SALUDA, N.C., Sept. 21 -- If Bill Clinton had learned about macrobiotics, he might not have needed bypass surgery, says world macrobiotic leader Michio Kushi. "A macrobiotic diet contains dietary guidelines that can prevent heart attack, high blood pressure and stroke," he states. A macrobiotic diet, which has been praised for its preventative and healing attributes, will be the focus of a panel of prominent speakers on the "2nd Annual Holistic Holiday at Sea: A Journey to Well-Being" from February 27 to March 6, 2005, on Costa Cruises' Costa Mediterranea.

Besides many internationally known holistic health experts, the cruise will also include Janet Vitt, who cured her Stage IV lung cancer with macrobiotics and whose case was sent to the Cancer Advisory Panel for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAPCAM) at the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

In 2002, Vitt's case and five others were presented to 15 physicians and scientists who reviewed the evidence and unanimously recommended government funding for a clinical study on macrobiotics and cancer. George Yu, a clinical professor of urology at George Washington University Medical Center who presented the cases, notes the diet's reliance on fermented foods like miso. "They have good bacteria, which produce many enzymes," he explains. "The simplicity of the diet also improves elimination, which contributes to its detoxing effect."

The macrobiotic approach teaches that sickness is the natural attempt of the body to return to a harmonious state of health - and it all begins with diet. "On the cruise, we will explain how a macrobiotic diet impacts heart disease, cancer and other illnesses, and we'll even have a famous macrobiotic chef preparing our meals," says Kushi, founder of the Kushi Institute and author of several books, including the "Diet for a Strong Heart, Macrobiotic Way and the Cancer Prevention Diet."

A macrobiotic diet, viewed as a complement to traditional medicine and followed by Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow and others who want to prevent or cure disease, includes eating more whole grains, beans and fresh vegetables; smaller quantities; chewing more; and maintaining a positive mental outlook.

The Holistic Cruise is the brainchild of Sandy Pukel, a prominent diet and nutrition counselor, who counts Latin pop star Soraya as one of the many people who have utilized his advice to heal disease. "Diet and nutrition are the building blocks of our lives, and macrobiotics can truly be a miracle diet," Pukel states.

Other cruise presenters include:

* Christina Pirello, whose TV show Christina Cooks is aired on more than
135 stations in 50 countries
* Dr. Sherry A. Rogers, M.D, author and environmental medicine expert
* Patrick McCarty, an author and educator, who met with Hillary Clinton at
the White House and presented dietary information to the staff
* Verne Varona, a nutritional expert who has been featured in Redbook,
People, Women's Wear Daily, Self, Glamour and Natural Health

Prices for this Eastern Caribbean cruise begin at $1095 per person double occupancy and include organic/natural meals; lectures; classes in yoga, meditation, tai chi, chi kung, and cooking; nightly entertainment; and the use of all basic onboard facilities. For more information, call 1-800-496-0989 or visit http://www.atasteofhealth.org/ .

For interviews, call Sandy Pukel at 828-749-9537.

Web site: http://www.atasteofhealth.org/