Gerson
"Science is built up of facts as a house is built up of stones; but an accumulation
of facts is no more science that a heap of stones is a house." Poincare;
Science and Hypothesis (xiii).
The task of a person diagnosed with cancer to find a total treatment for their
cure, is daunting. There are no therapeutic approaches, either conventional
or holistic, that can boast unanimous victory, and indeed many fail. Solving
the cancer problem has remained elusive; this is partly due to our fragmented
approach, where research and practice is divided into many specialities,
observing the effects of single treatments on the symptoms of disease, with
a clear disregard for the totality of natural biological rules in the human
body. If the focus of research and clinical application remains symptomatic,
and continues to ignore the underlying metabolism that supports the disease,
then treatment will remain ineffective, offering little more than clutching
at straws. What is required is an integrated approach that embraces the "concept
of totality", a phrase coined by the late Dr. Gerson.
The concept of totality refers to the functioning
of the whole body; the integrity of the organs, the
level of defence and immunity, and the healing power
- all governed by the metabolism. Dr. Gerson states "the
onset of metabolic disturbance constitutes the beginning
of disease…. the task is to bring the body
back to that normal physiology… the next task
is to keep the physiology of the metabolism in that
natural equilibrium"(pp5-6). He went on to say
that cancer develops when there is a general breakdown
of the whole body. He maintained that malignancy
is cell adaptation to local conditions, or an adjustment
to the preceding pathologies. Dr. Gerson surmised,
and went on to prove, that if you changed the internal
environment, so that the malignancy could not survive,
if the body was brought to a healing inflammation
(digestion of the tumour), and if the body was able
to eliminate toxicity including tumour products,
then you would indeed see cure. "What is essential
is not the growth itself or the visible symptoms;
it is the damage of the whole metabolism, including
the loss of defence, immunity and healing power" (p35).
The aim of the therapy is to restore and increase the oxidative metabolism
of normal cells, reactivate the enzyme systems, restore the digestion and
essential organs (especially the liver) and increase the detoxification of
the entire system. It is an intense nutritional and detoxification program
which restores total body integrity. Dr. Gerson found that in cancer patients
nutritional deficiencies could not be restored as long as the essential organs
remain poisoned, in other words, damaged organs lose their capacity to recycle,
retain and utilize nutrients. By default, the sick body perpetuates this
state of deficiency. Therefore, it became imperative on the therapy to ensure
adequate detoxification and nourishment over a long period of time until
all the tumours were absorbed and the essential organs restored sufficiently
to take over their full function. Dr. Gerson found that the application of
the therapy (diet and medications) encouraged the cells to take up the nutrients
while simultaneously releasing their accumulated toxic burden into the blood
stream where it would be delivered to the liver. He discovered that the liver
of a cancer patient is not only damaged but toxic, and any increase in the
toxic load had severely detrimental effects, in some cases resulting in "hepatic
coma" and death. Cancer breakdown products added to the burden and the
patient's condition was seen to deteriorate faster on the therapy than from
the actual disease. Hence the introduction of the coffee enema which supported
and facilitated the rate of liver detoxification required for effective treatment.
(Research undertaken in the 1930s by Heuber and Meyer and later in the 1970s
by Wattenberg confirmed the specific compounds in coffee which stimulate
the detoxification pathways both in the liver and small intestine). So this
combined approach of hyperalimentation and intensive detoxification became
the basis of the treatment.
Dr. Gerson refers to the "secret" or end-effect of his treatment
was to bring the body to a natural healing inflammation, where the body raises
an immune response which destroys abnormal substances including cancer and
scar tissue. Dr. Gerson says, "After I recognised the healing of cancer
to be a parenteral digestion, the therapeutic endeavour was subordinated to
this purpose" (p217). The von Bergmann school at that time stated that "Cancer
metabolism takes place once the body is no longer capable of producing an active
'inflammation metabolism' …. the cancerous organism is anergic in respect
to inflammation" (p120), and further "where the inflammation metabolism
begins the cancer metabolism stops"(p43).
It was common practice during the 1900s to deliberately stimulate defence reactions
by invoking fever through the administration of various toxins (Coley's toxins)1
and by inoculating the patient with cancerous tissue or extracts from cancer
tissues. Coley's initial success was good; however, as time went on, the
treatment proved less effective. Others partially succeeded in producing
a defence reaction but no cure was obtained, only temporary improvement.
Similar practices are used today and we are faced with the same limitations
of treatment. In the melanoma vaccine trials, where patients receive an autologous
vaccine (prepared from their own tumour tissue) in order to activate an immune
response to their cancer, the prognosis is improved if the patient has an
inflammatory reaction at the site of the vaccine which indicates an active
immune system. The vaccine can only stimulate an existing immune system;
it will not rebuild or replenish it. This is where Dr. Gerson understood
that the outcome such treatments was determined not by the degree or type
of stimulus applied, but by the "energy-capacity of the healing apparatus" or
the state of "inflammatory preparedness" (immune response) for
any given patient. So raising the "energy capacity" of the body
became fundamental to treatment. This underlines why the outcome of any adjuvant
treatment ultimately depends on the fabric or integrity of the body, which
in effect, indicates that it is the body which supports the treatment and
not the treatment which supports the body. A curative diet, that rebuilds
the system should therefore become the cornerstone of any therapeutic approach.
It was already established that cancer patients were "anergic" (unable
to produce an inflammatory reaction) to a greater or lesser degree. Dr. Gerson
believed, from his observations, that the "anergia" increased, the
more advanced the disease became. In advanced cases, the differential count
for lymphocytes often fell below 10% (p124-125), which, as Dr. Gerson points
out, indicated that the body was no longer capable of producing the necessary
amount of lymphocytes for defence and healing. However, he observed that after
several months of detoxification the inflammatory response was restored, or
in other words, the energy-capacity of the healing apparatus was increased. "It
therefore appears that the body's capacity to produce an allergic inflammation
(healing power) depends on a most complete detoxication and an equilibrium
in the metabolism to near normal"(pp128-129).
Dr. Gerson acknowledged "that the idea of helping the organism through
a strong inflammation is old but was correct from the beginning" (p128),
and he was not averse to stimulating the immune system, in addition to his
treatment. He remained cautious in this approach as he saw that the problem
lay in finding "the surest and most effective way to do this." However,
he differed from his colleagues in that he felt it was essential that the body
was brought to a natural and spontaneous inflammation, achievable on his therapy
and a positive indication of a reactivation of the healing power. He states, "It
is not enough to introduce a temporary inflammation into the body. The body
itself must be able to do it and do it continuously, because many cancer cells
remain hidden in some areas where even the bloodstream cannot reach them. In
order to maintain this healing process, it is, of course, necessary to apply
the treatment for long enough to restore all vital organs to normal function
to reproduce the same reactive processes as used by the body itself, for healing
purposes" (p125). To his mind, this enabled cure; to merely induce an
artificial fever while neglecting the fundamental cause of the disease was
of no long-term benefit. It is interesting to note the work of Tallberg2 who
uses an integrated metabolic, hormonal and immunological approach, and who
has had some good results in improving the disease-free interval in some patients.
Part of his treatment involves autologous vaccination admixed with tuberculin
PPD and/or repeated vaccinations against influenza A and B strains. However,
it is necessary to keep giving the vaccinations in order to secure control
of the cancer and this method is not seen as cure.
The Gerson Therapy is not a preventative therapy; it is a curative therapy
and through its specific application, it restores the metabolism, which as
a consequence, alters the pathology. We are dealing with two metabolisms
which co-exist in the cancer patient; the fermentative or cancer metabolism
(does not use oxygen), and the normal or oxidative metabolism. Each is nourished,
grows and reproduces with the aid of the nutrition to its disposal. Malignant
cells with their fermentative system cannot adapt to the oxidative metabolism,
so the thrust of the therapy is to bring the body back to its full oxidative
function which supports cell differentiation, maturation and a defence system
that checks any abnormal cell formation.
In raising the resistance of the body, while lowering the resistance of the
tumour we are feeding and increasing the capacity the healthy cells while
starving the cancer cells. Dr. Gerson observed that the onset of any pathological
change in the cell was marked by a loss of potassium and an uptake of sodium,
chloride and water by the cell. Once this occurs the cell naturally starts
to drop into fermentation, sodium being a potent inhibitor of oxidation.
In the 1970s, specific studies undertaken by the physiologist Clarence Cone3,
who generated substantial experimental data concerning changes in potassium
and sodium levels in cancer cells, indicated that not only do cancer cells
take up sodium, but this mineral has a mitotic regulating effect forcing
cancer cells to continuously divide, producing tumours.
Dr. Gerson's X-ray studies revealed that sick or damaged tissues were characterized
by an area of oedematous swelling, which in malignancy provides a protective
layer. Malignancies secrete toxic cancer breakdown products, some from protein,
which seep into the surrounding area weakening the tissues and reducing the
natural barrier. On the high potassium /no salt therapy these internal oedemas
reduced, the tumours started shrinking and the patient starts to heal. Dr.
Gerson observed losses of up to 8g per day of sodium in the urine at the
beginning of the therapy and at periodic intervals during flare-ups. Dr.
Gerson understood, despite opposition from within the medical establishment,
that potassium, as a key activator of the oxidative system, had to be re-instated
within the cell. He found that the application of larger doses of supplemental
potassium (equal parts of potassium acetate, gluconate and mono-phosphate,
determined after 300 experiments over a 6 year period) to an already high
potassium diet, not only facilitated the uptake of potassium by the cells,
but accelerated the elimination of sodium and toxins from the system which
led to increased healing.
It was not until the 1970s that we saw scientific validation of Dr. Gerson's
methods. His therapy was reviewed by Freeman Cope, MD4 (Chief of Biochemistry
of the Naval Air Development Centre, Pennsylvania, USA) who predicted and
tested, using NMRI technology, Dr. Gerson's theory, that large amounts of
potassium could be added to a low sodium diet to reduce what he labelled
the tissue damage syndrome. This technology reads tissue chemistry electronically,
enabling us to record and interpret electrical fields within the body. Cope
was in agreement with Gilbert Ling's5 (biophysicist) "Association-Induction
Theory" which was advanced in 1962. Ling approached the cell as an electrical
model. He demonstrated that the latticework of microfilaments within the
cell generates an electrical field which, through its force of attraction,
causes water to polarise and form structured layers. In this electrical state,
the cell is purified and will not accept sodium. This electrical field is
governed by the association of potassium at the negatively charged sites
along the microfilaments. When potassium is in place, the oxidation system
is activated along with the production of energy (ATP) and normal metabolism
occurs. Cope verified that damaged tissues, whether from chemical, bacterial
or traumatic insult, lose their electrostatic forces which hold the potassium
in place, and start to swell with sodium and water. A vicious cycle is then
set up as the cell metabolism becomes more and more impaired. Cope demonstrated
that, unless the cell was irreversibly damaged, by bombarding the cells with
potassium they are encouraged to regain their electrical state.
The application of thyroid and Lugol's (inorganic iodine) medication along
with the potassium (in large doses at the beginning of the treatment) amplifies
the cellular response to increase oxidative capacity and free energy. Thyroid
and Lugol's stimulate the replication of cellular mitochondria (energy factories
of the cell where oxygen in "burned" and ATP is formed) to meet
the increased energy requirements. These medications also accelerate sodium
and toxin elimination.
The cancer cell cannot adapt to these changes, and in effect are starved of
their nutrition, while the oxidizing cells are revitalized. Additionally,
all the other medications recommended by Dr. Gerson, were ones that only
supported oxidative metabolism, such as niacin (and later we added CoQ10),
and are not required by the cancer cell. Dr. Gerson did try introducing various
nutritional supplements but had negative results with the ones he tried,
specifically calcium, magnesium, folic acid, and vitamins A and E, which
he found had a stimulating rather than a replenishing effect. "Several
times I observed that vitamins in good combinations, with or without minerals,
produced a regrowth of cancer or new spreadings in a few days. The patient
felt better for a shorter or longer period through what may be regarded as
the stimulation of the entire metabolism. However, the cancer regrew, caused
by what some other authors explained as the greater attraction power of the
cancerous tissue"(p210). Tallberg 2 has also identified specific nutrients
acting as growth factors for malignancies.
Cancer tissue is greedy for nutrients, especially protein. Excess dietary protein
not only inhibits sodium elimination and the reversal of the tissue damage
syndrome, but also promotes the growth of tumours. Experimental work carried
out by Dr. Robert Good 6 on mice during the 1980s, confirmed Dr. Gerson's
observations, that a restricted calorie and protein diet causes regression
of tumours. When protein was added prematurely into the diet, Dr. Gerson's
patients experienced regrowth of tumour tissue.
The nutrients as supplied in the food and the freshly prepared juices, however,
did not have a stimulant effect on the tumour tissue. Dr. Gerson observed
that while the nutrients were in their living state, as part of the living
enzyme system of the plant, that they would be taken up and replenish the
sick tissues. If the juices were not taken immediately after preparation
(60% of enzymes die within 30 minutes of juice preparation), or if the enzymes
were damaged in the juicing (as occurs when using centrifugal machines),
then the patient failed to respond to the therapy. It would appear that nutrients,
as part of the oxidizing system of the plant, will support the oxidizing
cell, but when they fall out of this state, they are no longer as effective.
Due to Dr. Gerson's negative findings on nutritional supplements, he was opposed
to their use as he regarded them as having stimulant value only, being chemical
substances devoid of energy. He says, "We know that what we have inherited
is not set of chemical substances but a pattern of dynamic energies"(p90),
and that "the system needs animating energies besides the pure substances" (p99).
He comments that by using organically grown foods, you bring both the discovered
and undiscovered enzymes and nutrients (especially the unknown) together
in the proper quantity, mixture and composition required for regeneration
and healing. It is important to understand that through the specific application
of the Gerson Therapy (diet and medications) we bring about a total change
in cell metabolism, a shift of sodium and toxins and a re-instatement of
potassium and the oxidative cycle, which cannot simply be achieved through
nutritional supplementation. Dr. Gerson offers the following comment, "It
is not necessary here to pay attention to the many proposals for applying
one or more vitamins or enzymes or those mixed with minerals. It would be
a primitive concept to propose that the administration of one or another
enzyme, vitamin or mineral or their composition would change or counteract
the enzymatic disturbance or intracellular nature" (p57).
If we approach the cancer problem from an holistic view point then the chances
are that we will make informed and better choices rather than adopting a
hit and miss approach. There are many adjunctive treatments available today,
and clearly many have therapeutic value. Among the ones a Gerson patient
may use are laetrile, ozone, hydrotherapy (hyperthermy), and herbs. Choosing
an integrated approach based on the concept of totality, means that any chosen
treatment can be evaluated as to how far it can assist, or whether it undermines
the healing process. According to the concept of totality the outcome of
any treatment is dependent upon the existing energy-capacity of the body,
as it is the body integrity that ultimately supports the treatment. The cornerstone
of any treatment therefore must be diet-based.
With any proposed therapy I believe two questions need to be asked:
am I releasing the accumulated, and the current,
toxic burden?
am I rebuilding my healthy cells and depriving my cancer cells?
Then you may ask how your chosen adjunct treatment
fits into the overall plan.
I strongly agree with Dr. Gerson, that the fundamental cause of degenerative
disease and cancer is unnatural nutrition (non-organic and processed) and
the slow poisoning of the body due to the accumulation of environmental toxins.
I believe that the time is critical and that we need to adopt more preventative
measures by ensuring that we use only organic foods and refuse toxic chemicals
in our environment. I quote Dr. Gerson, "I fear that it will not be
possible, at least in the near future, to repair all the damage that modern
agriculture and civilization have brought to our lives. I believe it is essential
that people unite, in the old conservative manner, for the humanitarian purpose
of producing nutrition for their families and future generations as natural
and unrefined as possible" (pp3-4).References:
http://www.ralphmoss.com/html/coley.pdf
Tallberg, Thomas: "Cancer treatment, based on active nutritional biomodulation,
hormonal therapy and specific autologous immunotherapy", Journal of Australasian
College of Nutrition & Environmental Medicine, Vol. 15 No 1, April 1996,
pp 5-23. http://www.acnem.org/journal/15-1_april_1996/cancer_treatment_and_autologous_immunotherapy.htm
Cone, Clarence D. Jr.: "Unified theory on the Basic Mechanism of Normal
Mitotic Control and Oncogenesis." Journal of Theoretical Biology 30: 151-181,
1971
Cope, Freeman W., "A Medical Application of the Ling Association-Induction
Hypothesis: The High Potassium, Low Sodium diet of the Gerson Cancer Therapy",
Physiological Chemistry and Physics 10: 456-467, 1978
Ling, Gilbert: A Revolution in the Physiology of the Living Cell, 1992. www.gilbertling.org/
Good, Robert A., Fernandes, Gabriel, and Day, Noorbibi D., "The Influence
of Nutrition on Development of Cancer Immunity and Resistance to Mesenchymal
Diseases", 1982, New York Raven Press, Molecular Interrelations of Nutrition
and Cancer.