What Is the Budwig Diet? An Evidence-Based Overview

Quick Answer: The Budwig diet is a lacto-vegetarian eating plan developed in the 1950s that centers on consuming flaxseed oil mixed with cottage cheese, along with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. While the individual food components are nutritious, it's important to note that claims this diet can treat or prevent cancer are not supported by clinical evidence. No peer-reviewed clinical trials have validated these claims.

You may have heard about the Budwig diet in discussions of alternative health approaches. Developed by German biochemist Dr. Johanna Budwig in the 1950s, this diet has gained attention over the decades, particularly among those interested in natural health practices. But what exactly is it, and what does the science actually say?

In this article, we'll provide a balanced overview of the Budwig diet—what it includes, its claimed benefits, and importantly, what current scientific evidence does and doesn't support.

What Is the Budwig Diet?

The Budwig diet, also called the Budwig Protocol, is a lacto-vegetarian dietary approach that emphasizes a specific combination of flaxseed oil and cottage cheese (or quark, a soft fresh cheese common in Germany). Dr. Johanna Budwig, who developed the diet, believed that combining these two foods would make omega-3 fatty acids more available to body cells.

The core of the diet involves mixing two parts cottage cheese or quark with one part flaxseed oil and consuming this mixture daily. Beyond this central component, the diet includes fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains like oats, millet, and buckwheat, nuts and seeds, and freshly pressed juices.

The diet prohibits processed foods, refined sugars, animal fats, most meats, shellfish, margarine, and most dairy products other than cottage cheese or quark.

The Theory Behind the Diet

Dr. Budwig theorized that combining the polyunsaturated fatty acids in flaxseed oil with the sulfur-containing proteins in cottage cheese would improve cellular oxygen uptake. She believed this combination could restore normal cell function and inhibit the growth of unhealthy cells.

Her hypothesis was based on research about fatty acids that was conducted in the 1950s. However, it's important to understand that this theory has not been validated by modern clinical research, and the underlying science has evolved significantly since her original work.¹

What Does the Science Say?

This is where we need to be very clear: there is no reliable scientific evidence that the Budwig diet can treat or prevent cancer or other serious diseases.

According to Cancer Research UK: "There is no scientific evidence that the Budwig diet treats or cures cancer in people. And there are no published clinical trials researching the diet in peer-reviewed medical journals."

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center states: "Clinical studies have not been conducted to determine the effects of the Budwig diet."

MD Anderson Cancer Center notes: "There's no research to support the Budwig diet for cancer treatment or prevention."

While Dr. Budwig wrote books and papers claiming success with her dietary approach, she did not publish clinical trials in peer-reviewed medical journals that would allow the scientific community to verify her claims.²

The Nutritious Components

While the Budwig diet's health claims lack clinical support, the individual foods it emphasizes do have established nutritional benefits when consumed as part of a balanced diet.

Flaxseed and Flaxseed Oil

Flaxseed is genuinely nutritious. It's one of the richest plant sources of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid. It also contains lignans (plant compounds with antioxidant properties) and fiber. Research has shown that flaxseed consumption may support heart health, digestive regularity, and provide other benefits when included as part of an overall healthy diet.³

For evidence-based information about incorporating flaxseed into your diet for weight management, see our guide on flax seeds for weight loss.

Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese is a good source of protein and calcium. It provides casein protein, which digests slowly and can help with satiety. It's a reasonable choice for those looking to increase protein intake, though it's not unique in this regard—many foods provide similar benefits.

Fruits, Vegetables, and Whole Grains

The Budwig diet's emphasis on fresh produce and whole grains aligns with widely accepted nutrition guidelines. Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are associated with reduced risk of various chronic diseases—this is well-established by decades of research.⁴

For comprehensive guidance on healthy eating patterns supported by research, explore our guide to the best foods for weight loss.

Potential Concerns and Risks

Before considering any significant dietary change, it's important to understand potential risks.

Nutritional deficiencies: The Budwig diet's restrictions on meat and most dairy could lead to inadequate intake of certain nutrients, particularly vitamin B12, iron, and zinc. Those following lacto-vegetarian diets should consider supplementation and regular monitoring.⁵

Medication interactions: Flaxseed oil may affect blood clotting. If you take blood-thinning medications, consuming large amounts of flaxseed oil could potentially interfere with your medication. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Digestive issues: The high fiber content from flaxseed and the emphasis on raw or lightly cooked vegetables can cause digestive discomfort in some people, particularly those with existing bowel conditions.

Delaying conventional treatment: Perhaps most importantly, cancer patients who delay or forgo conventional medical treatment in favor of unproven dietary approaches may experience worse outcomes. If you have cancer or another serious illness, please work with your medical team on your treatment plan.

A Balanced Perspective

The foods emphasized in the Budwig diet—flaxseed, cottage cheese, fruits, vegetables, whole grains—are genuinely nutritious choices that can be part of a healthy eating pattern. There's nothing wrong with enjoying flaxseed oil in your diet or eating cottage cheese regularly.

However, it's the specific health claims about this combination—particularly regarding cancer prevention or treatment—that lack scientific support. Eating these foods won't hurt you (assuming no allergies or contraindications), but there's no evidence they provide special healing properties beyond their general nutritional value.

If you're interested in eating patterns that have stronger scientific support for overall health, consider the Mediterranean diet, which has been extensively researched and is associated with reduced risk of heart disease, certain cancers, and other chronic conditions.⁶

Making Healthy Eating Practical

Rather than following a restrictive protocol with unproven claims, focus on building sustainable healthy eating habits. This means including a variety of whole foods, adequate protein, healthy fats (including omega-3s from sources like fatty fish, flaxseed, and walnuts), plenty of fruits and vegetables, and whole grains.

If meal planning and preparation feel overwhelming, Clean Eatz Kitchen meal plans offer balanced, portion-controlled meals that incorporate the nutritious whole foods that support overall health—without requiring you to follow complex protocols or make unverified health claims.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Budwig diet?

The Budwig diet is a lacto-vegetarian eating plan developed by German biochemist Dr. Johanna Budwig in the 1950s. It centers on consuming a mixture of flaxseed oil and cottage cheese (or quark), along with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts. The diet prohibits processed foods, sugar, and most meats. While the individual components are nutritious, claims that this diet can treat or prevent cancer are not supported by clinical evidence.

Is there scientific evidence that the Budwig diet prevents or treats cancer?

No. According to Cancer Research UK, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and MD Anderson Cancer Center, there are no published clinical trials supporting claims that the Budwig diet can treat or prevent cancer. While flaxseed contains omega-3 fatty acids that have been studied for potential health benefits, the specific combination of foods in the Budwig diet has not been proven effective for cancer prevention or treatment.

What can you eat on the Budwig diet?

The Budwig diet includes flaxseed oil mixed with cottage cheese or quark, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains like oats, millet, and buckwheat, nuts and seeds, freshly pressed vegetable juices, and herbal teas. The diet prohibits processed foods, refined sugars, animal fats, most meats, shellfish, margarine, and most dairy products other than cottage cheese or quark.

Are there any risks to following the Budwig diet?

Potential concerns include nutritional deficiencies (particularly vitamin B12), possible interactions with blood-thinning medications (flaxseed may affect blood clotting), and digestive discomfort from high fiber intake. Most importantly, cancer patients who delay conventional treatment to follow unproven diets may experience worse outcomes. Always consult a healthcare provider before making significant dietary changes, especially if you have a health condition.

Is flaxseed oil good for you?

Flaxseed oil is a good source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid. Research shows omega-3 fatty acids may support heart health and reduce inflammation. However, these benefits come from flaxseed itself—the specific combination with cottage cheese proposed by the Budwig diet has not been proven to provide additional benefits beyond eating these foods separately as part of a balanced diet.

The Bottom Line

The Budwig diet emphasizes foods that are individually nutritious—flaxseed, cottage cheese, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. However, the specific claims that this diet can treat or prevent cancer or provide special healing properties are not supported by published clinical trials or peer-reviewed research.

If you enjoy these foods, there's generally no harm in including them in your diet. But don't expect miraculous health benefits, and never delay or avoid conventional medical treatment based on unproven dietary approaches.

For evidence-based nutrition guidance that supports your health and wellness goals, explore our resources on healthy eating for weight loss and consider how meal prep can help you maintain consistent, nutritious eating habits.

Important Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. If you have cancer or any serious health condition, please consult with your healthcare provider before making dietary changes. Do not delay or avoid conventional medical treatment based on dietary approaches that lack scientific evidence.

References

¹ Basch, E., et al. (2007). Flax and flaxseed oil (Linum usitatissimum): a review by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration. Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology, 5(3), 92-105. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17761128/

² Cancer Research UK. (2024). Budwig diet. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/treatment/complementary-alternative-therapies/individual-therapies/budwig-diet

³ Parikh, M., et al. (2019). Dietary flaxseed as a strategy for improving human health. Nutrients, 11(5), 1171. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31130604/

⁴ Aune, D., et al. (2017). Fruit and vegetable intake and the risk of cardiovascular disease, total cancer and all-cause mortality. International Journal of Epidemiology, 46(3), 1029-1056. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28338764/

⁵ Craig, W.J., & Mangels, A.R. (2009). Position of the American Dietetic Association: vegetarian diets. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 109(7), 1266-1282. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19562864/

⁶ Estruch, R., et al. (2018). Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease with a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or nuts. New England Journal of Medicine, 378(25), e34. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29897866/