The Budwig Diet

Article by Katherine Cardoso

Budwig Diet

Here at the Natural Healing Center, we would like to help you make healthier lifestyle
changes in this New Year. Our gentle program uses multiple therapies. One of the therapies offered at our Center is the Budwig Diet. The Budwig Diet consists of a flaxseed oil and cottage cheese mixture.

Why The Budwig Diet

In this era of “fat phobia”, why the Budwig Diet? Flaxseed oil is extremely rich in unsaturated essential fatty acids. “Essential” meaning we must consume them in our diet and that our bodies cannot manufacture them from other dietary fats or nutrients. Cottage cheese is a high quality protein, containing important sulfur-based amino acids. When flaxseed oil is combined with cottage cheese, the essential fatty acids become easily soluble and are better utilized by the body.

Dr. Johanna Budwig

In the 1940’s and 1950’s, German scientist Dr. Johanna Budwig conducted pioneering work into the causes of cancer, diabetes and other degenerative diseases. She discovered a correlation between these diseases and low levels of the lipoprotein, hemoglobin. This protein-fat cell is used by the body to transport oxygen around the body. Disease flourishes in an environment lacking oxygen. Familiar with previous work regarding protein/oil combinations, Dr. Budwig attacked the diseases in her patients with high quantities of a flaxseed oil and cottage cheese mixture.

            This combination of flaxseed oil and cottage cheese plays an important role in keeping our body in good working order and is responsible for:

·      Producing steroids and synthesizing hormones

·      Regulating pressure in the eye, joints and blood vessels

·      Regulating response to pain, inflammation, and swelling

·      Mediating immune response

·      Regulating bodily secretions and their viscosity

·      Dilating  or constricting blood vessels

·      Regulating collateral circulation

·      Directing endocrine hormones to their target cells

·      Regulating smooth muscle and autonomic reflexes

·      Being primary constituents of cellular membranes

·      Regulating the rate at which cells divide (mitosis)

·      Maintaining the fluidity and rigidity of cellular membranes

·      Regulating the in-flow and out-flux of substances into and out of the cells

·      Transporting oxygen from red blood cells to the tissues

·      Maintaining proper kidney function and fluid balance

·      Keeping saturated fats mobile in the  blood stream

·      Preventing blood cells from clumping together (conglomeration – the cause of atherosclerotic plaque and blood clots, a cause of stroke)

·      Mediating the release of pro-inflammatory substances from cells that may trigger allergic conditions

·      Regulating nerve transmission

·      Being the primary energy source for the heart muscle

Essential Fatty Acids are Therapeutic

Along with performing a critical role in normal bodily functions, essential fatty acids are shown to be therapeutic and protect against heart disease, cancer, autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, and many skin diseases.

Essential Fatty Acids Deficiencies

Studies indicate that approximately 80% of Americans lack sufficient amounts of essential fatty acids in their diet. There are three primary causes of essential fatty acid deficiency.

1.     Unavailability of quality oils rich in essential fatty acids due to mass commercialization and refinement of fats and oils

2.     Transformation of healthful omega-3 and omega-6 oils into toxic compounds (hydrogenated and trans isomers)

3.     Metabolic competition between hydrogenated and trans fatty acids with the essential fatty acids

Obtaining optimal levels of essential fatty acids

            To obtain optimal levels of essential fatty acids in our diet, here are three recommendations:

1.     Reduce the amount of saturated fats and total fat in the diet

2.     Eliminate the intake of foods containing trans fatty acids and partially hydrogenated oils

3.     Implement the Budwig Diet into your daily lifestyle.

The Budwig Diet Recipe

·      1/3c 1% or 2% fat Organic Cottage Cheese

·      3Tbsp Organic Flaxseed Oil

1.     Mix together using a hand-held blender until the mixture resembles rich whipped cream with no separated oil

(Optional Variety)

After blending, try adding other ingredients to the mixture such as: raw honey, stevia, cinnamon, vanilla, chopped nuts and seeds, dried fruit or fresh fruit.

Enjoy the amazing benefits of the Budwig Diet!

Note: You may further increase your essential fatty acids intake by adding 1Tsp of freshly ground flaxseeds to the top of your flaxseed oil and cottage cheese mixture.

Happy health from all of us at the Natural Healing Center!  

References

Erdmann, R. (1990), Fats that can save your life. Encinitas, CA: Progressive Health Publishing.

Murray, M. (1996), Understanding Fats & Oils. Encinitas, CA: Progressive Health Publishing.

http://www.budwigcenter.com/johanna-budwig-biography.php

(843)-839-9996