“Ketogenic Diet” Or “Budwig Diet”?

For many cancer patients, following a healthy food plan is a must. The question begs to be asked: which diet should I follow? Which is the most effective for a cancer patient?

What’s the difference?

The Budwig approach is known for minimizing toxins and maximizing nutrients by using as many natural and organic foods as possible. Most importantly, it acts as a pro-oxidant, oxygenating our cells and changing the way diseased cells behave so that they function as “normal” again.

The Ketogenic diet, on the other hand, induces a different “change” causing the body to get its energy from fats instead of glucose.

Three (3) Reasons Why Plant Based Protein is the Better Choice

The Budwig approach works solely with plant-based protein. Plants provide quality essential amino acids in just the right amounts. Advocates of animal protein will often refer to plant-based proteins as “low quality”. However, research affirms that proteins from both plants and animals are “complete proteins” (meaning they contain all of the essential amino acids we need).1

The difference is in the proportion of essential amino acids. Plants have a lower percentage of these amino acids. However, that is a good thing.  A higher ratio of essential amino acids, as is the case with animal protein, is actually damaging to our health.

Another factor that favors plant protein is that animal protein lacks essential fiber. Meat, dairy, and eggs have no fiber, whereas plant protein has fiber, antioxidants, and phytonutrients, making it the better choice. According to the USDA, 95% of Americans do not get an adequate amount of dietary fiber.2,3

Increased Risk of Cancer with Animal Protein and IGF-1 Hormone is our third reason for choosing the plant protein alternative.

As already mentioned, animal protein contains a higher amount of essential amino acids. This results in our bodies producing increased levels of the hormone insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1).4,5,6,7,8,9,10

What does that mean?  The IGF-1 hormone stimulates cell division and growth in both healthy and cancer cells.  Therefore, the result of having higher circulating levels of IGF-1 has been consistently associated with increased cancer risk, proliferation, and malignancy.

Dr. Budwig Encouraged a Vegetarian Approach for Cancer

Dr. Budwig was undoubtedly ahead of her time by recommending a vegetarian approach for her cancer patients. The Dr. Budwig approach that allows for all fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, beans, etc., has successfully helped countless people.

Learn more about her diet in this video:

Our program comes with a complete guide on how to correctly implement the Budwig approach into your daily routine.

To find out more about our programs CLICK HERE>>>

To download our Free Budwig Guide and subscribe to our monthly Newsletter CLICK HERE>>

References:

  1. Young VR, Pellett PL. Plant proteins in relation to human protein and amino acid nutrition. Am J Clin Nutr. 1994;59(5 Suppl):1203S-1212S
  2. Usual Intake from Food and Beverages 2007-2010 Compared To Dietary Reference Intakes; Part E. Section 2: Supplementary Documentation to the 2015 DGAC Report. Scientific Report of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. Available here: http://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015binder/meeting2/docs/refMaterials/Usual_Intake_072013.pdf (accessed Jul. 4, 2016).
  3. NS Rizzo, K Jaceldo-Siegl, J Sabate, and GE Fraser. Nutrient Profiles of Vegetarian and Nonvegetarian Dietary Patterns. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2013 Dec; 113(12):1610-9. Available here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23988511 (accessed Jul. 4, 2016).
  4. Dunaif GE, Campbell TC. Relative contribution of dietary protein level and aflatoxin B1 dose in generation of presumptive preneoplastic foci in rat liver. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1987;78(2):365-369.
  5. Youngman LD, Campbell TC. Inhibition of aflatoxin B1-induced gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase positive (GGT+) hepatic preneoplastic foci and tumors by low protein diets: evidence that altered GGT+ foci indicate neoplastic potential. Carcinogenesis. 1992;13(9):1607-1613.
  6. Campbell TC. Dietary protein, growth factors, and cancer. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007;85(6):1667.
  7. Ornish D, Weidner G, Fair WR, et al. Intensive lifestyle changes may affect the progression of prostate cancer. J Urol. 2005;174(3):1065-1069.
  8. Kleinberg DL, Wood TL, Furth PA, Lee AV. Growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-I in the transition from normal mammary development to preneoplastic mammary lesions. Endocr Rev. 2009;30(1):51-74.
  9. Allen NE, Appleby PN, Davey GK, Kaaks R, Rinaldi S, Key TJ. The associations of diet with serum insulin-like growth factor I and its main binding proteins in 292 women meat-eaters, vegetarians, and vegans. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2002; 1(11):1441-1448.
  10. McCarty MF. Vegan proteins may reduce risk of cancer, obesity, and cardiovascular disease by promoting increased glucagon activity. Med Hypotheses. 1999;53(6):459-485.

14 thoughts on ““Ketogenic Diet” Or “Budwig Diet”?”

    1. Dear Gary, yes, it is very beneficial. The guide is something we have put together for patients that sign up for one of our programs. We don’t want to encourage people to do it without guidance. Also, when a patient has cancer, a proper diet is only the beginning. We will have Mr. Jenkins contact you about how we can help you best.

  1. Adrian Grech Cumbo

    I wish to have the possibility of having a budwig center in my country as our hospital has been listed in 9th position and many have started to believe in alternative medicine too . I also wish to see that their products reach my country as I believe in budwig 100 per cent !!

  2. Dr.Belovai László

    Hello, I live in Hungary and I have been on your Budwig diet for several months. As I read above the Keto-Budwig diet, it sounds good, very reasonable and logical.
    I have prostate cancer with metastasis for one and a half year. At present everything is OK, I excercise a lot.
    How could I try out the Keto-Budwig diet which corporates the healing power of both?
    Best regards,
    Dr. Laszlo Belovai

    1. Dear Dr. Belovai, It would certainly be good to incorporate with what you are doing. The guide is something we have put together for patients that sign up for one of our programs. We don’t want to encourage people to do it without guidance. Also, when a patient has cancer, a proper diet is only the beginning. We will have Mr. Jenkins contact you about how we can help you best.

    1. Dear Marcel, the guide is something we have put together for patients that sign up for one of our programs. We don’t want to encourage people to do it without guidance. Also, when a patient has cancer, a proper diet is only the beginning. We will have Mr. Jenkins contact you about how we can help you best.

  3. The original Budwig Diet uses cottage cheese (ANIMAL PROTEIN).
    That seems to be similar to the Keto. Does that go against the statement about animal protein and cancer?

    1. Dear Jerome, the guide is something we have put together for patients that sign up for one of our programs. We don’t want to encourage people to do it without guidance. Also, when a patient has cancer, a proper diet is only the beginning. We will have Mr. Jenkins contact you about how we can help you best.

  4. Hi, I visited your centre for 3 weeks around 2012 and have had the Budwig diet every day since. I also have a chi machine and infrared sauna. I was looking at the Keto diet but felt the 0 fat Quark I have with my diet isn’t Keto? We did look at intermittent fasting as well, so we have dinner about 19.00 and miss breakfast, having lunch at 13.00. Does this satisfy the Keto – Budwig diet?
    Hope everyone is well over there in Malaga.
    David

    1. Hello David, always nice to hear from a previous patient. Glad to hear you are doing well. The reason the quark must be no more than 2 % fat is to have the correct reaction with the oil. The oil is the fat and the quark is the protein. The intermittent fasting is a good idea, yes, we encourage that. The Keto-Budwig would mean less pulses, less fruit and hardly any grains (even if they are whole grain and organic), and more veggies, nuts and seeds as well as the occasional acceptable meat. Most ketogenic diets would encourage a lot of meat but the Keto-Budwig diet wouldn’t allow very much meat, maybe once a week or so. We are keeping well, thank you.

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