Written by Luc Geeraert and the CAM-Cancer Consortium.
Updated May 8, 2012

Budwig diet

Abstract and key points

  • The Budwig diet is a lacto-vegetarian regimen featuring flaxseed combined with cottage cheese or quark.
  • A benefit of the Budwig diet in the prevention or treatment of cancer is not supported by clinical evidence.
  • The Budwig diet has a low risk profile.

The Budwig diet consists of a lacto-vegetarian regimen that has at its core a mixture combining flaxseed with cottage cheese or quark.

According to Budwig’s theory, the combination of polyunsaturated fatty acids derived from flaxseed with sulfhydryl-containing proteins from the cottage cheese or quark can reverse the progression of cancer by re-oxygenating damaged tissues and reestablishing normal cell growth. This theory is not supported by scientific evidence.

No clinical trials or documented case reports on the Budwig diet are available in the peer-reviewed scientific literature. Therefore, a benefit of the Budwig diet in the prevention or treatment of cancer is not supported by evidence.

As a general diet, the Budwig diet is likely to be safe.

Citation

Luc Geeraert, CAM-Cancer Consortium. Budwig diet [online document]. http://cam-cancer.org/CAM-Summaries/Dietary-approaches/Budwig-diet. May 8, 2012.

Document history

References

  1. Budwig J. Das Fettsyndrom. Auflage 4A. Freiburg i. B.: Hyperion Verlag; 1996.
  2. Budwig J. Krebs, ein Fettproblem. Richtige Wahl und Verwendung der Fette. Freiburg i. B.: Hyperion Verlag; 2000.
  3. Budwig J. Cancer: The Problem and the Solution. Nexus GmbH; 2008.
  4. Budwig J. Flax oil as a true aid against arthritis, heart, infarction, cancer and other diseases. 3rd Edition. Vancouver: Apple Publishing; 1994.
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  6. Budwig J. Cytostatic or cytodynamic treatment of cancer. Hippokrates. 1956;19:605-612.
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  8. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center [Internet]. New York, NY, USA: the Center; c2012 [updated 2011 August 17; cited 2012 February 6]. Available from: http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/herb/flaxseed
  9. Liu RH. Potential synergy of phytochemicals in cancer prevention: mechanism of action. J. Nutr. 2004 December;134(12 Suppl):3479S-3485S.
  10. de Kok TM, van Breda SG, Manson MM. Mechanisms of combined action of different chemopreventive dietary compounds: a review. Eur. J. Nutr. 2008 May;47 Suppl 2:51-59.
  11. Doyle C, Kushi LH, Byers T, Courneya KS, Demark-Wahnefried W, Grant B, et al. Nutrition and physical activity during and after cancer treatment: an American Cancer Society guide for informed choices. CA Cancer J Clin. 2006 November-December;56(6):323-353.
  12. The Cancer Cure Foundation [Internet]. Westlake Village, CA, USA: the Foundation [cited 2011 June 21]. Available from: http://www.cancure.org/budwig_diet.htm
  13. Budwig-videos.com [Internet] San Francisco, CA, USA: the Website; c2000-2011. [cited 2011 June 21]. Available from: http://www.budwig-videos.com
  14. Craig WJ. Nutrition concerns and health effects of vegetarian diets. Nutr. Clin. Pract. 2010 December;25(6):613-620.
  15. Basch E, Bent S, Collins J, Dacey C, Hammerness P, Harrison M, et al. Flax and flaxseed oil (Linum usitatissimum): a review by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration. J. Soc. Integr. Oncol. 2007 Summer;5(3):92-105.
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