TheChase Dietary Method is analternative cancer treatment proposed by osteopathic physician Alice Chase (1898–1974). Medical experts have described the Chase Dietary Method as ineffective and potentially hazardous to health.[1][2][3]
The Chase method is based on the discredited idea thatretained waste in the body causes tumours.[1][3] Chase stated that raw fruit and vegetables soak up unexcreted waste like a sponge so should be consumed daily. The Chase method consists of fasting, consuming vegetable juice, bed rest andenemas.[3][4] Chase was influenced byJohn Henry Tilden and aimed to eliminate human diseases through dietary methods.[4]
Chase encouraged the consumption of vegetable juice from celery, parsley and cabbage leaves as she believed they soak out unexcreted wastes.[3] Sulfur containing foods such as eggs, fish and meat are forbidden.[3] Colon cleansing must be practiced daily.[4] Coffee and fruit juices such as grapefruit and lemon are to be taken as enemas. Chase wrote that "the coffee enema by rectum is a stimulant, by mouth it is a poisonous beverage".[1]
TheAmerican Cancer Society who reviewed the Chase Dietary Method found that there is no evidence it is effective as a cancer treatment.[3][4]
Alice Chase died in 1974 frommalnutrition.[5][6]
