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Wow! Thanks for posting this–I sure hope there won’t be many arguments against a plant-based diet. Like Michael Pollen said so eloquently, “Eat food. Mostly plants. Not too much.”
I’m really surprised – and disappointed – to see this here. “The study findings are bulletproof.” ??? While there are some useful nutritional recommendations in the study, its overarching conclusion (“Plants do it better”) is most certainly falsifiable. Put simply, its science is careless. It also ignores basic human biology. I’ve been reading this blog since it started and have always appreciated its objectivity and the ability of its writers to cut through the bull**** (which, unfortunately, there is a lot of in the health and wellness world). This post just confuses me.
I think #2. Animal protein promotes the growth of cancer is not a good heading for this. When I read this I thought, “Oh no! Meat causes cancer.” When in fact, it’s referring to the protein in cow’s milk. Isn’t that two DIFFERENT things / proteins????
Ok, the more I re-read the article, the more annoyed I am. I don’t know if the writer did a bad job summarizing or the book really contains sometimes foolish comments. I agree with Linda, how can #4 the study findings are bulletproof be correct?? They did this study ONLY in China. I am half Chinese and I’m built VERY different from a full Chinese.
And #5 “People who ate the most animal-based foods got the most chronic disease. People who ate the most plant-based foods were the healthiest.” I wonder if they talked about whether these people exercise or do some daily activity. Most people who eat more plant-based foods area often more health conscious. Also, what if these are poor farmers who cannot afford meat. Their labor work plus their lack of meat could contribute to their difference in health.
I have nothing against a plant based diet. In fact, I think more people should move towards it as I agree that it’s healthier. This summary makes it sound like that book says that eating meat will kill you. In that case, most of us should be dead. Or have cancer. My family are big meat eaters, no one has cancer. I don’t know…either the book is really ridiculous and make silly little claims with little or very loose support or the person who summarized it did a terrible job and makes it sound (at least to me) very flimsy.
I agree that when you read a review of a book it is usually easy to poke holes in the statements. If you actually read the book, you would find that it answers all of the questions you have raised. The study is very comprehensive and is also backed up by a lot of other research. The conclusions stated in this article are accurate.
If you want more information but don’t want to read a book, I would recommend the video “Forks Over Knives”.
Dear Barbara and others,
I am currently in the process of reading The China Study. It is one of the most interesting books I’ve read, and is in fact written as somewhat of a memoir. I recommend anyone who feels disturbed by this article read the book. The results from multiple studies of Dr. Colin Campbell and his partners, including this one, the largest ever nutritional study done on humans spanning 65 countries and 6500 people (that’s a pretty amazing cross section of people!), all point to the same conclusions. Those conclusions, consistent to about 95%, are that animal protein simply put, activates cancer cells. It’s remarkable, and well worth a deeper look, by understanding the study in greater depth, and understanding the results.
In Dr. Campbell’s initial study on protein, still believing animal protein to be a health food as the son of a dairy farmer, he found 100% of rats fed a diet consisting of 20% animal protein all developed cancer from a carcinogen known as aflatoxin. The rats fed the same carcinogen but on a diet consisting of 5% animal protein developed cancer at a rate of 0%. In further studies after this initial result, the cancer activation was found to be able to be switched on and off. On with increased animal protein, off with decreased animal protein, and stopped or reversed with plant based protein. Simply amazing. 100% to 0%. Have you ever heard of such results?
The study talks about more than just cancer. It talks about animal protein in our western diets contributing to obesity (1/3 adults), diabetes (1 in 13), heart disease (1 in 3).
The idea that animal protein is harmful to our health is a very threatening idea. We have economies based on this idea. Dr. Campbell’s own family was raised on this business. If this fact agitates you, it’s your duty to research it further. It’s not unthinkable that for a collective idea to be wrong. But if enough people seek and find the truth, the world changes. This change is happening. And it’s absolutely amazing and shocking at the same time. The collective idea we have now about animal protein has been proven to be false.
Read The China Study and form your own opinions. Read any medical journal these days on nutrition, not sponsored by industry, and see it for yourself. Animal protein as a health food has come to an end. Inform yourself, and if I am wrong, then please inform me of the findings to the contrary.
In defense of people whose diet consists of meat, which most of the studies subjects did. Low levels of animal protein is not what’s killing us. But with meat, eggs, milk, cheese and butter, the average american east a high percentage of animal protein each day. This article recommends changing the main source of our protein to plant based protein. If you love meat, love it, just don’t love it to death.
Dear Andrea,
Thanks for the clarification on animal protein! One thing, since you’re reading the book, the above article said that the study is performed in 65 counties (not countries as you noted in your comment) in China. Can you clarify which it is? Countries or counties? Thanks!
Oops! You’re right. Counties, within China. Not countries. I kept on reading that wrong and had to correct myself. Now I’m writing it wrong too. Counties.
I love this site, but please present a whole sided picture next time, and take the time to check if there is counter research to studies you are presenting. This study is NOT bullet proof and there has been TONS of very good research poking many holes in the way the research was conducted in The China Study. I’m not saying I disagree with with many points in the China Study, but the research was not done as “bullet proof or thorough” as the review is saying.
it’s wonderful to get the benefit of others doing the deeper digging into this subject. I’ve read “Diet for a New America” which is very well documented and should be of interest to anyone reading “the China Study”…the end result though is that being vegan is best for all.
as well, the movie “Forks over Knives” is a documentary which discusses the China study too, and is very convincing. Easier to “digest” than the book too!
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[...] Read the last five points over here, and let us know your thoughts in the comments. [...]
[...] you can’t swallow cow’s milk—because you’re lactose-intolerant, a vegan, or you read The China Study—then you’ve probably stood in the alt-milk aisle considering your nut, soy, and seed [...]
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[...] for the documentary Forks Over Knives, and worked with Dr. T. Colin Campbell, the author of The China Study, at Cornell University.We peeked in the star nutritionist’s fridge to see what someone who [...]
[...] for the documentary Forks Over Knives, and worked with Dr. T. Colin Campbell, the author of The China Study, at Cornell [...]
[...] my husband and I have been reading The China Study. For a great summary, read China Study Cheat Sheet: 10 Things You Need to Know by Well+Good NYC. Also inspiring was the book I finally read a few months ago, No More Dirty [...]
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[...] you can’t swallow cow’s milk—because you’re lactose-intolerant, a vegan, or you read The China Study—then you’ve probably stood in the alt-milk aisle considering your nut, soy, and seed [...]