Johanna Budwig was born in Essen, Germany. Her early life and education laid the foundation for her future scientific pursuits, eventually leading her to specialize in chemistry, physics, botany, and pharmacology.

Budwig obtained her doctorate in chemistry and physics. She embarked on research focusing on the properties and effects of fats and oils, a field that would define her career. During this period, mainstream science began to understand the roles of different types of fats in human health, although the specific roles of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids were still developing.

Budwig was appointed as a senior expert for fats and pharmaceuticals at the German Federal Institute for Fat Research. This role allowed her to delve deeper into the analysis of various fats and oils and their impact on cellular function. She began to formulate her theories about the importance of unsaturated fats in cell respiration and overall health.

Budwig began to develop her core theory that the modern processing of fats and oils damaged their vital electrical properties, hindering cell respiration and contributing to chronic diseases, including cancer. She began experimenting with a mixture of flaxseed oil (rich in omega-3 fatty acids) and quark (a type of soft cheese high in protein and sulfur-containing amino acids), believing this combination would restore cellular function.

Budwig published "Das Fettsyndrom," outlining her theories on the detrimental effects of processed fats on human health and introducing her treatment approach. This book marked a turning point, bringing her ideas to a wider audience and sparking interest in her flaxseed oil and quark combination.

Throughout these decades, Budwig's protocol gained traction as an alternative cancer treatment, attracting patients from around the world. However, her claims were met with skepticism and criticism from the mainstream medical community, who argued that her theories lacked sufficient scientific evidence and that relying solely on her protocol could be dangerous for cancer patients.

Even in her later years, Budwig continued to advocate for her protocol, writing books and giving lectures on its benefits. She maintained that her research offered a valuable alternative approach to cancer treatment, emphasizing the importance of diet and lifestyle in supporting the body's natural healing processes.

Johanna Budwig died in Germany. Despite the lack of conclusive scientific support for her cancer treatment claims, her work has continued to influence individuals seeking alternative approaches to health and wellness, particularly those interested in the role of fats in diet and disease. Her "Budwig Protocol" remains a widely discussed, albeit controversial, topic.