| Cancer patients
have been bombarded with recipes of diets devised for the
treatment of cancer. Most are based on two principles that remain
unproven. The first is based on the valid observation that a diet
rich in fruits and vegetables, low in fat and including
anti-oxidants, is associated with a lower incidence of cancer. The
second, used in naturopathy, is that fasting or the use of
mono-diet allows detoxification and the clearing of accumulated
metabolic toxins, liberating the body's own curative forces
Mono-diets instruct patients to eat one food or food group for a
number of days or weeks, as part of a detoxification phase in the
treatment of cancer. The Grape Diet and The Brown Rice Diet are
two examples. These diets are nutritionally deficient and may lead
to malnutrition and weight loss.
The Gerson Diet and its derivatives were
promoted by Dr
Max Gerson (1881-1959). He advocated radical dietary change as a means
of curing cancer. A number of diets currently recommended are
based on it. The diet comprises raw or freshly prepared fruits and
vegetables, freshly pressed calf's liver juice, and coffee enemas.
Juices must be prepared by pressing not by a juice extractor.
Aluminum utensils and microwave cooking are not permitted. A
number of dietary supplements including vitamins, enzymes, royal
jelly, and liver injections may be included. Exclusions include
salt, oils, fat, preservatives, caffeine and alcohol. The use of
hair dyes, cosmetics and tobacco are prohibited.
The Gerson diet
and its derivatives are expensive and time consuming to prepare.
There is no scientific evidence that the Gerson diet is
beneficial.
The use of coffee enema can only produce
discomfort as compared to the oral route. Serious and life
threatening complications are documented , including colitis,
septicaemia, cerebral abscess and renal failure.
Megadoses of vitamin C are advocated for
the treatment of cancer although controlled studies have shown no
benefit.
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About the author
DR SOON is a medical practitioner. He holds four degrees. MBBS
(University of Malaya), MBA (University of East Asia), LLB (Hons)
(University of Wolverhampton), Master of Medicine (Edith Cowan
University
:
Dr SOON is the owner of AskMyVisitor.com and MyScriptDoctor.com
where you can find the most up-to-date advice and information
on
many medical, health and lifestyle topics.
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