understanding macrobiotics ©2005 phiya kushi. presentation objectives 1.to introduce the logic and...

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

1. Food As Medicine

2. Longevity

3. Yin and Yang

4. Social and Spiritual Development Towards Peace

The Four Distinct Objectivesof Modern Macrobiotics

Five Paradigmsof Logical Scientific Reasoning

5 Systems of Logic

1. Intentional Manifestation

2. Deductive Reasoning

3. Statistical Probability

4. Functional Analysis

5. 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 OfApproaches To Cancer

An Illustration Of Different Paradigms

Conventional Approach To CancerParadigm of Crisis, Emergency and War

In 1971, President Nixon declared “War on cancer” Cancer became “the enemy”and

fighting tactics include…

Conventional Approach To CancerParadigm of Crisis, Emergency and War

SURGICAL STRIKES

Conventional Approach To CancerParadigm of Crisis, Emergency and War

CHEMICAL WARFARE

Conventional Approach To CancerParadigm 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 cancer-free 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 CancerParadigm of Education And Awareness

“Win without fighting…” – Lao Tzu

Tactics include…

“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 – Cancer as “a friend”

EducationCause 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

Step 3: As a last resort, change diet and lifestyle habits

Diet and Lifestyle

Intervention

Alternative Therapies

Preventive andStep 2: If step one doesn’t work then proceed to step two, Alternative approaches

The Conventional Approach(Opposite To The Macrobiotic Approach)

CrisisIntervention:

Destroy The Enemy ASAPSurgery, Radiation,

Chemotherapy

Step 1: Crisis Intervention

If one is sick then:

Step 3: As a last resortUse crisis intervention

Crisis Intervention

Surgery, Radiation, Chemo

Alternative Therapies

Preventive and

Step 2: If step one doesn’t work then proceed to step two, Alternative approaches

The Macrobiotic Approach Begins With Diet And Lifestyle – Because Sickness Is An Indication

That Your Life Is Headed In The Wrong Direction

Diet and Lifestyle

Intervention

Step 1: Change diet And lifestyle first

If one is sick then:

In other words, if you can’t manage the healing process yourself, then the

method is not “macrobiotic”

Note: The macrobiotic approach is “self-managed” while Alternative, Preventive and Conventional approaches require the

assistance of an “expert.”

What is the macrobiotic approach to cancer?

The Kushi Institute Definitionof “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. AdultsBRFSS, 1985

Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16, 2001;286:10.

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 1986

Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16, 2001;286:10.

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 1987

Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16, 2001;286:10.

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 1988

Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16, 2001;286:10.

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 1989

Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16, 2001;286:10.

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 1990

Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16, 2001;286:10.

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 1991

Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16, 2001;286:10.

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 1992

Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16, 2001;286:10.

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 1993

Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16, 2001;286:10.

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 1994

Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16, 2001;286:10.

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 1995

Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16, 2001;286:10.

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 1996

Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16, 2001;286:10.

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 1997

Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16, 2001;286:10.

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 1998

Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16, 2001;286:10.

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 1999

Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16, 2001;286:10.

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 2000

Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16, 2001;286:10.

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 2001

Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16, 2001;286:10.

Lifestyle

Environment

Kushi Macrobiotic ApproachTo 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

• Active • Passive

• Inward • Outward

• Downward • Upward

• Contractive • Expansive

Yin/Yang Food Classifications

• Vegetable Source

• Upward and outward growing (leafy greens)

• Less cooked

• More watery

• Animal Source

• Downward and inward growing (roots)

• More Cooked

• More dry

Yang Yin

General Yin/Yang Cancer Classifications

Yin• Outer, upper

• Examples:

skin

brain

Breast

Yang• Interior, lower• Examples:

pancreas

prostate

colon

cervix

Mixed• Interior & upper,

or outer & lower• Examples:

lung

uterus

bladder

Yin/Yang Foods and Cancer Causes

Yin Excessive intake of Yin

foods such as:

• Sugar, Chocolate, Ice Cream, Pastries

• Lighter dairy products e.g. cream, milk and milk products

Yang

Excessive intake of Yang foods such as:

• Red meat, eggs, chicken

• Heavier dairy products e.g. cheese

• Overly salted, baked foods

Simplified Yin/Yang Dietary Adjustments for Cancers

Yin Cancers

• Temporarily reduce some fruits, oily foods, raw foods, other yin type foods

Yang Cancers

• Temporarily reduce salt, baked foods, heavy greasy foods, other yang type foods

Follow general macrobiotic dietary guidelines, reducing or eliminating sugar,

dairy and meat intake, plus:

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

The Great Life PyramidMacrobiotic

Proportional DietaryGuidelines

for aTemperate

Climate

Dairy

Fish & Seafood

Seeds Nuts

RedMeat

Eggs& Poultry

Sweets

FruitsVegetable Oil

Seasonings & Condiments

Whole Grains40-60% of daily food by weight.

Vegetables20-30% of daily food by weight.

Pickles

SeaVegetables

Beans &Bean Products

Daily(Regular Use)

Weekly(Occasional Use)

Monthly(Optional,transitional,infrequent use)

© 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.

Summary1. The logic behind Macrobiotics and Yin and Yang

is the same found in sciences that are based on Historical Determination

2. Sickness is viewed as a “friendly” reminder to change the direction of one’s life including daily diet and lifestyle

3. Primary causes of sickness include: environment, lifestyle and diet

4. Proper diet is the biological foundation of the macrobiotic approach.

5. Macrobiotic recommendations are primarily based on correlating Yin/Yang aspects of diseases with diet

End of Presentation