The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss and Long-Term Health

The book may be saving my life.

After fighting colon cancer for three years, my husband bought me this book. I am an "open skeptic" when it comes to non-traditional cancer cures, meaning I will investigate just about anything, but I want to see real science behind any claims, not just anecdotal evidence. When my husband bought the book, I'd just received news that my CEA levels (a blood test that can indicate the activity of a colon cancer tumor) had risen again. I was devastated. We were one day away from leaving on a one week vacation to Mexico.

I took the book with me and went right to chapter 3 on cancer. After reading that chapter, I was convinced that Dr. Campbell was not just some crack pot with a wild idea. I knew this was serious science. At first I was totally overwhelmed with the idea of eating the plant based diet he recommends. I thought eliminating milk would be the most difficult part of it. And I figured I'd never be able to eat out in a restaurant again. (Not true.) But a few days after returning home, I made the switch, based upon as much information about vegan eating as I could glean off the Internet. That was mid April 2008. Now, six months later, my CEA levels (taken every 4-6 weeks) have decreased four times in a row. My last CT scan in August was basically unchanged from my previous scan in June--something I had not seen, or expected to see ever again since the tumors, even with chemo, had continued to grow slowly.

There is no way to know for sure if the diet is causing these changes since I have been on a low dose chemo for over a year. But I am certain of one thing--my energy level, which has been very compromised due to chemo, was about 30-40% improved within a week or two of starting the diet.

I am not on a crusade to convince everyone to eat like this, but I have been very pleased with the results I have had.

This book is an eye opener and worth reading

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Great Teacher, Great Lessons, Great Book!

I bought this book because of the excellent reviews it kept getting and because of how much I enjoyed hearing Dr. Campbell speak about the China Study (the actual study, not the book) in Sept 2001. I was comfortably certain that I would enjoy the book, but what I didn't realize was how much I would learn from it. After listening to several lectures, asking numerous questions, and reading many books and articles by a variety of highly credible authors about the benefits of a plant-based diet and the harmful consequences (to humans, animals and planet) of an animal-based one, as well as experiencing first-hand what a positive difference switching to a vegan diet makes, I didn't think there could be much left on this topic to learn. But I gleaned new, interesting and important information from every chapter in this book, whether it was about nutrition, the mechanics of disease, or the disturbing details about what goes on behind the scenes as industry, medicine, science, government and business collude to spew out self-serving, deceptive and destructive 'nutrition guidelines' for us hoi polloi. 'The China Study' has inspired us to fine-tune our diet (already plant-based for 5 years) by switching to mostly whole (minimally or unprocessed) foods, and has me looking at things like pharmaceutical ads and medical study headlines (such as 'Diabetics At Higher Liver Cancer Risk') with better informed, wider open eyes. While I already knew *that* a plant-based diet is far healthier, this book explains in superb detail why and how that is the case... and despite the frequent complexity of the science, his explanations are clear and understandable - thanks in part to his excellent use of analogies. Condensed and designed to make a large volume of scientific study results accessible to and understandable by the lay public, 'The China Study' is well written, interesting and informative, engaging, sincere and forthright, and peppered throughout with a wonderful wry and self-effacing humor. I applaud Dr. Campbell's courage in speaking out against the status quo because he cares about the well-being of people and the planet, and am grateful to him (and his son) for sharing his hard-earned knowledge, behind-the scenes experience, and impressive expertise through this important book. Sometimes, when I read books like this one that credibly and responsibly confront what we've been taught and think we know, challenging us to open our minds, think anew and experience a paradigm shift, I am reminded of my high school history teacher's pet saying. When my class would do poorly on a pop quiz, he'd shake his head and mutter, 'Buy 'em books and buy 'em books, and all they do is eat the covers.' I hope The China Study is widely read and influential, and that all anyone eats after being handed this book...is plants! :-)

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Sacrificing Science for Ideology

I do recommend reading this book however, doing so must be done with a critical eye. I found Dr. Campbell to have many good points about the health care system, the need for acquiring nutrients from food, and his criticism of excessive reductionism in nutritional science. But his bias against animal products permeates every page. The conclusions of his laboratory research are thoroughly unjustified. He uses evidence from the effects of isolated casein (that was probably high-temperature spray-dried, which creates carcinogens), which is a milk protein that is very unique among animal proteins and problematic for many people, to indict 'animal nutrients' as an entire group. Campbell never extended his lab experiments to see if a generalization from powdered casein could really be made to all animal proteins or all animal nutrients. Campbell's presentation of the China Study itself, which is actually only about a tenth of the book, should be carefully compared to the data of the study itself. In _The China Study_, Campbell claims that this study showed an association between animal protein and all forms of cancer. But the original monograph of the study shows carbohydrates to be most highly correlated with cancer, plant protein to have a greater correlation with cancer than animal protein, and the only protective macronutrient to be fat, the latter of which was the only statistically significant correlation between cancer and any macronutrient. His presentation of others research is interesting, but highly selective. He ignores the plethora of non-modernized groups that have been studied and affirmed to have vibrant health on a diet rich in animal products. He minimizes any discussion of the harms of modern plant-based foods (like white flour, white sugar, high fructose corn syrup, etc), and likewise leaves out discussion of modern research uncovering benefits of animal-based foods and nutrients. The book's title implies that the book is a general guide to health based on information from the massive epidemiological study after which the book is named, but in actuality it is a general argument for vegetarianism, crafted without regard to balance and truth. I reviewed this book in much more detail with 48 footnotes in a review that appeared in Wise Traditions, the quarterly journal of the Weston A Price Foundation. If anyone is interested in reading this review an internet search should turn it up. Again, I don't necessarily recommend *against* reading this book-- but, as with any book, critical reviews and refutations should also be read. I believe a balanced look at the arguments of Dr. Campbell and the contrary arguments would leave Dr. Campbell's arguments uncompelling.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Medical oncologist review of The China Study

As an oncologist, it is heartbreaking to see so many cancer patients with cancer that could be prevented if people took advantage of the scientific research presented in this book. The book is scientifically sound and very readable. If someone is serious about their health or the health of their family, this is a must read.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Highly recommended-a fascinating study

If this book doesn't make you change your eating habits, nothing will. This should be a must read for all doctors and politicians that are concerned about the obesity and diseases running rampant in this country. Dr. Campbell has uncovered data that is vitally important to our health and welfare and we should all read the book and take heed.

Im sure it would be good

for some reason I can not get it to download on to my book so I would not really know if it is or now

0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Newly vegan

My husband and I are diving into a life of renewed health. EXCELLENT BOOK. Use your own logic to change your health. Hears to a long and Heathier life.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

I'll never be the same...

This highly intelligent, ground-breaking book tells the truth about science, diet & health - and the food industry's stranglehold on public information. Campbell's research dovetails neatly with other trusted health advice I've encountered. Beyond that, it's as if a light bulb comes on in your head as he logically explains his experiences and viewpoint. Finally, the link between diet and disease make sense. I love his voice throughout the book. It is calm and clear, humble and definitely not sensationalized. Besides the Bible, I'm fairly certain The China Study is the most important book I will ever read. My food choices will never be the same, much to my hubby's dismay!

so much good information

i have a bad family health history and both myself and my husband are over weight. but thanks to this book we are on a better road to being stronger and having a better reason than just to save the animals.

This book is awesome!

This book is so comprehensive, you can't take it all in the first read.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A book that eliminates the confusion

Very informative, well written and believable. I have made changes to my diet.

If you were a Christian and could only own one book, it would probably be the Bible. If you were a Muslim and could only own one book, it would probably be the Quran. This should be every person's second book to own.

This book was absolutely life changing to me. So many diseases and terrible medical conditions can be avoided, removed, recovered from just by following the directions in this book. The China Study was given to me by a friend diagnosed with a cancerous lump in her breast. She did not want surgery and, in her searching, found this book. After only four months of following exactly what this book taught, she went back and the lump could not even be found with a needle biopsey. It is inhumane that this information has not been available to the general public before now. Dr. Campbell has put it all together and, once you read it, you have it all. You don't have to continue checking the book. This book is truely a jewel. The book covers it all. For instance, 70 to 80 percent of all hip replacements and 88 percent of all malcular degeneration can be avoided entirely. You owe it to yourself and those you love, especially children, to read this book!

The Best Book I've Ever Read So Far

I would recommend any mother, father, grandparent, teacher, cafateria manager, dietician, pastor, biship, etc. read this book.

You will not see food the same.

This author is probably the best person who could have written this book.
Also know that this study is still going on.

Blew my mind!

Biased review....

This writing appeared, in whole and part, as biased and prejudicial. As a reader interested in vegetarianism (and/or veganism), I was very troubled to read this literature. The information component of this was quite technical and difficult to read and the conclusions were not drawn on scientific fact. The conclusions were deduced by very few factors. I would not recommend this book for beginners. As for advanced readers with a solid foundation in a vegetarian lifestyle, this book may prove useful and informative. Overall 3 stars!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

an inspiration!

The China Study is a significant and impelling look at animal-based diets compared to plant-based diets. T. Colin Campbell, PhD covers a lot of nutritional information, backed by research, and how it effects our bodies and disease. This book is an inspiration to those of us who want all the accurate information we can get to keep ourselves healthy and disease free.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Warning: reading this could change your life!

This controversial book is guaranteed to make you think twice about what you eat, and for a few, it will make you feel better about your diet.

Be forewarned, however, reading this book could change your life: it took just 40 pages of this book to convince 247 lb Kansas City Chiefs tight-end Tony Gonzalez that he would change his diet (see http://tonygonzalez88.com/nutritionarticles.htm)

Must Read!

This book is extremely factual, thorough, and non-commercial. It has caused me to change my diet and within 30 days, it resulted in a 30 point drop in cholesterol and 20 point drop in blood pressure. I told my doctor to forget the pills!

RogerFL

A not-to-be-missed book challenging all of today's diet and nutrition norms for anyone wanting to be healthier.

This is truly a monumental book which upsets all the normal diet and nutrition concepts. This is a not-to-be-missed book for everyone interested in improving their health through nutrition. The scientific evidence of this incredible study is irrefutable. The information in this book will compel you to make changes in your life away from the rich, western diet to a more sensible approach to nutrition that is plant-based. While the concept is challenging for many to adopt, it is truly the inconvenient truth that will save your life.

READ AT YOUR OWN RISK

I tell friends and acquaintances about 'The China Study' frequently however I give them a friendly warning. Please read this book but only if you are willing to change your diet. I also tell them the one liner a teacher of mine gave me years ago. ' Ignorance rapidly progresses to stupidity once knowledge is acquired' When we read this book we just quit eating animal & dairy products and so will unless you a willing to admit that you are just plain suicidal. BEST VEGAN PROMOTION EVER!

Makes You Think About The Food You Put In Your Mouth

I really enjoyed reading the China Study. The authors explains in detail the cause and effect of the plant base diet vs the introduction of meat.The research shows clearly the cause and effect ofa clean diet vs an over stimulating gastrial challenge like the SAD(Standard American Diet) that most people eat in United States. The reafer can take the studies and use the principle methods to change thier diets and health by following the authors suggestions based on thier research. Highly recommend to anyone trying to improve thier eating habits and general over all Health. Remember exercise and diet improve your over all health and helps reduce your risk factors such as heart disease, secondary diabetes , cancer and obesity.