I first heard about this book from former President Clinton who talked about Dr. Campbell’s work and this book. He was the walking testimony of the result.

The authors went through many studies, mainly the studies done in China, hence the name the China Study, on answering the questions why there was such a contrast in chronic disease patterns between the rural areas of China (very few cancer, diabetes, heart attacks and others) and the metro area. It all came down to the plant-based whole food diet. Eating animal-based food (beef, pork, chicken, and dairy) significantly contributed to all kinds of chronic diseases.

Finally, the authors attributed why the plant-based whole food diet hasn’t been heavily promoted is because of the medical community lacks basic nutritional education and has been heavily influenced by the drug and dairy industry. Eating the “right” food just doesn’t make money for the pharmaceutical industry. Also the government and politicians have been heavily lobbied by the food, drug and dairy industries.

This book opened my eyes on what we’re doing to poison ourselves by eating so many “junk” foods and animal-based foods in our “civilized” society. I’m convinced that plant-based whole food is the way to a healthy and quality lifestyle.

The following 8 principles are worth remembering:
1. Nutrition represents the combined activities of countless food substances. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
2. Vitamin supplements are not a panacea for good health.
3. There are virtually no nutrients in animal-based foods that are not better provided by plants.
4. Genes do not determine disease on their own. Genes function only by being activated, or expressed, and nutrition plays a critical role in determining which genes, good and bad, are expressed.
5. Nutrition can substantially control the adverse effects of noxious chemicals.
6. The name nutrition that prevents disease in its early stages (before diagnosis) can also halt or reverse disease in its later stages (after diagnosis).
7. Nutrition that is truly beneficial for one chronic disease will support health across the board.
8. Good nutrition creates health in all areas of our existence. All parts are interconnected.