By Dr. Joseph S. Maresca

A main premise of Macrobiotics For Life is that good food, moderate exercise and bodywork are conditions precedent to good health. Body healing should happen through the skin, organs and the digestive system.  Death literally may begin in the colon.  So, eating foods rich in fiber are helpful in promoting colorectal health.

There are a number of psychological aspects to maintaining good health; such as, self love, a willingness to change in a constructive manner and commitment to worthy goals.

The author mentions specific foods which promote health, as well as foods that simply don't .  We should consume sea veggies, tofu, hummus, olives, herbs, mild spice, water and herbal teas.  We should limit junk food and foods which promote a high glycemic index. Low glycemic foods are apples, hummus, cashews, carrots and yogurt. These low glycemic foods correlate with lower inflammation markers in the blood chemistry.  Improvement in the C-reactive protein is associated with a lower glycemic index, and by extension, lower glycemic foods and a reduced danger of heart disease.

A strength of the book is that the author provides sample meals that are easy to prepare like hummus. Watery veggies are the calming foods which are high in soluble fiber.  The soluble fiber is good for the digestive system and/or the gastrointestinal tract.

Exercise, breathing deeply, meditation, yoga and walking also promote health. Food impacts the pH in our saliva.  Ideally, the saliva should have a pH of 7.4.   The 7.4 statistic is only .4 beyond amphoteric (7.0) which is neither acidic or basic.

Above 7.0 brings us into the basic range of pH.  When we die, our pH rapidly approaches zero.  Therefore,  the pH is a good measurement of our health amongst other statistics like blood pressure, a 550 or above expiry rate on a pocket peak flow measurement device and clear urine.

A thorough understanding of macrobiotics will lead to a lifetime of optimal health given whatever limiting factors are uncontrollable in the proximate environment.

The book is well researched with over 25 contributing websites.  The acquisition is highly recommended for health buffs, as well as medical providers.

Simon Brown has been a macrobiotic practitioner for nearly thirty years. He is the chairperson of the Macrobiotic Association of Great Britain. He also runs a thriving macrobiotic clinic. The author of several bestsellers including Practicing Feng Shui and Feng Shui in a Weekend (more than 50,000 copies combined sales), as well as the popular Modern-Day Macrobiotics. You'll find Simon Brown online at www.chienergy.co.uk

Macrobiotics for Life (North Atlantic Books/ 2009) by Simon Brown

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