The macrobiotic diet in cancer

Macrobiotics is one of the most popular alternative or complementary compre hensive lifestyle approaches to cancer. The centerpiece of macrobiotics is a predominantly vegetarian, whole-foods diet that has gained popularity bec ause of remarkable case reports of individuals who attributed recoveries fr om cancers with poor prognoses to macrobiotics and the substantial evidence that the many dietary factors recommended by macrobiotics are associated w ith 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 macrobio tic diet. As with most aspects of diet in cancer therapy, there has been li mited research evaluating the effectiveness of the macrobiotic diet in alle viating suffering or prolonging survival of cancer patients. The few studie s have compared the experience of cancer patients who tried macrobiotics wi th expected survival rates or assembled series of cases that may justify mo re 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 empi rical scientific basis for or against recommendations for use of macrobioti cs for cancer therapy is limited. Any such recommendations are likely to re flect biases of the recommender. Because of its popularity and the compelli ng evidence that dietary factors are important in cancer etiology and survi val, further research to clarify whether the macrobiotic diet or similar di etary patterns are effective in cancer prevention and treatment is warrante d.