The Budwig Protocol and its accompanying diet plan was developed in 1951 by the German biochemist Dr. Johanna Budwig initially as a treatment for cancer, though Budwig later believed that individuals suffering from heart disease, diabetes and liver problems could also benefit from her program. The Budwig Protocol contains instructions for the flaxseed oil and cottage cheese-based mixture that Budwig believed contained the compounds needed to prevent and treat disease, while the diet plan she developed incorporated both the mixture and other foods Budwig thought to be important for optimum health. Although supporters of the Budwig Protocol and Diet claim it is an effective treatment, you should be aware of certain considerations before using the plan to treat any medical condition.
Background
After years spent researching the properties of flaxseed oil, German biochemist Dr. Johanna Budwig noticed that the blood levels of compounds known as lipoproteins and phosphatides --- both substances contained in high concentrations in flaxseed oil --- were severely deficient in terminally ill cancer patients and present in much higher levels in individuals without cancer. Budwig theorized that the low levels of these compounds in the body caused an increase in the compound oxydase, a substance that is thought to promote the growth of cancerous cells; however, if the body's levels of those compounds could be replenished, the oxydase would be inhibited and the cancer would stop growing. According to Budwig, her studies revealed that this happened, especially when the flaxseed oil was combined with a sulphur-containing high-protein substance like cottage cheese that made the lipoproteins and phosphatides more available to the body.
The Budwig Protocol
The Budwig Protocol consists of the mixture that, if consumed daily, Budwig believed could both prevent cancer from developing and effectively treat existing cancerous tumors. The only ingredients in the Protocol are cottage cheese and flaxseed --- also known as linseed --- oil, although some additional ingredients can be added to improve the taste of the concoction. To make the mixture, combine one cup of cottage cheese with 2-5 tbsp. of flaxseed oil, along with enough water to make the mixture soft. You may puree this in a blender and can add either cayenne pepper, garlic or ground red pepper to taste if you like. According to Budwig, four ounces of this mixture should be eaten two or three times daily.
The Budwig Diet Plan
Besides the protocol, Budwig developed a diet plan --- sometimes also called the Flaxseed and Cottage Cheese Diet --- that incorporated the flaxseed and cottage cheese mixture in several different forms throughout daily meals, as well as other unprocessed, nutritionally dense foods. The plan begins with the dieter consuming nothing more on the first day than 250 mL of flaxseed oil mixed with honey and fresh, unsweetened fruit juice. After this first day, Budwig recommended a daily menu that begins with a pre-breakfast snack of either sauerkraut juice or acidophilus milk, followed by a breakfast that should consist of muesli cereal mixed with 2 tbsp. of flaxseed oil, honey and seasonal fresh fruit, accompanied by a whipped mixture of cottage cheese, flaxseed oil and honey. Fresh vegetable or fruit juice serves as a morning snack, while lunch consists of a raw vegetable salad dressed with a yogurt and flaxseed oil mayonnaise, steamed vegetables, a serving of whole grains and fruit. The afternoon snack can consist of a glass of wine or fresh fruit juice, and dinner should contain cooked whole grains and vegetables. At any time, the flaxseed oil and cottage cheese or yogurt mixtures can be added as a sauce or dressing to vegetables, grains or fruit.
Guidelines
While following the Budwig Diet, you should completely avoid the following foods: sugar in any form; animal products such as animal fats, butter and all types of meat; and all types of salad oils. You can drink unsweetened fruit and vegetable juices throughout the day, as well as teas, such as peppermint, grape or rose hip tea, three times a day. Black tea consumed with lunch is also accepted.
Considerations
Although supporters of the Budwig Protocol and Budwig Diet Plan claim that if you strictly adhere to the rules set out by Budwig you can cure cancer, reverse heart disease and treat diabetes, there is no solid scientific evidence to support these claims and established medical associations do not recognize Budwig's program as a viable way to treat any medical condition. Do not attempt to self-treat any serious health problem that you may have with the Budwig Protocol and Diet without first discussing your decision with your physician.
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