Macrobiotic
Macrobiotic
Macrobiotic (/ˌmakroʊbaɪˈɒtɪk/; from the Greek macro meaning "long" and bios meaning "life") is a dietary regimen that involves eating grains as a staple food supplemented with other foodstuffs such as local vegetables, while avoiding the use of highly processed or refined foods and most animal products.
Etymology
The term "macrobiotic" is derived from the Greek words macro meaning "long" and bios meaning "life". It was first used by Hippocrates, the father of Western medicine, to describe people who lived long and healthy lives.
History
The macrobiotic diet was developed by a Japanese philosopher named George Ohsawa in the 1920s. He believed that by eating a simple, balanced diet, people could live in harmony with nature and experience optimal health.
Principles
The macrobiotic diet is based on the concept of balance, specifically the balance of yin and yang. Foods are classified as either yin (cooling and expanding) or yang (warming and contracting), and a healthy diet is achieved by balancing these two forces in the body.
Foods
The macrobiotic diet primarily consists of whole grains, such as brown rice, barley, millet, and oats. Other foods include fresh vegetables, beans, sea vegetables, fermented soy products, and fruit. Animal products, dairy, and processed foods are generally avoided.
Health Benefits
Proponents of the macrobiotic diet believe it can help prevent and treat many health conditions, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. However, scientific evidence supporting these claims is limited.
Criticisms
Critics of the macrobiotic diet argue that it can be nutritionally deficient, particularly in protein, vitamin B12, iron, and calcium. They also caution that the diet's strict rules and restrictions can lead to disordered eating.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Macrobiotic
- Wikipedia's article - Macrobiotic
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