Macrobiotic diet
Alternate names: Ma-Pi 2 Diet, Macrobiotics, Macrobiotism, Zen Macrobiotics
Background
The macrobiotic diet is a diet that stresses vegetarianism and eating whole, healthy foods. Some versions of the diet include dairy, fish, and meat.
The macrobiotic diet seems to reduce swelling. Certain macrobiotic diets might also help to balance bacteria in the gut.
People use the macrobiotic diet for cancer, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
The macrobiotic diet seems to reduce swelling. Certain macrobiotic diets might also help to balance bacteria in the gut.
People use the macrobiotic diet for cancer, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Safety Safety definitions
The macrobiotic diet is possibly safe when it includes dairy, fish, or nutritional supplements to ensure that nutritional needs are met. But following a strict macrobiotic diet that doesn't include these modifications is possibly unsafe. Following a strict macrobiotic diet might increase the risk of certain nutrient deficiencies, including calcium, iron, vitamin B2, vitamin B12, and vitamin D.
Children: Following a strict macrobiotic diet is possibly unsafe in infants and children. This diet can lead to nutrient deficiencies. These deficiencies have been linked with reduced intelligence and reduced height in children. There isn't enough reliable information to know if the macrobiotic diet is safe in infants or children when modifications are made to ensure nutritional needs are met.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if the macrobiotic diet is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Children: Following a strict macrobiotic diet is possibly unsafe in infants and children. This diet can lead to nutrient deficiencies. These deficiencies have been linked with reduced intelligence and reduced height in children. There isn't enough reliable information to know if the macrobiotic diet is safe in infants or children when modifications are made to ensure nutritional needs are met.
Effectiveness
Effective Effectiveness definitions
There is interest in using the macrobiotic diet for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Dosing & administration
There are different forms of the macrobiotic diet. It generally stresses that 40% to 60% of daily calories come from vegetables and whole grains. Animal products should only be eaten in small amounts on a monthly basis, and foods in the nightshade family, such as potatoes and tomatoes, should be avoided. Very strict forms of the diet recommend avoiding animal products completely. Nutritional supplements may be necessary to ensure nutritional needs are met. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider before starting this diet.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
It is not known if this treatment interacts with any medicines. Before using this treatment, talk with your health professional if you take any medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 31/07/2023 10:00:00. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
