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How to improve immunityThis article formed part of a special report in a 1995 issue of The Good Life that looked at bacteria and viruses, infectious diseases, immunity, vaccination and related issues. Adelbert contributed this as a side bar to a main article the role of food supplements in a macrobiotic diet.
by Adelbert Nelissen
The points are from the Macrobiotic Dietary Recommendations and Way of Life Suggestions in the many books by Michio Kushi. However, even people who have been practicing macrobiotics for many years sometimes forget them.
Cooking to improve immunity Cooking should be on real fire, such as gas or charcoal. Electric cooking weakens the inter-molecular energy of food, which results in a decrease of the enzymatic working of the digestive system. Also, with electric cooking, one cannot effectively use those techniques that are necessary for good digestion, such as short cooking on a high fire, or long, slow, nishime-style waterless cooking.
Foods that improve immunity Daily, eat a small amount of fresh, home made condiments and pickles (both short-term and long-term) as well as pressed salads. Leftovers of soups and vegetables should be avoided. Daily, eat crispy cooked, green leafy, fibre-rich vegetables.
Miso soup Daily, take well-prepared miso soup, made from 2-year old non-pasteurised miso, such as barley miso or brown rice miso. Many people think that the bacteria of miso and other fermented products like shoyu, natto, tempeh, etc are harmful for those who have candida or yeast infection. On the contrary. The bacteria of miso and these other products are much more yang. They are of a completely different quality than, say, the bacteria from yeasted bread, yoghurt, etc. Miso bacteria can survive a few minutes of simmering. Such bacteria help to establish good digestion. Instead of yin, animal quality fermented products like butter, yoghurt, soft cheese, etc, choose yang vegetable quality fermented products such as those mentioned above.
Avoid / minimize fruits Minimize – or avoid until completely cured – the intake of fruit and fruit juices. This piece of advice may seem puzzling, as fruits are generally considered healthy foods. While fruits do contain vitamins and phytonutrients, their primary effect is one of cleansing the body -- and the body gets weakened during this cleansing process. It is better to get your vitamins and phytonutrients from vegetables rather than fruits.
Lifestyle to improve immunity Chew your food very very well. Chew until it turns liquid before swallowing. Scrub the entire body daily with a hot, damp towel. Study, develop an empty mind and a spirit of non credo – that is, don’t believe – but discover yourself. Sing a happy song every day.
Adelbert notes that many people take food supplements to improve their immune function. Click here to read his article on why food supplements do not improve immunity.
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