A Macrobiotic Diet For Leukemia

Leukemia is a cancer that is a result of a malfunction in the body's blood-forming system. In this disease, too many white blood cells are made and they don't function properly. While the more common types of childhood leukemia have high cure rates, other kinds are difficult to treat, leading some people to turn to alternative therapies, including macrobiotics.

Macrobiotics and Cancer: A Warning

A December 2010 article published in "Nutrition in Clinical Practice" discussed the possible benefits of a macrobiotic diet. The author indicated that the diet may be useful in preventing the occurrence of cancer because it is low in fat and high in whole grains and vegetables. However, he also argued that studies that have attempted to show that it could treat cancer have been inadequate. He also expressed concern about possible nutritional deficiencies and the diet's potential to lead to delays in seeking conventional treatment.

Causes of Leukemia: A Macrobiotic Perspective

Michio Kushi, a leading macrobiotic teacher who wrote "The Cancer Prevention Diet," argues that rates of leukemia have risen in the West after World War II because the diet changed radically. In his view, the greater consumption of sugar, chocolate, soft drinks, white flour, tropical fruits and French fries -- foods that are expansive, or "yin" in macrobiotic parlance -- have weakened the blood and left people more susceptible to cancer. To treat leukemia macrobiotically, it is necessary to avoid industrialized food and return to a more natural way of eating.

A Macrobiotic Diet for Leukemia

Michio Kushi recommends a diet for leukemia patients that includes 50 percent to 60 percent of its calories from whole grains, mostly brown rice. Between 5 percent and 10 percent of the calories should come from miso soup made with unpasteurized miso and a small amount of seaweed like wakame. About 30 percent of the diet should consist of leafy green vegetables, roots and round vegetables like cabbage and winter squash. A person with leukemia may eat small amounts of white meat fish.

Foods to Avoid

People who follow a macrobiotic diet, whether they have leukemia or not, try to avoid sugar, any sort of meat other than fish, chemicals of any kind, including artificial sweeteners, and dairy products. They also try to avoid spices and nightshade vegetables like eggplant, tomatoes and peppers. In addition, leukemia patients are asked to avoid fruit and baked flour products until their condition improves. A person wishing to eat wheat flour may eat whole wheat noodles two or three times per week.

Special Remedies and Practices

According to Kushi, people with leukemia should drink a cup of sweet vegetable drink every day for the first month and every third day thereafter. This beverage is made by finely chopping one part cabbage, one part hard winter squash, one part carrots and one part onion. These vegetables are combined with four parts of water and simmered for 20 minutes. This slightly sweet beverage can be consumed either hot or lightly chilled.

Kushi also recommends exercising every day, preferably by walking barefoot on the grass, and scrubbing the entire body vigorously with a cotton towel dipped in hot water. These two practices are reputed to help the body discharge toxins.

Another Warning

If you want to treat leukemia with a macrobiotic diet, you should know that some people following macrobiotic diets to treat cancer have died. You should also be aware of the fact that it requires a great deal of self-discipline to stick to the diet and that doing so will alter your social life significantly. Furthermore, if you do want to try this method, don't try to learn it on your own. Go to an experienced macrobiotic counselor who can design a diet for you and monitor your progress.