Understanding Macrobiotics
©2005 Phiya Kushi
Presentation Objectives
1. To introduce the logic and science of
macrobiotics
2. To compare conventional and alternative
medical vs. macrobiotic models of disease and
illness
3. To clarify macrobiotic perspectives of disease
4. To introduce the Yin/Yang logic behind the
macrobiotic approach to health and healing
The Four Distinct Objectives
of Modern Macrobiotics
1.
2.
3.
4.
Food As Medicine
Longevity
Yin and Yang
Social and Spiritual Development
Towards Peace
Five Paradigms
of Logical Scientific Reasoning
5 Systems of Logic
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Intentional Manifestation
Deductive Reasoning
Statistical Probability
Functional Analysis
Historical Determination
– Adapted and modified by Phiya Kushi from “The
Structure of Science” by Peter Nagel
1. Intentional Manifestation
•
•
•
•
•
Logic of religion
Everything has a “purpose” or reason
Every occurrence has a purpose or reason
Presupposes a divine intention
Danger of self-justification of motives:
– It is the way it is because it was intended to be
2. Deductive Reasoning
• Aristotle, Pythagoras, etc
• Used in solving problems that deal with infinity
and infinite possibilities
• Used in Math and Physics and Sherlock Holmes
• Precise Evidence and Proof
• “After eliminating the impossible, whatever
remains, no matter how improbable, must be the
truth…”
3. Statistical Probability
• Useful in solving problems that deal with
finite yet un-countable sets
• Used in epidemiology, chemistry,
economics and gambling
• Most PROBABLE evidence and proof
4. Functional Analysis
• Atomic view of the universe (Democritus
and Friends)
• Study of Static Systems
• Used in medicine and engineering
• Generates Structural Innovation
• Clinical or Closed System Evidence
5. Historical Determination
• Study of Dynamic Systems
• Used in history, weather, and ecology
• Generates evidence based on cause and effect;
stimulus/response in an open system
• Foundation of Chaos Theory
• Also known as Yin/Yang logic: “Everything
Changes”
• Evidenced based on trial and error
You ask: Where’s the evidence?
I reply: What system of logic are you using?
Comparing Logical Paradigms #1:
Is Cow’s Milk Good For You?
Conflicting Paradigms:
Is Cow’s Milk Good For You?
• Functional Analysis says “yes” based on increased bone
mass during adolescent growth
• Statistical Probability would say “no” based on overall
negative effects on populations that consume milk
• Intentional Manifestation would say “no” since cow’s milk
is for baby cows and not for humans
• Historical Determination would say “sometimes”
depending on circumstance and situation
• Deductive Reasoning would say “good” and “you” are
subjective and relative; the question needs clarification
In Other Words:
Different Logical Systems
Produce Different Evidence
For Your Consideration:
• What happens when you combine two or
more logical system?
• It would seem that THE “TRUTH” is that
which is true under all logical systems…
…does anything fit that criteria?
A Comparison Of
Approaches To Cancer
An Illustration Of Different Paradigms
Conventional Approach To Cancer
Paradigm of Crisis, Emergency and War
In 1971, President Nixon declared “War on cancer”
Cancer became “the enemy”and
fighting tactics include…
Conventional Approach To Cancer
Paradigm of Crisis, Emergency and War
SURGICAL STRIKES
Conventional Approach To Cancer
Paradigm of Crisis, Emergency and War
CHEMICAL WARFARE
Conventional Approach To Cancer
Paradigm of Crisis, Emergency and War
RADIATION
Result:
Eliminate the enemy and hope the
patient still lives
Preventive Approach To Cancer
Paradigm of Defense
Tactics include…
Pre-emptive
removal of sites
susceptible to
cancer:
The ideal cancerfree body – a
machine with only
essential biological
parts
Defensive eating
Result:
Living in fear
Alternative Approach To Cancer
Paradigm of Ignorance and Faith
Tactics include…
Trying anything and everything
that doesn’t kill before the cancer does
Result:
Increasing the odds and praying that
at least one of them will work
Macrobiotic Approach To Cancer
Paradigm of Education And Awareness
“Win without fighting…” – Lao Tzu
Tactics include…
Education – Cancer as “a friend”
“The medical art must
consider every disease as
an evil which cannot be
too soon expelled; the
macrobiotic, on the other
hand, shows that many
diseases may be the means
of prolonging life.”
- Dr. C. W. Hufeland, 1797
Education
Cause And Effect – Addressing Causes Of Cancer
“Modern civilization is the disease,
cancer is the ‘cure’…we must recover our
traditional ways of thinking, eating and living”
- Michio Kushi
Result:
Through learning and addressing causes
(environment, lifestyle, diet) the cancer
leaves the body without a struggle.
“Winning without fighting” strategy
The Conventional Approach
(Opposite To The Macrobiotic Approach)
If one is sick then:
Step 1: Crisis Intervention
Step 2: If step one
doesn’t work then
proceed to step two,
Alternative
approaches
Step 3: As a last resort,
change diet and lifestyle
habits
Diet and Lifestyle
Preventive and
Crisis
Intervention:
Destroy The Enemy ASAP
Surgery, Radiation,
Chemotherapy
Alternative Therapies
Intervention
The Macrobiotic Approach
Begins With Diet And Lifestyle – Because Sickness Is An Indication That
Your Life Is Headed In The Wrong Direction
If one is sick then:
Step 1: Change diet And
lifestyle first
Step 2: If step one
doesn’t work then
proceed to step two,
Alternative
approaches
Step 3: As a last resort
Use crisis intervention
Crisis Intervention
Preventive and
Diet and
Lifestyle
Intervention
Alternative Therapies
Surgery, Radiation, Chemo
Note: The macrobiotic approach is “selfmanaged” while Alternative, Preventive
and Conventional approaches require the
assistance of an “expert.”
In other words, if you can’t manage
the healing process yourself, then the
method is not “macrobiotic”
What is the macrobiotic approach
to cancer?
The Kushi Institute Definition
of “Macrobiotics”
Macrobiotics is the art and science of
health and longevity
through the study and understanding of the
relation and interactions between
ourselves, the foods we eat, the lifestyles
we choose to lead,
and the environments in which we live.
The Primary Causes of Cancer:
according to macrobiotics
1. Diet
2. Lifestyle
3. Environment
Diet
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults
BRFSS, 1985
Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16,
2001;286:10.
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults
BRFSS, 1986
Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16,
2001;286:10.
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults
BRFSS, 1987
Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16,
2001;286:10.
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults
BRFSS, 1988
Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16,
2001;286:10.
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults
BRFSS, 1989
Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16,
2001;286:10.
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults
BRFSS, 1990
Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16,
2001;286:10.
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults
BRFSS, 1991
Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16,
2001;286:10.
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults
BRFSS, 1992
Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16,
2001;286:10.
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults
BRFSS, 1993
Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16,
2001;286:10.
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults
BRFSS, 1994
Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16,
2001;286:10.
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults
BRFSS, 1995
Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16,
2001;286:10.
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults
BRFSS, 1996
Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16,
2001;286:10.
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults
BRFSS, 1997
Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16,
2001;286:10.
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults
BRFSS, 1998
Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16,
2001;286:10.
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults
BRFSS, 1999
Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16,
2001;286:10.
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults
BRFSS, 2000
Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16,
2001;286:10.
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults
BRFSS, 2001
Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16,
2001;286:10.
Lifestyle
Environment
Kushi Macrobiotic Approach
To Cancer Prevention and Recovery
• Cancer is a dynamic open system and
falls under the logic and principles of
change, namely, Yin/Yang.
• Treatment approach begins by
correlating and adjusting diet and
lifestyle with the corresponding
Yin/Yang attributes of the disease
Basic Yin/Yang Classifications
Yang attributes
Yin attributes
• Contractive
• Expansive
• Downward
• Upward
• Inward
• Outward
• Active
• Passive
Yin/Yang Food Classifications
Yang
• Animal Source
• Downward and
inward growing
(roots)
• More Cooked
• More dry
Yin
• Vegetable Source
• Upward and
outward growing
(leafy greens)
• Less cooked
• More watery
General Yin/Yang Cancer
Classifications
Yang
• Interior, lower
• Examples:
pancreas
prostate
colon
cervix
Mixed
Yin
• Interior & upper, • Outer, upper
or outer & lower
• Examples:
• Examples:
skin
lung
brain
uterus
Breast
bladder
Yin/Yang Foods and
Cancer Causes
Yang
Yin
Excessive intake of Yang foods
such as:
Excessive intake of Yin
foods such as:
• Red meat, eggs, chicken
• Sugar, Chocolate, Ice
Cream, Pastries
• Heavier dairy products e.g.
cheese
• Overly salted, baked foods
• Lighter dairy products e.g.
cream, milk and milk
products
Simplified Yin/Yang Dietary
Adjustments for Cancers
Follow general macrobiotic dietary
guidelines, reducing or eliminating sugar,
dairy and meat intake, plus:
Yang Cancers
• Temporarily reduce
salt, baked foods,
heavy greasy foods,
other yang type foods
Yin Cancers
• Temporarily reduce
some fruits, oily
foods, raw foods,
other yin type foods
General Dietary Guidelines
• Selection – Whole, natural and organically
grown ingredients
• Preparation – Expertly prepared according
to Yin/Yang principles
• Proportion –Whole grains as a major
portion (see next slide) with variation
according to individual circumstance
Monthly
(Optional,
trans itional,
infr eque nt us e )
Red
Meat
Eggs
& Poultr y
Dair y
The Great Life Pyramid
Macrobiotic
Proportional Dietary
Guidelines
for a
Temperate
Climate
Fish & Seafood
Weekly
(Occas ional Us e )
Sweets
Seeds
Nuts
Fruits
Ve ge table Oil
Se as onings & Condim e nts
Daily
(Re gular Use )
Beans &
Sea
Bean Products Vegetables
Vegetables
Pickles
20-30% of daily food by weight.
Whole Grains
40-60% of daily food by weight.
© 2001 Michio Kushi
Additional Suggestions
• LIFESTYLE: Maintain an active and
orderly lifestyle, keeping your personal
effects and home clean, bright and fresh.
• ENVIRONMENT: Examine environmental
conditions and make appropriate changes, if
necessary. Maintain a clean water and air
supply and enhance natural environmental
influences.
Summary
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The logic behind Macrobiotics and Yin and Yang
is the same found in sciences that are based on
Historical Determination
Sickness is viewed as a “friendly” reminder to
change the direction of one’s life including daily
diet and lifestyle
Primary causes of sickness include: environment,
lifestyle and diet
Proper diet is the biological foundation of the
macrobiotic approach.
Macrobiotic recommendations are primarily based
on correlating Yin/Yang aspects of diseases with
diet
End of
Presentation