The Budwig diet

The Budwig diet is rich in flaxseed oil and cottage cheese or quark, which have properties that support healthy cell function.

You may have heard about the Budwig diet as an alternative cancer therapy.
There is no reliable evidence to suggest that the Budwig diet can prevent or treat cancer. However, you might find the below information useful.

What is the Budwig diet?

The Budwig diet includes foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, with other foods that help omega-3 to be absorbed into the blood.

Foods included in the Budwig diet are:

• flaxseed (linseed) oil
• other cold-pressed or virgin and extra virgin plant oils
• low-fat quark or cottage cheese
• high fibre foods, including fruit and vegetables

The diet says to avoid most other dairy products including butter, saturated fats from animal products, margarine, meat, seafood, refined grains, refined sugar, and salt.

The theory behind the Budwig diet

The theory behind the Budwig diet is that increasing the amount of oxygen that reaches the body’s cells helps to keep them healthy.

Omega-3 supports your red blood cells, which are what carry oxygen around the body. So the Budwig diet is designed to boost your omega-3 intake and its absorption, since there is research to suggest that cancer cells do not grow or spread as quickly in well oxygenated environments.

Oxygen is carried to the cells of the body by haemoglobin, which is in the red blood cells in your blood. Omega-3 is needed to keep haemoglobin in a healthy way, but it must be in a water-soluble state to be absorbed. This can be achieved with the help of a protein that contains sulphuric acid, which can be found in cottage cheese and quark.

This is why the staple of the Budwig diet is a blend of cottage cheese or quark with omega-3-rich flaxseed oil.

The Budwig blend

The Budwig blend is a 2:1 ratio of low-fat organic cottage cheese or quark to flaxseed (linseed) oil.

For example, you could blend 6 tablespoons of cottage cheese or quark with 3 tablespoons of flaxseed oil and enough water to give it a soft, custard-like consistency.

An alternative to the blend is the Budwig ‘muesli’. Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseeds (linseeds) with 2 tablespoons of cottage cheese or quark. You could add some agave syrup or honey with chopped fresh fruit and nuts.

Caution on the effects and effectiveness of the Budwig diet

It is understandable to want to explore all your options after a cancer diagnosis. However, there is no reliable evidence to suggest that the Budwig diet is effective as an alternative cancer therapy.

Side effects from the diet can include more frequent bowel movements, bloating, constipation, wind, and pain in your tummy.

Following this diet may not give you all the nutrients or energy that you need.

In addition, flaxseeds can interfere with the absorption of some medicines and drugs, and some people are allergic to flaxseeds.

You should speak to a dietician if you are considering following the Budwig diet. If you have had a cancer diagnosis, speak to your doctor first, and they can refer you to a dietician.

Where did the Budwig diet come from?

The Budwig diet was a programme invented by a Dr Johanna Budwig in 1951. Dr Budwig was a biochemist, physicist, a leading expert in fat metabolism, and an advocate for alternative cancer therapies.

The diet was based on a theory that the diets of many people with cancer and other serious diseases were deficient in certain essential fatty acids. ‘Essential fatty acids’ or EFAs are fatty acids that are vital for good health but can only be obtained through diet.

After years of research and clinical trials, Budwig found that increasing the amount of essential fatty acids in the diet, by using her ‘blend’, was hugely beneficial to people with cancer. The size of tumours appeared to be reduced, and in some cases even eradicated.

Budwig recorded all her cases, and her published research features many testimonials from people around the world with terminal cancer diagnoses who were seemingly cured by the Budwig diet.

The programme has not been subject to randomised control studies, so there is no scientific evidence to prove the Budwig diet’s effectiveness in cancer prevention or treatment. However, many health gurus still advocate it today.

Omega-3

The Budwig diet aside, omega-3 does have many qualities that have been scientifically proven to be good for your general health.

Omega-3 has strong anti-inflammatory properties and is beneficial for your heart health, brain function, eye health, mental health, and skin health, as well as supporting your immune system.

Sources of omega-3

As well as in flaxseeds and flaxseed oil, you can find omega-3 in:

• oily fish, especially salmon, sardines, mackerel and trout
  
• walnuts and walnut oil
• pumpkin seeds and pumpkin seed oil
• omega-3 supplements

While there isn’t a specific UK government recommendation for how much omega-3 we should consume, the advice is to eat two portions of fish per week, once of which should be an oily fish. Find out more about the NHS advice on eating fish.

Omega-3 is much more concentrated in seed oils than in their seeds. If you are eating the seeds, make sure you crack the seeds using a blender or through thorough chewing to release the oil.

Flaxseed oil in particular has additional benefits. It is rich in a lignan called Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), and research suggests that SDG could directly influence oestrogen metabolism by blocking the receptor sites on the cells and stopping the action of oestrogen in stimulating cancer cells. SDG also supports the liver in its role at detoxifying excess oestrogen out of the body.

A note on omega-3 supplements

Omega-3 supplements aren’t suitable for everyone, and you should consult your doctor before taking them.

If you choose to use a supplement of omega-3 fish oil, look out for one that is free from dioxins and PCBs, which are associated with contaminants found in fish. Algae oil and krill oil are good options as they tend not to contain the contaminants associated with other fish oils.

Last review: Jun 2025 | Next review: Jun 2028

How Maggie's can help

We offer free expert psychological and practical support tailored to you, whatever stage you're at, and for friends and family too.

• Find your nearest centre to find out more, you can also leave your details and we’ll give you a call
• Just come in – you don't need an appointment