Macrobiotic diets are healthy?

Gwyneth Paltrow has made headlines recently after having reported on its website that it suffers from an osteopenia, a weakening of the bones rarely observed among women as young as actress 37 years old. The State can be a precursor of osteoporosis, a more severe bone disease that can lead to an increased risk of fractures. The diagnosis - in this case caused by inadequate levels of vitamin D - a led to speculation that the restrictive Macrobiotic Diet of actress may be the cause.

The Macrobiotic Diet is based on the philosophy of Eastern to balance the yin and yang (forces opposite and complementary nature) and promotes ingredients not processed, healthy, natural and herbal mainly. It is primarily vegetarian with emphasis on whole grains, vegetables, fermented soybeans, beans and soups made with vegetables, seaweed, grains, beans and miso (plus a small amount of fish, nuts, seeds and fruits). A Macrobiotic Diet typical consists of 50 to 60% of whole grains, 20 to 25 percent of organic and local fruits and vegetables, 5% sea vegetables and soup of 5 to 10 percent. Dairy, meat products and refined sugars are discouraged and some vegetables (including tomatoes, potatoes, spinach, beets, Zucchini, lawyer, aubergines, peppers and asparagus), and non-local and seasonal fruits are restricted.

Proponents of believe that a Macrobiotic Diet may protect against certain diseases, including cancer, and that it improves the physical and spiritual well-being. It is essentially a low fat and rich in fibre plants feeding (and therefore good for overall health), it tends to be low in certain vitamins and minerals, namely vitamins d and B12, iron, proteins and calcium. Because dietary supplements are réprouvées, strict devotees may suffer from deficiencies of nutrients.

Get enough vitamin d from natural sources may be difficult for anyone, but especially for people that follow a diet of plants, dairy-free products. As his cousin veganism, a macrobiotic diet can be healthy and well balanced if you are careful about food, you are eating and open decision-making of vitamins and minerals. National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends 400 to 800 international units per day of vitamin d for women and men aged under 50 years and 800 to 1,000 IU for adults more 50 years.

Some foods contain vitamin D, and most people meet the daily needs through a combination of exposure to the Sun and foods enriched with vitamin D as milk, breakfast cereals and calcium fortified juices. Wild fish (salmon, tuna and mackerel) and fish liver oil are among the best sources (a portion of three ounces of salmon offer UI 794, or approximately 200 percent of the daily value), and smaller amounts are found in beef livercheese, egg yolks, and mushrooms. Foods enriched in vitamin d from 40 to 150 IU, while multivitamins have approximately 400 IU. In addition to eat foods enriched with vitamin D, the American Medical Association recommends that 15 minutes of sun exposure a few days a week.

Vitamin d helps the body absorb calcium and other necessary nutrients for bone health. When d is too low, the os can become thin, fragile, and poorly trained. Paltrow says she has relaxed its diet since having babies eat much dairy. Which, over the fact that she lives in London, a city with clouds more than sun, may have led to vitamin D deficiency.

As a nutritionist I would never say a client that a Macrobiotic Diet is inherently dangerous or unhealthy, but I would encourage to eat a balanced diet and to consider taking a multivitamin and other supplements. When it comes to any diet plan, it is a good idea to work with a dietitian to make sure that you are satisfying all your nutritional needs. (Visit the website of the American Dietetic Association for a directory of Dietitians in your area). And while it is always best to try to obtain essential nutrients from natural sources (i.e., food), you can consider taking a supplement. Paltrow, she is now taking a high dose of vitamin d and spend a little more time in the Sun.