The Budwig Weight loss program is frequently utilized as a complementary or alternative healthcare for cancer.
It calls for several nutritional modifications meant to slow multiplication of cancer cells within your body. While proponents declare that itâs an ideal way to battle cancer, itâs highly questionable and supported by virtually no research.
This short article examines the possibility benefits and negative effects from the Budwig Diet to find out whether or not this combats cancer.
Whatâs the Budwig Diet?
The Budwig Diet was created within the 1950s by German investigator Dr. Johanna Budwig. It had been meant to improve cell function to lessen the development and spread of cancer cells.
The program involves eating multiple areas of cottage type cheese and flaxseed oil each day, as well as other foods like vegetables and fruit. Meanwhile, it eliminates added sugars, refined grains, processed meats, along with other junk foods (1Trusted Source).
Even though the diet was initially aimed toward cancer prevention, its advocates assert it improves other facets of health, including immune function, joint disease, and heart health.
Yet, too little research implies that its effects on cancer are largely unknown.
How it operates
Based on Budwig, eating high levels of polyunsaturated fats from foods like flaxseed oil and cottage type cheese may help slow the development and spread of cancer cells (1Trusted Source).
Therefore, people around the diet eat a combination of flaxseed oil, cottage type cheese, and honey multiple occasions each day. Typically, this âBudwig mixtureâ is created by mixing cottage type cheese and flaxseed oil inside a 2:1 ratio, alongside a tiny bit of honey.
Youâre asked to get your meals at least 2 ounces (60 mL) of flaxseed oil and 4 ounces (113 grams) of cottage type cheese each day. This concoction ought to be prepared fresh each and every meal and eaten within twenty minutes.
Foods high in fiber will also be suggested, including vegetables and fruit.
On the other hand, you need to avoid sugar, refined grains, processed meat, along with other junk foods.
Additionally to modifying your diet plan, you need to spend a minimum of twenty minutes outdoors every day, that is thought to help stimulate immune function while increasing amounts of vitamin D.
In addition, youâre told to follow along with the diet plan not less than five years to maximise its potential benefits.
Will the diet have health advantages?
The Budwig Diet prioritizes unprocessed whole-foods like vegetables and fruit, that are wealthy in essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Some investigation associates an elevated consumption of fruits and vegetables having a lower chance of certain kinds of cancer (2Trusted Source, 3Trusted Source).
Although no research has been conducted around the Budwig mixture, test-tube and animal studies have established that flaxseed oil may possess cancer-fighting qualities (4Trusted Source, 5Trusted Source, 6Trusted Source).
For instance, a 40-day study in rodents discovered that administering .3 mL of flaxseed oil reduced the development of lung tumors (7Trusted Source).
Flaxseed oil can also be full of heart-healthy omega-3 essential fatty acids, which might reduce inflammation, decrease bloodstream pressure, and safeguard against cardiovascular disease (8Trusted Source, 9Trusted Source).
In addition, the Budwig Diet eliminates junk foods, including convenience meals, refined grains, and fast foods.
Particularly, one study linked a tenPercent rise in ultra-processed intake of food to some 10% rise in overall cancer risk â and cancer of the breast risk particularly (10Trusted Source).
Furthermore, processed meats happen to be associated with a greater chance of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain cancers (10Trusted Source).
Potential downsides
You should think about the Budwig Dietâs many potential downsides before beginning this diet plan.
Limited research
The greatest disadvantage to the Budwig Weight loss program is the lack of numerous studies to judge its usefulness.
Actually, most available evidence around the Budwig Weight loss program is purely anecdotal. Therefore, itâs hard to see whether this eating pattern has any impact on cancer.
While certain facets of the diet plan might help prevent this ailment and improve your state of health, you shouldnât contemplate it â or other diet â like a cancer treatment.
In addition, some variations include unsafe practices like coffee enemas, which entail injecting coffee in to the rectum.
Coffee enemas are connected with several serious adverse negative effects, including skin burns, electrolyte imbalances, and rectum and colon inflammation (11Trusted Source).
Could cause nutrient deficiencies
The Budwig Weight loss program is a restrictive diet plan that eliminates many recommended food groups.
Although meat isnât banned entirely, some types are just allowed in limited amounts.
Meat, fish, and chicken are wealthy in a number of essential nutrients, including protein, iron, zinc, and Vitamin b. Should you not get these nutrients using their company sources, you might lift up your chance of dietary deficiencies (12Trusted Source).
Actually, research has shown that vegans and vegetarians could have a greater chance of iron, b12, protein, and calcium deficiencies (13Trusted Source).
Furthermore, since the weight loss program is highly restrictive, it might lead to weight reduction, which can be harmful for those who have cancer.
Individuals with cancer have been in a hypermetabolic condition, meaning their overall calorie and protein needs are elevated. If proper nutrient intake isnât maintained, that is common on restrictive diets such as the Budwig diet, it may lead to weight reduction and muscle wasting, or cachexia (14Trusted Source).
Furthermore, those who have cancer may lose their appetite and just have the ability to tolerate particular foods, and thatâs why restrictive diets arenât typically suggested for cancer treatment, unless of course theyâre prescribed and monitored with a cancer treatment team (15Trusted Source).
Even though this diet isnât suggested for cancer treatment, if you choose to abide by it or other diet, itâs important to actually enjoy a number of nutrient-dense foods and think about taking supplemental nutrients to fill any gaps in what you eat.
Contains high levels of flaxseed oil
The Budwig Diet stipulates eating considerable amounts of flaxseed oil.
For many people, this oil could cause digestive issues and diarrhea (16).
Consuming plenty of flaxseed oil is frustrated if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking bloodstream sugar medication (17Trusted Source).
Flax seeds might also communicate with other medications, so itâs important to speak to your doctor before growing your consumption of this oil if you are taking any medications and have any underlying health problems (18Trusted Source).
Foods to consume and steer clear of
The Budwig Diet restricts numerous foods while encouraging others.
Foods to consume
The âBudwig mixture,â featuring its flaxseed oil, cottage type cheese, and honey, is an essential component from the diet.
Although other kinds of dairy like yogurt or quark â a strained, curdled dairy product â are occasionally swapped set for cottage type cheese, the flaxseed oil within this mixture is important.
Other foods encouraged around the Budwig Diet include:
Fruits: apples, oranges, bananas, berries, kiwi, mango, peaches, and plums
Vegetables: broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, tomato plants, carrots, kale, and green spinach
Legumes: lentils, beans, chickpeas, and peas
Fruit drinks: grape, apple, grapefruit, and pineapple juice
Seeds and nuts: almonds, walnuts, pistachios, chia seeds, flax seeds, and hemp seeds
Milk products: yogurt, cottage type cheese, goatâs milk, and raw cowâs milk
Oils: flaxseed and essential olive oil
Beverages: teas, eco-friendly tea, and water
Foods to prevent
Junk foods, added sugars (aside from honey), refined grains, and hydrogenated fats are off-limits around the Budwig Diet.
Although various kinds of meat, fish, chicken, and free-range eggs are allowed in a small amount, pork, shellfish, and processed meats are banned.
The primary foods to prevent around the Budwig Diet include:
Meats and sea food: pork and shellfish
Processed meats: bacon, bologna, salami, and hotdogs
Refined grains: pasta, white-colored bread, crackers, chips, and white-colored grain
Sugars: ordinary sugar, brown sugar, molasses, agave, and corn syrup
Scented soy: tofu, tempeh, soy milk, edamame, and soybeans
Oils and fats: margarine, butter, and hydrogenated vegetable oil
Junk foods: cookies, convenience meals, baked goods, fried potatoes, pretzels, and chocolate
3-day sample menu
This is a 3-day sample menu for that Budwig Diet.
First Day
Breakfast: quark with flaxseed oil, fruit, chopped nuts, and honey
Lunch: a carrot and beetroot salad with cottage type cheese and flaxseed oil dressing
Dinner: a vegetable stir-fry with herbed brown grain pilaf
Snacks: fresh-pressed juice and cucumbers with hummus
Day 2
Breakfast: cottage type cheese oatmeal with flaxseed oil, honey, nut butter, and berries
Lunch: a cranberry kale salad with cottage type cheese and flaxseed oil dressing
Dinner: lentils with steamed green spinach and buckwheat
Snacks: sliced pears and celery with guacamole
Day 3
Breakfast: an apple cinnamon quark breakfast bowl with flaxseed oil
Lunch: a cucumber tomato salad with cottage type cheese and flaxseed oil dressing
Dinner: steamed taters with garlic clove-roasted broccoli and chickpeas
Snacks: a fruit salad and roasted almonds
The conclusion
The Budwig Diet is supposed to slow the development of cancer cells within your body. However, itâs very restrictive and never supported by research.
The same, it promotes several healthy food choices groups. Youâre designed to eat a combination of flaxseed oil and cottage type cheese routinely, in addition to foods high in fiber like fruits, vegetables, and whole grain products.
If you are thinking about using the Budwig Diet, realize that it shouldnât be described as a cancer treatment. Make sure to talk to your doctor to make sure that youâll meet your dietary needs.