How many glasses of juice are included in Gerson Therapy?
Introduction
Gerson Therapy is a natural treatment protocol that was developed by Dr. Max Gerson in the 1920s. It is used as an alternative therapy for cancer and other chronic degenerative diseases. The therapy is based on the belief that disease can be healed by removing toxins from the body and boosting the immune system through diet and nutritional supplements.
A key component of Gerson Therapy is fresh, raw vegetable and fruit juices. Patients on the Gerson Therapy drink up to 13 glasses of juice per day. The vegetable juices provide the body with high levels of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and phytonutrients that help repair and regenerate cells. The juicing also floods the body with antioxidants that scavenge free radicals.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at the juice component of Gerson Therapy. We will examine how many glasses of juice are consumed per day, the specific juices used, why juicing is beneficial and some sample recipes.
Number of Juices Consumed Daily in Gerson Therapy
Patients following Gerson Therapy drink 13 glasses of juice per day. This includes:
- 5 glasses of green juice
- 4 glasses of carrot/apple juice
- 4 glasses of juice made from root vegetables and greens
Here is a breakdown of the juices:
Type of Juice | Number of 8oz Glasses |
---|---|
Green juice | 5 |
Carrot/apple juice | 4 |
Root juice | 4 |
Total | 13 |
As shown in the table, a total of 13 glasses of fresh juice are consumed every day on the Gerson Therapy protocol. This floods the body with a high concentration of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants from a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.
Benefits of Juicing in Gerson Therapy
There are several key benefits associated with the high level of juicing required on the Gerson Therapy diet:
- Floods the body with nutrients – By removing the insoluble fiber from fruits and vegetables, more of the vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals are able to be absorbed from the juice.
- Easy to digest – The juices require minimal digestion so the nutrients can be rapidly utilized by the body. This allows the body to redirect energy from digestion towards healing and rejuvenation.
- Alkalizing effect – The juices help alkalize the body and counteract the acidity caused by cancer. An alkaline environment makes it more difficult for cancer cells to proliferate.
- Detoxification – The nutrients and enzymes in the juices support the liver’s detoxification pathways. This facilitates the removal of toxins from the body.
- Boosts immune system – The juices provide high levels of antioxidants and nutrients that strengthen and regulate the immune system.
- Increases energy – The nutrients provided by juicing help increase energy levels and reduce fatigue in cancer patients.
The high concentration of fresh juices is therefore a critical therapeutic component of Gerson Therapy.
Specific Juices Used in Gerson Therapy
Gerson Therapy uses specific types of fresh, organic juices. These include:
Green Juice
The green juice is made by juicing the following vegetables:
- Carrots
- Celery
- Parsley
- Dandelion greens
- Watercress
- Endive
- Spinach
- Lettuce
A variety of green vegetables are used to maximize nutrient diversity. Dandelion greens and watercress are particularly beneficial for liver health and detoxification. Five 8oz glasses of green juice are consumed per day.
Carrot/Apple Juice
This juice contains:
- Carrots
- Apples
Four glasses per day are required. Apples add sweetness and make the juice more palatable. Carrots provide antioxidants such as beta-carotene and vitamin A.
Root Vegetable Juice
A variety of root vegetables are used:
- Beets
- Carrots
- Celery root
- Parsnips
- Sweet potatoes
- Radishes
- Turnips
These are combined with greens like spinach, kale or chard. Four 8oz glasses are consumed per day. Beets and carrots provide powerful cancer-fighting compounds.
Sample Juicing Recipes
Here are some sample recipes for the juices used in Gerson Therapy:
Green Juice
- 5 carrots
- 4 stalks of celery
- 1 cup parsley
- 2 cups spinach
- 2 leaves green lettuce
- 5 leaves endive
Juice the ingredients and drink 8oz immediately. Store any extra in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
Carrot Apple Juice
- 6 carrots, trimmed
- 2 apples, cored
Juice the carrots and apples together. Drink 8oz right away.
Root Vegetable Juice
- 4 carrots, trimmed
- 1 small beet, trimmed
- 1 parsnip, trimmed
- 1 cup chopped kale
Juice all ingredients and consume immediately. Make in 8oz batches.
These fresh juices form a core part of the Gerson Therapy protocol. When consumed in the recommended quantities, they provide a concentrated nutritional boost that facilitates healing in the body. Variety is key – rotate the ingredients to obtain a wide spectrum of nutrients.
Other Components of Gerson Therapy
In addition to juicing, Gerson Therapy includes:
- Organic Plant-Based Diet – At least 2 organic vegetarian meals are eaten per day focused on raw fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes.
- Detoxification – Daily coffee enemas are used to aid liver detoxification along with castor oil treatments as needed.
- Supplements – A specific protocol of nutritional supplements is used including niacin, potassium compound, thyroid hormone and vitamin B12.
- Liver Support – Liver function is supported through raw calf’s liver juice and iron supplements.
The components work synergistically to restore health in a natural way by flooding the body with micronutrients, supporting detox pathways and strengthening the immune system.
Consult With a Practitioner
It is important to work with a qualified Gerson Therapy practitioner if considering the protocol for cancer treatment. The practitioner can monitor your progress and make adjustments to the diet, juices and supplement protocol based on your individual needs. Some people may require more or less juice depending on their case. Always work with a professional to implement the therapy correctly.
Conclusion
Gerson Therapy involves drinking up to 13 glasses of fresh, organic vegetable and fruit juice per day. Five glasses are green juice, four are carrot/apple juice and four are root vegetable juices blended with greens. Juicing floods the body with easily digestible nutrients that provide energy, support detox pathways and strengthen the immune system. When combined with an organic, plant-based diet, detoxification procedures and nutritional supplementation, the juices help restore health in cancer patients. Work with a qualified practitioner to determine the ideal juicing protocol for your individual needs. Consume a wide variety of organic produce and rotate ingredients to obtain a diversity of micronutrients.