The China Study was the most comprehensive study of nutrition ever conducted, providing the link between diet and diseases including diabetes, heart disease, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and osteoporosis.

The China Study was a HUGE study that went on for 30 years; it resulted in over 8,000 statistically significant correlations between diet and disease. It surveyed a vast range of diseases and diet and lifestyle factors in rural China, and more recently, in Taiwan.

A monumental nationwide survey was conducted in China in the 1970s on cancer death rates from twelve different types of cancer. More than 2,400 Chinese counties and 880 million citizens were involved. This resulted in a color-coded atlas showing where certain types of cancer were high, and where they were non-existent. This provided information on over four dozen different kinds of disease, including cancers, heart diseases, and infectious diseases.

The China Study was a grand design; it gathered data on 367 variables, and compared each variable to the others. They went into 65 counties across China and administered blood tests and questionnaires to 6,500 adults. They took urine samples, and directly measured everything families ate over a three day period. And they analyzed food samples from markets across the country.

When they were done, they had an unmatched comprehensive study. They then compared these findings with animal experiments. But Dr. Campbell's conclusions did not rest on the findings of his animal studies, and the studies of China; he sought out the findings of other researchers and clinicians, and included dozens and dozens of studies.

Dr. Campbell and his colleagues received a total of 74 grant-years of funding, and did 74 years of study in less than 35 years. From this research, he authored or co-authored over 350 scientific articles, from which he received many awards.

Dr. Campbell did not start with any preconceived notions about the worthiness of any particular diet. His conclusions are largely empirical, based upon observation and measurement, and not from hypothesis or anecdote. The results from all the studies were consistent.

What is so convincing is the breadth of the evidence from so many studies. Hundreds, even thousands of studies show the benefits of a plant-based diet.

His conclusion can be summed up as follows:

"Eat a whole foods, plant-based diet, while minimizing the consumption of refined foods, added salt and added fats." Eliminate all animal-based products, but don't obsess over it. If a dish contains a small amount of meat, the quantity very likely will be nutritionally unimportant. Benefits were shown to increase as meat consumption decreased, even when the percentage declined from 10% to 0%.

Lessons from The China Study

1) Breast cancer is associated with consumption of animal fat (but not plant fat).
2) Heart disease is associated with animal protein consumption. Stop eating animal protein, and most heart disease will reverse.
3) Type 1 diabetes is associated with consumption of cows milk. Do not feed your children cows milk, at least until 2 years of age, and preferably never.
4) Type 2 diabetes is associated with increased fat intake.
5) Colon cancer is associated with meat consumption.
6) Multiple Sclerosis is associated with cows milk consumption.
7) Increased hip fractures from osteoporosis are associated with increased milk consumption.
8) Kidney stones are associated with animal protein intake.
9) Macular degeneration and cataracts, forms of eye disease, occur when we fail to eat enough highly colored fruits and vegetables. Both diseases are likely to be increased by animal based foods.
10) Cognitive impairment, memory loss, and Alzheimer's disease are associated with an animal-based diet.

I have summarized entire chapters in one sentence.

For recommendations on diet, see Nutrition for Immunity.

Dr. Campbell also suggested that the only daily supplements you need are vitamin B12, and perhaps vitamin D for people who are indoors a lot, or live in northern climates and don't get a lot of sun; but do not exceed the RDA.

Buy the book at Amazon.com.

A cautionary note: The China Study is based on the consumption of conventional food sources worldwide, whatever they may be. If those conventional sources happen to be toxic, then naturally by reducing their consumption you will see improved health. Consider the following examples:

The China Study suggests reducing the consumption of salt. We know that salt is an essential nutrient, and farmers keep their livestock healthy by allowing them free access to salt licks. Animals will chew fence posts etc. to get needed minerals (this is called pica). I would conclude that regular supermarket salt is toxic due to the additives and bleaching, and this is borne out by research that shows it to cause illness. However, sun dried (not kiln dried) sea salt, free of additives, is necessary for good health.

The China Book shows that the consumption of milk causes disease. But this is the homogenized pasteurized version mass consumed and available in supermarkets. Pasteurized milk will putrefy; raw milk will not, but will sour, so there is a difference in properties. Pasteurized milk causes osteoporosis, but there is research (see below) that shows that raw milk does indeed build strong bones.

The China Book shows that consumption of meat causes problems, but this would no doubt be cooked meat. The consumption of raw meat appears to be very beneficial, but few in this culture would want to do that. See http://www.primaldiet.com.

The China Study recommends minimally added fats, but this no doubt means the toxic versions that most people consume from market shelves. Udo Erasmus, in his book Fats That Heal, Fats That Kill: The Complete Guide to Fats, Oils, Cholesterol and Human Health, suggests a diet of 15-20% of total calories consumed in fat, but of course, the non toxic versions described on this website.

The Pottenger experiments involved rats and cats, and found that they thrived on a raw meat raw milk diet with no degenerative diseases. But when fed cooked meat, or pasteurized, sweetened condensed, evaporated, or raw metabolized vitamin D milk, the animals came down with degenerative diseases that propagated to following generations. While pasteurized milk results in osteoporosis, raw milk appears to build strong bones. That raw meat and milk is good for you is supported by two exceptional experiences. Read about the unbelievably excellent and incredible results of the Raw Paleolithic Diet, at http://www.rawpaleodiet.org/rvaf-8-month-physical-1.html. Also see an interview with Aajonus Vanderplanitz.