by Molly Carter

Created on: October 01, 2007

A macrobiotic diet has a multitude of health benefits. Macrobiotic, literally meaning "long life" in Greek, is a diet that was developed by George Oshsawa and revolves around the principal that simplicity is key to maintaining optimal health. Although dieticians no longer recommend Oshsawa's vision of this ten-step diet's ultimate goal of strictly eating brown rice and water, his idea of integrating physical, environmental, and spiritual health remains.

The Macrobiotic diet incorporates elements of Buddhism that revolve around avoiding known toxins that exist in meats, fatty foods, and oil. By restricting cooking to all natural pots and pans such as glass, wood, ceramic, and stainless steel pieces you do not allow toxins or chemicals to enter your food source. The use of microwaves or electricity if followed religiously should be avoided.

The objective of this diet is to make consumption of food a spiritual process. Eating quietly without distraction, chewing food until it is liquid to aid digestion, and not putting foreign substances in your body are though to help your body absorb the necessary food.

Macrobiotic diets are predominantly low fat, fiber rich foods that are rich in antioxidants and phytogestrogens. Since phytogestrogens have long been recommended for cancer patients and people suffering from chronic disease, this diet is optimal for people struggling with poor health. If you choose to follow a macrobiotic diet, it is still important to seek proper medical attention for any health conditions. This diet is not a cure, but may offer prevention and help alleviate symptoms of pre-existing conditions.

This diet is often considered beneficial because it stresses healthy foods that are generally lacking in diets, such as fiber filled foods, vegetables, fruit and beans. This diet does not include high fattening and high cholesterol foods from animal fats or processed foods to cardiovascular disease is automatically reduced.

Phytogestrogens, which are a group of chemicals in plants, are similar to estrogen. Although there are several ongoing studies, some early finding link phytogestrogens to helping prevent tumors by blocking neural pathways. Phytogestrogen has been linked to lowering risks of breast cancer and heart disease.

Whole grains, which are fiber rich and tend to contain a lot of nutrients, dominate this diet typically taking up 50-60% of each meal. Whole grains include brown rice, barley, millet, buckwheat, corn, and other whole grains. Pastas, baked

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