During a presentation by Dr. Larry Kushi, a class at the Kushi Institute quizzed him re: calcium. It was stated that the Western medical view was that calcium requirements recommended seemed to be about 1000 mg for regular usage, 1500 mg for lactating women. What did Dr. Larry Kushi think of that, and what were macrobiotic people actually getting in their diet? He replied that macrobiotic people were actually getting about 400 mg a day, and he wasn't averse to people taking calcium to remedy that, but to take it in the form of calcium citrate.

Later, quizzing Michio about that, Michio replied that calcium supplement intake could cause lower back problems. Another counselor there replied also that instead of using calcium, they had great success in reversing osteoporosis with such things as dried tofu preparations, sesame seeds, greens cooked with oil, etc. and that the results were excellent. Mention of using small, dried, bony fish ground with tan sesame seeds as a daily condiment was also in the conversation. Naturally, heavy use of greens was also advocated.

Later, observations have occurred by myself and others that some people are indeed having problems with rather premature osteoporosis.

Further discussions have revealed that a few counselors/cooking teachers are finding that using the soaking water from grains is contributing to the depletion. Interesting point.

Calcium citrate with magnesium and Vitamin D supplements have been helping me personally with reducing hip pain associated with perimenopause, and there is little or no back pain. The doctor is currently recommending a bone density scan, and you can bet I'll be making dried tofu more often now, along with oil-sauteeing the greens more often and utilizing the other suggestions observed during classes and talks with other macro professionals and long-time macros and whatever useful information comes up here in the forum.

I appreciate the dialog and would also like to point out the obvious: some of us have different constitutions, therefore different needs.

Thanks for all the dialog. Let's keep this thread rolling and see what other long-term macros and counselors have to say...