Dr. Johanna Budwig’s Diet & Protocol
Budwig diet and protocol: tips and frequently asked questions
P. 6 (ctd. from part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4 and part 5)
Compiled & edited by Healing Cancer Naturally from 14 of Dr. Budwig’s original works & other sources..
Question 76: Where can I buy flax seed oil in South Africa?
Answer:
There are many options to buy Flaxseed Oil in South Africa and in your area.
You can order your oil from any of the following stockists in your area:
www.millbrook.co.za/
Millbrook flaxseed oil as well as high quality virgin coconut oil
Millbrook telephone number is 016 366 7014.
EAST LONDON
DR JOHN THACKER 043 735 2770
THE WHOLE FOOD STORE 043 735 1098
HEALTH WISE 043 726 7685
GRAHAMSTOWN
THE MUSTARD SEED 046 636 1495
KNYSNA
GAIA RESEARCH 044 532 7695
DR SEAN POWELL 044 382 0055
KNYSNA PHARMACY 044 382 5222
PORT ELIZABETH
MR MEDICINE PHARMACY 041 581 6742
WALMER, P BEKKER 041 367 1620
MOUNT CROY, B MOLLER 041 373 3936
www.cure.co.za/linseed-oil.htm
www.swansonvitamins.co.za (I would not recommend buying from Swanson - they are very expensive!)
www.natureschoice.co.za (Stockists countrywide - my personal choice!)
Tel: (016) 362 2542 (7 Lines)
Fax: (016) 362 2564
Addendum by Allan, terminal colon cancer victor: Nature's Choice is available from all major chemists or healthfood stores. I found it a bit of a battle, however, to get fresh oil in the Cape province. Fortunately Millbrook will deliver in the Cape.
Question 77: Where can I buy cottage cheese in South Africa?
Answer:
Cottage cheese - I make my own but you can buy preservative-free cottage cheese at any Woolworths store countrywide. I only use the Woolworths product as all the other brand names like Dairy bell, Parmalat etc. have preservatives in their products. (credits: Allan)
Question 78: Can I use Stevia with the Budwig diet?
Answer:
Stevioside, derived from the plant Stevia rebaudiana, apparently has been used in Japan, Paraguay, and a few other countries as a low-calorie sweetener for a long time. It is about 300 times as sweet as sucrose. To my knowledge, Stevia is a simple non-toxic herb and therefore falls within the Budwig guidelines. (credits: Healing Cancer Naturally)
Question 79: Where I live it's often cloudy and winter is fast approaching. We rarely see any sun at this time of year. Is there any way to compensate for a lack of sun exposure when following the Budwig protocol?
Answer:
Based on the best of my knowledge, 14 of Dr. Budwig’s original works and after putting this question to Mr. Bloching in Germany who was Dr. Budwig’s associate over several decades, I can state the following:
Dr. Budwig (in spite of her great love for the sun she considered an essential part of health and healing) doesn’t seem to have addressed the question "how about winter and its lack of direct sunlight?". It seems to me she did not consider this a particular concern, perhaps taking it as a normal part of natural rhythms we are all accustomed to.
What she did do is prohibit the use of the UV lamp (tanning lamp), which became apparent to me after reading a testimonial letter published in Der Tod des Tumors, Bd. 2, p. 98. The writer thanks Dr. Budwig for her reply and assures her that “immediately upon receipt of your letter I discontinued eating blueberries from the freezer, and I didn’t use the UV lamp yet but had simply enquired whether I should use one.” Dr. Budwig might have adviced not to use the UV lamp because they do not produce the true solar spectrum, radiate too much UV and very little if any of the red (long-wave) band she considered particularly beneficial and applied in ruby laser treatments on cancer patients (see short reference in Eldi oils).
Now eminent cancer treatment researcher Lothar Hirneise strongly advises to simply get out into the light, quote: "We are all children of the light, we need the light. We need no sunburn ... but we definitely need light. Go outside. We don't need the sun, we need light. Even if it's raining today, go outside. And tell this to your patients. Even when they are in a coma must they be wheeled out. You must go twice daily into the light."
So that's what I would do. Don't fret or worry about lack of direct sunlight. There is still plenty of natural light penetrating through the clouds. In fact I've read you even get a tan when shielded from direct
sunlight, only much more slowly. And as concerns Vitamin D (derived from sunlight), non-vegetarians can supplement with a high-quality cold-processed cod liver oil in winter, see Question 6: Flaxseed vs. fish oil: why did Dr. Budwig think that flaxseed, rather than fish oil, was preferred?.
(Another strictly but clearly "non-Budwigian" advice would be to supplement with vitamin D and K2 tablets in winter, considering the anti-cancer and generally health-promoting effect of vitamin D and the complementary role of vitamin K2). (credits: Healing Cancer Naturally)
Question 80 re tumor enlargement on the Budwig diet: I underwent a colonoscopy test and my doctor says my colon cancer tumor is larger than it was 7 months ago. He therefore advices me, once again, that I undergo surgery. For six months, I have followed the Budwig protocol to the letter (not just the diet, but also sunbaths, exercise, rest, and a positive, God-related mental attitude) and haven’t shown blood in my stools for several weeks. I am confused because I am feeling well; I feel no pain or discomfort of any kind when defecating; and my blood tests are all normal (including CEA and a test for "hidden blood in stools", which came out negative). So how can it be that the tumor is larger against all these positive symptoms, I wonder? Why the increase and should I follow this doctor’s advice?
Answer:
Dr. Budwig observes in Der Tod des Tumors, Bd. 2 [The Death of the Tumor, Vol. 2], p. 141: “In addition to this diet’s already mentioned favorable influence upon the symptoms concomitant with the cancer patient's general condition, the increased supply of the above-identified nutritional substances, of the oil-protein diet, frequently results in an initial enlargement of the tumor, as ascertained via radioscopy (x rays). Even in cases where the tumor previously led to a narrowing of the gastric or intestinal passage, the cancer patient’s better state of health, the improved function of all vital phenomena (even at the tumor-stricken site) is so unmistakable, that one can calmly wait until such time when even the cancerized tissue will have returned to normal.”
As you can see, according to Dr. Budwig, an initial increase in tumor size in tandem with increased wellbeing is often observed after adoption of the Budwig diet and considered by her to offer no reason for concern. Similarly, eminent cancer treatment researcher Lothar Hirneise downplays the importance of tumor shrinkage (the most important goal, however, pursued by conventional oncologists, compare Conventional Cancer Treatment Is Losing War on Cancer, quote "tumor regression by itself is actually a lousy predictor for the progression of disease") and maintains that the tumor will be eliminated once the body has been returned to a state of health. (credits: Healing Cancer Naturally)
Question 81: Can I use olive oil with the Budwig diet?
Answer:
Contrary to what you may read in other alternative cancer treatment sites or guides purporting to describe the genuine Budwig Protocol, olive oil is not used in the Budwig Protocol for healing cancer and other disease.
Dr. Budwig writes in her Oil-Protein Cookbook which neither mentions nor recommends olive oil: ”This ‘oil-protein diet’ cookbook represents the strict form of this diet, limited to the optimum foods. This cookbook helps the ill person and those who wish to assist them.”
Dr. Budwig wrote another manual cum cookbook for healthy people “Krebs, ein Fettproblem” ["Cancer, A Fats Problem"]. Even here, she does not favour or mention olive oil and recommends: “For oils we mostly use flax oil, sunflower oil, walnut oil, soy oil and corn oil [always referring to natural cold-pressed and unprocessed oils]. She writes in Cancer - The Problem and the Solution and in other books: “The fatty acid found in olive oil is not considered essential. The organism is only able to metabolise this oil when it also has essential fatty acids at its disposition.” In her book “Fettfibel” she somewhat qualifies her stance by writing: “...natural unprocessed olive oil is valuable. When travelling in the south [of Europe]. I’d prefer olive oil over the numerous artificial products of ‘modern hotel cuisine’.”
Incidentally, the late erudite Father Thomas Häberle, an eminent naturopath, highly valued olive oil for external applications (available Häberle books). (credits: Healing Cancer Naturally)
Question 82: According to Dr. Budwig, what other seed oil does the same thing as flax seed oil in treating cancer?
Answer:
There is no other seed oil as rich in omega3 but there are algae and fish oils very high in omega3s resp. their derivatives eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Check Difference between taking fish oils and flax oil/cottage cheese as a source of omega 3s: Is substituting fish oil for flax oil as good or better than using flax oil? and Flaxseed vs. fish oil: why did Dr. Budwig prefer flaxseed oil over fish oil? for precautions re heat processing etc. (credits: Healing Cancer Naturally)
Compare: Can I use hempseed oil instead of flax oil?
Question 83 re allergies: a) I am following the Budwig protocol however, I believe I have developed an allergic reaction to flaxseed oil. Racing heart beat, tightness in the chest, shortness of breath etc.
b) I break out in hives when I take the Flax seed or the oil.
How can I help myself? Is there a way to overcome allergic reactions to food? Do you have any advice on some alternative oils that could be used?
Answer:
Here are some things to check out and/or consider when you suspect having an allergic reaction to flax oil and/or flaxseed:
Flax oil DIY allergy test
Rub some flaxseed oil on your skin and leave on for a few hours. If there is a reaction you are allergic to it.
Oil quality
First I would check the quality of the oil you use (organic etc.). No GMO oil etc. should be used and no other GM food either (apparently there has been an increase in allergies observed in connection with GMO foods with a study suggesting that GMO food produces more allergic reactions). Oil should be fresh, without a bitter taste or smell/taste of fish or linseed oil paint.
Dr. Hulda Regehr Clark believes that liver cleanses gradually rid a person of allergies. She writes in The Cure For All Diseases, “Cleansing the liver of gallstones dramatically improves digestion, which is the basis of your whole health. You can expect your allergies to disappear, too, more with each cleanse you do! See How to Do and Benefit from a Natural Liver & Gall Bladder Cleanse at Home.
Geopathic stress
Geopathic stress apparently does not CAUSE any illness, but lowers one’s immunity. According to the Dulwich Health Society, ”the most common indications of geopathic stress are: resistance to medical treatment, a feeling of being run-down and exhausted, depression, nervousness, loss of appetite, pallor and allergy to food.”
Emotional/energetic influences & approaches
Personally I recommend EFT to tackle physical reactions such as allergies since they often/always seem to have an underlying emotional/energetic component.
Accelerated detoxification
Consider the possibility that an (ultimately beneficial) enhanced detox reaction might be involved with the body shedding stored toxins at an increased rate.
Alternative oils to flaxseed oil
See Are there flaxseed oil substitutes for treating cancer.
Learn EFT
EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) among many healing benefits has also helped practitioners to overcome allergies. EFT is easy to learn and self-apply.
(credits: Healing Cancer Naturally)
Question 84: Dr. Budwig’s Cookbook mentions comfrey root. Is this really what she meant us to use?
Answer:
The English translation of Dr. Budwig’s Cookbook mentions comfrey root in at least one recipe. This is a translational error. What Dr. Budwig used is Schwarzwurzel (Scorzonera hispanica L.). Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) is a fantastic medicinal herb, but do not eat the root and young leaves. It has been found that they are carcinogenic. Older leaves are said to be okay to be used as a vegetable once in a while. Comfrey is the only known land plant that derives vitamin B12 from soil! We use it as fodder for our dairy goats without any ill effects. The plant contains 22-33% protein, quite a bit higher than alfalfa. (credits: Heidi)
Question 85: Using whey powder/Correct ratio sulfurated proteins to flaxseed oil: What amount of sulfurated proteins is found within 100g of cottage cheese or quark? I.e. how much of these proteins should be combined with each tablespoon of flaxoil? I am asking since I use whey protein powder instead of quark or cottage cheese with the flax oil and want to ensure that I use both components in the correct ratio.
Answer:
First of all, please be aware that Dr. Budwig didn't specify whey protein as an alternative source to quark or cottage cheese.
100 g of low-fat quark contain 311 mg methionine and 68 mg of cystine. 100 g of low-fat cottage cheese contain 306 mg methionine and 67 mg of cystine.
So for the 3 tablespoons of flax oil required for instance for making the standard recipe given for Dr. Johanna Budwig’s Quark-Flaxoil Linomel Breakfast Muesli Recipe, you get a total of 380 mg of sulfurated amino acids with quark and a total of 370 mg with cottage cheese. This roughly corresponds to 125 mg per tablespoon flax oil.
In addition to not being approved by Dr. Budwig, there might be concerns whether the chemical bonding will happen when mixing dry powder with flax oil. Also Dr. Budwig never suggested or approved of working her "mix" into a (watery) smoothie.
A correspondent wrote to me saying that the mixing of the dry whey powder with the flax oil "works fine just mixing it all up at the same time"... "or I would think even premixing the protein drink prior to placing in the flax. I have the water in a shaker and throw in the flax into the water and then the scoop of whey and shake it all up. ... I believe that bonding must occur only because there isn't any separation between the oil and the rest of the shake when left to settle. Also, there is not a large oily residue within the shaker.... it also tastes great, and for those that are very sick the drink is just a few ounces of liquid (3 or 4 ounces) so it's easy to get down. (credits: Michael of the German-language Budwig site www.oel-eiweiss-kost.de and Healing Cancer Naturally)
Question 86: Developing dry cracked skin, joint pains etc. on the Budwig diet: “I've been on the Budwig diet for 2 weeks. I took my flaxseed oil today as specifically prescribed, being careful to blend it gently and not too long with the cottage cheese. Within an hour, I was feeling weirder than ever before -- sort of a mental confusion, and a lot of body aches and pains. I feel terrible. My skin is as dry as parchment, and I have cracks that have opened up in two of my fingers on their own. I've read that ‘long-term exclusive use of flax oil can lead to a deficiency of Omega 6, producing symptoms like dry skin, papery skin and joint pain.’ Am I omega6 deficient?"
Answer:
Apparently some individuals need far more healthy omega 6s than most. So while your situation may be rare with Budwig diet users, a very few might encounter this problem.
The solution would seem to add more healthy omega 6s to your diet (not however in the form of hydrogenated rancid fats, fried foods, most vegetable oils etc.) to better balance the omega 3s for your specific needs.
You could for instance add some hemp seed oil (the omega 6s of which, such as GLA, are considered very healthy) to your flax oil/cottage cheese mixture. If you start with a 1:1 ratio of hemp seed oil to flaxseed oil, you will get an approximately 1:1 ratio of omega 3 to omega 6. You could see how you fare on this mix and then as the case may be adjust accordingly. (credits: Healing Cancer Naturally)
Question 87: Does it matter whether I use only ground flax seed or must I also include flax oil in the Budwig protocol? I prefer using the ground flax seeds exclusively, because then I get the full nutritional value of the seed, along with the fiber. But everything I read says to use oil. Here is my recipe: 1/4 C cottage cheese, 1 T whole flax seeds (measured 1 T, then ground), 1 T raw wheat germ, 1 T rice bran, 1/2 C canned pineapple. Do you think this is an acceptable way to use the Budwig protocol?
Answer:
For a healthy person wishing to follow Dr. Budwig's oil-protein diet for health maintenance your above recipe would mostly seem to be ok (exceptions would be the canned pineapple as well as the wheat germ which Dr. Budwig does not recommend, see Budwig FAQ Question 4 b: “If antioxidants do block the oxygenation that Dr. Budwig was striving for, then we shouldn't eat them either, should we?”
If you suffer from serious illness, however, the flax oil dose ingested via the above formula would be considered by far too low.
Theoretically, it would be possible to ingest sufficient flax oil via the seeds. Practically however this is not feasible since it would mean the constant repetition of Dr. Budwig's Transition Diet, option 3 (250 g of Linomel [flaxseed] plus juices). Since this is very filling one wouldn't have room for other foods, i.e. end up eating a very boring not to mention imbalanced diet.
Here are some facts important to be aware of:
- according to species, flaxseed contains between 30-42% flax oil (let's simplify this to say "one third of oil").
- when ingested via flaxseeds, the oil is readily absorbed by the organism. In fact, Dr. Budwig writes: "It makes sense to administer the fats in water-soluble form associated with protein. The most easily digested form of flax oil is the way it is provided by nature, i.e. as flaxseds." (Fettsyndrom, p. 62) Presumably that is the very reason why she specifies the ingestion of flaxseed in the initial transition days since it is most easily absorbed by the body in this manner.
- With an oil content of 33 %, the person will ingest approx. 70-80 ml of flaxseed during the above-referenced transition day which from my calculation comes close to the normal daily dose prescribed for ill people. (credits: Michael of the German-language Budwig site www.oel-eiweiss-kost.de and Healing Cancer Naturally)
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