Diets other than Robert's Archives

Macrobiotic diet - comments/refutations?

The following are excerpts from the BC Cancer Agency's Evaluation of Macrobiotic Diets. So, what's the deal? Who do I believe? Thanks.
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Two surveys of the dietary intakes of macrobiotic children and adults have been published. Some of the results were as follows:

The diets are low in calories - most of the healthy adults reported having lost weight on the diet.

Several cases of protein-calorie malnutrition have been documented among infants and children who were fed strict macrobiotic diets.

An adult woman who had followed diet no. 7 for eight months had lost 35 pounds and on hospitalization was "near death with the classical manifestations of scurvy and severe folic acid and protein deficiency."

Several cases of nutritional rickets have been documented in macrobiotic children.

Intakes of riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B, and folate are below the recommended dietary allowances (RDA).

Calcium intakes in macrobiotic adults and children were 50-60% below the RDA.

Iron intakes of macrobiotic women and children averaged 62-84% of the RDA; those of the men exceeded the RDA. (Bowman)

The current "standard" macrobiotic diet consists of 50-60% whole cereal grains. Allergic reactions caused by eating cereals may cause gastrointestinal disturbance with vomiting, diarrhea and bloating, eczema, urticaria, angioedema, asthma or anaphylactic shock. Because of the high fibre content of the macrobiotic diet, there is a risk of complete obstruction in the presence of a narrowed intestinal lumen. (Bowman)

Follow Ups:

• Re: Macrobiotic diet - comments/refutations? not macro 19:36:41 4/18/01 (0)
• Re: Macrobiotic diet - comments/refutations? (Archive in Macrobiotic Diet.) Walt Stoll 07:53:15 4/17/01 (0)
• Hmm Lina 01:56:05 4/16/01 (2)
  • I've read the same............. enthusiast 16:58:21 4/16/01 (0)
  • Re: Hmm beegs 10:40:16 4/16/01 (0)

In Reply to: Macrobiotic diet - comments/refutations? posted by cd on April 15, 2001 at 20:27:57:

Well, I think this report sounds pretty biased. It reports several severe cases where a macrobiotic diet caused harm, but it really doesn't give any details about how the subjects proceeded with the diet. I really doubt that the diet was handled properly in those cases.

Still, tho, I would be weary of anybody basing their diet on the yin/yang theory =)

Follow Ups:

• I've read the same............. enthusiast 16:58:21 4/16/01 (0)
• Re: Hmm beegs 10:40:16 4/16/01 (0)

In Reply to: Hmm posted by Lina on April 16, 2001 at 01:56:05:

i have heard many criticize this diet, i did it when i first got gerd,and i looked horrid, lost weight,had alot of muscle spasms. in ken cohens book on chi kung,he also criticizes it. i believe the idea of complex carbs is valid,and grains, but we need more protein than is recommended, and i have yet to meet a REAL person on this diet,who has been helped by t. it may work,and may be valid, but maybe short term? i know sherry rogers used it when she was so ll, before she got into researching things. but why isnt she still on it today? again, i havent me anyone, just read testimonials, which arent really useful. its very confusing.

In Reply to: Hmm posted by Lina on April 16, 2001 at 01:56:05:

thing about macrobiotics. since the diet is so high in grains, it blocks the absorption of protein and minerals due to the high levels of phytic acid and protease inhibitors. Personally, I am a big fan of the mediteranean (sorry, can't spell today :)) diet. The only problem with this diet, is that it may not supply enough calcium. this is no problem as long as calcium-rich vegetbales are empahsized.

In Reply to: Macrobiotic diet - comments/refutations? posted by cd on April 15, 2001 at 20:27:57:

Hi, cd.

It is important to follow the Macrobiotic diet exactly as taught. NO deficiencies happen when this is done. Many people just do a little reading and do it on their own. Then, when they get in trouble, tell whoever is asked to "bail them out" that they have been on the Macrobiotic diet. The conventional medical monopoly is so eager to condemn anything they do not understand they are quick to publish such anectotal stories without learning anything about a Macrobiotic Diet. After all, is is not allopathic so is must not be worth studying!

The most ridiculous thing I saw on your list was that the diet might cause obstruction of the bowel because of the high fiber content.

The Macrobiotic Diet is not ideal for everyone but is a highly effective therapeutic diet for serious conditions like cancer, and other chronic conditions.

Thanks for sharing this with us.

Namaste`

Walt

In Reply to: Macrobiotic diet - comments/refutations? posted by cd on April 15, 2001 at 20:27:57:

Michio Kushi, the founder of macrobiotics, died of cancer. I've heard that his wife Adeline currently has cancer. Yet the macrobiotic diet has undeniably cured serious cancers. I don't know what to think. I've tried eating macrobiotically myself, some years ago. I was constantly starving, lightheaded, and ill. I have to eat animal protein to feel well. I guess it wasn't appropriate to my metabolic type. I can't give you any answers to your questions; just more questions that I haven't answered to my own satisfaction.