› Forums › General Melanoma Community › The Gerson approach
- This topic has 6 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 14 years ago by
Lori C.
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- November 16, 2010 at 3:17 pm
I went to a talk here in Calgary, a few weeks ago, in which the Gerson approach to health and curing cancer was promoted. SInce then , I have found a number of other clinics in Europe, Mexico and North America (eg. the Hippocrates Health Institute in Florida) which practice similar "treatments" – usually lots of natural juice, strict diets, and enemas aimed at purging the body of toxins and cancer cells (or starving the cancer cells).
I went to a talk here in Calgary, a few weeks ago, in which the Gerson approach to health and curing cancer was promoted. SInce then , I have found a number of other clinics in Europe, Mexico and North America (eg. the Hippocrates Health Institute in Florida) which practice similar "treatments" – usually lots of natural juice, strict diets, and enemas aimed at purging the body of toxins and cancer cells (or starving the cancer cells).
The Gerson Institute, in particular, makes some specific claims about improving the prognosis of those with Melanoma. However, there are a number of rebuttals of their claims on the Internet from the established medical profession , including teh American Cancer Society. These note that none of the Gerson claims have been proven by peer reveiw or experiment.
No doubt these clinics charge an arm and a leg for treatment, with questionable results (though a fresh juice diet can't hurt).
I wonder if the board members have any personal experience with these clinics, because drinking a glass of fresh juice every hour sure sounds preferable to engaging in "chemical warfare" and surgery that the cancer hospitals of the world promote?
Springbok
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- November 16, 2010 at 4:59 pm
From my research, it seems that this therapy is questionable at best, and may be harmful or deadly. Several patients have died from lack of sodium and from the coffee enemas, and since nuts, meat, and most beans are not allowed, it seems that getting protein could be a challenge (http://www.gerson.org/pdfs/Foods_For_The_Gerson_Diet.pdf). It also prohibits drinking water!!!!
I am all for avoiding toxins and going the "natural" route, but this appear to be flirting with danger, and is listed on Quackwatch.com.
Food for thought (pun intended!).
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- November 16, 2010 at 4:59 pm
From my research, it seems that this therapy is questionable at best, and may be harmful or deadly. Several patients have died from lack of sodium and from the coffee enemas, and since nuts, meat, and most beans are not allowed, it seems that getting protein could be a challenge (http://www.gerson.org/pdfs/Foods_For_The_Gerson_Diet.pdf). It also prohibits drinking water!!!!
I am all for avoiding toxins and going the "natural" route, but this appear to be flirting with danger, and is listed on Quackwatch.com.
Food for thought (pun intended!).
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- November 16, 2010 at 5:09 pm
The Gerson approach has been discussed on this board for many years. It's been around a long time, and that should be a sign of something right there. If something has been around for a long time and is WORKING..then it's talked about constantly. If the Gerson approach actually worked, the folks on this board would be shouting it from the hilltops. Even if regular medical folks poo pooed it, we'd still be hearing about it here.
Because this board is full of patients, and what we ALL want is to see something that works against melanoma. Even if it only works for a tiny group of people it is talked about here.
I'm betting you can search the archives for discussion on Gerson. Check Essiac Tea too..
There's nothing wrong with drinking juice, or trying any number of alternative treatments..unless of course, they lead the patient away from a more traditional treatment that might save their life! Most oncologists would agree that adding a complementary or supplementary treatment is ok..it's eschewing traditiona treatments in favor of unproven treatments that is a problem.
In general though.. if it's on QUACKWATCH..there's a reason…
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- November 16, 2010 at 5:09 pm
The Gerson approach has been discussed on this board for many years. It's been around a long time, and that should be a sign of something right there. If something has been around for a long time and is WORKING..then it's talked about constantly. If the Gerson approach actually worked, the folks on this board would be shouting it from the hilltops. Even if regular medical folks poo pooed it, we'd still be hearing about it here.
Because this board is full of patients, and what we ALL want is to see something that works against melanoma. Even if it only works for a tiny group of people it is talked about here.
I'm betting you can search the archives for discussion on Gerson. Check Essiac Tea too..
There's nothing wrong with drinking juice, or trying any number of alternative treatments..unless of course, they lead the patient away from a more traditional treatment that might save their life! Most oncologists would agree that adding a complementary or supplementary treatment is ok..it's eschewing traditiona treatments in favor of unproven treatments that is a problem.
In general though.. if it's on QUACKWATCH..there's a reason…
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- November 16, 2010 at 5:19 pm
I talked to a lot of doctors about melanoma treatment when I was getting pretty desperate looking for alternatives and options for Will. I ran across this and could not find a single trusted physician that I knew who thought it was going to do any good at all, and might do some significant harm. And that includes several who are quite holistic in their approach.
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- November 16, 2010 at 5:19 pm
I talked to a lot of doctors about melanoma treatment when I was getting pretty desperate looking for alternatives and options for Will. I ran across this and could not find a single trusted physician that I knew who thought it was going to do any good at all, and might do some significant harm. And that includes several who are quite holistic in their approach.
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