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Capt. Assad Masoud
Natural Healing & Macrobiotic Diet
www.racharters.com
captain@racharters.com / (305) 666-7979
Assad was born in Egypt. His father was a physician and he aspired to be one but did not get to Medical School and instead attended the College of Agriculture and Majored in Horticulture with a specialty in medicinal plants. He earned a scholarship to study in the US and received a Masters and PhD in Pharmacognosy (the study of drugs derived from natural sources) from Oregon State University.
He held academic appointments at FSU, FAMU, the Medicinal and Aromatic Plants research division in Egypt, the Royal Pharmaceutical Institute in Stockholm Sweden, U. of Mississippi (where he started the cannibus garden!!), Creighton University and the University of Nebraska, John Hopkins Uiversity, and U of Miami’s Depts of Epidemiology and then Cancer Center.
The reason Assad went on the diet was to heal himself from prostate cancer. He is motivated to share his knowledge and experience with the community based on teachings by Landmark education program he recently attended. His scientific background as a natural product organic chemist and a toxicologist allows him the unique insight at the reasons for eating and NOT eating certain foods as well as the mechanism of action of the harmful or beneficial outcome of certain foods.
The modern practice of macrobiotics was started in the 1920s by Japanese educator George Ohsawa. Ohsawa is said to have cured himself of a serious illness by changing to a simple diet of brown rice, miso soup, and sea vegetables. At the core of his writings is the concept of yin and yang. In Chinese philosophy, these opposing forces govern all aspects of life. Yin—representative of an outward centrifugal movement—results in expansion. Yang produces contraction. Yin is said to be cold while yang is hot; yin is sweet, yang is salty; yin is passive, yang is aggressive. In the macrobiotic view, the forces of yin and yang must be kept in balance to achieve good health.
For the diet to achieve yin yang harmony, foods are classified into categories according to their tastes, properties, and effects on the body. The two food groups—grains and vegetables—that have the least pronounced yin and yang qualities, are emphasized in the macrobiotic diet for a more balanced condition. Foods considered either extremely yin or extremely yang are avoided. The standard macrobiotic diet recommendations are as follows:
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Whole grains—including brown rice, barley, millet, oats, corn, rye, whole wheat, and buckwheat—are believed to be the most balanced foods on the yin/yang continuum, and should comprise 50–60% of a person’s daily food intake. Although whole grains are preferred, small portions of pasta and bread from refined flour may be eaten.
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Fresh vegetables should comprise 25–30% of food intake. Daily consumption of any of the following vegetables is highly recommended: cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, bok choy, collards, mustard greens, turnips, turnip greens, onion, daikon radish, acorn squash, butternut squash, and pumpkin. Vegetables to be eaten occasionally (two to three times per week) include celery, iceberg lettuce, mushrooms, snow peas, and string beans. Vegetables should be lightly steamed or sautéed with a small amount of unrefined cooking oil (preferably sesame or corn oil).
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Beans and sea vegetables should comprise 5–10% of daily food intake. Especially recommended are adzuki beans, chickpeas (garbanzo beans), lentils, and tofu. Sea vegetables, including wakame, hijiki, kombu, and nori, are rich in many vitamins and minerals, and are easily added at each meal.
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Soups and broths comprise 5–10% of food intake. Soups containing miso (soy bean paste), vegetables, and beans are acceptable.
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A few servings each week of nuts, seeds, and fresh fish (halibut, flounder, cod, or sole) are permissible. Brown rice syrup, barley malt, and amasake (a sweet rice drink) may be used as sweeteners. Brown rice vinegar and umeboshi plum vinegar may be used occasionally. Naturally processed sea salt and tamari soy sauce may be used to flavor grains and soups.
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Fluid intake should be governed by thirst. Only teas made from roasted grains, dandelion greens, or the cooking water of soba noodles are generally considered acceptable. All teas with aromatic fragrances or caffeine are avoided. Drinking and cooking water must be purified.
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To maintain proper yin/yang balance, all extremely yang foods and all extremely yin foods are avoided. All animal foods, including eggs and dairy products, are believed to have a strong yang quality. Extremely yin foods and beverages include refined sugars, chocolate, tropical fruits, soda, fruit juice, coffee, and hot spices. In addition, all foods processed with artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives must be avoided.
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All foods should be organically grown. Produce should be fresh and locally grown.
This diet should not only be known as the “cancer curing diet.” It is recommended for healthy people so they can stay healthy.
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