In considering Mrs.
Lennox’ s situation, the store owner directed her to Dr. Gerso n’s book A
Cancer Therapy: Results of Fifty Cases. “The Gerson cancer protocol is the hardest therapy to follow  but the
best,” this natur al food store proprietor said. Consequently , this desperate
victim of cancer purchased the book. The dietary program in Dr. Gerson’ s text frightened her at first, but Mrs.
Lennox telephoned the Gerson Institute in Bonita, California, and four days
later arrived at a Tijuana, Mexico, hospital that offered medically
supervised Gerson Therapy . She came alone, accompanied by a great deal of negativity voiced in
letters and telephone calls from her family . Still, the woman persisted. Over
time, laboratory tests showed her steady improvement and eventually she
returned to Sacramento to treat herself.After two years on the Gerson Therapy , Alexandra Lennox finally could
consider herself as having succeeded against breast cancer . She had saved
both of her breasts and was flourishing. Sexual relationships with men
began again. Her girlfriends described her to others as vivaci ous, verbal,
intelligent, and looking “really fabulous.” After some two years more, she
felt at the peak of her abilities. SUMMARIZING THE  STANDARD  GERSON  THERAPY FOR  DEGENERA TIVE
DISEASES
What did Mrs. Alexandra Lennox do to restore her health and eliminate
cancer as well as her other healt h problems? Following is a summary of the
standard Gerson Therapy for degenerative diseases. This chapter presents the standard Gerson Therapy protocol being
followed by those degenerative disease patients not attempting to cope with
treatment complications. The chapter discusses:
• Why avoid drinking water  when following the Gerson Therapy for
eliminating serious health problems;
• Why take thyr oid extract  on a regular basis five times per day;
• Why take Lugol (potassium iodide, half-strength ) at the rate of eighteen
drops per day as cancer therapy;
• Why drink liquid potassium compound solution,  4 teaspoonfuls (tsp),
ten times per day, representing  2 grams or 50 mEq each of potassium
acetate, potassium gluconate, and potassium monophosphate (but not for
certain cancer patients);
• Why consume cold-pr essed flaxseed oil, 1 tablespoonful (tbs) twice
daily (with a reduction of this food oil after four weeks to 1 tbs per day);
• Why follow the juicing procedur e which requires the daily drinking of
thirteen 8-ounce  glasses of apple/carrot, carrot alone, green leaf, and/or
orange juices;
• Why ingest niacin  in a dose of 50 mg six times per day;
• Why supplement with porcine pancr eatin , three 325-mg enzyme tablets
four times per day;
• Why receive a crude liver/B12 intramuscular injection  of 100 mcg B12
with 3 cc of crude liver extract each day;• Why take Acidol® (betaine hydrochloride and pepsin ), two capsules
three times per day before meals;
• Why take coenzyme Q10, with its variable dosage;
• Why take laetrile (amygdalin),  useful for all primary cance rs but
specifically indicated for bone cancer metastases;
• Why use Wobe-Mugos® or Megazyme Forte®, the enzymes for
counteracting gastrointestinal gas and for reducing tumor masses;
• Why take brewer ’s yeast  with both its positive and negative effects (for
instance, it’ s contraindicated for cancer patients);
• Why receive five 32-ounce coffee enemas  administered daily for a
variable period of up to two years;
• Why ingest castor oil (orally and rectally) every other day as a
treatment;
• Why under go changes in medications within the first year . Considered the foundation for the Gerson Therapy , brief sketches of the
topics we provide in this chapter only slightly duplicate treatment
instructions which have gone before (or may come after). Indeed, this
chapter could be considered the pivot for our entire book and likely will be
referred to often by readers attempting to help themselves or loved ones
conquer degenerative diseases of all types, but most especially the various
cancers and leukemias. THE REASONS FOR  AVOIDING  WATER AS A  BEVERAGE
Usually , the public is told that, in order to maintain body functions at
optimum levels, people should drink about eight 8-ounce glasses (64 ounces
or 2 quarts) of water daily . On the Gerson Therapy the rules are different. We must study water from a number of angles to understand why this rule
changes. First, when people eat a salty diet, they are naturally thirsty , for our
human physiology forces them to drink enough water to hold excess sodium
in solution. If it is too concentrated, sodium buildup causes problems in the
blood serum as well as in the cells. The sodium in salt can kill. As reported worldwide, on July 27, 1999,
Leroy Elders, a three-month-old baby boy in Great Britain, died of a salt
overdose after his young paren ts fed him adult food. London newspapersexplained that the child’ s paren ts fed him oat breakfast cereal and mashed
potato with gravy because they found infant food too expensiv e. After an
autopsy , the baby’ s pediatrician  said, “Leroy’ s body contained nine grams
of salt, compared with a recommended daily maximum of seven grams for
adult males. The amount of sodium was too high for the baby’ s kidneys to
process, and it poisoned him to death.”1
Second, another cause of thirst is eating a diet high in animal proteins
and fats. The intermediate or end-products of protein and fat digestion are
disturbing to the system and cause the person consuming them to feel
thirsty . Nutritionists have observed that fruitarians (people who eat only
fruit) don’t usually become thirsty. Fruit contains natural distilled water and
is easily  digested without causing any toxic residue; therefore, the body
does not require additional liquids. Dr. Max Gerson prohibited patie nts on the Gerson Therapy from  drinking
water for several reasons. First, Gerson patients consume thirteen 8-ounce
glasses (225 cc) of freshly squeezed juices each day—a lot of liquid. Second, Gerson  patients also eat unsalted soup twice a day, giving them
additional liquids. These two particular components of the Gerson Therapy
diet add up to about 4 liters of fluid intake daily , which is more than
adequate for human needs. Some patients on the Gerson program, however , still request additional
liquids, or they awaken during some nights with the need to drink more
fluids. Since ill persons such as these are not allowed to drink water , they
should be provided with herbal teas, such as peppermint, orange blossom,
linden blossom,  and/or tahebo (lapacho or pau d’arco). A quan tity of such
teas should be stored in a therm os bottle on a night table, right next to the
bed. Also, if the patient has difficulty falling to sleep, certain herbs such as
valerian make sleep-inducing teas. Third, Dr. Gerson did not allow patients to drink water because it tends to
dilute stomach acid and the gastrointestinal tract’ s own digestive juices. It is
well known that patients suffering from chronic diseases generally are low
in gastric acid, which makes it unwise to allow them to drink water . Dr.
Gerson observed that if his patients drank water , their digestion suffered,
creating gas and other intestinal discomforts. In contrast, if someone
already in intestinal distress drinks peppermint tea, it stimulates digestion
and relieves gas or other digestive problems.Please note: All black and/or green teas containing caffeine (similar to
coffee) should be considered drugs, and their consumption on the Gerson
Therapy is forbidden. Fourth, the quality of tap water in the United States is often toxic. In fact,
fluoridated or chlorinated tap water in more than 60 percent of American
cities or larger communities is responsible for illnesses. Chlorine and
especially fluorine are highly detrimental substances; both are in the
chemical family of the halogens and have similar properties. Fluorine,
second in toxicity only to arsenic, is extremely active and can displace the
less active elements in the halogen family , chlorine and iodine. Fluorine is a
carcinogen and deadly poison  foisted on United States residents with
support from the American Dental Association.2,3,4,5
Fluoride was originally a highly toxic by-product of the aluminum
industry . When it was released into the regular sewer syste m, it killed
millions of fish downstream, which eventually led to the prohibition of this
practice. From then on, fluoride had to be specially disposed of, a very
expensive process. The alumin um industry figured out a way to sell the
fluoride in large amounts, rather  than having to dispose of it, and hit on the
idea of adding it to the drinking water . They , in turn, enlisted the American
Dental Associat ion to support the idea (this was not the original idea of the
ADA). HOW DRINKING  FLUORIDA TED WATER CAN DAMAGE THE  THYROID
Because iodine is an essential element in the body , it’s needed by the
thyroid gland to produce the hormone thyroxine. This hormone is extremely
important since it controls meta bolism, the rate at which food is burned. It
is also an essent ial part of the immune system. Thyroxine contr ols, through
body temperature variations, an individual’ s normal temperature or fever if
needed to overcome infection. When the thyroid gland’ s function is lowered by the consum ption of
fluorine (or chlorine) in drinkin g water , iodine is displaced from the gland. This weakens the immune syste m. Then a person’ s physiology is beset by
three types of pathology: (1) it’s unable to produce fever , (2) allergies and
infections result , and (3) food fails to be burned adequately . These three
pathologies result in a lack of energy and the storage of calories asexcessive fat. As shown, fluoridated and/or chlorinated drinking water
becomes the source of such thyroid gland pathology . Another problem  of low thyroid function is the development and deposit
of plaque in the arteries, called arteriosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. This leads to poor blood supply to the heart, the brain, and the extremities. Too often, heart attacks and strokes are the result of arteriosclerosis. Endocrinologist Broda Barnes, M.D., demonstrated that low thyroid
function and heart attacks are directly related. By administer ing thyroid
extract to his affected patients, Dr. Barnes was able to reverse the formation
of arteriosclerosis and overcome their dif ficulties with heart disease. With similar kinds of disease reversal occurring from the ingestion of
thyroid, it becomes obvious why Gerson Therapy patients take thyroid
extract on a regular basis five times per day
In the presence of low thyroid function, moreover , cancer rates go up. Many years ago, in certain areas of the United States, it was noted that an
unusually high number of people suffered from goiters (Graves’ disease). An affected person’ s body enlar ges the thyroid gland in its attempt to help
that gland produce more thyroxine. The reason this problem exists is lack of iodine in the soil and in the diet
of people living in those areas. If adequate iodine is supplied, most enlar ged
glands usually go back to their normal size. It was noted that in these
“goiter belts” around the United States there was also a higher cancer
incidence. In an effort to furnish the population in such goiter belt areas
with iodine, the U.S. government introduced “iodized salt.” Since it is
assumed that everybody consumes salt, the bureaucrats’ thinki ng was that
this iodine addit ion to salt woul d supply the necessary mineral to the entire
population. They were right—goiters almost disappeared after the iodizing
of salt. WHY LUGOL ’S SOLUTION  IS REQUIRED  IN THE GERSON  THERAPY
But iodized salt presents a new problem: as illustrated earlier by the
death of the three-month-old British baby , salt is a damaging and deadly
chemical. Dr. Gerson found that the beginning of all chronic disease is
marked by the loss of potassium from the cell and the invasion  of sodium
chloride, the flavoring chemical  compound that comprises salt. Salt inhibitsenzyme production at the cellular level. Furthermore, salt promotes
excessive cellula r mitosis (cell division). In other words, it prom otes cancer . Obviously , we must avoid taking in salt, and must obtain the body’ s needed
iodine from other sources. In order to resto re the thyroid and basal metabolism as well as the most
important physiological functioning of his patients, the immune  system, Dr.
Gerson used Lugol’ s solution, half-strength. Lugol’ s is a 5 percent solution
of potas sium iodide, iodine, and water . This enables patients as well as
healthy people to obtain iodine without ingesting harmful sodium. TAKING  LIQUID  POTASSIUM  COMPOUND  SOLUTION
Until their blood tests have been analyzed, patients with any history of
cardiac insuf ficiency, episodes of myocardial infarction, transie nt ischemic
attack, or other types of cardiovascular complications should not receive
potassium medicinal ingredients. Otherwise, potassium compound solution
(a liquid) is recommended for use in the Gerson therapeutic program in an
amount of 4 teaspoonfuls (tsp), ten times per day. This dosage represents
approximately 3 1/2 grams or 50 mEq each of potassium acetate, gluconate,
and monophosphate (a total of 14 grams or 150 mEq/day). Gerson patients  presenting themselves with a history of kidney (renal)
insuf ficiency or dysfunction, gastritis, nausea, significant bone  metastasis,
or any indication of bleeding problems should be started with just 1 tsp of
potassium compound solution ten times a day. Dosages may be slowly
increased with the patient maintained under observation by the Gerson
Therapy medical adviser . RIDDING  YOUR DRINKING  WATER OF  FLUORINE AND  CHLORINE
In order  to maintain the norma l thyroid function, it is imperative that
healthy persons, and particularly any Gerson Therapy patients, avoid
chlorine and fluorine, which damage the thyroid gland. If tap water is
chlorinated, the chlorine pollutant can be destroyed by boiling it. But boiling one’s drinking water does not get rid of fluorine’ s toxic
effects. On the contrary , since fluoride is added to water in the form of
sodium fluoride, a salt, boiling the water concentrates the fluoride. Some ofthe wate r evapo rates and less water volume is left to dilute the fluoride
salts. Also, various filter systems are commercially distributed for people who
are aware of water pollution or contamination. Unfortunately , the filters
remove much, but not all of the fluorides. Even a small amount left in the
water is harmful and cannot be tolerated by a seriously ill person. Therefore, if tap water is fluoridated, it should be distilled to remove all the
fluoride salts and make it acceptable for the Gerson patient . It is also
important to use a carbon filter in the water purifier , since certain volatile
fractions, such as commercially manufactured benzenes and other solvents,
pass through the distillation process. A numb er of articles have been published in magazines about the
possible danger of drinking distilled water . It is claimed that distilled water
“leaches” minerals from the body . Such leaching, if it really does occur , is
not a problem. First of all, minerals contained in some spring waters are
inorganic minerals and are poorly absorbed (that’ s why we need to eat
plants: they have  enzymes that convert the inorganic minerals to an organic
form that the human body can easily assimilate). Furthermore, these
inorganic miner als are not in good balance; often they contain too much
sodium and calcium, along with frankly harmful nitrates and nitrites. In
some cases, well-meaning distributors of mineral drinking water and bottled
water even add fluorides to their product. That’ s the wrong thing to do! It must be emph asized that the body’ s requirement for minerals should
not come from drinking water but from fresh fruit, salads, and vegetable
juices. These are amply supplied by the Gerson Therapy diet plan. Now readers may well ask: If Gerson Therapy patients cannot drink
water , why worry about its purity? Here are our answers:
1. While it is true that Gerson patients are not allowed to drink  water ,
they are still going to cat soup made with water , drink teas made with
water , and cook some vegetables with a minimal amount of water . 2. More important, patients have three to five coffee enemas daily , made
with water, of course. These healing enemas are extremely important to
help detoxify the liver. But the colon is a highly absorptive organ. Not
only is caffeine absorbed from the coffee enemas, but chemical additives
in the water are easily absorbed, as well. Water used for enemas should
be the purest available.3. The fluoride molecule is a very small and active molecule and is
passed rapidly not only through the colon into the bloodstream , but also
through the skin. The water used for all the needs of the patient,
including soup, teas, cooking, internal enemas, and external washing,
must be free of chlorine and fluorine as well as other pollutants. 4. The water must be purified for any internal purpose. Each time the
American Dental Association and its members recommend that people
ingest fluorine, almost all of us who follow such an erroneous
endorsement become poisoned. Water purification can help eliminate
this. WHY COLD-PRESSED  FLAXSEED  OIL IS INGESTED
Dr. Gerson, in his earlier work with tuberculosis patients and with
persons sufferin g from many other chronic diseases, was very much aware
that these peopl e required some essential fatty acids in their diet. Until he
discovered that cancer patients could not tolerate any fats, he used raw egg
yolks and a little salt-free butter for noncancerous patients. Yet when
tumors in his cancer patients disappeared and he wanted to add some oil,
egg yolks, or butter to the indiv iduals’ nutrition, he found that their cancer
returned. Since other doctors and researchers were not able to observe cured cancer
patients, he had no guidance in regard to this cancer regrowth. Dr. Gerson,
therefore, had to experiment on his own patients. He selected those ill
people who were affected with external cancers (skin malignan cies such as
inflammatory breast disease), those lesions which were easily observed. Then, cautiously , after tumors had already disappeared, he added one or
another nutritional oil to the patient’ s diet. Invariably , in a relatively short
time (a week or two) the alread y closed or healed lesion would recur , and
tumors grew back. As soon as he omitted the food grade oil or fat, the
tumors disappeared again. Dr. Gerson tried every kind of polyunsaturated oil, all of the many
monounsaturated oils such as olive oil, plus nut and seed oils, and others. He found none that were safe for the cancer patients during the process of
healing and restoring one’s body . For this reason he specified in his famousbook, A Cancer Therapy: Results of Fifty Cases,  that “No Fats, No Oils” be
used in all the directions for the patient’ s therapy .6
He finally disco vered that it took up to eighteen months, well after the
patients’ essential organs and digestive system were restored, before he
could give these patients a little salt-free butter or vegetable oil. Yet he
continued to search, since he was well aware of the importance of the
essential fatty acids. Finally , in 1958, after his book was in print, during the last year of his
practice and life, Dr. Max Gerson ran across the work of Johanna Budwig,
Ph.D., who had also studied essential fatty acids. Dr. Budwig (still living in
Germany and a candidate for the Nobel prize in medicine) had found that
flaxseed oil (linseed oil) is different from any other dietary fat or oil and is
beneficial for the cancer patient without causing any new problems. By a strange twist of fate, Dr. Gerson remembered that his father ’s
business consist ed of pressing flaxseeds. Yet he had never thought of this
product for application in his practice. Dr. Gerson then procee ded to try it
immediately on his own patients , and he found that, indeed, the flaxseed oil
did impr ove the results of his cancer treatment. Apparently , the fatty acids
helped to carry vitamin A (beta carotene) through the bloodstream to
increase the patient’ s immune response. Aside from this, since flaxseed oil
is high in linoleic and linoleni c acids, these two omega-3 essential fatty
acids helped to dissolve atherosclerotic plaque, thus improving blood
circulation. In that way, ingestin g flaxseed oil provides the sick (or normal)
individual with another benefit. We are fortunate that we are now able to obtain flaxseed oil from
organically grown flaxseed, pressed under cooled conditions (since heat
damages the oil), bottled in black plastic so that light cannot oxidize the oil,
and carefully refrigerated by health food (natural food) store proprietors. Obviously , it is imperative for this oil to be protected from air, light, and
heat to keep it from becoming rancid. This oil is tasty, with a nutlike flavor , in salad dressings, replacing other
oils. When freshly produced and promptly shipped, flaxseed oil will keep in
the freezer for about six months and in the refrigerator unopened for three
months. But once the bottle is opened, even when kept refrigerated,
flaxseed oil should be consum ed within three weeks. It shou ld never  be
heated, never be used to cook, bake, or fry anything. It is also unwise to use
flaxseed oil in hot soup, or on baked potatoes just removed from the ovenand steaming hot. A baked potato should be allowed to cool to a
comfortable eating temperature before adding the oil. Do not eat flaxseeds
themselves, either whole or crushed, but take only the oil, for it is a
medication. Compliance by the patient to prescribed dosages (avoiding
over- or underuse) is vital for the best healing.7
Since Dr. Gerso n didn’ t mention flaxseed oil in his book for the reason
given above, there were no other directions for amounts to be used. Fortunately , we found a letter by Dr. Gerson to his great friend, Nobel
laureate Albert Schweitzer , in which he describes not only the good results
obtained since he applied the flaxseed oil, but the amounts used. Gerson
writes that during the first four weeks on the treatment, his patients are
alotted 2 tablespoonfuls a day (1 tbs at lunch and 1 at dinner). Then for
succeeding months, the amount is reduced to 1 tbs a day. The Gerson
Institute still uses this same prescription with good success. In a few
patients, the amounts of flaxseed oil have to be adjusted depending on
several factors: serum electrolyte tests, HDL and LDL cholesterol levels,
and triglyceride levels. SUPPLEMENT ATION WITH  NIACIN /NICOTINIC  ACID (VITAMIN  B3)
For cancer patients with little or no history of chemotherapy , who have
gone through no ostomy or other surgical interventions, supplementation
with niacin/nicotinic acid (vitamin B3) is appropriate. Niacin is an integral
part of the Gerso n Therapy protocol. Its standard dosage is 50 mg six times
per day . Patients for which this vitamin  is absolutely contraindicated are those
with a history of bleeding, ulcers, gastritis, and those concurrently receiving
prednisone, other steroids, or Coumadin. Alternatively , patients with liver (hepatic) insuf ficiency , primary or
metastatic tumo r activity in the liver, hepatitis of any type (A, B, C, D, or
E), or cirrhosis of the liver may receive a maximum of 100 mg to 150 mg of
niacin daily . SUPPLEMENT ATION WITH  PANCREA TINDr. Gers on wrote: “I found pancreatin [pure pancreatic enzyme derived
from crude pork pancreas extract from New Zealand] in many cases a
valuable help in the therapy . A few patients cannot stand pancreatin; the
majority are satisfied to have less digestive trouble with gas spasms and less
difficulty in regaining weight and strength. We use the tablets after the
detoxification; each contains five grains and is uncoated. The patient takes
three or four tablets three times after meals, and later less.”8
As Dr. Gerson did, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)
physician Mich ael B. Schachter , M.D., of Suffern, New York, often
prescribes oral pancreatic enzy mes to be taken with meals to help break
down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. They also serve  a more cancer -specific function. When taken  between
meals, some of these enzymes are absorbed intact and can have systemic
effects that are beneficial to the cancer patient. The actions include an anti-
inflammatory effect and a tendency to dissolve the protective coating
around cancer cells.9
The pancreatic enzymes in pancreatin “digest away the protein coating
which protects cancer cells from  being destroyed by our immu ne system,”
explains CAM physician Robe rt C. Atkins, M.D., of New York City. In
effect, pancreatic enzymes remove the “shield” that otherwise enables
cancer cells to protect themse lves. “It’s fascinating how many of the
successful cancer programs that I have studied incorporate pancreatic
enzymes,” says Dr . Atkins.10
TAKING  CRUDE  LIVER/B12 INJECTIONS
It’s advantageou s for patients with degenerative disease to receive a
once-daily intramuscular injection of 100 meg vitamin B12
(cyanocobalamin) with 3 cc of crude liver extract. Unless a patient exhibits
excessive blood levels of vitamin B12 or has an allergic reaction to B12,
there is no known contraindication for its use. SWALLOWING  ACIDOL  CAPSULES  BEFORE  MEALSFor patients without complications, two capsules of the combination
betaine hydrochloride and pepsin product named Acidol are swallowed
three times per day before meals. However , people experiencing gastric
ulcers, gastritis, severe nausea, intestinal bleeding, or esophageal problems
should not receive Acidol. Patie nts taking Coumadin concurrently with the
Gerson Therapy also should avoid this product. COENZYME  Q10 SUPPLEMENT ATION
Almost classifie d as a vitamin, coenzyme Q10 is essential for generating
energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in living organisms that
use oxygen. It’s not considere d a vitamin, however , because the body
produces its own CoQ10
CoQ10 plays a vital role in the physiology’ s antioxidant system. When
combined with vitamin E, selenium, and beta carotene, CoQ10 can
significantly reduce free radical damage in the liver, kidney , and heart
tissues.11
The Gerson Institute recomm ends initially dosing with 90 mg of
coenzyme Q10 once per day. If no side effects are experienced (primarily
tachycardia or arrhythmia), the patient may increase the dosage to 300 mg
on the second day and then 600 mg on the third day and thereafter . THE LEGITIMACY OF  SUPPLEMENTING  WITH  LAETRILE
“After years of observing patients using amygdalin [laetrile], I can say
with complete assurance that it is neither toxic nor worthless,” says Douglas
Brodie, M.D., of Reno, Nevada. “Nor do I find it to be a cure or panacea for
cancer . The expe rience of my clinic, like that of many clinics worldwide, is
that amygdalin has the ability to improve the patient’ s sense of wellbeing,
relieve the pain of cancer , and reduce the requirement for pain
medication.”12
Cancer specialist Etienne Callebout, M.D., of London, England, says:
“Amygdalin deserves to have a regular place in cancer therapy . It is
nontoxic and water -soluble, and there is considerable evidence that it works
against cancer .”13Laetrile has strong cancer -fighting potential with regard to secondary
cancers, including a 60 percent reduction in lung metastases; other research
indicates it can extend the lives of both breast and bone cancer patients.14,15
The legitimacy of supplementing with laetrile is assured by the success of
its ongoing use for cancer these  past forty years. Although pain reduction
success takes a minimum of ten days to two weeks of daily administration,
laetrile is indica ted for bone metastases. Dr. Brodie prefers a dosage of 9
grams per intravenous (IV) application. Those not taking IV laetrile who
want it may supplement with 500 mg of oral amygdalin three times a day,
continuing with this dosage even after the physical evidence of cancer has
disappeared. TAKING  WOBE-MUGOS® OR MEGAZYME  FORTE®
The two imported German enzymes Wobe-Mugos® and Megazyme
Forte® are derived from both vegetable and animal sources. Both of them
are protein-digesting (proteolytic) enzymes used defensively against
tumors. They contain the enzymatic substances pancreatin, papain,
bromelain, trypsin, chymotrypsin, lipase, amylase, and rutin (a
bioflavonoid), which are indica ted primarily when the sick person suffers
from severe, excessive gas. Some reports advise that these two enzymes are helpful in shrinking
malignant masse s. Their administration is in the form of injecti ons, tablets,
or suppositories. These supplements offer the degenerative diseased patient
an enhancement of whole-body metabolism. CAUTION IN  TAKING  BREWER’S  YEAST
Originally Dr. Max Gerson had made brewer ’s yeast a part of his
therapeutic program, but that was long before the advent of Candida
albicans  infection, which brings about the yeast syndrome. And it had been
introduced by him as treatment for cancer patients prior to his use of liver
juice. Under most circumstances today , brewer ’s yeast is seldom recommended
any longer for cancer therap y owing to an ever-increasing risk ofcandidiasis, which brings on extreme abdominal distension and gas. Little
clinical benefit has been observed from taking brewer ’s yeast. In cance r patients, negative responses have been noted after ingestion of
brewer ’s yeast, and it is speculated that the substance is no longer as
effective as in Dr. Gerson’ s day. That’ s because cancer patients have
under gone an increase in their acidity; thus, brewer ’s yeast is not for them. They seem to have a much greater presence of the pathologi cal candida
organisms in their bodies because of dietary changes and other
environmental factors. COFFEE  ENEMAS  ARE HIGHL Y RECOMMENDED
As advised in chapters 12 and 13, five 32-ounce enemas made with
coffee beverage are highly recommended for patients suffering from
degenerative diseases. They should be taken each day in slowly diminishing
numbers for a variable period of up to two years. Each coffee enema helps
to purge the colon and liver of accumulated toxins, dead cells, and waste
products. The coffee enema is prepared by brewing organic caffeinated beans and
letting the brew  cool to body temperature, then delivering it via an enema
bag. Coffee contains choleretics , substances that increase the flow of toxin-
rich bile from the gallbladder . The coffee enema is probab ly the only
pharmaceutically effective choleretic noted in the medical literat ure that can
be safely used many times daily without toxic ef fects.16
Dr. Gerson recognized early in his therapeutic approach that the coffee
enema is effective in stimulati ng a complex enzyme system involved in
liver detoxification, which we described in some of our prior chapters as the
glutathione S-transferase enzym e system. The increased activity of these
enzymes ensures  that free radical activity is greatly diminished and that the
pathology-producing actions of carcinogens are blocked.17
Caffeine additionally stimulates dilation of blood vessels and relaxation
of smooth muscles, which furth er increases bile flow; this effect does not
happen when the coffee is consu med daily . In fact, the only beneficial way
to ingest cof fee is through the rectum. ROUTINE  CAST OR OIL TREA TMENTIn follow ing the Gerson Therapy , the application of castor oil treatment is
routine. Dr. Gerson recommended its use by mouth and by enema for the
elimination of toxic diarrhea, vomiting of bile, and other stron g reactions. He wrote, “These strong reactio ns are actually indications of the beginning
of improvement , with increased bile production, greater activity  of the liver
and elimination of toxins and poisons. After a period of one or two days,
patients feel greatly relieved, show better circulation, complexio n and color ,
and have more appetite.”18
Tumors and cysts of all sizes may also be reduced in volume or
eliminated altogether with the application of castor oil packs. In an
examination of the immune-stimulating properties of castor oil packs
conducted on thirty-six people, those receiving the packs showed
significant improvement in the total production of lymphocytes and other
immune cells.19
CHANGING  MEDICA TIONS WITHIN THE  FIRST YEAR OF  TREA TMENT
Approximately one month after dischar ge from inpatient treatment (about
six to nine week s after admission to a Gerson hospital and start of therapy),
thyroid, potassium, and Lugol medications arc reduced. Other supplements
are generally kept at initial levels. Potassium is typically dropp ed from 40
tsp per day to 20 tsp per day. Thyroid is lowered to between 2 and 3 grains
per day . Lugol is reduced to six drops per day . Often these medication levels are maintained for nine to fourteen  months,
and other supplemental adjustm ents will be based on diagnostic  blood work
and other means of diagnosis . This is a change in protocol from Dr.
Gerson’ s original presentation in his book as produced more than forty
years ago. Instead, patients must  now be kept on higher dosages of the three
main medicatio ns for longer periods than in Dr. Gerson’ s day. When
medications are reduced too rapidly , sick people often experience
difficulties and a slowing of recovery or a recurrence of disease. The standard Gerson Therapy is strictly for uncomplicated cancer or
other degenerative disease patients. Modifications from the program occur
when chemothe rapy is used before this natural and nontoxic protocol is
instituted. Unfor tunately , it becomes more difficult to treat the patient, as is
explained in chapter 15.References for Chapter Fourteen
1
Nordwall, S.P “Salt poisoning.” USA T oday . July 28, 1999, p. 6A. 2
Cousins, G. “Health today .” New Fr ontier . May 1994. 3
Valerian, V “On the toxic nature of fluorides, part 2: fluorides and
cancer .” Perceptions. September/October 1995, pp. 30–37. 4
Glasser , G. “Dental fluorosis: a legal time bomb.” Health Freedom News. July 1995, pp. 40–45. 5
Yiamouyiannis, J. Fluoride: The Aging Factor . Delawa re, Ohio : Health
Action Press, 1993, p. 61. 6
Gerson, M. A Cance r Therapy: Results of Fifty Cases and The Cure of
Advanced Canc er by Diet Therapy: A Summary of Thirty Years of
Clinical Experimentation,  5th ed. Bonita, Calif.: The Gerson Institute,
1990, p. 242. 7
The Gerson Therapy Physician ’s Training Manual. Bonita,  Calif.: The
Gerson Institute, 1996, p. 1 14. 8
Op. cit.,  Gerson, M., pp. 21 1, 212. 9
Diamond, WJ. ; Cowden, WL. ; Goldber g, B. An Alternative Medicine
Definitive Guid e to Cancer . Tiburon, California: Future Medicine
Publishing, Inc., 1997, p. 375. 10
Ibid.,  pp. 35, 36. 11
Leibovitz, B., et al. “Dietary supplements of vitamin E, beta carotene,
coenzyme Q10, and selenium protect tissues against lipid peroxidation in
rat tissue slices.” Journal of Applied Nutrition. 120:97–104, 1990. 12
Op. cit.,  Diamond, WJ. ; Cowden, WL. ; Goldber g, B., pp. 78, 79.13
Ibid.,  p. 110. 14
Nowicky , J.W “New immunostimulating anticancer preparation: Ukrain.”
Proceedings of the 13th International Congr ess of Chemotherapy . Vienna, Austria, August 28-September 2, 1983. 15
Nowicky , J.W., et al. “Ukrain as both an anticancer and
immunoregulatory agent.” Drugs under Experimental and Clinical
Resear ch. XVIII: Supplement, pp. 51–54, 1992. 16
Lam, L.K.T , et al. “Isolation and identification of kahweol palmitate and
cafestol palmitate as active constituents of green coffee beans that
enhance glutathione-S-transferase activity in the mouse.” Cancer
Resear ch. 42:1 193–1 198, 1982. 17
Hildenbrand, G. “How the Gerson therapy heals.” Gerson® Healing
Newsletter . 6:3/4, 1990. 18
Op. cit.,  Gerson, M., p. 81. 19
Biser , L. “Study indicates castor oil improves immune system.” The
Layman’ s Course on Killing Cancer . Charlottesville, Va.: University of
Natural Healing, 1992, p. 6. OceanofPDF .comChapter Fifteen
MODIFIED THERAPY DURING CHEMOTHERAPY
In 1996, forty-six-year -old F.C., a housewife and piano teacher , underwent
a mammogram followed by an ultrasound diagnostic procedure in her
hometown of Stockport. To complete her evaluation for breast cancer , she
had a needle biopsy, which showed an infiltrating carcinoma measuring 2.5
centimeters (cm). In the course of the subsequent mastectomy , fifteen
lymph nodes were removed, fourteen of which proved to be malignant. X-
ray examination also showed that the cancer had spread to her lungs. Her doctors ordered chemotherapy , and a twelve-treatment protocol was
initiated and scheduled to last a complete year. The cytotoxic agents
planned for her are known to be exceedingly aggressive and tend to
accumulate in the patient’ s body tissues. In the course of each month’ s series of chemo treatments,  Mrs. C.
became so ill, with unbearable nausea and vomiting lasting over multiple
days and nights, that she seldom slept and hardly ate. The woman dropped
pounds of lean muscle mass steadily . She says, “I couldn’ t tell you the
horror of it.” Of course, she also became totally bald. The chemotherapy seriously reduced her white blood count too, causing
an extreme depletion of white blood cells (neutropenia), indicat ing that her
immune system  had been deva stated. Since neutrophils are an important
part of the immune system, their complete suppression caused the patient to
suffer multiple types of severe infections. Pneumonia, cold sores, and other
illnesses immediately followed each one of the separate monthly
chemotherapy courses. In order to prese rve her life by controlling the infections, Mrs. C. had to
be admitted to the hospital after each set of treatments. This situation
became critical and the doctors were forced to stop the chemotherapies after
FC. had received only nine courses of the proposed twelve. Her lungs werenot impr oved. Cancer remained as before and she was sent home classified
as “terminal” with no further treatment available. From a local naturopath, this dying cancer patient, whose severe illness
had been complicated by the cytotoxic agents, learned that the Gerson
Therapy had won cancer battle s. In March 1997, Mrs. C. arrived at the
Gerson treatment facility in Tijuana, Mexico. She writes, “I felt
immediately that this Gerson Hospital was a place of healing.”
But for this particular ill woman, detoxification was not easy. She had
ongoing severe reactions to the prior chemotherapy with a lot of nausea and
continuing vomiting. Gradually , however , the Gerson Therapy did work and
pulled the accumulated poisons out of her body . It took Mrs. C. several months to overcome the damage done by her
chemo treatment, experiencing about six months of attacks or flare-ups of
symptoms from chemicals linge ring in the body . Such healing reactions are
commonly observed in most patients who have received the cumulative
poisons of cytotoxic agents. About eight months into her Gerson Therapy regimen at home, the
patient finally felt much better . At that time, her friends said she looked
much healthier , and her demeanor actually became cheerful and vivacious. She still struggle d with occasional rushes of nausea, yet she marveled at the
transformation in her health. Previously , upon her dischar ge from the Gerson Hospital, Mrs. C.’ s X-ray
films, after she had been on her new dietary program for three weeks, had
shown such vast improvement that there was no further lung and breast
tumor growth. The cancers remained static in size. Also, the woman
remarked then that “spiritually and emotionally I am doing the right thing.”
With the passage of a year on the Gerson Therapy , the patient’ s healing
reactions were still coming occasionally from the prior chemotherapy . She
writes, “Many times my sense was that I was going through an internal
storm, with periods of calm coming on.” But it’s all turning out right for
F.C. She reports  that “now , my skin is glowing, my memory is improved,
my hair has grown back thick , and it shows beautiful texture without
conditioner .”
One of the infec tions that had struck during the courses of chem otherapy
was a fungal growth of her toenails, especially of the big toes. Over a
period of month s on the Gerson  Therapy , those fungal areas grew out and
she has normal toenails once again. She says, “Seeing the new and cleantoenails, I believe they indicate that my immune system is improving. Also,
the varicose veins in my left leg are coming down and no longer stick out.”
During the six-m onth healing reaction she went through in late 1997, her
skin did show shades of gray coloring and she was again vomiti ng violently
with nausea so severe it kept her from sleeping. Mrs. C. explained, “This
was a situation very similar to what I experienced immediately after
receiving chemotherapy when I was so sick.” Now the stored chemicals
were leaving her body , but their poisoning effects continued to make her ill
as they emptied out. Mrs. C. also describes that six-month flare-up as seeming as if flu had
invaded, but she found that this healing reaction marked the turning point in
her conquering of cancer . The woman’ s outlook became much more
positive. “The Gerson Therapy  not only heals mankind, but heals the
environment,” she told us. F.C. is not yet fully recovered from the chemotherapy she had received. This former cancer patient who has beaten back the tumors is more than
twenty-six months into the treatment and still experiences occasional
healing reactions. We are reporting her story because the Gerson  Institute is
frequently asked  if there are recovered cancer patients who had been treated
with chemotherapy . We do tell such patients that it takes longer to come
back to good health after chemo—but with perseverance, it is entirely
possible. Mrs. C. may be considered typical of how one can overcome
breast cancer with metastases to the lungs even in the face of having
under gone exceedingly aggressive cytotoxic chemotherapy . This chapter is
dedicated to just such immune-compromised patients who have under gone
chemotherapy . WHAT CHEMOTHERAPY  IS AND  WHAT IT DOES
The chemo  part of chemotherapy  means that chem icals are involved with
some process or procedure, and -therapy  indicate s that the procedure is
being applied as “treatment.” Therefore, the chemotherapy  term simply
advises that the cancer treatment being applied employs chemicals (drugs). Such chemicals administered as drugs destroy the cancer cells that they
reach, either by interfering with cellular growth or by preventing them from
reproducing. The various drugs  work in different ways to interrupt eachcancer cell’s life cycle. Some affect the malignant cell during one or more
of its phases of growth and offer no adverse effect on the cell during the
other phases; other drugs af fect the cell throughout its whole cycle of life.1
The oncologist’ s idea is to use chemotherapy as a main means for
lowering the multiplication of cancer cells or to destroy them altogether . It
would be ideal if a drug being administered spared healthy cells while
destroying the deadly ones; however , nearly every cancer chemotherapeutic
agent destroys tissue cells—pathological or physiological, sick or well,
mutagenic or homeostatic. Almo st all of the chemotherapeutic agents in an
oncologist’ s armamentarium are cytotoxic, with cyto referring to any cell
and toxic  pointing to poison. These cytotoxic drugs go back to the 1940s when an observation at the
Yale University School of Medicine recognized that the potent World War I
gas nitrogen mustard had produced selective damage to the lymphatic
system and bone  marrow of soldiers. This property , it was surmised, could
be useful as treatment against malignancies. Consequently , the first
successful applic ation of chemotherapy took place at Yale in the mid-1940s
with personnel of that univers ity adapting mustard gas as a method of
cancer management. From this practice, alkylating agents were created as
cytotoxic thera py. The primary traits of alkylating agents, such as
cyclophosphamide, melphalan, and chlorambucil, are that they link up with
and destroy normal components of all cells, mainly their DNA
(deoxyribonucleic acid) genetic material.2
As with all tissue cells in plants  and animals, human cancer cells possess
DNA. In fact, “cancer” is what happens when a part of one’s body grows in
an uncon trollable fashion and damages other healthy parts simply because a
single group of cells grows and multiplies in a disorderly and uncontrolled
manner . So cancer is a condition in which an abnormal body cell mutates
and multiplies uncontrollably .3
The reason that cellular growth irregularity occurs is that the DNA of one
type of cell becomes able to disobey or escape from the control mechanisms
that usually keep it growing in a normal, orderly way. The key to
understanding the nature of cancer is to find out what normally keeps the
DNA in order and how some cells’ DNA are able to escape from
regimentation. If medical scientists possessed such knowledge, they would
understand what causes cancer , which might help all of us work out how to
prevent it.4Not fully knowing the real reason for malignant disease to develop, any
of us experiencing tumor growth would benefit by personally applying the
standard Gerson  Therapy . This will be the case unless a person’ s immune
system has been compromised by pretreatment with the cytotoxic agents of
chemotherapy . Then, a lessened or reduced Gerson protocol has to be
followed. THE REDUCED  GERSON  PROT OCOL FOR  CYTOTOXIN -PRETREA TED
PATIENTS
As we are about to discuss in detail the Gerson Therapy as it relates to
cancer patients who have gone through extensive chemotherapy , this
chapter is another pivotal portion of our book. Numbers of people who
suffer from cancer do expose themselves to chemotherapy as a first resort
when it probably should be among the last treatment procedures followed. Be aware that chemotherapy further degrades an already impaired immune
system. Note: all cytotoxic drugs are carcinogens: they will cause future
cancer . In self-administering the Gerson  Therapy , its medication protocol for any
chemotreated patients is different from the standard protocol. For instance,
the medi cation quantity varies considerably , and no absolute guidelines may
be given. Yet general information can be offered here about a reduced or
less intensive cancer protoco l. The number of courses of cytotoxic
treatment, their dosages, and the specific drugs received must be
considered. That’ s because use of the full, unmodified Gerson protocol can
be extre mely dangerous for cancer patients who have gone through
extensive pretreatment with cytotoxic agents. The following discussion of the reduced Gerson Therapy protocol is
specific for chemotherapy-exposed patients. Acting on such knowledge will
help them to respond more quickly and experience better long-term
recoveries from their cancers. Otherwise, a few uninformed cancer patients
could self-medicate with the more aggressive Gerson protocol we described
in chapter 14, which could inhibit their long-term recovery . For someone ill with cancer , increasing the odds for survival and
eventual wellness will occur more quickly and efficiently by following
certain admoniti ons put forth by the Gerson Institute. These particular rulesand recommend ations are the result of more than fifty years of experience
and patient feedback with its use. DAMAGED  PHYSICAL  CONDITIONING  AFTER  CHEMOTHERAPY
Everyone must realize that any form of chemotherapy is a precursor to
damaging the physical condition ing of all individuals who take in cytotoxic
agents of any kind. That’ s because the chemotherapeutic drugs enter the
bloodstream either directly by intravenous injection or indirectly by
absorption through the stomach  or intestinal mucosa, after which the drugs
are supposedly transported to wherever tumor cells may be thriving. Administering chemical treatment certainly is different from surgery and
radiotherapy , which concentrate their effects on some specific part or region
of the body. Chemotherapy is used when there is the possibility that cancer
cells may be deposited in other places besides the primary tumor , or may be
circulating throughout the body via the bloodstream.5
As we showed in earlier chapters, chemotherapy seldom allows a five-
year survival of (“cures”) cancer—less than 15 percent of the time for all
malignancies. It may temporaril y stop irregular cellular growth, or the drug
given may relieve pain and allow  life to continue somewhat longer.6 But, in
our opinion chemotherapy as a first recourse is a mistake. Rather , it should
be employed as a last resort if other , more gentle treatments have failed. Over sixty-five commercially available cytotoxic drugs are employed in
cancer chemoth erapy , and an equal number are being tested right now in
clinical trials. Some chemotherapeutic agents produce minor difficulties in
the form of adverse side ef fects such as sleepiness, general fatigue, diarrhea,
hair loss, sore mouth, low blood counts, nausea, and vomiting. These are
the immediate side effects most often known because a cancer patient
experiences them openly and obviously . What’ s rarely discussed between  oncologist and patient, however , are the
other , more serious extra effects which are residual, long-lasting, and have
deeper ramifications for one’ s deteriorated quality of life. The pretreated chemicalized patient is frequently left in a severely
weakened physical condition. Such a weakness arises from causing (1)
depressed numbers of blood components which carry oxygen and other
nourishment to the cells, (2) various cell mutations, which may finallyproduce the secondary cancers which are common occurren ces, (3) the
acceleration of tumor growth rather than shrinkage, (4) deep-seated
poisonings of vital tissues unlikely to recover unless the anticancer
chemicals are detoxified from the cells of those damaged tissues. These manifestations of physical weakness are major side effects rarely
discussed, but are the chief reasons to avoid taking chemotherapy with
cytotoxic drugs. Even if the patient remains in good physical condition after under going
chemotherapy , here is a brief discussion of those adverse side effects
mentioned:
1. Low Blood Counts
Prolonged depressed numbers of blood components arising from
chemotherapy lead to physical weakness, mental lethar gy, chronic fatigue,
spiritual lassitude, emotional depression, and outright prostration. For
instance, a reduced number of white blood cells leaves the individual who
has under gone chemotherapy with a vulnerability to infection. The
avoidance of anyone suffering from a cold or flu therefore becomes
absolutely mandatory . Also, the resulting low platelet count from
chemotherapy leads to easy bruising and bleeding. Subsequently , the patient
must take care to avoid cuts, burns, or injuries and should steer clear of
aspirin, alcohol , and other blood thinners. Sometimes, if the person’ s
platelet numbers drop excee dingly low, transfusions may become
necessary .7
2. Cell Mutations
Some years after chemotherapy has been received, patients may develop
secondary cancers such as acute leukemia. The International Agency for
Research on Cancer (IARC) has identified twenty different commonly used
anticancer agents which actual ly are powerful carcinogens in their own
right.8,9 Such cancer -causing occurrences are frequently associated with
two particular popular comm ercial alkylating agents, Cyto xan
  and
Alkeran
 , as well as almost all of the hormonelike anticancer chemicals.Combinations of these deadly drugs given to patients as a “cocktail” are
even worse in their residual cancer afteref fects. In his respected medical text Cancer: Principles and Practice of
Oncology , the staunch chemotherapy advocate Leonard DeVita, M.D.,
admits to the cancer -promoting properties of cytotoxic drugs. Dr. DeVita
states: “Chemotherapy combinations can significantly raise the risk of
secondary tumo rs, especially nonlymphocytic leukemias. The combination
of cyclophospha mide, lomustine, and vincristine [three cytotoxins] lead to a
leukemia incidence of 14 percent over four years after treatment. Nitrogen
mustard, vincristine, prednisone, and procarbazine for the treatment of
Hodgkin’ s disea se yield leukemia rates up to 17 percent.... Radia tion further
increases the risk of leukemia.”
3. Acceleration of T umor Gr owth
As a direct result of coming in contact with the very chemoth erapeutic
agents which supposedly will shrink malignant tumors, sometimes the
tumors are accelerated in their growth. The cells which make up their
structures becom e seemingly drug-resistant and, in a paradox of purpose,
are enhanced in their ability to expand and metastasize. Clinica l studies on
patients and laboratory investiga tions on animals have proven this paradox. 10,11
4. Deep-seated T oxicity
Chemotherapy causes the tissues to under go complex reactions from the
body’ s attempt to detoxify itself. Cytotoxic agents are the ultimate
pollutants, regar ded as waste materials by the body , and the metabolism
wants to release such waste from its internal environment. During the
course of this process, both subclinical and obvious healt h problems
develop internally . The body organs protest the presence of medical poisons in several ways:
(1) by comprom ised functioning of the liver; (2) by develop ment of an
ongoing diarrhea to flush out irritating bile; (3) by cramping pain in the
lower abdomen; (4) by flatulence and gas; and (5) by other general systemic
symptoms manifested as periodic flulike feelings of headaches,perspiration, strong body odor, weakness, dizziness, fainting spells,
intestinal spasms, and muscular aches and pains. These discomforts are indications of deep-seated poisons lodged within
the tissues from cytotoxics. They are poisonous reactions that show up
subtly but repea tedly . Once the cytotoxins are cleaned out by use of the
Gerson Therapy , these poisonings flare up as what the Gers on Institute
personnel describe as “healing reactions,” similar to those described earlier
by F.C. CHEMOTHERAPY  PRETREA TMENT  WITHOUT  EXPERIENCING  WEAKNESS
We have  stated that all chemoth erapy is toxic; however , symptoms and
signs of resulting physical weakness do not necessarily show up in all cases. Subclinical dysfunctions will likely be present from a patient ’s receiving
toxic chemicals , but obvious signs of such dysfunctions may remain
unrecognized. And this set of circumstances brings us to a situation of
chemotherapy pretreatment without the patient’ s experiencing any
weakness. A patient who accepts the Gerson Therapy after having under gone
pretreatment with synthetic chemicals and drugs may have avoided
experiencing physical weakness. This chapter therefore advises how he or
she can proceed  in the Gerson  Therapy . The drug-treated person blessed
with an absence of outward adverse effects will have retained a normal
appetite, remained ambulatory , and resisted extreme weight loss. We’re
describing a truly lucky individual. Even so, anyone fitting such a description should be receiving the
reduced Gerson protocol discussed in the balance of this chapter . The
number of courses of chemotherapy , dosages, and specific toxic drugs
received must be considered by the patient and any health professional
advising on the Gerson Thera py. Pursuing the full, unmodified Gerson
protocol for any patient who has under gone chemotherapy , regardless of the
time elapsed since the last treatment, can be extremely dangerous. From the experiences of Gerson Institute personnel, we know that
chemotherapy pretreated patients respond more quickly and go through
much better long-term recove ry when they follow the “reduced” or
modified Gerson  protocol. Medicating with any aspect of the usual, moreaggressive protocol will be done at the expense of safety and long-term
recovery . Consequently , we warn that those patients having cancers
complicated by chemotherapy should follow the reduced Gerson Therapy
program described below . THE REDUCED  GERSON  PROT OCOL FOR  CHEMICALL Y TREA TED PATIENTS
Any person suffering from one or more degenerative diseases (with
cancer definitel y among them) with a medical history of chemotherapy
should follow the following modified Gerson Therapy protocol.12 For
example, as described in A Cancer Therapy: Results of Fifty Cases,  by Max
Gerson, M.D., drinking fresh-squeezed organic juices is a potent source of
nourishment and an exceedingly powerful detoxifying tool.13 Consuming
juice is therefor e done in a different way for the cancer patient pretreated
with chemicals. Juice Consumption
For a cancer patient who has been chemicalized with toxic drugs, it’s
advisable to start the juicing regimen with only 2 to 4 ounces of fresh-
squeezed vegeta ble or fruit juice . At the beginning of the juicing procedure,
because of its strong efficacy , temporarily eliminate the three recommended
carrot-only juices. And the dosage for any of the juices will vary depending on the patient’ s
condition, the ability to tolerate such juices, and any potential side effects
which result. If the patient can tolerate the smaller amount of juice, the juice
quantities are increased after two or three days. Typically , from 2 to 4
ounces, or four to six ounces at a time, will be imbibed, and eventually ,
after seven to ten days, progress will be made toward acceptance of the full
8-ounce portions. Finally , the three carrot juices each day may be
reintroduced to the chemicalized patient. Care must be taken to ensur e that the patient continues to tolerate all
juices without significant nausea or other side effects. If side effects do
appear , cut back on the doses of juice. We recommend  that patients should stay with the schedule of juice
drinking as follows: Each day it is best to ingest (a) one orang e juice, (b)four green leaf juices, (c) five apple/carrot juices, and (d) three carrot juices. To reduce nausea and increase  juice-drinking tolerance, add gruel to the
juice up to a 50 percent volume. Potassium Compound Solution (Liquid)
The suggested starting dosage for potassium compound solution is 1 tsp
ten times per day, which repre sents approximately 500 mg or 12.5 mEq
each of potassium (K) acetate,  gluconate, and monophosphat e. This is a
total K combination of 1.5 grams or 37.5 mEq/day . In patients experiencing good  condition despite chemothe rapy, the
normal dosage of 4 tsp ten times per day may be cautiously achieved in
several steps over seven to ten days’ treatment, if no adverse side effects are
observed. Those patients in less than ideal condition should have  the dosage
increased to 2 tsp ten times daily , then carefully observed, very slowly
increasing the dosage to 3, and then 4, tsp ten times per day, as the patient is
able to tolerate it. There are contraindications to K compound solution: Patients presenting
themselves with a history of renal insuf ficiency or generalized kidney
dysfunction, gastritis, nausea, significant bone metastases, or any indication
of bleeding problems should be started with 1 tsp ten times per day. Dosage
may be slowly increased with observation of the compound’ s effects. Anyone with a history of cardiac insuf ficiency , myocardial infarction, or
congestive heart failure should not receive potassium until blood laboratory
work has been analyzed by a physician. Lugol (Potassium Iodide, KI, Half-Str ength
The recommended dose of Lugol is six drops per day. However , there are
contraindications to taking Lugol for chemo-pretreated patients. Futhermore, if the individual has a history of allergy to iodine, Lugol is also
not indic ated, at least initially; it can be cautiously added after three to five
days, one drop to start, then increasing as tolerance allows. Patients with hepatic (liver) insuf ficiency , primary or metastatic tumor
activity in the liver, hepatitis, or hepatic cirrhosis should be started on one
to two drops of Lugol per day, to avoid bleeding or a decrea se in bloodplatelets. Those patients with bone metastases should also receive reduced
Lugol to avoid excessive bone deterioration and pain. Any patients known
to be affected by heavy metal toxicity should additionally receive doses of
one to two drops per day initially . Thyr oid
Thyroid hormone is taken in a l-grain dosage once or twice per day, but
there are contraindications to thyroid usage similar to those for Lugol. Watch for signs of hyperthy roidism, including tachycardia, anxiety ,
insomnia, and tremors. Reduce  dosage levels if any of these signs and
symptoms are present. Also note that transient tachycardia alone can be a
toxic or flare-up  reaction. Patients with a history of cardiac insuf ficiency or
other cardiac problems should be started on a maximum of 2 grains of
thyroid daily . Niacin
This vitamin B3 nutrient has a dosage of 50 mg six times per day. Some
contraindications do exist, such as for patients who present with hepatic
insuf ficiency , primal or metastatic tumor activity in the liver, hepatitis, or
hepatic cirrhosis . These patients should receive a maximum of 100 to 150
mg of niacin daily . Those with a medical history of bleeding, ulcers, or
gastritis, or who are concurrently receiving prednisone, other steroids, or
coumadin should not receive niacin. Pancr eatin
This pancreatic enzyme from the pig allows for a dosage of three 325-mg
tablets taken four times a day . It is contraindicated for sarcoma patients. Crude Liver/B12 InjectionThis is taken once daily as an intramuscular injection in a dose of 100
mcg of vitamin B12 with 3 cc of crude liver extract. Other than producing
excessive levels of vitamin B12, and occasional  allergic reactions, there is
no known contraindication for the crude liver/B12 injection. Acidol
The gastrointes tinal enzyme product known as Acidol (betaine
hydrochloride and pepsin) is taken in a dose of two capsules daily , three
times a day before meals. There are contraindications to this digestive aid
consisting of gastric ulcers, gastritis, severe nausea, intestinal bleeding, or
esophageal problems. Patients with these difficulties and those taking
Coumadin should not receive Acidol. Coenzyme Q10
While not a vitamin, coenzyme Q10 has vitaminlike properties. The initial
dosage is 90 mg once per day. If no side effects in the form of tachycardia
or arrhythmia arise, on the secon d day increase the dosage to 300 mg daily ,
and on the third day increase the dose to 600 mg. Remain at that higher
dosage thereafter . Wobe-Mugos and Megazyme Forte
These gastrointestinal enzymes are indicated primarily when the patient
suffers from severe, excessive  gas. Some reports also indicate that the
enzymes may be helpful in reducing tumor masses. Laetrile
Laetrile, known generically as amygdalin, is indicated for the treatment
of bone metastases, and it may be useful in the treatment of lung cancers. When laetrile is available, it is primarily used to reduce pain levels,generally effective ten days to two weeks after initial daily administration. The dosage is 3 grams (5 cc) intravenously once per day . Brewer ’s Yeast
This type of food yeast derived from the brewing of beer is not
recommended under most circu mstances because of the risk of the yeast
syndrome (candidiasis) developing or worsening. Also, many people taking
brewer ’s yeast report extreme abdominal distension and gas. Castor Oil T reatment
This plant oil is contraindica ted in patients who have undergone
chemotherapy . Even so, castor oil treatment may be applicable to chemo
patients after six to nine months on the Gerson Therapy . Yet it should be
taken with great  caution inasmuch as extremely toxic side effects can occur
from the body’ s resulting elimination of chemotherapy residues. Castor oil
is a powerful detoxifier , and long-buried cytotoxicity can come out of the
tissues. Such a release may produce severe healing reactions. Coffee Enemas
As we have described in detail, coffee enemas are taken by chemo-
pretreated patients in the amount of a 32-ounce enema two to three times
per day. In some people, this dosage will be reduced to half strength by
mixing 16 ounces of chamomile tea with 16 ounces of coffee. The enema
dosage may gradually be increas ed as needed, but care must be taken not to
overstimulate the liver and cause extremely toxic side effects from
elimination of the chemotherapy residues lodged within the body . FOLLOW -UP THERAPY FOR THE  CHEMO -PRETREA TED CANCER  PATIENT
Follow-up thera py is required on this reduced Gerson protocol. Changes
in the medications will be made during the first year of treatment. For
instance, approximately one month after dischar ge from the inpatienttreatment center  (probably six to nine weeks after admission to the Gerson
hospital and start of the Gerson  Therapy), thyroid, potassium , and Lugol
medications are adjusted. If the patient has been on extremely reduced
levels, these medications may be increased by 25 to 50 percent. Other
supplements are generally kept at initial levels. If the patient was receiving normal levels of the Gerson protocol (e.g., 40
tsp of potassium and eighteen drops of Lugol), these medication levels are
reduced by approximately 50 percent.
_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:

        In considering Mrs. Lennox’ s situation, the store owner directed her to Dr. Gerso n’s book A
Cancer Therapy: Results of Fifty Cases. “The Gerson cancer protocol is the hardest therapy to follow  but the
best,” this natur al food store proprietor said. Consequently, this desperate
victim of cancer purchased the book. The dietary program in Dr. Gerson’ s text frightened her at first, but Mrs. Lennox telephoned the Gerson Institute in Bonita, California, and four days
later arrived at a Tijuana, Mexico, hospital that offered medically
supervised Gerson Therapy. She came alone, accompanied by a great deal of negativity voiced in
letters and telephone calls from her family. Still, the woman persisted. Over
time, laboratory tests showed her steady improvement and eventually she
returned to Sacramento to treat herself. After two years on the Gerson Therapy, Alexandra Lennox finally could
consider herself as having succeeded against breast cancer. She had saved
both of her breasts and was flourishing. Sexual relationships with men
began again. Her girlfriends described her to others as vivaci ous, verbal,
intelligent, and looking “really fabulous. ” After some two years more, she
felt at the peak of her abilities. SUMMARIZING THE  STANDARD  GERSON  THERAPY FOR  DEGENERA TIVE
DISEASES
What did Mrs. Alexandra Lennox do to restore her health and eliminate
cancer as well as her other healt h problems. Following is a summary of the
standard Gerson Therapy for degenerative diseases. This chapter presents the standard Gerson Therapy protocol being
followed by those degenerative disease patients not attempting to cope with
treatment complications. The chapter discusses:
• Why avoid drinking water  when following the Gerson Therapy for
eliminating serious health problems;
• Why take thyr oid extract  on a regular basis five times per day;
• Why take Lugol (potassium iodide, half-strength ) at the rate of eighteen
drops per day as cancer therapy;
• Why drink liquid potassium compound solution,  4 teaspoonfuls (tsp),
ten times per day, representing  2 grams or 50 mEq each of potassium
acetate, potassium gluconate, and potassium monophosphate (but not for
certain cancer patients);
• Why consume cold-pr essed flaxseed oil, 1 tablespoonful (tbs) twice
daily (with a reduction of this food oil after four weeks to 1 tbs per day);
• Why follow the juicing procedur e which requires the daily drinking of
thirteen 8-ounce  glasses of apple/carrot, carrot alone, green leaf, and/or
orange juices;
• Why ingest niacin  in a dose of 50 mg six times per day;
• Why supplement with porcine pancr eatin, three 325-mg enzyme tablets
four times per day;
• Why receive a crude liver/B12 intramuscular injection  of 100 mcg B12
with 3 cc of crude liver extract each day;• Why take Acidol® (betaine hydrochloride and pepsin ), two capsules
three times per day before meals;
• Why take coenzyme Q10, with its variable dosage;
• Why take laetrile (amygdalin),  useful for all primary cance rs but
specifically indicated for bone cancer metastases;
• Why use Wobe-Mugos® or Megazyme Forte®, the enzymes for
counteracting gastrointestinal gas and for reducing tumor masses;
• Why take brewer ’s yeast  with both its positive and negative effects (for
instance, it’ s contraindicated for cancer patients);
• Why receive five 32-ounce coffee enemas  administered daily for a
variable period of up to two years;
• Why ingest castor oil (orally and rectally) every other day as a
treatment;
• Why under go changes in medications within the first year. Considered the foundation for the Gerson Therapy, brief sketches of the
topics we provide in this chapter only slightly duplicate treatment
instructions which have gone before (or may come after). Indeed, this
chapter could be considered the pivot for our entire book and likely will be
referred to often by readers attempting to help themselves or loved ones
conquer degenerative diseases of all types, but most especially the various
cancers and leukemias. THE REASONS FOR  AVOIDING  WATER AS A  BEVERAGE
Usually, the public is told that, in order to maintain body functions at
optimum levels, people should drink about eight 8-ounce glasses (64 ounces
or 2 quarts) of water daily. On the Gerson Therapy the rules are different. We must study water from a number of angles to understand why this rule
changes. First, when people eat a salty diet, they are naturally thirsty, for our
human physiology forces them to drink enough water to hold excess sodium
in solution. If it is too concentrated, sodium buildup causes problems in the
blood serum as well as in the cells. The sodium in salt can kill. As reported worldwide, on July 27, 1999,
Leroy Elders, a three-month-old baby boy in Great Britain, died of a salt
overdose after his young paren ts fed him adult food. London newspapersexplained that the child’ s paren ts fed him oat breakfast cereal and mashed
potato with gravy because they found infant food too expensiv e. After an
autopsy, the baby’ s pediatrician  said, “Leroy’ s body contained nine grams
of salt, compared with a recommended daily maximum of seven grams for
adult males. The amount of sodium was too high for the baby’ s kidneys to
process, and it poisoned him to death. ”1
Second, another cause of thirst is eating a diet high in animal proteins
and fats. The intermediate or end-products of protein and fat digestion are
disturbing to the system and cause the person consuming them to feel
thirsty. Nutritionists have observed that fruitarians (people who eat only
fruit) don’t usually become thirsty. Fruit contains natural distilled water and
is easily  digested without causing any toxic residue; therefore, the body
does not require additional liquids. Dr. Max Gerson prohibited patie nts on the Gerson Therapy from  drinking
water for several reasons. First, Gerson patients consume thirteen 8-ounce
glasses (225 cc) of freshly squeezed juices each day—a lot of liquid. Second, Gerson  patients also eat unsalted soup twice a day, giving them
additional liquids. These two particular components of the Gerson Therapy
diet add up to about 4 liters of fluid intake daily, which is more than
adequate for human needs. Some patients on the Gerson program, however, still request additional
liquids, or they awaken during some nights with the need to drink more
fluids. Since ill persons such as these are not allowed to drink water, they
should be provided with herbal teas, such as peppermint, orange blossom,
linden blossom,  and/or tahebo (lapacho or pau d’arco). A quan tity of such
teas should be stored in a therm os bottle on a night table, right next to the
bed. Also, if the patient has difficulty falling to sleep, certain herbs such as
valerian make sleep-inducing teas. Third, Dr. Gerson did not allow patients to drink water because it tends to
dilute stomach acid and the gastrointestinal tract’ s own digestive juices. It is
well known that patients suffering from chronic diseases generally are low
in gastric acid, which makes it unwise to allow them to drink water.
She followed the Gerson Therapy and made significant improvements, eventually recovering from breast cancer.
What did Mrs. Alexandra Lennox do to restore her health and eliminate cancer?
He believed that drinking water would dilute stomach acid and digestive juices, causing gastrointestinal problems.
Why did Dr. Gerson prohibit his patients from drinking water?
The recommended dosage of laetrile is 3 grams (5 cc) intravenously once per day.
What is the recommended dosage of laetrile for cancer patients?
The initial dosage is 90 mg once per day, and if no side effects occur, it can be increased to 300 mg on the second day and 600 mg on the third day, and then maintained at that dosage.
What is the recommended dosage of coenzyme Q10?
Dr. Gerson discovered that flaxseed oil is beneficial for the cancer patient, as it can carry vitamin A (beta-carotene) to increase the patient's immune response and also help dissolve atherosclerotic plaque.
Why did Dr. Gerson recommend the use of flaxseed oil in his therapy?