Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Wyz_sub10 · 06-02-2003, 09:19 AM

I don't know if anyone here follows (or cares to follow) macrobiotics. But here is an interesting piece I found on the Skeptic's Dictionary:

Quote:

Aveline Kushi, wife of Michio Kushi and longtime advocate of a macrobiotic diet as both a preventive and cure for cancer, died of cervical cancer. Rick has his own comments on macrobiotics:

If it is so healthy, why did Aveline Kushi die of cancer at age 76 (when the average woman lives to be 79)? [she was 78 according to the article Rick referred me to, which was dated July 28, 2001; the Associated Press article of 7/6/2001 can be read by clicking here.]

If it is so healthy, why did Michio and Aveline Kushi's daughter die of cancer in 1995 ( way younger than the average woman's lifespan)?

The full piece can be found here: Mass Media Funk - Macrobiotics

The related entry re: Macrobiotics can be found here: Macrobiotics

Godot · 06-02-2003, 08:13 PM

The macrobiotic diet is far from anything resembling rational thought. I haven't gotten through an entire book on the subject because when I get to statements such as "you can get all the fat and protein your body needs from fruit alone", I throw the books across the room in disgust.
[/rant]
With regard to the quote in the OP, talk about irony.

BioBeing · 06-02-2003, 08:22 PM

There has been some discussion in (IIRC) The New England Journal of Medicine about "dietary supplements" in general. Basically, a large percentage of the population believe in the health claims that a lot of these products make (with atiny disclaimer that it has not been tested). I am of the opinion that any thing that is being sold with any kind of health claims at all needs to be regulated by the FDA - that includes macrobiotics, crummy diets, anything with triclosan in it and alternative medicines. (If they work, they are simply medicines - no need for the "alternative")

ps418 · 06-03-2003, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BioBeing
There has been some discussion in (IIRC) The New England Journal of Medicine about "dietary supplements" in general. Basically, a large percentage of the population believe in the health claims that a lot of these products make (with atiny disclaimer that it has not been tested). I am of the opinion that any thing that is being sold with any kind of health claims at all needs to be regulated by the FDA - that includes macrobiotics, crummy diets, anything with triclosan in it and alternative medicines. (If they work, they are simply medicines - no need for the "alternative")

I'm amazed every day by what companies get away with in advertising. Its scandalous. To take one example, the weight loss or anabolic supplements with before and after photos showing extremely lean and muscular individuals in the after photos. Some of these companies hire bodybuilders, who deliberately pack on fat in the off-season and then take it back off for competition. They can produce dramatic before and after photos for a new product every year, but the product has nothing to do with their fat loss, which has more to do with the 6-hour days in the gym, extreme diets, and so on. What bothers me is that so much money is being spent on dubious supplements, snake oils and magic beans that could usually be spent much more productively.

Patrick

thebeave · 06-03-2003, 05:58 PM

I'm not a fan of the latest, trendy macrobiotic treatments (actually I don't know that much about it, honestly), but as far as the cancer thing, people can eat a "perfect" diet (whatever that is) and exercise in a perfect manner and still get cancer. It just happens, and oftentimes no one can say for sure what caused it. One of nature's mysteries.

Dune · 06-03-2003, 11:02 PM

Protien and fat from fruit, eh Godot? That is a new one on me.
I am begining to think that the new "trend diets" are all about finding the most out of whack person around, having them write a book and selling it as fact.

sometimes, i wish for a giant bat labeled "Common Sense" to strike people with.

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06-02-2003, 08:13 PM	#2
Godot Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Calgary Posts: 1,335	The macrobiotic diet is far from anything resembling rational thought. I haven't gotten through an entire book on the subject because when I get to statements such as "you can get all the fat and protein your body needs from fruit alone", I throw the books across the room in disgust. [/rant] With regard to the quote in the OP, talk about irony.

06-02-2003, 08:22 PM	#3
BioBeing Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 6,004	There has been some discussion in (IIRC) The New England Journal of Medicine about "dietary supplements" in general. Basically, a large percentage of the population believe in the health claims that a lot of these products make (with atiny disclaimer that it has not been tested). I am of the opinion that any thing that is being sold with any kind of health claims at all needs to be regulated by the FDA - that includes macrobiotics, crummy diets, anything with triclosan in it and alternative medicines. (If they work, they are simply medicines - no need for the "alternative")

06-03-2003, 05:58 PM	#5
thebeave Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Silicon Valley, CA Posts: 4,183	I'm not a fan of the latest, trendy macrobiotic treatments (actually I don't know that much about it, honestly), but as far as the cancer thing, people can eat a "perfect" diet (whatever that is) and exercise in a perfect manner and still get cancer. It just happens, and oftentimes no one can say for sure what caused it. One of nature's mysteries.

06-03-2003, 11:02 PM	#6
Dune Junior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Oregon Posts: 65	Protien and fat from fruit, eh Godot? That is a new one on me. I am begining to think that the new "trend diets" are all about finding the most out of whack person around, having them write a book and selling it as fact. sometimes, i wish for a giant bat labeled "Common Sense" to strike people with.

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