Be the fittest you can be today
Get fit quickly and lose weight the healthy way!
Macrobiotic diet basics
The macrobiotic diet was first devised at the end of the 19th century by a Japanese army doctor called Sagen Ishizuka, who established a theory of nutrition and medicine based on a mixture of the traditional Oriental diet together with the basis of Western medical sciences. Sagen Ishizuka recommended a traditional Japanese diet, consisting mainly of whole, unrefined foods, with very little or no milk or animal foods. Sagen Ishizuka started an association, called Shoku-Yo-Kail which espoused all the values (and way of life) of his diet.
Around the beginning of the 20th century, George Ohsawa a nutrition educator, who believed that simplicity was the key to optimal health further refined the diet recommended by Sagen Ishizuka and gave the diet a name - the Macrobiotic diet. George Ohsawa ultimately broke away from the Shoku-Yo-Kail association (even though he held a high post in the organisation).
Macrobiotic is derived from Greek - macro means big, while biotic means life, so together this word means big or long life, which is the reason why the diet was started, to help extend life and promote better health.
The basics of the macrobiotic diet are:
“The macrobiotic diet is basically a type of vegetarian diet and needs careful planning”
REFERENCES
1. Macrobiotic Guide UK. http://www.macrobiotics.co.uk, accessed 24 February 2008
2. The American National Institutes of Health, Office of Alternative Medicine has funded a pilot study to determine if a macrobiotic diet may prevent cancer. This study has been completed (June 2008) but the results of the study are not yet available.
Disclaimer: The advice on this site should be viewed as a general guideline only and it should not replace the advice of a medical professional. Always consult your medical or health care provider to get the advice and care for your particular and individual health, nutrition, diet and fitness circumstances.