First and foremost, the macrobiotic diet is intended to promote general health and longevity.  Citing examples of the various cultures they have taken their influence from, they claim that merely by ensuring the natural balance of the body, you enable it to heal more naturally and therefore remain the healthy balance that is its normal state. 

Secondly, the most well known benefit of macrobiotics is its ability to fight cancer.  There are several highly publicized cases of patients who have recovered from cancer by following the macrobiotic lifestyle.  These include Dr. Sattilaro who documents his own experience with cancer and macrobiotics in the book Recalled by Life.  Another book Cancer-Free:  30 People Who Recovered From Cancer Naturally by Anne Fawcett cites 30 people including a British doctor who recovered from cancer by following the macrobiotic diet.  Numerous other books exist that tell the story of patients who have recovered from cancer thanks to macrobiotics.

Finally, many macrobiotic practitioners and teachers state that the macrobiotic diet enables the body to not only cure cancer, but any chronic medical condition, including but not limited to Crohn’s Disease, hang-overs, menopause, indigestion, and diabetes.