What kind of cancer did Jay Kordich have?
Jay Kordich, also known as the “Father of Juicing”, was diagnosed with bladder cancer in the 1970s. Kordich claimed that juicing raw fruits and vegetables helped him overcome his life-threatening disease. His story inspired millions of people around the world to start juicing for better health.
Jay Kordich’s Cancer Diagnosis
In 1975 at age 39, Jay Kordich was diagnosed with transitional cell carcinoma, an aggressive form of bladder cancer. He was initially given just three months to live. The cancer had already metastasized into his lymphatic system.
Kordich recalled the moment he received the devastating news from his doctor: “The doctor said to me, ‘Jay, you have cancer. It’s already in your bladder and lymph nodes. It’s too far gone for us to do anything for you. All we can do is cut out your bladder and give you three months to live. Go home and get your affairs in order.’”
Kordich’s Introduction to Juicing
With such a grim prognosis, Kordich felt he had nothing to lose by trying alternative therapies. He turned to a woman named Bernadette who introduced him to the power of raw, freshly juiced fruits and vegetables.
Bernadette recommended Kordich start drinking the juice of wheatgrass every day. Although skeptical at first, Kordich committed to the plan. He later wrote, “I didn’t believe a word she said, but I was desperate. I figured, what have I got to lose?”
The Wheatgrass Juicing Regimen
Wheatgrass is the young grass of the common wheat plant, Triticum aestivum. It contains high concentrations of chlorophyll, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. Many alternative medicine practitioners believe wheatgrass juice has detoxifying, energizing, and healing properties.
Under Bernadette’s guidance, Kordich began drinking 2 ounces of wheatgrass juice every morning on an empty stomach. After three months, his cancer markers started dropping dramatically. After nine months, Kordich’s doctors said his cancer was in full remission.
| Time Period | Cancer Status |
|---|---|
| Initial diagnosis | Advanced bladder cancer spread to lymph nodes |
| 3 months of wheatgrass juicing | Cancer markers dropping |
| 9 months of wheatgrass juicing | Full cancer remission |
Kordich’s Belief in Raw Juices
Kordich credited the wheatgrass for destroying his cancer. This experience transformed him into a firm believer in the healing power of raw vegetable juices. He later wrote several books, including The Juiceman’s Power of Juicing, to share his story and juice recipes.
Kordich often stated, “Raw juice saved my life” and “Raw juice heals!” He believed juicing allowed him to get high concentrations of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes from produce in an easily digestible form.
The Spread of Kordich’s Juicing Movement
In the 1980s, Kordich partnered with retailer John Kohler to promote vegetable juicing appliances. He endorsed the Champion Juicer and became widely known as a television personality and infomercial star.
Kordich’s enthusiasm about juicing was infectious. His signature exclamation “JAAAAAY KORDICH…The Father of Juicing!” became nationally recognizable. He inspired millions to start juicing fruits and vegetables to improve their health.
Later Years Continuing to Spread the Juicing Message
Kordich dedicated the rest of his life to spreading the word about juicing. He estimated that he had shared his juicing message with over 100 million people around the world.
Even into his late 80s, Kordich continued giving interviews and making public appearances to motivate others to try juicing. He was often spotted at health food stores and juice bars talking to patrons about the benefits of raw juices.
Kordich passed away in 2017 at age 93. His New York Times obituary declared him “a juicing evangelist who inspired millions to envision health as a birthright won through a daily ritual of flaxseed oil and wheatgrass shots.”
The Impact of Kordich’s Juicing Movement
Jay Kordich left an undeniable mark on the juicing industry. Thanks to his influence:
- Juicing became widely recognized as a health supporting practice
- Vegetable juicers grew into a popular kitchen appliance category
- New juice bars and juicing companies emerged to meet demand
- Juice cleanses and detox programs entered the mainstream diet world
- Juicing became a daily habit for millions seeking better nutrition
Although exact scientific research is still ongoing, many people firmly believe consuming raw vegetable juices provides tangible health benefits. At the very least, juicing is an easy way to add more servings of fruits and veggies into your diet.
The Legacy of Jay Kordich’s Juicing Movement
Jay Kordich helped transform vegetable juicing from an obscure health fad into a thriving mainstream market. He successfully spread the message that juicing is a powerful way to flood your body with nutrients for improved vitality and wellbeing.
For those battling serious diseases like cancer, Kordich offered hope that nutritional therapies could potentially help where Western medicine had failed. His personal story of overcoming bladder cancer inspired countless others to take control of their health.
The global juicing phenomenon started by Kordich continues today. Thanks to his passion and persistence, millions of people now enjoy fresh vegetable and fruit juices as part of a healthy lifestyle.
Although he passed away in 2017, Jay Kordich’s legacy lives on in every glass of green juice and wheatgrass shot consumed around the world. Over four decades later, we still feel the ripple effects of Kordich’s commitment to sharing the life-changing power of raw juicing.
Conclusion
Jay Kordich was diagnosed with advanced bladder cancer in 1975 and given just three months to live. He turned to juicing wheatgrass and raw vegetables and fruits as an alternative therapy. After nine months of daily wheatgrass shots and produce juices, Kordich’s cancer went into complete remission. He became a firm believer in the healing powers of juicing raw fruits and vegetables.
Kordich made it his life mission to share the benefits of juicing with the world. His enthusiasm sparked a widespread juicing movement that took off in the 1980s and continues to this day. Although the exact anti-cancer effects of produce juices require more research, Kordich’s inspiring personal story helped motivate millions to add more daily juicing into their lives for improved health and wellness.
