Budwig Cancer Protocol
I observed an incredible response from my greyhound with osteosarcoma. It was this experience that was the impetus for further investigation and my absolute fascination of the Budwig Protocol. One can become the staunchest of believers if one can see it with one's own eyes! I have. You may read about my greyhound's case by clicking on the right button. Dr. Johanna Budwig developed this protocol and is a nutritional approach to reverse cancer and other diseases by combining Flaxseed oil with the sulfur protein complex found in cottage cheese or quark. Though developed for humans, I feel this treatment could have very favorable implications for all mammals that are subjected to unnatural factory-processed feedstuff containing adulterated Omega-3s and 6s, including racehorses.
First, at the beginning of this page, I want to say that Dr. Johanna Budwig was one of the historic pioneering researchers in essential fatty acid research. She first started working on this around 1949. She was the first person to develop a paper chromatography test in detecting fats, fatty acids, lipoproteides along with their types and volumes, ever! Before her, scientists could not detect the Omega-3s or 6s usefully. This is over 70 years ago! There has been a lot of water under the bridge since then! Since her professional career ended, new research in the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) field and corresponding physiological mechanisms has expanded the lipid scientific field. My point is that people will often only look to their esteemed guru leader as the sole arbitrator of truth, discounting any modifications. Many Budwig followers are rabid adherents who will resist any thought deviations from their master's original works. I assure you that such intellectual paralysis will stunt the progression of knowledge. I want to suggest that even though I think Dr. Budwig was a genius and innovative in her time, times change, and scientific knowledge evolves for a better truth. On this page, you will find some of the possible improvements that one might want to consider implementing into her protocol. So, let's delve into its science, history, and founder:
Secret of Life:
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let's look at the big picture, which medical practitioners seldom do as specialists. The main object of animal life (and its health) is to absorb food nutrients plus Oxygen, rearranging the protons and electrons to a more stable configuration that ends in the production of carbon dioxide and water with a release of energy. The ultimate energy source for life on Earth is the sun. It's photons. Plants on this earth, with Flax being our focus here, capture the sun's photons, as so eloquently observed by Johanna Budwig, via photosynthesis, converting water, soil nutrients, and photons into essential animal nutrients. It is Flax-seed's nutrients that are so vital in the electron chain of our cell's process to produce energy efficiently via the respiration process, and the lack thereof the likely cause of so many of our animal's pathology, especially cancers. Indications for its use:
Cancer, Arteriosclerosis, Strokes, Cardiac Infarction, Heartbeat (irregular), Liver (fatty degeneration), Lungs (reduces bronchial spasms), Intestines (regulates activity), Stomach Ulcers (normalizes gastric juices), Prostate (hypertopic), Arthritis (exerts a favorable influence), Eczema (assists all skin diseases), Old age (improves many common afflictions), Brain (strengthens activity), Immune Deficiency Syndromes (multiple sclerosis, auto-immune illnesses). One can see how many serious diseases depend on a healthy cell and a healthy, efficient cellular respiration process.
The Science
First some background work:
Essential Fatty Acids
Essential fatty acids (EFA) are, as the name implies, essential to life and health! Moreover, they cannot be naturally synthesized in mammals and must be obtained from outside nutrition. The two EFA classes of interest here are the Omega-6 and Omega-3 groups, which are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). The base EFA of the Omega-6 group is Linoleic acid (LA), and of the Omega-3 group is α-Linolenic acid (ALA). The Linus Pauling Institute writes: "Omega-6 and omega-3 are important structural components of cell membranes. When incorporated into phospholipids, they affect cell membrane properties, such as fluidity, flexibility, permeability, and the activity of membrane-bound enzymes. In addition to endogenous metabolism, dietary consumption of fatty acids can modify cellular membranes' composition and molecular structure. Thus, increasing omega-3 fatty acid intake increases the omega-3 content of red blood cells, immune cells, atherosclerotic plaque, cardiac tissue, and other cell types throughout the body." Johanna Budwig writes: ". . . the fatty acids that are recognized as vital with 18 links in the hydrogen chains (chain with 18 links) and with high electronic enhancement. It is scientifically known that the electronic energy, e.g., in the linoleic fatty acids, is so high-grade that it lifts off the heavy mass and moves as an electron cloud."
Dr. Budwig considered Flax-seed oil to be the best source of the essential fatty acids for her treatments. Flax-seed oil contains both Omega-6 Linoleic acid (LA) at approximately 16% and the Omega-3 α-Linolenic acid (ALA) at 57%. Flax-seed oil at 1 tablespoon equals 7.3 grams of α-Linolenic acid (ALA). It is flax-seed's α-Linolenic and Linoleic acids that are the pillar to the Budwig protocol. There is confusion by students of Budwig about which essential fatty acid she used, LA or ALA? Most of her writings and lectures seem to only prominently mention the omega-6 Linoleic acid (LA) which acts as a respiratory enzyme in cellular metabolism. However, she also usually mentions that Linoleic acid (LA) is most effective in the "linoleic-linolenic acid system" found in flaxseed oil. She felt both were needed. Interestingly, it is usually thought that α-Linolenic acid (ALA) will be most deficient in our modern diets with hundreds of researchers touting its supplementation while the Omega-6's of which Linoleic acid (LA) belongs, not so much. Budwig seems to disagree with the modern view that ALA is all important and writes this: "The highest electron collection is with the combination of linoleic-linolenic fatty acids in flax oil. The linolenic acid (ALA) as conjugated fatty acid is even more effective and is even more strongly effective in interplay with linoleic acid (LA) as it is present in the flax oil chain as essential fatty acids for oxygen absorption. This was relatively easy for me to verify in my experiments. I would like to emphasize this. The combination of double unsaturated linoleic acid (LA) with triple unsaturated linolenic acid (ALA) is particularly well-combined in flaxseed. Naturally the quality of flaxseed differs greatly. Naturally red flowering flaxseed and blue flowering flaxseed are naturally different; there is also a difference depending on whether flaxseed is harvested in the cold like in Siberia, or in Africa." Thus, I say to those questioning which Fatty acids are important, both, with the emphasis on LA! The fatty acid, α-Linolenic acid (ALA) generally is not considered a prime player in cellular respiration unlike the Omega-6's Linoleic acid (LA), but Budwig seemed to think that the combination of both LA with ALA is particularly potent in the oxygen absorption process. The take-away to this and I will harp on this theme throughout this page is that it is not only this synergistic combination of the two that are important--plus ratios, but the quality of both LA and ALA that is key! Rancidity is to be avoided at all costs in both types of oils!
Brian Peskin is probably our modern day equivalent of Johanna Budwig in championing the (PUFAs) Polyunsatruated Fatty Acids as a therapeutic paradigm. I do not agree with everything he writes, but he does have some very valuable concepts that one should consider and which should bring more value to the Budwig protocol, if implemented. Much of Peskin's work smacks of the teachings of Dr. Budwig, yet he seems mostly to ignore her and even in a few places disparage her work as antiquated. For instance, he doesn't think that it is necessary to mix the PUFA oils with quark or cottage cheese for better bioavailability. I disagree with that, but to each his own. He also thinks that the primary PUFA of importance in cellular respiration is the Omega-6 group, Linoleic acid (LA)! I agree with him on that one and find it most perplexing to why Dr. Budwig felt that Flax oil was the best oil for supplementation when it was lopsidedly high in the Omega 3, α-Linolenic acid (ALA) at 57% and low in the Omega-6 Linoleic acid (16%). Her English translated text: "The combination of double unsaturated linoleic acid (LA) with triple unsaturated linolenic acid (ALA) is particularly well-combined in flaxseed." does not hold up to modern scientific scrutiny. However, her view that ". . . the linolenic acid (ALA) as conjugated fatty acid is even more effective and is even more strongly effective in interplay with linoleic acid (LA)" is still quite true, even in today's knowledge. Her concept of the most ideal ratio seems to be off. The omega-3 & Omega-6 ratio is very important, but not as it is found in flax-seed oil! Peskin writes that the best LA:ALA ratio would be from 1:1 to 2.5:1. Flaxseed oil has a 1:4.2 ratio in favor of ALA which, if anything, by today's science is backwards. A therapeutic oil should be reversed in favor of LA, not ALA!
If you do much research, you will find that the common view is that our modern diet is giving us way too much Omega-6 amounts with all of the experts saying what needs to be done is increasing dosage of the Omega-3s to balance out this imbalanced ratio. Not true in reality! First, true, Omega-6s can be found abundantely in our modern diet, but the problem is as Peskin points out, these are adulterated PUFAs. They have been treated with heat, chemicals, and oxidized by air--adulterating their healthy natural form. Adulterated Omega-6s as are the Omega-3s can be very toxic in these new forms. In essence, when one follows the Budwig protocol with flax oil with 2, 4 or more tablespoons per day, one is overdosing on the Omega-3s because we are not simultaneously also taking in a high quality Omega-6 supplement like unrefined cold-pressed Sunflower oil. The key is the word, "unrefined"! The Sunflower oils which can be purchased at the store is adulterated as are all of the vegetable oils on the shelf. They all do more harm than good. Back to the ratio aspect, a 1992 medical text had this to say: " . . . the synergistic effect of Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids at low doses which is greater than the effect of high doses of Omega-3 fatty acids alone." Dr. Budwig certainly would agree with this view of the synergistic effect of the two, but she placed ALA ahead of LA by selecting flax oil. She seemed not aware of the importance of ratios. A good indication of what the ratio should be is to consider what the natural ratio values are found in the various tissues. Muscle contains a 6.5:1 ratio in favor of the Omega-6 (LA) with many of the other tissues around 4:1. Brain and neural tissue favors Omega-6 at 100:1, the skin at 1000:1 which tells you how important skin health is to Omega-6 levels! Accordingly, one should supplement for ratios that are in the 2.5:1 ratio, and probably much higher!
Lets study the conundrum that has plagued me for years when reading the English translations of Dr. Budwig. She seems to have favored the omega-6 Linoleic acid (LA) over Linolenic acid (ALA) in many of her statements. Here are a few examples from, Cancer, The Problem and the Solution:
" . . . in the linoleic fatty acids, is so high grade that this energy lifts off of the heavy mass and moves as an electron cloud." (page 17)
"Linoleic acid rich in electrons is considered vital. There is a particularly high amount of energy in this double double bond of the linoleic acid." (page 19)
"I found out that the oxygen deficiency in living tissue is overcome through linoleic acid, ideally in conjunction with linolenic acid (ALA)." (page 50)
"I recognized and proved the significance of cis linoleic acid in the function of respiratory enzymes for the first time. The linoleic acid as partner to the sulfhydryl group as creator of the lipoprotiens are recognized, proven and discussed in its fundamental important effect for each vital function." (page 99)
Dr. Budwig mentioned that Torsten Thunberg supports her views writing: "Linoleic acid proved to be the great unknown." A.I. Virtanen did the same and wrote that ". . . linoleic added to the drop of blood inhibits the criteria that are typical for cancer. " (page 100)
"The pairing of thee sulfhydryl group for all cell constituting substances with cis-linoleic acid, possibly combined with linolenic acid, which is more rich in electrons, are substances of high physiological interest for all vital functions." (page 102)
"This great unknown in the cytochrome oxidase function was defined by me for the first time as linoleic acid (LA). I proved it with numerous experiments, later shown to be particularly effective in the linoleic (LA)-linolenic acid (ALA) system."
So you see from all of these quoted comments that highlight Linoleic acid of Dr. Budwig's, it sure gives the impression that she views the Omega-6, linoleic acid (LA) as the key respiratory compound, yet she chose Flax oil as the best treatment oil! I do not get it. Modern science is behind Linoleic acid as being the paramount PUFA involved in cellular mitochondrial health. It is the prime component of the cardiolipin layer. A 2010 study writes: "Cardiolipin, a phospholipid located at the level of inner mitochondrial membrane is known to be intimately involved in several mitochondrial bioenergetic processes as well as in mitochondrial‐dependent steps of apoptosis. Cardiolipin seems to facilitate the association and stabilization of respiratory chain complexes into supercomplexes.. Cardiolipin is particularly rich in unsaturated fatty acids, (approximately 80% represented by linoleic acid in heart tissue) and in addition it is located near to the sites of ROS production."
My improvement to the Budwig protocol would be to supplement for Linoleic acid (LA) far more than Linolenic acid (ALA). Sunflower oil is very high in LA, around 65% and has basically no, Linolenic acid (ALA) in it. I would go with a combination of unrefined sunflower oil and flax seed oil with something like 3:1 in favor of sunflower oil or even higher sunflower amounts!
Sulfhydryl Group & Lipoproteins
Dr. Budwig writes: "When you mix together Quark or cottage cheese and flaxseed oil in your blender, the fat becomes water-soluble. If you prepare the same mixture with (saturated) fat from the pig which has been fattened on totally wrong feed, the fat no longer combines with the protein. It separates. You can see this as an illustration of chemistry, in vitro, of what takes place in all the organism's vital functions, and in its capillary activity, or in the rising of a plant's sap that fat and protein do combine. That fat does become water soluble--but only when protein is in combination with highly unsaturated fats. Those highly, unstartuated fats are, essentially, rich in electrons."
For a peak inside, go to this book as listed on Amazon for a look by clicking on above image.
Admittedly, this seems an expensive book, but thumb through it and you will change your mind. One almost always receives what one pays for. Compared to the others on the subject, this text is a creature of a different stripe. It is 2-3 times longer at 519 pages, containing information that is not just regurgitated as found in similar books. It will give new insight into why the Budwig Protocol works, how to tweak it, and how to formulate cancer/pain remedies in the home or clinic saving hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. Cancer is too often a money making business. This book will save you money.
The Greek philosopher, Heraclitus (500 BCE), cherished independent thought and felt most humans tend to pass through their lives in a metaphorical state of sleep. They are sleepwalkers that never question the status quo. He considered the rare person, the one who focused on the Critical Pursuit of Truth, the awakened one. The truth seeker as the only one among us that can induce progress. A famous variant translation from his work: The only constant in life is change itself Nothing ever remains the same with this being true of evolving science. It has always mystified me that the Budwig Protocol has remained so static over the years since its inception in the 1950s. It has always perplexed me that the general principles have never been challenged in the light of new, ever-expanding scientific knowledge. I wrote this text for the independent thinker to recognize the static inclinations and biases often present in the human condition. I also wrote this work for those sufferers who are not making progress following the traditional protocol of Dr. Budwig after following her system to the exact letter as it was historically practiced. May this work give them food for thought, encourage them to experiment for better results, embrace change, and not be stymied by tradition. This book is unique in that it analyzes her work with what is currently known in the scientific field. It contains extensive scientific documentation backing up these new proposed conclusions to enhance her original treatment. Dr. Budwig was brilliant, but she got a few things wrong and this book delves into those problems. This is to be expected in a scientific work developed in 1950! This book came to some important conclusions:
· First and foremost, her flax seed oil is not the most optimum oil to utilize. It is far too heavy in the Omega-3 linolenic fatty acid. We need an oil formula that contains more of the Omega-6 linoleic fatty acid, the most molecularly important polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) found in the membranes of all cells, particularly the mitochondria. The Omega-3 linolenic fatty acid is much less important in this aspect. One can formulate a better oil.
· This book shows how to obtain an oil with these properties. The best and freshest seed oil is home-pressed where one can immediately place it in the freezer and only make enough that can be used in a few weeks. Most commercial cold-pressed seed oils have a tendency to become rancid or go that way by the time the buyer purchases it. This book demonstrates how to press seed oil in the home for the most potent and freshest oil.
· Cottage cheese is not necessary for digestion of her oils. This book shows why this is true from the newest physiological data that we now know how linoleic and linolenic fatty acids are absorbed into the digestive tract. Cottage cheese or quark mixed with the oil is okay, but not necessary.
· The most valuable purpose or need of the Omega-6 linoleic fatty acid is not so much its contribution of electrons as Dr. Budwig so emphasized, but its molecular configuration that allows easy passage of oxygen through the cellular and mitochondrial membranes. This book shows how this happens and why. It also shows why the Omega-3 linolenic fatty acid cannot substitute for this property and why the Omega-6 is so much more important and should be the major PUFA found in an oil.
· Dr. Budwig's diet if far too restrictive, one-size-fits-all, for many individuals. This book goes into detail of the best diet to utilize, the ketogenic diet that starves cancer cells by limiting glucose and glutamine intake that feeds cancer. We want to starve cancer!
· Dr. Budwig was dead-set against supplemental antioxidants, particularly Vitamin C. This book shows why this is totally wrong and in fact, supplemental antioxidants actually help with PUFA oil preservation and utilization.
· Dr. Budwig was critical of anyone using her protocol not to use other protocols. This book considers this an ego trip and that there are at least two other protocols that could enhance her treatments, the Dr. Emanuel Revici Protocol and the Dr. Kelley/Nicholas Gonzalez pancreatic enzyme protocol.
· This book suggests a unique hybrid Protocol using Dr. Budwig's Protocol woven in with the Kelley/Gonzalez and Dr. Revici's systems for a more powerful treatment.
· This book also suggests a veterinary Budwig protocol for your pets and is the basis for the writing of this book.
· This book suggests the use of some supplements that should prove valuable and adjuvants to the Budwig Protocol. They include chapters on the Osage Orange tree extracts, common bindweed extract, methylene blue, dilute hydrogen peroxide, dilute hydrochloric acid therapy, fermented wheat germ extract, and ozone therapy. All of which the average person can often formulate at home and save hundreds of dollars.
I conceived my exercise in this pursuit of an alternative cancer cure because of my mother's death from ovarian cancer, my father's death from cardiovascular disease, my maternal great-grandfather's death from prostate cancer, and my paternal grandfather's death from bone cancer-all are modern diseases escalating in the 20th and 21st centuries. They were the ones that drove me to search for another way other than relying on the modern medical dogma, which failed them. Perhaps what capped my search for the truth for a cure was when I became an owner of an ex-racing greyhound, who developed osteosarcoma. Had I known when I first obtained her she would be the impetus to an ongoing personal obsession for years to uncover the truth along with being a stimulus of so much of my future time, it would have mortified me. Yet, in hindsight, I could not be more grateful to this old girl and the lessons she taught me not only for the betterment of my health but hopefully, for others, too.
Press Your Own Seed OIl!
This book details how anyone can make the cheapest, freshest medicinal seed oil at home. Unfortunately, commercially prepared and purchased cold-pressed seed oils are often going rancid, if not already there by the time they reach the store's shelves. It is just the nature of the beast because they can oxidize so quickly. The only reliable way of obtaining a potent medicinal seed oil for use in the Budwig Protocol is to make your own! It is not that hard! A rancid oil is a toxic oil and feeds cancer! If your commercial seed oil tastes the least bit unpleasant or smells off--chances are it is bad.
Dr. Revici's Genius and his Cancer Treatments
Dr. Revici achieved phenomenal success in treating hopeless terminal cancer patients while practicing during his later years in New York on par with Dr. Budwig’s success rates. John Heller MD (past medical director of Sloan-Kettering Memorial Cancer Center) may be typical of those who have observed his practice over the years. He wrote: "I’ve known him for ten years. I don’t know how he does it, but people walk in dead and walk out alive.". Two chapters are devoted to his work and therapeutics.
Part 2 Supplements that can Enhance the Budwig Protocol
Part Two of this book list a few supplements which may prove useful in treating cancer. One whole chapter is devoted to the North American Osage Orange tree detailing the many anti-tumor compounds found in the fruit, inner-bark, heartwood and leaf. This tree is also known for its immune stimulating, anti-fungal, and non-toxic compounds. It has long been utilized as a folk remedy for cancer, but there are better ways to process, extract these useful compounds in a more scientific manner. This book explains how to do this. Other useful supplements covered include methylene blue, fermented wheat germ, bindweed extract, ozone therapy, dilute hydrochloric acid therapy, and dilute hydrogen peroxide nebulization.
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