The China Study: How to 
Turn Off Disease with Your Diet

I learned about "The China Study" some time ago and found it to be compelling.  I believe you might well come to the same conclusion.

The central thesis of "The China Study" is that a whole-food, plant-based (WFPB) diet is the optimal way to eat for human health. The authors argue that consuming animal products (meat, dairy, and eggs) and processed foods is strongly linked to chronic illnesses, while plant-based foods can prevent, suspend, and even reverse these diseases.

The book is largely based on the "China-Cornell-Oxford Project," a massive epidemiological study conducted in the 1980s that compared the diets and health statistics of 6,500 people across 65 rural counties in China.

Key Nutritional Findings

1. The "Diseases of Affluence" vs. "Diseases of Poverty"

The study drew a sharp distinction between two types of illnesses:

Diseases of Affluence:  These include cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. The book argues these are directly linked to "nutritional extravagance"—specifically, diets high in animal protein and fat

Diseases of Poverty:  These include pneumonia, parasitic diseases, and tuberculosis, which are often caused by poor sanitation and undernutrition.

The Finding:

2. The Casein-Cancer Connection**

One of the most controversial and famous findings discussed in the book comes from Dr. Campbell’s laboratory research. He discovered that he could turn cancer cell growth "on" and "off" in laboratory rats simply by adjusting their intake of **casein** (the main protein found in cow's milk).

High intake (20% of diet):  Promoted cancer growth.

Low intake (5% of diet):  Halted cancer growth.

Plant proteins:  Interestingly, plant proteins (like gluten and soy) did *not* promote cancer growth, even at higher intake levels.

3. Animal vs. Plant Nutrients

The authors argue that there are virtually no nutrients in animal-based foods that are not better provided by plants. They emphasize that plants provide antioxidants, fiber, and minerals without the cholesterol, saturated fat, and pro-inflammatory properties often found in animal products.

The 8 Principles of Food and Health

To help readers apply these findings, the authors outline eight guiding principles for healthy eating:

1.  Holism:  Nutrition represents the combined activities of countless food substances. The whole food is greater than the sum of its parts.

2.  Supplements are not a cure-all:  Vitamin supplements cannot substitute for good health and do not offer the same benefits as whole foods.

3.  Plant superiority:  There are virtually no nutrients in animal-based foods that are not better provided by plants.

4.  Genes are not destiny:  Genes may load the gun, but nutrition pulls the trigger. Dormant genes for diseases can be "expressed" or suppressed by diet.

5.  Protection against toxins:  Good nutrition can substantially control the adverse effects of noxious chemicals.

6.  Reversal is possible:  The same nutrition that prevents disease in its early stages can also halt or reverse it in its later stages.

7.  Universal benefit:  Nutrition that is truly beneficial for one chronic disease will support health across the board (e.g., a diet good for the heart is also good for the brain).

8.  Interconnectedness:  Good nutrition creates health in all areas of our existence.

Impact on Specific Diseases

The book provides evidence suggesting that a whole-food, plant-based diet can affect specific conditions:

Heart Disease:  The authors claim this is a "toothless paper tiger" that need not exist, citing evidence that a plant-based diet can reverse established heart disease.

Diabetes:  The book cites studies showing that type 2 diabetes can be reversed, allowing patients to get off medication, by changing their diet.

Autoimmune Diseases:  It suggests a link between animal proteins (specifically cow's milk) and the risk of autoimmune conditions like Type 1 diabetes and Multiple Sclerosis via a process called "molecular mimicry."

Summary

In short, "The China Study" advocates for eliminating or drastically reducing animal products and processed foods to minimize the risk of chronic disease. It encourages viewing food not just as calories, but as a powerful biochemical signal that tells your body whether to fight disease or foster it.

Source:

 The China Study (BenBella Books), nutritionstudies.org/

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