Every year the number of Americans following a diet increases. Investigations conducted by the federal government demonstrate how prevalent the desire to lose weight is in American society. The results of a federal survey showed that 44% of women and 29% of men in America were trying to lose weight daily (The Science of Slimming (Cover Story)). Recent data revealed that 31% of Americans fall into the obese category and 64% of Americans are overweight (The Science of Slimming (Cover Story)). This is a problem because factors such as obesity and overweight are precursors to chronic and often terminal conditions ranging from diabetes to cancer. As the number of Americans dieting increases, so does the amount of dietary options available. As the problems of obesity and weight loss plague American society, both healthcare providers and consumers have begun to consider new methods to meet their healthcare needs. The macrobiotic diet, an alternative form of medicine, is an option worth considering when trying to change your diet to benefit your health and adapt to your lifestyle. In a lengthy synopsis of the Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine, Wells highlights some crucial points and important facts that indicate what the macrobiotic diet entails. First of all, in Greek the term macrobiotic means the great life. Unlike most diets, the macrobiotic diet isn't just about what you eat: it involves lifestyle changes, environmental factors, and much more. The macrobiotic diet is often called a holistic approach to nutrition, meaning that all aspects of a person's life are taken into consideration. consideration as part of your nutrition plan. Built around... middle of paper... provides patients with lessons on what the body needs nutritionally and physically to be healthy (macrobiotic diets may be healthy, but they are not a cure for the cancer. ( Ask IT)). It would become imperative for the patient to have their laboratory tests checked regularly to ensure that their body is functioning as it should. Works Cited Ashton, Alison. "The macrobiotic diet: It can make you feel energized, happy and healthy, and surprise! It's easier than you think." Natural Health March 2011: 42.Ken, Wells R. “Macrobiotic Diet.” The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine 2009, 3 ed. "Macrobiotic diets may be healthy, but they are not a cure for cancer. (Ask EN)." Environmental Nutrition November 7, 2002. Spake, Amanda. "THE SCIENCE OF WEIGHT LOSS. (Cover article)." US News & World Report 134.21 (2003): 34. Elite academic research. EBSCO. Network. March 12 2011.