The Gerson diet starts with an initial 6-12 week intense nutritional overhaul focused on increasing vitamins, minerals, enzymes and high quality nutrients from fruit and vegetable juices while limiting sodium, fat and animal products. Generally, about 13 juice drinks from fresh, organic, raw vegetables and fruits are consumed each day. The Gerson institute suggests using a two- stage juicer with a separate grinder and hydraulic press. Along with the 13 juices, 3 whole food meals of more fruits, vegetables and some whole grains are also incorporated into each day.
The Gerson diet also is customized for each individual patient depending on how they heal and what works best for their system. Specific foods will be ‘off limits’ for different people at varying times in their treatment and recovery. For all persons on the Gerson Therapy, all packaged, frozen, and highly processed foods are completely prohibited. These foods are thought to promote illness and reduce immune strength.
Drinking water
The Gerson therapy suggests patients avoid drinking water as it may dilute stomach acid and prevent the proper absorption of nutrients. The 13 juice drinks per day are thought to contain enough fluid to keep the body hydrated.
Supplements Suggested on the Gerson Diet
Foods To Eat on the Gerson Diet:
(List from www.gerson.org)
Food to eat Occasionally on the Gerson Diet:
Foods not allowed on the Gerson Diet
The Gerson diet starts with an initial 6-12 week intense nutritional overhaul focused on increasing vitamins, minerals, enzymes and high quality nutrients from fruit and vegetable juices while limiting sodium, fat and animal products. Generally, about 13 juice drinks from fresh, organic, raw vegetables and fruits are consumed each day. The Gerson institute suggests using a two- stage juicer with a separate grinder and hydraulic press. Along with the 13 juices, 3 whole food meals of more fruits, vegetables and some whole grains are also incorporated into each day.
The Gerson diet also is customized for each individual patient depending on how they heal and what works best for their system. Specific foods will be ‘off limits’ for different people at varying times in their treatment and recovery. For all persons on the Gerson Therapy, all packaged, frozen, and highly processed foods are completely prohibited. These foods are thought to promote illness and reduce immune strength.
Drinking water
The Gerson therapy suggests patients avoid drinking water as it may dilute stomach acid and prevent the proper absorption of nutrients. The 13 juice drinks per day are thought to contain enough fluid to keep the body hydrated.
Supplements Suggested on the Gerson Diet
Foods To Eat on the Gerson Diet:
(List from www.gerson.org)
Food to eat Occasionally on the Gerson Diet:
Foods not allowed on the Gerson Diet
The Gerson Institute gives an overview of the Gerson Diet by stating that it "seeks to regenerate the body to health, supporting each important metabolic requirement by flooding the body with nutrients from almost 20 pounds of organically grown fruits and vegetables daily. Most is used to make fresh raw juice, one glass every hour, 13 times per day. Raw and cooked solid foods are generously consumed. Oxygenation is usually more than doubled, as oxygen deficiency in the blood contributes to many degenerative diseases. The metabolism is also stimulated through the addition of thyroid, potassium and other supplements, and by avoiding heavy animal fats, excess protein, sodium and other toxins."1 Therapy Diet was developed by Dr. Max Gerson, M.D., in the 1920’s as a treatment option for cancer and other chronic diseases. The Gerson Therapy is said to activates the body’s natural defenses to heal itself from infection and cancer by inundating the body with high quantities of nutrients from fresh fruit and vegetables. Most of this is consumed in juice form with patients drinking 13 glasses of fruit and vegetable juice daily. This is thought to increase oxygen within the body and boost the immune system to fight against disease. Gerson Therapy stresses the importance of consuming foods that are organically or biologically grown. Max Gerson said "Stay close to nature and its eternal laws will protect you." He considered that degenerative diseases were brought on by toxic, degraded food, water and air.
Other important aspects of the Gerson Therapy include detoxification by coffee enemas and supplements to correct nutritional deficiencies.
