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Healing the Gerson Way: Defeating Cancer and Other Chronic Diseases
There is a split right down the middle of modern medicine. One half, boosted by dazzling high technology, shows brilliant results in handling acute diseases and emergencies. The other half, dealing with chronic degenerative conditions, is lagging behind, unable to offer more than symptomatic treatment for the most widespread distressing conditions ranging from cancer, heart disease and hypertension to diabetes, arthritis and morbid obesity. It is assumed that these and other "diseases of modern civilization" are both inevitable and incurable.
Healing the Gerson Way: Defeating Cancer and Other Chronic Diseases contradicts all such assumptions. As a complete guide to the theory and practice of Gerson Therapy, developed over 80 years ago by Dr. Max Gerson, MD (1881-1959), it shows that the increasingly denatured, nutritionally empty, toxic modern diet is the main cause of today's worsening health crisis. This book offers the solution in the form of a brilliant, precision-built nutritional program that eliminates the underlying causes of disease, leading to lasting cures. This program is best know for its success in curing many types of cancer, but it also has an excellent track record with a large number of other degenerative conditions. These days, cancer researchers all over the world produce results that mirror one or another of Dr. Gerson's discoveries, developed over many years of clinical practice. Unfortunately, such partial insights are of little use. The Gerson Therapy, as a proven method of healing, contains them all — and more. It is up to the individual, who wants to improve or regain his or her health and make use of it.
448 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2007
39 people are currently reading
481 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 16, 2016
My go to guide. It will remain on my shelf. Love the recipes, especially the Hippocrates soup!
September 17, 2014
I bought this book on the recommendation of Andrew W. Saul.
I'm glad I bought it and I feel I have come away from reading it with some useful information, although I have found out that I am too ill and do not have the financial resources to follow the program fully.
(Like many people with severe M.E. any type of overexertion makes the disease worse, and this would include drinking juices hourly and having to interact with the juice bringer hourly, plus the enormous input and overexertion etc. in a weekly enema would be impossible, let alone 3 or more a day. The juices would also be far too high in carbohydrate for many of us, and we would feel more ill still from avoiding protein - as would others with mitochondrial diseases.)
However, I have bought the best quality juicer I could afford (NOT the $3000 one recommended!) and have been using it a lot, and have boosted the amount of vegetables I eat each day considerably too. I plan to do maybe 30% of the program. The book actually warns against this, and says that the program must be followed 100% to work. But you can only do what you can do I guess and it all helps, so I still have my little ember of hope and this program is part of that, although I'm also dong several other equally important things (a full orthomolecular program including high-dose vit C etc.).
One would have to be VERY VERY wealthy to follow this program fully incidentally. Expenses include a full-time carer for 12 hours a day to juice and do food prep and enemas (this cannot be done by the patient), a one-off expense of $3000 for a juicer (and no that third zero isn't a typo!) plus the cost of 8-10 kg or so of all organic fruits and veg each DAY, plus the costs involved in 3 daily coffee enemas.
I have to admit I was quite disappointed about how much the book only talked about each part of the program in the context of cancer. The amount of information about chronic disease was just tiny. Quite often it would be explained that you need to avoid X or take Y 'to shrink tumours' - but often no explanation was given at all as to why those of us facing non-tumour related disease should also do X or Y. This is important to know when you are considering giving up a food for years, or stopping a supplement you believe is important and I feel this was a big problem with the book, for chronically ill readers.
Another big problem I had with the book was when it said to avoid reading other health information as much as possible, as only the Gerson program was correct and everything else, just about, was wrong. Such an attitude is just.... unhelpful and doesn't inspire confidence in the authors. Knowledge is power.
(It's quite strange that while Saul recommends this book, the Gerson people warn against anyone reading and following HIS very very good books, or anything like them! I think that is a shame, and perhaps a bit arrogant.)
The recommendation to take highish doses of some B vitamins without taking some of all the B vitamins, as almost every orthomolecular expert recommends, also seemed a bit of a worry.
I'd have loved a section in the book for what to do if some of the contra-indications for enemas apply to you or you are too ill for enemas. Enemas are said to be contraindicated for those with cardiac insufficiency and diarrhoea (which would include all M.E. patients!). Can you use FIR saunas instead to some extent, I'd like to know?
I'd also like to know what those of us with severely reduced circulating blood volume that benefit from and need extra sodium (such as those with M.E. and also POTS or NMH)...how or even IF this can be combined with the extremely low sodium Gerson approach?
Overall this book was useful reading, if significantly flawed, and not something that could be followed strictly by all patients. Worth reading certainly but perhaps with just a grain of salt, for several reasons.
Jodi Bassett, The Hummingbirds' Foundation for M.E.
I'm glad I bought it and I feel I have come away from reading it with some useful information, although I have found out that I am too ill and do not have the financial resources to follow the program fully.
(Like many people with severe M.E. any type of overexertion makes the disease worse, and this would include drinking juices hourly and having to interact with the juice bringer hourly, plus the enormous input and overexertion etc. in a weekly enema would be impossible, let alone 3 or more a day. The juices would also be far too high in carbohydrate for many of us, and we would feel more ill still from avoiding protein - as would others with mitochondrial diseases.)
However, I have bought the best quality juicer I could afford (NOT the $3000 one recommended!) and have been using it a lot, and have boosted the amount of vegetables I eat each day considerably too. I plan to do maybe 30% of the program. The book actually warns against this, and says that the program must be followed 100% to work. But you can only do what you can do I guess and it all helps, so I still have my little ember of hope and this program is part of that, although I'm also dong several other equally important things (a full orthomolecular program including high-dose vit C etc.).
One would have to be VERY VERY wealthy to follow this program fully incidentally. Expenses include a full-time carer for 12 hours a day to juice and do food prep and enemas (this cannot be done by the patient), a one-off expense of $3000 for a juicer (and no that third zero isn't a typo!) plus the cost of 8-10 kg or so of all organic fruits and veg each DAY, plus the costs involved in 3 daily coffee enemas.
I have to admit I was quite disappointed about how much the book only talked about each part of the program in the context of cancer. The amount of information about chronic disease was just tiny. Quite often it would be explained that you need to avoid X or take Y 'to shrink tumours' - but often no explanation was given at all as to why those of us facing non-tumour related disease should also do X or Y. This is important to know when you are considering giving up a food for years, or stopping a supplement you believe is important and I feel this was a big problem with the book, for chronically ill readers.
Another big problem I had with the book was when it said to avoid reading other health information as much as possible, as only the Gerson program was correct and everything else, just about, was wrong. Such an attitude is just.... unhelpful and doesn't inspire confidence in the authors. Knowledge is power.
(It's quite strange that while Saul recommends this book, the Gerson people warn against anyone reading and following HIS very very good books, or anything like them! I think that is a shame, and perhaps a bit arrogant.)
The recommendation to take highish doses of some B vitamins without taking some of all the B vitamins, as almost every orthomolecular expert recommends, also seemed a bit of a worry.
I'd have loved a section in the book for what to do if some of the contra-indications for enemas apply to you or you are too ill for enemas. Enemas are said to be contraindicated for those with cardiac insufficiency and diarrhoea (which would include all M.E. patients!). Can you use FIR saunas instead to some extent, I'd like to know?
I'd also like to know what those of us with severely reduced circulating blood volume that benefit from and need extra sodium (such as those with M.E. and also POTS or NMH)...how or even IF this can be combined with the extremely low sodium Gerson approach?
Overall this book was useful reading, if significantly flawed, and not something that could be followed strictly by all patients. Worth reading certainly but perhaps with just a grain of salt, for several reasons.
Jodi Bassett, The Hummingbirds' Foundation for M.E.
November 30, 2015
Whether you have cancer or not, you will learn how our modern society contributes to its increased occurrence, and how you can make changes in your life to prevent getting it.
It’s a fascinating alternative understanding to the traditional medical approach of chemotherapy as to how you can create an environment both internally and externally to heal your body of chronic illnesses. Modern medicine tries to fix the symptoms of disease, whereas the Gerson Therapy fixes what causes the disease in the first place.
The Gerson protocol is very time consuming, requires great discipline, and a lengthy time frame in order to recover, which won’t appeal to those looking for a quick fix. But if you value a natural approach and vibrant health for the long-term, this is worth studying and applying.
It’s a fascinating alternative understanding to the traditional medical approach of chemotherapy as to how you can create an environment both internally and externally to heal your body of chronic illnesses. Modern medicine tries to fix the symptoms of disease, whereas the Gerson Therapy fixes what causes the disease in the first place.
The Gerson protocol is very time consuming, requires great discipline, and a lengthy time frame in order to recover, which won’t appeal to those looking for a quick fix. But if you value a natural approach and vibrant health for the long-term, this is worth studying and applying.
October 11, 2011
I can't attest to the efficacy of this program or the scientific claims made, but the underlying premise seemed very sound. However, following the program would necessitate being an independently wealthy recluse for two years…and I'm not exaggerating one iota. Until my insurance covers 2 in home nurses, 20 lbs of organic produce a day, and quitting my job for two years (minimum), this program is virtually useless to me, even if I could find the will to adhere to it.
June 14, 2014
Not for the faint of heart but if curious about the details of the Gerson Method, then all questions will be answered! I recommend watching The Beautiful Truth and The Gerson Way docus before reading the book. Both docus introduce Dr Gerson and the book is in-depth.
January 1, 2018
This was a very easy and informative book to read. I've always been afraid of getting cancer and while the therapy doesn't sound fun or easy I know that if I am ever diagnosed with cancer it will be the route of healing I choose. I hope to incorporate some of the things I learned to help myself heal from my migraines as the therapy was originally developed to help Dr. Gerson with his own migraines. There's no way I can do the full therapy but I'm hoping that by doing some of the things I'll do better. I feel armed with valuable information that I hope I never need to use for either myself or my family and friends.
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March 31, 2023Hdjdbsnsbb
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2016
I am pretty biased here. When I checked this out from the library I forgot why I had done so.
I imagined that I read enough positive reviews that I figured it was worth a shot. However, I also remembered reading that Gerson (was it Charlotte or her father?) claimed that all diseases could be treated with Gerson therapy including cancer before succumbing to cancer.
That being said, I have health issues and I tried to put prejudices out of the way in case there was any wisdom here. I am not sure how well I did as I came away with a pretty bad feeling in my mouth.
My summary of the treatment is that it was ahead of its time, but insular/pig-headed to a fault. I think there are many good things happening here but there a couple of things that call everything into question. The first is treating cancer patients with glucose. Cancers preferred fuel is sugar so this seems counter-intuitive and at least deserves an explanation. The therapy also includes Hydrogen Peroxide. There is at least some possibility of this skewing the biome. I could see Hydrogen Peroxide being a treatment for some patients, but to treat it as a miracle without fully explaining away its potential downsides seems shady.
I imagined that I read enough positive reviews that I figured it was worth a shot. However, I also remembered reading that Gerson (was it Charlotte or her father?) claimed that all diseases could be treated with Gerson therapy including cancer before succumbing to cancer.
That being said, I have health issues and I tried to put prejudices out of the way in case there was any wisdom here. I am not sure how well I did as I came away with a pretty bad feeling in my mouth.
My summary of the treatment is that it was ahead of its time, but insular/pig-headed to a fault. I think there are many good things happening here but there a couple of things that call everything into question. The first is treating cancer patients with glucose. Cancers preferred fuel is sugar so this seems counter-intuitive and at least deserves an explanation. The therapy also includes Hydrogen Peroxide. There is at least some possibility of this skewing the biome. I could see Hydrogen Peroxide being a treatment for some patients, but to treat it as a miracle without fully explaining away its potential downsides seems shady.
December 8, 2014
This was a really good introduction to the gerson therapy but what is missing is a step by step "workbook" of some sort that helps people get started. after reading I still see no feasible way of working full time and doing the fulk therapy. there were no examples of people in the book who are less privileged with time and money who are making it happen which comes across fairly elite. Overall, it was a very easy read and generally informative.
March 4, 2016
My mother and I both follow this and it has gotten rid of her arthritis and asthma. Just our personal experience, but I absolutely support this lifestyle. It's also highly enjoyable and I never feel deprived.
March 4, 2016
My mother and I both follow this and it has gotten rid of her arthritis and asthma. Just our personal experience, but I absolutely support this lifestyle. It's also highly enjoyable and I never feel deprived.
August 8, 2016
I like this book too. This is a very intensive laid out way to treat chronic problems. It ties in with lots of the other books I'm reading, but this is the most regimented. (That might be what you want sometimes).
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December 27, 2009Interesting insight into one alternative therapy approach.
March 10, 2010
A book that everyone should read about healing holistically and avoiding environmental toxins.
February 12, 2012
Charlotte Gerson is amazing. The book is an excellent resource for healing naturally.
April 11, 2013
So informative! I'm still skeptical and will read other books related to this, but it was eye-opening and inspiring.
May 18, 2013
There is a lot of information in this book. Some good takeaways even if you don't have a terminal illness.
September 12, 2014
"We can 100% guaranteed cure almost all chronic diseases known to man"
February 19, 2015
Instead of working to heal something happening currently, I'm working on prevention by a moderated use of the Gerson diet. Fantastic results so far.
September 4, 2011
Very plausable...
October 5, 2012
I believe that the Gerson Therapy would work, but unrealistic for the average income.
July 1, 2013
She's one of my favorite health care professionals! I applaud all her work!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews