Liver cancer occurs when cells within the liver develop mutations which cause them to grow abnormally quickly. Liver cancer can be triggered by various liver diseases, including liver cirrhosis and viral infection. Promoters of the macrobiotic diet and lifestyle claim that if you follow certain nutritional and preparation guidelines that you can prevent or treat certain kinds of cancer, including liver cancer, though there is not enough scientific evidence to support these claims.
Liver Cancer and Yin/Yang
According to the principles of macrobiotics, cancer and other diseases can be explained due to an imbalance of yin and yang, which in traditional Chinese medicine are considered to be two complementary forms of energy which are present in all things. According to "Alternatives in Cancer Therapy" by Ross Pelton, liver cancer is due to the interaction of both yin and yang. According to the principles of macrobiotics, the foods you eat can affect the yin and yang balance of your body and, as a result, help you treat or prevent liver cancer.
Macrobiotic Diet
Many foods, such as alcohol, sugars, spices, red meat, poultry, dairy and eggs, are not allowed in a macrobiotic diet, as these foods are considered to be strongly yin or yang. The majority of a macrobiotic diet -- between 50 and 60 percent of the daily calories -- consists of whole grains, grown organically. An additional 20 to 25 percent of the food should come from seasonal and local fruits and vegetables. Beans, nuts, soups, and seaweed makes up the rest of the diet, the American Cancer Society explains, with occasional servings of fresh fish also permitted.
Preparation
Because the macrobiotic diet emphasizes the importance of the energy of different foods, there are also rules about how food can be prepared. Utensils, pots and pans must be made out of certain materials, such as wood, stainless steel, glass and ceramics. Food must be prepared in a peaceful setting and cooking methods that involve electricity, such as microwaves, are not permitted. If you follow a macrobiotic diet, you must chew your food thoroughly until it is liquid.
Macrobiotic Diet for Liver Cancer
Although you can follow a macrobiotic diet by following these guidelines, "Alternatives in Cancer Therapy" does not recommend that patients treat cancer on their own using these principles. Instead, patients should seek out physicians who have been trained in the concepts of macrobiotics to help patients create a plan which will help improve their health and address their nutritional needs.
Evidence
According to the American Cancer Society, there have not been any published scientific studies that conclusively demonstrate any cancer fighting properties of a macrobiotic diet. On the other hand, some of the principles behind a macrobiotic diet, such as an emphasis on foods which are high in fiber and low in fat, can help lower your risk of developing certain cancers. The American Cancer Society also notes that the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine has funded a study to determine if a macrobiotic diet can prevent cancer. Macrobiotics should not be considered to be a replacement for traditional therapies for liver cancer.
