation or any type of bleeding. Note: The nicotinic form of niacin is being recommended here as a
medication for the Gerson Therapy and not the niacinamide (“no-flush”)
form, which shows almost no beneficial effect for most degenerative
diseases except the arthritides such as osteoarthritis. If the niacin flush
irritates the patient, take the tablet after meals or let it dissolve under the
tongue. It should not be discontinued because it provides vasodilation
which improves  blood circulation, elevates skin temperature , increases
oxygenation, promotes cellular nutrition, and produces an overall
detoxification ef fect. This also is a factor in protein digestion. PANCREA TIN
An enzymatic secretion of the pancreas, the vital substance pancr eatin
contains three specific groups of enzymes for the digestion and absorption
of food. They are lipases  for absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins,
amylases  for the breakdown of starch molecules into smaller sugars, and
proteases  for the reconstruction of protein molecules into single amino
acids. Each of these enzyme  groups contains separate enzymes; for
instance, the proteases offer up trypsin, chymotry psin, and
carboxypeptidase. The proteases also aid in the breakdown of tumor tissue,
scar tissue, or other damaged areas. Supplementation with some or all of these pancreatin-derived enzymes is
employed in the treatment of impaired digestion, malabsorption, nutrient
deficiencies, and abdominal discomfort. They are useful for overcoming the
symptoms of digestive disturbances such as celiac disease; cystic fibrosis;
food allergies; the yeast syndrome; autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid
arthritis, lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, multiple sclerosis, and manytypes of cancer; sports injuries and trauma; and viral infectio ns such as
herpes zoster and AIDS.17
In lectures to medical consumer s, Dr. Gerson explained, “Pancreatin [as
an uncoated tablet] is given four times a day, three tablets each time. So
they [the cancer patients] always have plenty of trypsin, pepsin , lipase, and
diastase in their systems. The blood can carry this around and digest the
tumor masses wherever they may be.”18
In following the current Gerson Therapy protocol, the recommended
dosage of pancreatin for debulking a malignant tumor usually is three 325-
mg table ts four times a day. While a few people don’t tolerate  pancreatin
well, most benefit, with less digestive trouble, gas spasms, and weakness. (It should not be given to sarcoma patients.) Encouraged for use is a
pancreatin tablet made without cereal fillers that’s manufactured by the Key
Company of St. Louis, Missouri. FLAXSEED  OIL
With the Latin name Linum usitatissimum,  the fresh oil of flaxseeds  is the
richest edible product known containing the important omega- 3 fatty acid
alpha-linolenic acid (a-LNA), which is mandatory for physical health. Flaxseed oil is a primary therapeutic agent for fatty degeneration in
cardiovascular disease, cancer , diabetes, and other pathologies . Moreover ,
its LNA  and other components regulate blood pressure, platelet, kidney ,
immune system, and arterial functions; reinforce the body’ s inflammatory
response; and play roles in calcium and energy metabolism. Adjunctive
conversion cofactors for turning  LNA into series 3 prostaglandins requires
that one’s diet or nutritional supplementation should provide vitamins B3,
B6, and C, plus the minerals magnesium and zinc.19 (Prostaglandins  are
hormonelike fatty acids that act in tiny amounts on internal organs and the
autonomic and central nervous systems.)
_OceanofPDF.com_The_Gerson_Therapy_-_Charlotte_Gerson_Morton_Walker.txt
Summarize the following text section accurately and concisely. Maintain specific details and numerical information, and use anti-repetition mechanisms:

        Do we know what fruits and vegetables may best be combined or are
incompatible. Our observation is that almo st all of plant produce is
compatible, although Dr. Gerson urged the use of specific combinations of
carrot and apple, carrot only, and juice made from various greens. Avoid
other juiced produce. At which section of one’s gastrointestinal tract is juice absorption
best. The entire length of the intestin al tract (23 feet or 7 meters from the
top opening of the stomach to the anus) goes to work on enzymes in juices
and takes them into the bloodstream. But not too much nutrient absorption
takes place in the stomach, lar ge intestine, and rectum. Is there a “vital force” taken into the body from juice drinking. It’s
strictly our opinion, but we say “Yes. ” The live enzymes in vegetables and
fruits may be absorbed into the physical, mental, and spiritual self and
probably do invigorate one’ s soul. At least, we hope so. Are the kidneys flushed more effectively if the recommended juices
are consumed. Yes, physiological testing has shown that juice enzymes are
cleansing agent s—sometimes truly diuretic in nature. You can test this
concept yourself by juicing large, white asparagus and drinking the product. Drinking celery  juice is nearly as good a diuretic too. By drinking juices
like these, you’l l then urinate a lot, resulting in well-flushed kidneys and a
swabbed-out urinary tract. As stated, we do possess some opinions that come from our observations
or good scientifically based answers for questions you may put forth, but
not for all such questions. SOME PERSONAL  RULES ABOUT  JUICING
Now we offer a bit of knowledge for you to assimilate. Since the
therapeutic enzymes in freshly  produced plant juices do oxidize out of
existence and into free radical destruction by exposure to the oxygen in air
for any prolonged period, we must offer two parts of one definite rule to
follow. Although compromises may be inevitable, the ensuing two-part rule
comes from representatives who offer telephone advice when you call for it
at the Gerson Institute:
1. If at all possible, try to freshly prepare each of your 8-ounce glasses of
juice and drink them down immediately. This is especially important for
the very ill patient. 2. In the morning, do not prepare all juices for drinking during the day in
order to store them for later use, because before the day’s end you’ll
probably be swallowing deficient juice with many nutrients missing. TYPES OF  JUICING  DEVICES
Partly on an intuitive belief but mostly observing results in his patients,
Dr. Gers on presumed that the method of juice extraction decidedly affected
the conc entration of nutrients his patients took into their bodies. Forty years
after his death, we know from analyses of juices produced by each type of
juicing device that some machines are better than others for the production
of quality drinking liquids. Also, the clinical results experienced by patients
using each type of juicer provide further support for Dr. Gerson’ s original
presumptions. Although there are six types of juicers manufactured, which  we will
describe briefly, our preference focuses on one particular product type. Wewill cite the lesser machines first and move on to the best kind to use for the
Gerson Therapy program—discussed near the end of this section. Below are descriptions of the forms of juicing mechanisms which do
produce vegetab le and fruit juices but, compared to the sixth one that we
prefer, a few of them hardly provide anything really drinkable in acceptable
qualities and quantities. 1. Masticating Juicers
Masticators, as the term describes, chew up the vegetables or fruits and
extract their juices in one step. The juice quality is fairly good, but the
amount of vegetable or fruit pulp remaining is excessive with some of the
plant enzymes being left behind in so much pulp. While the juice produced
by mast icators is richer in nutrients than that from centrifugal juicers (see
below), it is less nourishing than what’ s acquired from the type of triturator
or grinde r/press that we prefer (see the sixth device to be described). Also, a
masticating juicer heats up inside its grinding chamber, which tends to
damage the enzymatic quality of the resulting juice. Manufactured brands
of masticating juicers include the Champion@, the Green Power®, and the
Royal®. Their prices are moderate and range between U. S. $225 and
U.
The author prefers the "triturator (grinder)/press" type of juicer.
According to the text, which type of juicer is the author's preference?
The primary benefit of using this type of juicer is that it produces a fuller-bodied juice with a higher concentration of nutrients.
What is the primary benefit of using a triturator (grinder)/press juicer?
The recommended dosage of potassium is 3.5 to 14 grams per day.
What is the recommended dosage of potassium in the Gerson Therapy?
The primary function of niacin in the Gerson Therapy is to aid in protein digestion and promote cellular nutrition.
What is the primary function of niacin in the Gerson Therapy?
The recommended dosage of Lugol's solution is 3 drops in each of six juices daily for the first three to four weeks, then reduced to 1 drop in each of three juices per day.
What is the recommended dosage of Lugol's solution for patients with advanced cancer?