Juice Diets for Cancer

A cancer diagnosis can be life changing. And, understanding your treatment options can be daunting. Many people are choosing to look beyond traditional medicine for their own treatment. Some believe that a juice diet is Mother Nature's remedy to curing or preventing cancer.

History of Juice Diets

The idea of juicing for cancer first came about in the 1930s. Max Gerson, a German-born physician, connected cancer and other illnesses to a poor-functioning liver, immune system and several other body functions. He theorized that poor nutrition, along with exposure to toxins such as pesticides and chemical fertilizers. caused a toxic environment within the body that allowed cancer and disease to grow and thrive. Gerson worked to reverse this condition by creating a treatment program centered on fresh, organic juice. His approach, the first of its kind, aimed to restore the entire body's immune system and self-healing power through diet. Today, there are a variety of juice diets intended to combat cancer, each with slight modifications. However, all are centered on a diet of fresh, organic juices.

How It Works

Freshly squeezed, organic fruit and vegetable juices are full of nutrients, enzymes and antioxidants. It's unlikely that most people would be able to sit down and eat a pound of carrots. But, that's exactly how much is in one 8-oz. glass of carrot juice. By juicing these foods, you're able to get a super-sized dose of vitamins and minerals that are key to fighting cancer in your body. Drinking these juices helps to clear out toxins and carcinogens that have accumulated in your body over the years.

What to Eat and Drink

Plans vary, but most suggest you drink 8 oz. of freshly squeezed juice every one to two hours. Most juice diets last from three to six weeks. There are a variety of juices recommended for fighting cancers. Juices made of carrots and leafy greens contain extra-high doses of enzymes and antioxidants. Fruit juices offer substantial amounts of vitamins and nutrients, too. You should still meet your daily water requirements, typically eight 8-oz. glasses per day for adults. The Gerson plan also allows for three organic, vegetarian meals each day. A typical meal consists of salad, steamed vegetables, a baked potato and vegetable soup.

What to Avoid

Do not eat sugar, white flour, white bread, processed foods, sweets, chocolate, dairy, meat or added salt. Avoid beverages containing caffeine, sugar, alcohol, high fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners.

Additional Therapies

Alternative juice diets for cancer are not always limited to juicing. Many suggest additional supplements such as potassium, thyroid extract and niacin. Although controversial in the medical community and general public, certain plans, such as the Gerson program, also recommend enemas to boost liver cleansing.