ABSTRACT Macrobiotics is one of the most popular alternative or complementary comprehensive lifestyle
approaches to cancer. The centerpiece of macrobiotics is a predominantly vegetarian, whole-foods diet that has
gained popularity because of remarkable case reports of individuals who attributed recoveries from cancers with
poor prognoses to macrobiotics and the substantial evidence that the many dietary factors recommended by
macrobiotics are associated with decreased cancer risk. Women consuming macrobiotic diets have modestly
lower circulating estrogen levels, suggesting a lower risk of breast cancer. This may be due in part to the high
phytoestrogen content of the macrobiotic diet. As with most aspects of diet in cancer therapy, there has been
limited research evaluating the effectiveness of the macrobiotic diet in alleviating suffering or prolonging survival
of cancer patients. The few studies have compared the experience of cancer patients who tried macrobiotics with
expected survival rates or assembled series of cases that may justify more rigorous research. On the basis of
available evidence and its similarity to dietary recommendations for chronic disease prevention, the macrobiotic
diet probably carries a reduced cancer risk. However, at present, the empirical scientific basis for or against
recommendations for use of macrobiotics for cancer therapy is limited. Any such recommendations are likely to
reflect biases of the recommender. Because of its popularity and the compelling evidence that dietary factors are
important in cancer etiology and survival, further research to clarify whether the macrobiotic diet or similar dietary
patterns are effective in cancer prevention and treatment is warranted.
ABSTRACT Macrobiotics is one of the most popular alternative or complementary comprehensive lifestyle
approaches to cancer. The centerpiece of macrobiotics is a predominantly vegetarian, whole-foods diet that has
gained popularity because of remarkable case reports of individuals who attributed recoveries from cancers with
poor prognoses to macrobiotics and the substantial evidence that the many dietary factors recommended by
macrobiotics are associated with decreased cancer risk. Women consuming macrobiotic diets have modestly
lower circulating estrogen levels, suggesting a lower risk of breast cancer. This may be due in part to the high
phytoestrogen content of the macrobiotic diet. As with most aspects of diet in cancer therapy, there has been
limited research evaluating the effectiveness of the macrobiotic diet in alleviating suffering or prolonging survival
of cancer patients. The few studies have compared the experience of cancer patients who tried macrobiotics with
expected survival rates or assembled series of cases that may justify more rigorous research. On the basis of
available evidence and its similarity to dietary recommendations for chronic disease prevention, the macrobiotic
diet probably carries a reduced cancer risk. However, at present, the empirical scientific basis for or against
recommendations for use of macrobiotics for cancer therapy is limited. Any such recommendations are likely to
reflect biases of the recommender. Because of its popularity and the compelling evidence that dietary factors are
important in cancer etiology and survival, further research to clarify whether the macrobiotic diet or similar dietary
patterns are effective in cancer prevention and treatment is warranted.
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