The Breuss 42-Day Juice Therapy: An Evidence-Based Look at a Controversial Regimen

 



The Breuss Cancer Cure, a 42-day juice therapy developed by Austrian naturopath Rudolf Breuss, remains one of the most controversial and widely discussed alternative cancer protocols. Promoted as a way to "starve" cancer while nourishing the body, it is crucial to separate the historical claims from the scientific and medical reality.

What the Therapy Involves: The Core Protocol

The regimen is a highly restrictive, very low-calorie plan intended to last 42 days. It consists almost entirely of specific liquids:

  • Primary Juice: A mix of beet, carrot, celery, radish, and potato juices.

  • Herbal Teas: Primarily sage, St. John's wort, peppermint, and melissa teas.

  • Vegetable Broth: A specific onion-based broth.

  • Strict Prohibition: No solid food, protein, fats, or other juices are allowed.

The Claim: Breuss theorized that cancer cells could only feed on solid proteins. He believed that by consuming only these specific juices and teas for 42 days, the body would receive essential micronutrients and phytochemicals while simultaneously "starving" the tumor.

Critical Medical & Scientific Perspectives

It is vital to understand the consensus view from oncology and nutritional science.

1. The "Starving Cancer" Theory is Scientifically Flawed