What You Need to Know About Diet and Disease!

Not many of you have likely even heard of Dr. T. Colin Campbell, but what he has to teach us about diet and disease is remarkable. Having been born and raised on a dairy farm in Virginia, he was convinced that animal products were not only healthy for human life, but were essential. As a young man he even ridiculed people following a vegetarian diet. How times have changed for him, and anyone who learns of his work.

T. Colin Campbell, who is Professor Emeritus of Nutritional Biochemistry at Cornell University in NY, has had a long career in research, teaching and development of diet, nutrition and health. His studies have ranged from work in the Philippines developing a nationwide program for feeding malnourished children to the organization and directorship of a nationwide study (commonly known as the China Study) on diet, health and disease in the People's Republic of China.

The China Study is the most comprehensive study of diet, lifestyle and disease ever done with humans in the history of biomedical research. It was an enormous undertaking jointly arranged through Cornell University, Oxford University and the Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine. The New York Times called it the “Grand Prix of Epidemiology.” This project surveyed a vast range of diseases, diet and lifestyle factors in rural China and it eventually produced more than 8,000 statistically significant associations between various dietary factors and disease!

In this massive study, all three of the major killer diseases in western civilization - heart disease, stroke and cancer, have now been inextricably linked to the consumption of animal products.

The ties to cancer were so damning that Dr Campbell said, “Animal proteins contain inorganic acids which are toxic to humans. Only modest amounts of animal protein have been found to result in cancerous tumors in animal studies. Moreover, human studies also support this carcinogenic effect of animal protein, even at usual levels of consumption. In my view, no chemical carcinogen is nearly so important in causing human cancer as animal protein. The risks begin with the first mouthful and increase with every bite thereafter.” The former dairy farmer has also said, "Cows' milk protein may be the single most significant chemical carcinogen to which humans are exposed."

In his book, The China Study, there are over 750 references, and the vast majority of them are primary sources of information, including hundreds of scientific publications from other reputable researchers that point the way to less cancer, less heart disease, fewer strokes, less obesity, less diabetes, less autoimmune disease, less osteoporosis, less Alzheimer’s, less kidney stones and less blindness.

I had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Campbell in my home for a couple of nights last year, while he was on a national tour with his book. An energetic senior citizen, with a demanding speaking schedule, he would run every morning 5-6 miles! Late in the evening, following a presentation, he would engage me in health conversations! Grateful, I took these golden opportunities to ask questions and pick his mind. I found him to be very open and honest as he looked at health very analytically, having no agenda other than to help people.

Through his work, we now know that humans can prevent and in many cases reverse chronic and life threatening diseases by switching to plant-based foods. They allow us to thrive; even excel, in every physical and mental endeavor we pursue. It only makes sense to center our diet on organic, life-giving plants. By concentrating our calories on fresh whole foods, we insure ourselves a high-nutrient, fiber-rich diet that is low in calories, which is the perfect prescription for health.

In explaining why he wrote the book, Dr. Campbell has written, “After a long career in research and policy-making, I have decided to step ‘out of the system.’ I have decided to disclose why Americans are so confused. As a taxpayer who foots the bill for research and health policy in America, you deserve to know that many of the common notions you have been told about food, health and disease are wrong.”

“I propose to do nothing less than redefine what we think of as good nutrition. You need to know the truth about food, and why eating the right way can save your life.”

I encourage you to read his book, "The China Study: Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss and Long-Term Health".