Macrobiotic diet

Macrobiotic diet is a diet that involves eating grains as a staple food supplemented with other foodstuffs such as local vegetables, and avoiding the use of highly processed or refined foods and most animal products. Macrobiotic diets have also been viewed as a dietary therapy for cancer and other diseases, although the diet has not been shown to cure cancer or any other disease.

History

The macrobiotic diet is associated with Zen Buddhism and is based on the idea of balancing yin and yang. The diet was popularized by George Ohsawa in the 1930s and subsequently elaborated by his disciple Michio Kushi.

Principles

The macrobiotic diet is fixed on ideas about types of food drawn from Zen Buddhism. The diet attempts to balance the supposed yin and yang elements of food and cookware. Major principles of macrobiotic diets are to reduce animal products, eat locally grown foods that are in season, and consume meals in moderation.

Health effects

There is no good evidence that a macrobiotic diet can treat or prevent cancer or any other disease. The American Cancer Society and Cancer Research UK have said that a macrobiotic diet can be harmful. The diet can be low in protein, vitamin B12, iron, and calcium and high in fiber.

See also

• List of diets
• Vegetarianism
• Veganism
• Raw veganism
• Fruitarianism
• Alkaline diet
• Gluten-free diet
• Inedia
• Juice fasting
• Kosher diet
• Natural foods
• Organic food
• Semi-vegetarianism

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