MACRO-SCOPE

A macrobiotic diet is low in calories and saturated fat, and rich in complex carbohydrates starch and fibre

In the 1880s, a Japanese doctor, Ishizuka, claimed that he could treat several common health problems with a predominantly vegetarian diet based on whole grains, cereals and vegetables. He published his two books with these healing principles.nbsp;

In early 20th century 1950s, an American-Japanese writer George Ohsawa tried the diet on himself when he suffered from tuberculosis and the doctor had given up all hope for him. He followed the traditional macrobiotic diet and recovered. He believed that the diet was responsible for his cure. On the basis of Ishizuka8217;s ideas he gave it a name 8220;large and life8221; i.e. 8220;Macrobiotic8221; 8212;a Greek word.nbsp;

Macrobiotic way of eating draws essentially from the eastern Vedic approach to health and healing. The diet is believed to increase energy, resistance to illness and allow you to live a full life in balance. It is based on the Chinese philosophy of two opposing yet complementary forces of Yin and Yang.
Yin is the female force, representing darkness, the cold and tranquility, while Yang is masculine and represents light, heat and aggression.

According to macrobiotic philosophy, foods also contain the Yin and Yang qualities. For example, foods with high Yin content include sugar, tea, alcohol, coffee, milk, cream, yoghurt and most herbs and spices, while foods with high Yang content include red meat, poultry, fish, and shellfish, eggs, hard cheeses and salt. Foods that are thought to contain a harmonious balance of Yin or Yang are: whole grains, cereals and millets 8212;brown rice, oats, rye, buckwheat, whole wheat; fresh fruits; nuts and seeds; vegetables and pulses.nbsp;

The macrobiotic diet is composed of whole grains 50-60 per cent of each meal, vegetables 258211;30 per cent of each meal Pulses in the form of legumes including soybeans, peas and lentils are an integral part 5-10 per cent of daily food, nuts and seeds small amounts as snacks, miso fermented soyabean soup, herbal teas and small amounts of white meat, seafood, poultry once or twice weekly. Bean sprouts are useful too. Animal products are used as condiments, rather than main dishes. The diet varies with the climate and season and emphasises minimum use of chemical preservation and unnecessary food processing. It discourages dairy, meat, artificial sweeteners, genetically modified foods and refined sugars. nbsp;

A macrobiotic diet lays emphasis on plant foods. It is low in calories and saturated fats, and rich in complex carbohydrates starch and fibre. Calories come from whole grains and vegetable oils. This makes it useful for reducing the risk of obesity, cancer, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and gastrointestinal complaints including constipation. It has been shown to be beneficial in cancer prevention particularly prostrate cancer and reduce the risk of colon cancer by 25 per cent. nbsp;

However, the diet lacks certain vitamins and minerals, and supplements are often required.nbsp;Strict adherence to the diet and its bulky nature may result in deficiencies of protein, vitamin B12 for a healthy nervous system, vitamin D for bones and minerals like zinc, calcium and iron healthy blood. Those at risk are children and those with increased nutritional needs like pregnant or breastfeeding women or those suffering from illness. It can lead to malnutrition, with anaemia, slowed growth, rickets, even kidney damage, especially in children.
Never the less, the 8216;modified macrobiotic diet8217; used today varies and is customised to personal needs and is more flexible. This diet allows locally produced foods and whole grains, and encourages brown rice as an optimum balance of Yin and Yang foods. nbsp;

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Needless to say that the diet needs to be customised to individual needs by a qualified nutritionist. Since it is deficient in iron, vitamin B12 and other nutrients; it can lead to anemia and deficiencies. Supplements are advisable.