Latest news with #GersonTherapy
Fox News
19-07-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Doctors warn of risks with ‘coffee enemas' as the practice gains steam on social media
An online trend is taking morning coffee to a whole new level, as some people on social media are conducting "coffee enemas." An enema is a medical procedure that involves injecting a solution into the rectum and lower part of the colon (the large intestine), according to Rosario Ligresti, M.D., chief of gastroenterology at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey. "The primary purpose is to stimulate a bowel movement, but it can also be used to administer medication or for diagnostic purposes," he told Fox News Digital. A coffee enema is a type of colon cleanse used in alternative medicine, under the assumption that absorbing compounds in the coffee will trigger the liver to detox the body, Ligresti said. This practice, which was popularized in the 1920s and 1930s, is a central component of the "Gerson therapy," an alternative cancer treatment, according to the doctor. "Interestingly enough, one of my patients just asked me about [coffee enemas]," Ligresti shared. The procedure is similar to a regular enema, except the water is mixed with brewed, caffeinated coffee and flushed into the colon through the rectum. The coffee-water blend is held in the colon for 10 to 15 minutes to allow the body to absorb the compounds through the intestinal wall before expelling the liquid. Enemas have been used as detox tools in ancient Egyptian, Greek and Ayurvedic practices, "but the use of coffee specifically is a more modern adaptation," noted Mona Sharma, a Los Angeles-based nutritionist, wellness entrepreneur and member of the iFIT Science Council. "In my practice, I've worked with clients who say they feel energized, clear-headed or lighter after a coffee enema," Sharma told Fox News Digital. "That said, this is not my first go-to for detoxification." She noted that her clients' experiences are "anecdotal and not backed by conclusive clinical research." Ligresti confirmed that there are no scientifically proven health benefits to doing a coffee enema. "The idea that enemas can 'detoxify' the body is a myth," he said. "The liver and kidneys are the body's natural detoxification systems." As a wellness advocate, Sharma said that she also believes in supporting the body's "natural intelligence." "The idea that enemas can 'detoxify' the body is a myth." "Our organs are incredibly capable of self-cleansing when we nourish them properly," she said. Sharma recommends "detox-friendly" practices like leafy greens, bitter herbs and grounding to "help our systems do what they were designed to do: heal, repair and thrive." The risks of using a coffee enema are well-documented, Ligresti warned, including burns and infections stemming from introducing hot coffee to the sensitive areas of the body. It is even possible to overdose on caffeine after absorbing a toxic amount, potentially leading to anxiety, heart palpitations and, in severe cases, seizures or death, according to the expert. While some people do experience short-term benefits, acccording to Sharma, coffee enemas present potential risks — "especially for those with gut disorders, hemorrhoids, heart issues or electrolyte imbalances." "Based on current medical evidence and the consensus of major health organizations, no one should consider a coffee enema," Ligresti advised. Experts agree that only traditional enemas — and subsequent injected solutions — are safe medical tools for treating constipation and preparing the bowel for procedures under the guidance of a healthcare professional. If someone still chooses to explore this therapy, Sharma recommends doing so only under the supervision of a knowledgeable practitioner who can monitor for deficiencies or complications.
Fox News
15-07-2025
- Health
- Fox News
'Coffee enema' social media trend sparks health concerns among doctors
An online trend is taking morning coffee to a whole new level, as some people on social media are conducting "coffee enemas." An enema is a medical procedure that involves injecting a solution into the rectum and lower part of the colon (the large intestine), according to Rosario Ligresti, M.D., chief of gastroenterology at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey. "The primary purpose is to stimulate a bowel movement, but it can also be used to administer medication or for diagnostic purposes," he told Fox News Digital. A coffee enema is a type of colon cleanse used in alternative medicine, under the assumption that absorbing compounds in the coffee will trigger the liver to detox the body, Ligresti said. This practice, which was popularized in the 1920s and 1930s, is a central component of the "Gerson therapy," an alternative cancer treatment, according to the doctor. "Interestingly enough, one of my patients just asked me about [coffee enemas]," Ligresti shared. The procedure is similar to a regular enema, except the water is mixed with brewed, caffeinated coffee and flushed into the colon through the rectum. The coffee-water blend is held in the colon for 10 to 15 minutes to allow the body to absorb the compounds through the intestinal wall before expelling the liquid. Enemas have been used as detox tools in ancient Egyptian, Greek and Ayurvedic practices, "but the use of coffee specifically is a more modern adaptation," noted Mona Sharma, a Los Angeles-based nutritionist, wellness entrepreneur and member of the iFIT Science Council. "In my practice, I've worked with clients who say they feel energized, clear-headed or lighter after a coffee enema," Sharma told Fox News Digital. "That said, this is not my first go-to for detoxification." She noted that her clients' experiences are "anecdotal and not backed by conclusive clinical research." Ligresti confirmed that there are no scientifically proven health benefits to doing a coffee enema. "The idea that enemas can 'detoxify' the body is a myth," he said. "The liver and kidneys are the body's natural detoxification systems." As a wellness advocate, Sharma said that she also believes in supporting the body's "natural intelligence." "The idea that enemas can 'detoxify' the body is a myth." "Our organs are incredibly capable of self-cleansing when we nourish them properly," she said. Sharma recommends "detox-friendly" practices like leafy greens, bitter herbs and grounding to "help our systems do what they were designed to do: heal, repair and thrive." The risks of using a coffee enema are well-documented, Ligresti warned, including burns and infections stemming from introducing hot coffee to the sensitive areas of the body. It is even possible to overdose on caffeine after absorbing a toxic amount, potentially leading to anxiety, heart palpitations and, in severe cases, seizures or death, according to the expert. While some people do experience short-term benefits, acccording to Sharma, coffee enemas present potential risks — "especially for those with gut disorders, hemorrhoids, heart issues or electrolyte imbalances." "Based on current medical evidence and the consensus of major health organizations, no one should consider a coffee enema," Ligresti advised. Experts agree that only traditional enemas — and subsequent injected solutions — are safe medical tools for treating constipation and preparing the bowel for procedures under the guidance of a healthcare professional. If someone still chooses to explore this therapy, Sharma recommends doing so only under the supervision of a knowledgeable practitioner who can monitor for deficiencies or complications.
Telegraph
24-06-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Cambridge graduate ‘killed by mother's anti-medicine conspiracy theories'
A Cambridge graduate died as a result of the anti-medicine conspiracy theories promoted by her mother, her brothers have claimed. Paloma Shemirani died last year at the age of 23 after refusing chemotherapy, despite having been told by doctors she had a high chance of survival if she had accepted the treatment. Her brothers blame the anti-medicine views of her mother Kate Shemirani, who was struck off the nursing register in 2021 because of her beliefs, for their sister's death. Gabriel and Sebastian Shemirani told the BBC: 'My sister has passed away as a direct consequence of my mum's actions and beliefs and I don't want anyone else to go through the same pain or loss that I have.' Paloma began to have chest pains and breathing difficulties not long after graduating in 2023. On 22 December Paloma and her then-boyfriend Ander Harris went to Maidstone Hospital where doctors diagnosed her with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Medics told her she had an 80 per cent chance of recovering from the cancer, which can cause death if left untreated, if she undertook chemotherapy. Kate Shemirani texted Ander to say he should tell his partner to refuse chemotherapy or any treatment, according to the BBC. Paloma also contacted Patrick Vickers, a former partner of her mother who is also an alternative health practitioner. He told Paloma the 80 per cent chance of survival was 'exaggerated', and encouraged her to instead begin Gerson therapy, which involves a strict vegan diet, along with juices, supplements and coffee enemas. He said she should consider chemotherapy if her symptoms did not improve after six weeks. Paloma decided to go ahead with Gerson therapy during her hospital stay. 'Paloma's strategy was to appease, to be sweet, to try and win the love that she hadn't been granted earlier,' Sebastian said. Chantelle, a school friend, told the broadcaster: 'I don't think her ideology was strong enough to make those decisions. People have different opinions about these things, but I think her mum played a massive, massive role into it.' Kate Shemirani has not responded directly to the allegations in the BBC Panorama programme. She and her ex-husband, Paloma's father Faramarz Shemirani, wrote to the broadcaster to say they have evidence 'Paloma died as a result of medical interventions given without confirmed diagnosis or lawful consent'. Mr Vickers denies playing a role in Paloma's death, telling the broadcaster its claims 'are legally inaccurate'. 'I haven't come to terms with it at all' Kate Shemirani was an NHS nurse in the 1980s and calls herself 'the Natural Nurse' on social media. She rose to online prominence during the pandemic, where she claimed Covid was a hoax and that vaccines were part of a plan to kill many people. In some posts she claims treating cancer with chemotherapy is 'ill-informed' and akin to pouring mustard gas into people's veins. She sells apricot kernels for their 'potential health benefits' along with nutritional supplements, and offers information and advice on her website. She charges around £70 for an annual membership to her site, while patients - including those with cancer - pay £195 for a consultation and personalised 12-week programme. Gabriel was not told of his sister's death and found out in a phone call with his lawyer. He had begun a legal case before his sister died because he wanted an assessment of whether she was receiving appropriate medical treatment to be carried out. Gabriel had to inform his brother of the news. 'It's like being burnt alive and you feel the searing pain every time it comes out of your mouth,' Gabriel says. Sebastian says he blamed himself. 'I haven't come to terms with that at all,' he says. An inquest into Paloma's death will begin next month.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Apple Cider Vinegar' based the Hirsch Institute on Gerson Therapy, a debunked cancer treatment by the 20th century doctor Max Gerson.
"Apple Cider Vinegar" features a controversial wellness camp called the Hirsch Institute. The pseudoscientific cancer treatments in the Netflix show include juices and coffee enemas. These treatments appear to be based on what is known as Gerson Therapy. Viewers of "Apple Cider Vinegar" — which tells the story of Belle Gibson (Kaitlyn Dever), an Australian influencer who faked having cancer — may be wondering if the Hirsch Institute is real. The institute is fictionalized for the show but appears to be based on a pseudoscientific treatment called Gerson Therapy. The institute features in the show when wellness influencer and journalist Milla Blake (Alycia Debnam-Carey) is diagnosed with undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma and flies to Mexico to attend its wellness camp. She starts a treatment plan that involves drinking different juices every hour and using coffee enemas. Ultimately, Blake realizes that it doesn't work after her cancer spreads across her body. She reverts back to taking the treatment advised by her doctors, but it's too late and she dies toward the end of the series. Gerson Therapy is named after its creator Max Gerson, a German doctor who developed it during the 1920s and 1930s. It was first tried as a treatment for tuberculosis and migraines, according to the National Cancer Institute. Gerson claimed that eating an organic diet of fruit and vegetables, high in potassium and low sodium, would help rid the body of toxins and return the metabolism to "normal." The diet also included drinking 13 glasses of juice a day alongside coffee enemas to "clean" the liver and colon. People following Gerson Therapy are also required to take supplements, including vitamin B12, and potassium. The NCI says that having too many coffee enemas can change a person's normal blood chemistry, which can stop muscles, the heart, and other organs from working. In 1947 and 1959, the NCI examined 60 of Gerson's patients and the results "did not prove the regimen had benefit." Cancer Research UK said that researchers in a 2014 study found that "none of the previous reports on Gerson therapy proved that it was effective." It states that an organic diet has potential benefits, but reputable scientific cancer organizations do not support it as a treatment method. The US Food and Drug Administration has not approved Gerson therapy for cancer patients. However, some attend Gerson's Health Institute in Tijuana, Mexico, to undergo treatment — in the same way that Blake travels to the Hirsch Institute in "Apple Cider Vinegar." According to Gerson's Health Institute, these trips cost $6,000 a week and include all of the Gerson therapy meals, juices, and enemas as well as access to an on-site medical team, patient support groups, and a private room. Gerson's Health Institute did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider
USA Today
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
'Apple Cider Vinegar' star Kaitlyn Dever felt 'calling' to play 'twisted' Belle Gibson
Hear this story 'Apple Cider Vinegar' star Kaitlyn Dever knows all too well the desperate desire to heal what modern medicine can't. Doctors diagnosed Dever's mom, Kathy, with Stage 4 breast cancer at just 39. She died last year, after a 14-year fight. 'In the last few years of her life,' Dever tells USA TODAY,' I became really interested in holistic protocols and other therapeutic things that she could do for her body that weren't conventional," in addition to conventional treatments. 'I became very obsessed with it just because I wanted to look at every option possible for her. So it was interesting timing when ('Apple Cider Vinegar') came into my life.' Dever described her mother as her 'everything' in an Instagram tribute. 'Nothing I'll ever say will amount to the gifts you have given me in my life, the boundless joy you brought, the deep, endless, unconditional love you gave me and our family,' she writes. 'Your love was everywhere.' Netflix's six-part limited series dramatizes the rise and fall of Australian wellness influencer Belle Gibson (Dever) who amassed an Instagram following while claiming to manage her terminal brain cancer with whole foods, natural medicine and Gerson Therapy. Gibson promoted her methods in a cookbook and app that was downloaded at least 300,000 times. After all, her cancer was now shockingly undetectable. But that's because she never had it in the first place, as journalists Beau Donelly and Nick Toscano uncovered. They detailed their findings in the book, 'The Woman who Fooled the World,' which inspired the series. In the show, Belle emulates blogger Milla Blake (Alycia Debnam-Carey), who found brief success treating her (real) cancer naturally. The unchecked influencer is still a threat that Debnam-Carey, 31, recognizes today. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. It's "maybe as rampant and as insidious,' she says. 'TikTok is a great example,' with its constant barrage of hacks and trends. 'The space that it takes up in your brain and then having to do all this research and (gather) information to really make sure that what you're getting is correct, it is constant, and it is just as prevalent now as I think it was then.' She says what all of us tempted by magic pills on social media already know: 'It's so easy to be drawn in by those things, and to feel quite gullible at times.' The TV showswe can't wait to see in 2025, from 'White Lotus' to 'Stranger Things' 'Vinegar' creator Samantha Strauss says she received a letter from someone who had seen the show and battled breast cancer. 'She's like, 'I wanted to run off and eat some blueberries,'' Strauss recalls. 'That sounds like such a lovely alternative.' Especially compared to the reality of chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. The 3-year-old son of Strauss' best friend has been diagnosed with leukemia. 'The doctors have to put all this awful medicine into his body every day,' Strauss says. Her friend 'has to trust that it's going to work. He's screaming on the bed, and he doesn't understand why it's happening. And she feels like a monster to put him through this.' In preparing for the manipulative Belle, who relished the sympathy her faked illness won her, Dever thought 'a lot about what amount of hope wellness can bring to people. In our story, we're really trying to convey the idea that this is just a person that is desperate for community and desperate for love and will do anything she can to get that. And a lot of these moments, a lot of these more emotional beats that we were playing out in the show were just a cry for help in a lot of ways.' The idea of playing the fictionalized Belle, crafted by Strauss in a 'twisted and gripping and kind of funny way,' excited Dever. She also welcomed the challenge of an Australian accent, which Sydney native Debnam-Carey thinks she nailed. And perhaps most heartwarming, the project is one that delighted Dever's late mom. 'I knew it would be difficult subject matter for me to be surrounded by,' says Dever. 'But I know that my mom was very excited. She got to read all of the scripts, and she loved it. She thought it was such a great story, and there was so much excitement surrounding it. So I felt like I just had to do it, and I felt a certain calling to do it.'
