Vegetables cut in quarter-moon shapes.

A complex network that includes the thymus, spleen, lymph nodes and lymph tissue, stem cells, white blood cells, antibodies, and lymphokines. This system protects the body from pathogens and other foreign substances, destroys infected and malignant cells, and removes cellular debris.

Nitsuke of imo, or one of the Japanese potatoes.

“Incurable disease in man is a misnomer and a product of the imagination. I have seen thousands of incurable diseases such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, leprosy, and paralyses of all kinds cured by macrobiotic practice in ten days or a few weeks. I am convinced that there is no incurable disease in all the world if we apply this method correctly.” Zen Macrobiotics, 27.

This is a difficult concept for most people to understand. Ohsawa felt that the first step in healing any disorder is to search for and recognize one’s own actions that contributed to the disease. The second step is to find the underlying cause of the disorder and to work on that rather than merely curing only the symptoms of it.

Diseases that are caused by a weak immune system that allows viruses or bacteria to penetrate into the body. The quality of red and white blood cells is most important in dealing with any infectious disease.

General suggestions are breastfeeding for at least nine months (one year preferred), the introduction of soft whole grains at about six months old, and soft vegetables at about one year old. Kokkoh is recommended if breastfeeding is not possible.

The unlimited, boundless, endless, invisible, and unmeasurable primal source of all things, including humankind. Other names for the Infinite World include: Infinity, Infinite Pure Expansion, Oneness, God, Spirit, Nature, the Tao, Taikyoku, Perfect Consciousness, Ether-Universe, Instinct-Intuition, Supreme Judgment, and Seventh Heaven. Since all things and people are considered to be created and continually nourished by the same source, everyone and everything is connected.

Another name for Oneness or perfect consciousness. Instinct is a natural spontaneity or quality that leads to adaptability. Intuition is innate supreme judgment leading to an automatic inner knowing or feeling.

“What has a beginning has an end.” This principle negates the law of identity and contradiction in time. Individual life begins at birth and will end at some time. In a similar way, a sickness that begins one day will end in the future. This law is another way to say that everything in life changes over time. This is the first of Seven Laws of the Order of the Universe.

See Logic, Aristotelian.

Iodine is a yin, acid-forming essential micronutrient that stimulates circulation, helps in the oxidation of fats, and determines the energy level of the entire body. A lack of iodine leads to thyroid problems. The most common cause of goiter (thyroid enlargement) is iodine deficiency and, as a result, commercial salt has been fortified with synthetic iodine (“iodized”) since 1924. In macrobiotic practice, unrefined sea salt is preferred because it contains many additional alkaline-forming minerals and trace nutrients. Dietary sources of iodine include sea vegetables, especially kelp and untoasted nori; green leafy vegetables and other vegetables grown organically in iodine-rich soil; fish, especially cod and tuna; and sesame oil.

Iron is a yin, alkaline-forming mineral that is essential for the transport of oxygen to the tissues and the maintenance of oxidation throughout the body. It also is needed in the process of respiration and activates the formation of bone, brain, and muscle tissue. There are two forms of iron in foods: heme and non-heme. The heme form comes from animal foods and the non-heme form comes from plant sources. The heme form is absorbed better but both animal-food eaters and vegans alike can get plenty of iron in their diets. Lack of iron is one cause of anemia because the body can’t make enough healthy oxygen-carrying red blood cells, leading to symptoms like dizziness, low energy, and lightheadedness. Consuming too much iron also has health risks and iron supplements are not recommended unless instructed by a health professional.

Plant sources of non-heme iron include sea vegetables, sesame and pumpkin seeds, beans, millet and other whole grains, green leafy vegetables, sesame oil, soba, beefsteak leaves, and miso. Animal sources of heme iron include red meat, poultry, fish, milk, and other dairy foods. Macrobiotic books recommend cooking non-acidic foods in a heavy cast iron pot or fry pan because some of the iron leaches into the food. Foods containing phytic acid (like whole grains), calcium (like dairy products), and polyphenols (like coffee and tea) can significantly reduce iron absorption. Soaking grains overnight or for about eight hours neutralizes phytic acid whether or not the soaking water is used or discarded. Absorption of non-heme iron is enhanced by eating foods high in vitamin C, vitamin A, or beta-carotene, and/or by eating meat, fish, or poultry with plant sources or iron.