What Is Gerson Therapy? Questions Raised After Kate Shemirani's Daughter Dies Following Refusal of Cancer Treatment

Paloma Shemirani, aged 23, passed away in July 2024 after refusing chemotherapy in favour of Gerson therapy, a controversial alternative.

Her death has ignited a heated debate about alternative cancer treatments and the dangers of rejecting mainstream medicine, and highlights the tragic consequences that can occur when unproven treatments are chosen over scientifically supported care.

The Case of Paloma Shemirani

Paloma was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of blood cancer that, with proper treatment, often has a good chance of remission. Her doctors advised her to undergo chemotherapy, a standard treatment known to improve survival rates. Instead, Paloma opted for Gerson therapy, an alternative approach that her mother, Kate Shemirani, claimed to have used successfully in the past.

Kate Shemirani, a former nurse and prominent figure in alternative health circles, had previously undergone Gerson therapy after her own breast cancer diagnosis in 2012. She claimed she was cured by this regimen, which involves strict diet, nutritional supplements, and coffee enemas. Her children say that her influence played a significant role in Paloma's decision to reject conventional treatment, believing her health would improve through natural methods.

Understanding Gerson Therapy

What exactly is Gerson Therapy? It was developed by a German doctor, Max Gerson, in the 1920s and 1930s. Initially, he claimed it helped him with migraines and later applied it to treat tuberculosis and cancer. Today, it's marketed as a natural treatment that can detoxify the body and bolster the immune system to fight diseases.

Supporters of Gerson therapy believe that cancer results from a body overwhelmed by toxins and an imbalance of nutrients. They argue that by following a strict organic vegetarian diet, consuming large quantities of fresh fruit and vegetable juices, and undergoing regular coffee enemas, the body can restore its natural balance and heal itself.

The therapy's core involves a high intake of potassium-rich foods, vitamin and mineral supplements, and enemas designed to cleanse the liver and colon.

The Scientific Perspective

There is no credible scientific evidence to suggest Gerson therapy can treat or cure cancer. Medical research has consistently shown that the diet and procedures involved do not have the capacity to eliminate cancer cells or improve survival chances. The claim that toxins can be removed from the body in this way is widely discredited.

Furthermore, Gerson therapy can cause serious side effects. Coffee enemas, in particular, pose health risks, such as infections or electrolyte imbalances. Relying solely on such methods delays or entirely prevents access to effective treatments, increasing the risk of death.

Legal and Ethical Concerns

Paloma's family alleges that her refusal of chemotherapy was influenced by her mother's conspiracy theories about medicine and government organisations. They say that her belief in alternative health contributed directly to her death. Her brother Gabriel attempted legal action to have her treated medically, but she passed away before the case could proceed.

Kate Shemirani's continued online presence, where she claims the NHS and the government are responsible for her daughter's death, has added to the controversy. She promotes fundraising efforts claiming to challenge the healthcare system, though no evidence has been provided to date.