February 10, 2011
(last updated May 9, 2014) 
I can’t thank you all enough for the generous and humorous responses to yesterday’s post on managing bad days. I’m especially grateful to my readers in the health care professions for assuring me that failure to finish physics lab won’t ultimately doom my career in medicine. That’s heartening, and sort of what I suspected. But I needed to hear it.
A few weeks ago, when I attended Brendan’s speaking event at the James Beard Foundation, I was gifted with a copy of THE CHINA STUDY as a party favor. I was happy to get it, of course, but also an unworthy recipient: I own the book already, and I, like many vegans, have read it more than once. It’s responsible for single-handedly making more vegan converts than almost any book I can think of—except, maybe, for ANIMAL LIBERATION.
What makes it different from ANIMAL LIBERATION, however—and other books about veganism—is that it appeals to readers on a purely scientific level: the book doesn’t set out to illustrate the cruelties of meat or dairy production (though sometimes I wish it did more of that), but rather to prove that animal foods are inherently deleterious to human health, at least when eaten more than occasionally. It doesn’t discourage animal foods primarily on the familiar grounds of cholesterol or fat—though the author, Colin Campbell, does analyze those things—but rather with the claim that casein, or animal protein, promotes tumor growth when eaten in excess. So, grass fed, skim, or organic, it doesn’t matter: eat enough animal protein, and you may be increasing your cancer risk.
Campbell came to these findings by studying more than 350 variables of health and nutrition with surveys from 6,500 adults in more than 2,500 counties across China and Taiwan (hence, THE CHINA STUDY). For that reason, the book’s claim to be “the most comprehensive study of nutrition ever conducted” isn’t without validity. It also illustrates how the so called “diseases of affluence”—heart disease, cancer, diabetes—are largely attributable to eating animal foods in excess, and studies how Eastern diets, which are lower in animal foods, don’t encourage those same conditions.
Campbell, a practicing doctor on faculty at Cornell when he did this study, risked his reputation and his university security to publish his findings; the sheer volume of his data and research is exhaustive. I appreciate this book because, unlike so many books on nutrition, it’s not packed with hazy generalizations. It’s chock full of charts and footnotes, and it’s not always a lark to read, but it’s very authoritative:
I can’t tell you how many people have told me that they began reading THE CHINA STUDY, and by the time they were finished, they’d committed to veganism for good. Interestingly, it seems to have a bigger impact on male readers than female—I’m still not sure why that is! Whatever the case, the book does what others don’t, which is to persuade skeptics that veganism is not only safe, but preferable to traditional, omnivorous diets. For that reason, I’m also a huge fan of THE CHINA STUDY, and I often recommend it to people who are interested in the health benefits of veganism.
It’s also worth coming clean and saying that I don’t always like how THE CHINA STUDY has been embraced by the vegan community. A lot of vegans treat the book like the holy grail, holding it up as incontrovertible proof not only that veganism is good, but that all omnivorous diets will kill you. The problem is, this is just one book, and using it as a gospel is mighty dangerous. Nutrition is a complex field, and no matter how responsible a researcher Campbell is, I don’t believe we should ever use one scientific study as proof of anything. We need a wealth of research to call something fact, or even likely. (To put this in the context of another example, the Framingham Nurse’s Study was once hailed as unilaterally authoritative, but now some researchers suggest that some of the correlations were overstated.) Big, important studies like these are enormous achievements, and they help us to become aware of things we didn’t know before (like the major link between casein and tumor growth) but we have to be careful when we begin to consider them proofs.
And that’s what many vegans do with this book: perhaps because they need to feel that their lifestyle choices are legit, or perhaps in order to persuade skeptical friends and family, they treat THE CHINA STUDY as gospel. That’s fine, but I simply don’t agree: I think the book is one of many highly persuasive and illuminating books about the benefits of plant-based diets, and the dangers of high-animal protein diets. Vegans are exposing themselves to a lot of valid rebuttal if they pin their arguments to one source, and indeed a lot of the methods Campbell used have been persuasively critiqued—mostly by anti-vegans and fanatical paleo eaters, who get no love from me, but also by reasonable doctors and nutritionists.
I believe that veganism is the only ethical choice in the world in which we live, and I wish that, to underscore my beliefs, I could also tell everyone that it’s the only healthy choice. I have a hard time understanding how anyone could ignore the suffering caused by the food they eat, and care only about a diet’s health benefits, or how likely it is to help you lose five pounds, or run a faster mile, or fit into a little black dress. But the sad fact is that a lot of people really only think about what they eat in terms of personal gain. Do I respect that? No. But if someone asks me if veganism is the only healthy lifestyle, I’ve got to be honest and say no: I believe that a vegan diet is one very reliable way to be healthy, but not the only way. A person can thrive so long as he or she eats animal food in strict moderation, avoids processed junk, and eats an abundance of plant foods.
But I understand why people get so excited about THE CHINA STUDY: it’s a big, exciting, and important book that lends so much credence to the very real benefits of veganism. I would just caution any vegan against pinning all of his or her reasoning to one single study. And the good news is that none of us have to: there are so many great reasons to be vegan, and so many books and movies and dialogues to prove it, that we needn’t get overly zealous about one of them.
With that said, everyone should read THE CHINA STUDY: if only to make up their own minds! So I’m giving away my extra copy of Colin Campbell’s famous opus. There are three ways to enter:
1) Leave a comment on this post telling me why you’d like to read THE CHINA STUDY.
2) Tweet the following: @choosingraw is giving away a free copy of THE CHINA STUDY. Click here to enter: https://bit.ly/gl8jnA
3) Mention the giveaway on your blog
Leave a comment on my blog for each of your entries! I’ll announce the winner on Friday, February 18th.
And now, for those of you who have read THE CHINA STUDY: what are your thoughts on it? Like? Dislike? Do you agree with me that some vegans tend to get a little…religious about it? Why do you think that is?
xo
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I would love to win a copy of The China Study, because somehow, I still have not read it!
This is a great give-away! I would love to read the book.
I am not currently a vegan, but I am very interested in reading more about veganism from a scientific basis. I come from a strong science background and want to see the research that is behind all the claims. I am exploring shifting my diet that way, but would need strong reasoning as I also come from a history of eating disorders and don’t want to have it be a subconscious choice to eliminate food groups!
I’d love to read it and become armed with more scientific knowledge about reasons for veganism!
Such a thoughtful post. As a vegan, I’m always scrambling for new material to read about – especially those that boost the benefits of eating a plant-based diet!
Owning a copy would be so lovely…and prevent me from purchasing it and putting another dent in my small, college-aged savings account. [;
Thank you Gena!
I am not vegan, but I am interested in the statistics regarding it’s health benefits. I am always searching for solid factual statements to defend myself and convince others meat is not a necessary part of our diet. I also work on my dads organic vegetable farm and would love to share this information with his vegan, vegetarian, raw or otherwise curious customers.
First, a slight correction; Colin Campbell has a Ph.D. and would not be called a practicing doctor. I read the China Study which greatly influenced me to change my diet. Although I follow this diet, I now have reservations about his book. For one, can we really believe data from then communist China? And if one looks at albeit recent (2004) cardiovascular disease statistics,
http://www.americanheart.org/downloadable/heart/1077185395308FS06INT4(ebook).pdf
China fares poorly. The Chinese in his study ate some meat, yet Dr. Campbell extrapolates to say if a tiny amount of meat is good, zero meat is better. There is no basis for this extrapolation. Also, Dr. Campbell never seems to mention the “French paradox”, whereby the French eat a lot of seemingly unhealthy food but have low rates of cardiovascular disease. Yet, I persist because I believe a plant based diet is better for health in spite of the fact I really can’t find adequate data. A second book that influenced me is Preventing and Reversing Heart Disease by Caldwell B. Esselstyn. The latter book would not play well with your readers since Dr. Esselstyn’s vegan diet excludes all oil.
I have heard about this book in a few different opportunities and while the name itself would never have grabbed my attention, the reviews, like yours, certainly do! I became vegetarian in October of last year and am really enjoying it….but I would love to learn more about veganism because I also feel a strong pull towards it. In any case, I am sure the book would be education and for me, that is so so so important. Many people think that vegetarian and vegan-ism is a fad and the more educated I can be about both, the better I can help educate others when they say false facts or preconceptions about the lifestyle.
P.S. Props to you for going back to school to be a doctor. That is so awesome! I am personally going through trying to make a decision to return back to school for a career completely opposite what I studied and it is SO intimidating!
I would love to receive this book. I am a fairy new vegetarian and very close to vegan. I am finally consistent with eating vegan and now am looking to take it to the next level regarding products, etc. I would like to become more knowlegable of the health benefits of a vegan diet as the main reason I transitioned is due to the cruely factor. I have been thinking more and more about how the food we eat impacts the diseases people get. Not only people … we received news that our family dog has cancer and he is only 5 years old. I will be investigating a more natural diet for him also.\
Great post as usual!
i tweeted about it!!! @movesnmunchies
i’ve heard SO much about this book! and since becoming vegan recently i would LOVE to learn more!
That book looks very interesting. I’m not a vegan, just a “conscious omnivore” (though vegans usually don’t like this term). I know (and agree) the ethical concerns behind veganism, but I would really want to learn more about the health issues, because a lot of the popular studies suggest that dairy is good for you, and that was the way I was grown (Mom always said “Drink your milk now!”). So I always thought if I consume cruelty-free dairy, then I’m OK. But if I learn more about the health risks about it and convinced, then maybe I can choose the veganism path for the rest of my life.
Thank you for reminding me that I need to read this book! I hear it mentioned all the time, but for some reason I’ve never read it despite reading most of the rest of the vegan canon. I didn’t even know the specifics of what it was about until you mentioned it, shamefully enough.
If I don’t by some small chance win it, I’m buying it nonetheless… just as soon as I finish Kris Carr’s new book. I’m particularly interested in the scientific approach I’ve heard so much about.
I tweeted about it @joliejackie
I’m curious about this book that I’ve heard mentioned on 30 bananas a day . I have never heard or read it before and I will take your word that everyone should read if for themselves.
Hi Gena,
Until a financial situation claimed my ability to pay for it (and anything else for that matter), I had a website dedicated to health, mostly raw. I was reading and reviewing as many books on raw food, and health that I could get my hands on. I simply can not afford to buy this book – it has been on my to buy list for months! Thanks for the chance – (I know it’s not your problem! 🙂
I’d like to read this book because of the fact that its based on an actual study. So many books and articles just spit out information and don’t show much evidence for it. I think it’d be a great read with concrete details so that i can share with others why veganism is healthy.
I’ve been eating vegan for a week now! I’d love to read that book. I heard a quote (I can’t remember where…) that “baby cows stop drinking their mothers milk at a certain point and eat grass, but humans continue to drink it their whole lives” I read it. Processed it, and the only question that I had was “Am I a vegan now?” It just made sense. Anyone, The China Study would be such a benefit to me and my new lifestyle.
I have been interested in this book since I first heard about it, mostly so that I have good facts for the times when people try to convince me that eating animal products is the healthy way to eat.
I would love to read this! I’ve heard about this ever since going vegan and since I just celebrated my one year veganniversary I think it’s about time I read it for myself! Thanks Gena for your insight!
Thanks for holding this wonderful giveaway! I would like to win this book because I was a vegan up until just a few months ago when my iron levels hit an all time low. I’ve started eating grass fed beef, but there’s just something that doesn’t sit right with me. I would love the chance to read this book and learn more about meat and health.
I’d love to read The China Study! I was vegan for 4 years, but have lapsed back into vegetarianism. I’ve been doing a vegan challenge this week and it feels so good…I’m interested in trying again!
i need help! i believe the china study would give me the facts and figures i need when in a discussion about veganism with a skeptic. so far, “because i say so” isn’t holding much water.
I’ve heard a lot about the China Study and want to read it soon. Coming from the world of finance, not too many of my colleagues would consider veganism for the ethical reasons I find compelling. One co-worker excitedly told me she was now vegan after reading “Skinny B” because she wanted to be model thin. I felt I had even less in common with her. Another friend asked if I was vegan for political reasons. A compelling, scientific argument for the vegan diet certainly goes a long way in fleshing out the sound judgment of choosing vegan for reasons not related to sex or power.
I would love to read the china study because I have heard so many great thing about it on all of the bLogs I read
I’d like a copy because while I went vegan for compassionate reasons that’s not the best angle to approach everyone so I’d love to brush up my facts on health-related reasons to help sway people!
I would love to read it so I can convince my boyfriend, with scientific backup, to stop drinking casein protein shakes before bed!
I would love to win a copy of this. I think it would help to cement my conviction to a vegan diet even more, and once read, I could pass it on to others.
I really admire your reasoning in this post. I think it’s true that vegan is the only ethical way, at least in the modern industrialized countries. It seems the reason so many raw vegans are turning to animal foods is because many of them were doing it only for personal health gains. They become convinced for one reason or another that they can’t be healthy without those animal foods, and apparently ethics was never a big concern. It can be pretty disheartening.
Thanks for giving us the opportunity to receive a copy of this book.
I read this on my kindle so I’d love to have a hard copy to refer to and loan out if need be.
Have you been listening to “The Great Health Debates”? Interesting references to the China Study.
More vegan nutritionists are saying that veganism isn’t the be-all end-all diet. But I still remain convinced that animal products are toxic to the human body. Sure one can be healthy and still eat them, but I think they are dodging a bullet and just lucky.
i tweeted about your giveaway!
Great review! I would love to own this book for my own personal education. I’ve always been interested in the subject of nutrition. It’s good to be reminded that food serves the purpose of providing sustenance; it’s not just something to quiet a grumbling stomach. I would like to improve my ability to make informed food choices.
I would also like to pass the book on to my boyfriend. Not for the purpose of pushing veganism on him, but in the hopes that maybe some research will get it into his stubborn head that he can’t have takeout for every meal and eat chips all day. (Although I have to give him credit for his willingness to try most of my vegan creations. He even admitted to liking spinach! We are currently obsessed with your French toast recipe and make it at least once a week.)
I want to read the China Study because I have heard so much about the book and have always been interested in veganism
I was just reading about this book in Kris Carr’s book Crazy Sexy Diet (in which i notice you have a recipe published) Im trying to transition to veganism and would love to read this one.
I’m currently going back & forth about becoming a vegan. I’m thinking this book might help me solidify a decision!
You are so sweet to give one away! I’d love to win a copy of this book. I’m going to be participating in a vegan study that is based highly on the information in The China Study so it would be great to read more about it as I go along.
Ahhh awesome! I am going to see Brendan Brazier speak in a couple of weeks and I’m so excited about it!
I want to win a copy because I became vegetarian after reading ‘Eating Animals’ and right now I just want to read as much as I can about it and educate myself on the subject/topic. I am planning on buying The China Study and reading it anyways, but it would be even sweeter if I won it for free 🙂
I tweeted the giveaway. 🙂
And I tweeted your message.
I’d like to read it so that I can examine how my choices affect my health.
This is not the first blog to discuss this book and not the first blog to give it as a give away. Since there definitely is a buzz about this book, I’m very interested in learning more. I’m not a vegetarian or vegan, but I tend to not eat many animal products. Since I’m almost there already, I definitely would like to look at the science behind eliminating animal products from your diet and perhaps make a permanent change.
I have been toying with vegetarianism but still eat eggs and fish, and I’m curious to read more about the negativity associated with those animal products as well.
I also tweeted the giveaway!
I’m very interested in reading this book. I’ve transitioned to a “pescatarian diet,” but I’m cutting back and am planning on cutting dairy completely out in the near future. I don’t want to say that I’ve committed to vegetarianism, or that I’ll ever commit to veganism, as I don’t want to restrict myself in any way. But, at the risk of committing myself to one thing, I do feel that I am slowly becoming a full-fledged vegan. It’s going to be a long process, but for both ethical and health reasons, I’m absolutely sold on the lifestyle.
I’ve had this on my to-read list for a while now. I’m not vegan (yet) but have read other vegan books out there, like The Kind Diet, which focus on the ethics. Though I do enjoy those books, I’m interested to read about the science behind going vegan as well.
On a side note about books, I downloaded the No Meat Athlete Marathon Road Map and was so excited to see you contributed to it!
And I tweeted your message!
The China Study is on my book wishlist! I’ve been wanting to read it for a while now–I’m currently changing my diet to a more plant-based one, and knowing that this study is a huge one in nutrition would be a great starting point! I’m also a health researcher, so any study is fun for me to read 🙂
I would love to win this. Like many, I decided to be healthier this year, but somehow it stuck, and I’ve gotten very interested in nutrition and food production. I’m trying out vegetarianism as my new month resolution for February, and so far it’s going great. I’d love to read this and try out being vegan.
*fingers crossed*
As a long distance runner, I’ve begun making the switch to a more vegetarian diet as I’m tired of attempting to run fifteen miles when my stomach is filled with heavy food. The issue with vegetarian/vegan diets right now is that I am unsure what the nutritional necessities are for me. And since I run so far every day – I absolutely have to make sure Im eating properly.
It’s the one thing that’s prevented me from cutting meat out entirely – the fact that I need the proteins that meat gives me. This book would go a long ways towards helping me out by laying out the science for me.
I am in the middle of The China Study, and I absolutely love it. It’s scientific, nitty gritty, and hard-hitting. No sugar-coating and sprinkles of the facts. I agree that it should NOT be seen as the holy grail, but as a support for the fact that veganism is the healthiest way to go, although I also agree that it is not the only healthy way to live.
I look up to Colin Campbell immensely, he is an amazing scientist and his study is exactly what the world needs; it is a back-up for those moments when people say that there is no basis for the health claims of veganism. Uhh, really?!
However, I strongly dislike the opposition it faces from anti-vegans, meat eaters, and nutritionists/health professionals alike. I often am swayed to think that those individuals are simply defensive of their own practices and can’t face the truth, however haughty that may sound.
Everyone should read this book at least once, and make their own opinion of it! Being well-informed and making a decision is much more honorable than being un-informed and defensive:)
I just finished reading Kris Carr’s _Crazy Sexy Diet_ and am on day 5 of her “adventure cleanse.” CSD is a great read, but I would love understand more of the science behind vegan nutrition. I’ve read about _The China Study_ numerous times and have been wanting to pick it up. Thanks!
I’d love a copy. I’m a new vegan and would love to get more knowledge about the science between our bodies and animal protein.
My husband and I listened to the China Study during a long drive, however I do not own the book. Listening to it influenced my husband, a “red neck” bow hunter to eat a primarily vegan diet. I have always leaned towards vegetarianism, but this study swayed me and now I am a creative vegan cook and every night my husband is amazed not only with how enjoyable the meals are but how much better he feels!
Diana
I completely agree with you Gena. There is no reason to base a life style choice on one source of information. The China Study is a great resource for those looking into the harmful effects of meat and dairy on the body, but there are, like you said, so many other reasons to choose veganism. I also think that the people who hold this book up as proof that they are living the correct and most healthy lifestyle by being vegan should really rely on the results that their lifestyle is giving them, not on literature. If you are healthy and happy, there really is no other defense necessary! Let your results speak for themselves, and if this causes interest in others, the China Study is a great resource to point out to them. It should not be used as a manifesto. I do not own he book, and I would love to be able o re-read it, and then pass it on to other budding vegans!
Ali
Hey Gena!!
I already read the book, so I’m not entering the giveaway. I just wanted to give my two pennies. 😉
I think that more male readers get affected…probably because it’s more scientific. Not to sound sexist or whatever but females get more affected emotionally while the male brain tends to be more analytic. Also, it basically says you don’t need that much protein, which we know all body-building machos obsess over.
Heh. I agree with you that veganism might be the most ethical way to eat…but not completely agreeable that it’s the healthiest. Still, I really respect how you take such an objective and balanced view. I have met ppl like you said who think The China Study is some kind of bible with absolute principles.
Bah, anyway, point is: I totally love you for being one of the most approachable, real person I know. (hugs)
I would like to read this because I would love to have evidence to back up this issue that we shouldn’t be eating animal products, for our own sake’s.
Tweeted your giveaway as well! 🙂
I have a growing interest in veganism–the result of a long, slow, and lovely shift in the way I think about my relationship to food–and would love to read the book.
I tweeted it! I would love to get my hands on this book!
Thanks for writing about this book! I’ve been wanting to read it, I’m very new to the vegan lifestyle and would love to add this book to my collection. So far I’ve read Skinny Bitch and Crazy Sexy Diet which were both good. I’d also like some more info to be able to share with people who try to tell me that cutting out meat and diary is unhealthy. I know that’s the farthest thing from the truth but sometimes I don’t know what to say to them to convince them otherwise…
i’ve read for and against this study. both sides present a good argument. i find the ‘sins of omission’ on this post particular interesting: http://rawfoodsos.com/2010/07/07/the-china-study-fact-or-fallac/ i will simply say that veganism works well for some but not all just as being an omni works for some but not all people. you just have to find what works best for you and eat real food!
I first heard about “The China Study” last year when I read “The Kind Diet”, which initially prompted me to make the switch from lactose intolerant vegetarian to strict vegan. I often times make reference to this book when discussing veganism with other people who are less familiar with the nutritional aspects of this way of life. However, I must confess that I haven’t gotten around to reading the book myself! I would love to though – and I plan to in the near future. I am really excited to read it although I tend to get intimidated by readings as scientifically dense as this one…
I’m newly vegan and have a LOT to learn. I’ve heard a lot about this book (mostly good and some critical) and would love to read it for myself.
I don’t need to win this since I’m quite familiar with it, but damn girl, I just had to say THANK YOU for everything you’ve said here. You’ve put beautifully into words what I’ve struggled to express for quite some time. I agree that The China Study is compelling, but dangerously revered. Dangerous because it *is* so open to scrutiny and skepticism (some of the critiques are pretty intense). Dangerous even more so because veganism is so much more than a personal panacea. Thank you for so eloquently explaining that. =)
ps – If I win I’ll turn around and give this away on my own blog, ha!
I’d like to read this because I just finished reading Kris Carr’s Crazy Sexy Diet and this would be a great follow up. Thanks Gena.
As many have said, I intend to read this but just haven’t picked up a copy yet. I’ve read quite a few books on veganism, but this seems like the ultimate “must read”. Thanks for the giveaway!
I am very new to the vegan community and have pretty much converted over night without a source or anyone to help support me in my journey. This past month has been really hard for me because I have only received negative comments and been ridiculed by my friends and family regarding my decision. Several diseases have plagued my family without any real rhyme or reason. This book would help empower me to help open the eyes of my family members about my decision. I would hope that this book would also help my family become a little less judgmental and more supportive of my decision to become vegan.
I’d love to have a copy of the book for my own personal growth and because I am coaching and educating others on their health journeys.
It’s a book I’ve wanted to read since I heard about it a few months ago when I decided to read skinny bitch having no idea what that was all about! lol I’d been on a weights loss mission and picked up skinny bitch by accident thinking it would give me tips on how to lose weight and boy did it ever! It opened my eyes in a very big way and I’ve been vegan ever since. My 6 year old son is also going me on this journey and i’ve seen remarkable changes in us both since we’ve chosen to eat a plant bases diet! My family and some friends, however are giving me a really hard time and I would love to have more information for them so they can better understand the choices I’m making and why.
Tweet Tweet Tweet – hopefully it will direct people from twitter to you!
I definitely want to read this – it’s a big reason my sister went vegan. I am vegetarian, but I’ve been slowly eliminating most dairy products and can’t eat eggs anymore either really. I’d love to read this book because I have a feeling it would help me inform my decision.
I borrowed this book from the city library a year ago, but never got the chance to pick one up. I would love to own a copy! 🙂
i am extremely interested in reading this book because i’ve read so much about the china study already that it is just silly that i haven’t actually read the darn thing yet. i am vegan and just recently a friend sent me an interesting blog post debating the findings of the china study (http://rawfoodsos.com/2010/07/07/the-china-study-fact-or-fallac/ if you are interested). to be honest, i was a little upset after reading it and decided then and there that i need to read the entire book before forming an opinion!
Wow – that link shows a very involved critique. I hope Gena can offer her opinion about this.
Great link indeed. I own the book and like much of it but there are problems with his statistical analyses. He essentially cherry-picked correlations that indirectly fit his hypotheses when there were far stronger correlations in the data (eg sugars, alcohol). He failed to regress out many important nuisance variables and fails to address the problematic lack of direct correlation between meat/dairy and disease, relying instead on indirect correlations of each with a third intermediate variable (plasma protein etc). I haven’t looked at the data myself but these concerns are pretty serious and call his objectivity into question. So I would not recommend the book to anyone, unfortunately. Lots of animals are carnivorous; it’s not really surprising that meat isn’t exactly toxic for us. The best arguments for veganism in my opinion are ethical- most of the health benefits may not relate to intrinsic properties of meat/dairy, but to fat, preservatives, etc…
i’d love to add this book to my personal library – my latest book addition is “eat drink & be vegan;” THE CHINA STUDY would smoothly link to the cookbook!
thanks, gena, for the contest!
I’ll be honest, it’s a difficult read. And I’m a reader. But once you read it, it’s really hard to think of food the same way you used to.
Another fabulous book is Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn’s Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease. The two men are the subject of a documentary that will be widely released this summer called Forks Over Knives. I was lucky enough to see the movie a few weeks ago at a preview in Cleveland. Dr. Esselstyn was there and when he spoke after the movie he mentioned that the National Institute of Health said that his research had established “proof of concept of his theories” which is extremely significant accorning to my DH (ie a no added fat vegan diet does not appear to be total nonsense to those in power). But Gena you are correct, these theories are really just beginning to be tested.
I personally find that a vegan diet meets my ethical as well as health standards so I sticking with it. There is a group called the Nutritional Research Project which is actively trying to raise major funding to test the theories like Dr. Fuhrman’s, Dr. Esselstyn’s and T. Colin Campbell’s. It might be great if people reading your blog took an interest in this organization. They have a Facebook fan page.
I would like to read this book becasue I find nutrition information useful and interesting. I have had Type 1 Diabetes for 28 years and have found that the best way to maintain my health is by using food as medicine. Eating raw has made a world of difference for my nerve damage as well as the amount of insulin I rely on. Also, by cutting out processed foods, animal foods, and sugar, I am able to better predict the amount of insulin I will need to maintain a healthy, normal blood sugar level. I gained all of this knowledge without the help of doctors and western medicine. I read books. Lots and lots of books. And blogs. And magazines. I bet this book would help in my arsenal of knowledge to live healthy with diabetes!
Id like to read this book because after all these years and all this education, I STILL find myself leaning toward meat options when I eat out and I think this technical study could be the final nail in the coffin, so to speak.
I am not a vegan, but my wife and I are attempting to eat more plant-based foods purely for health reasons. I would like to read this book (and if I don’t win, I think I’ll definitely head to the library to check out a copy) just to see what the scientific evidence is. That’s the selling point for me. I don’t need someone screaming at me that meat is murder, but I will happily listen to the scientific reasons for why a plant-based diet may be better for me.
Interesting that you posted this b/c I’m in the middle of reading The China Study right now, and I’ve been wondering what people in the field think about it.
I’m glad you’re able to look at it with some perspective because as persuasive (and well researched) as a lot of it is, I feel like some of the assertions are a bit flawed. Regardless, I’m really enjoying it. I know it will help me become even more conscious of my food choices, and their impact on my long-term health.
I’ve been married for 2 years to a wonderful man. I’ve been vegan for just over 3 years. My husband eats a lot of animal products (think breakfast, lunch & dinner). He is respectful & supportive of my diet, but I am worried about him. Since he is very scientifically minded, I thought this book might appeal to him, and maybe teach us both some more about the pros of plant-based diets!
As someone that loves statistics, charts, and graphs – The China Study seems right up my alley. It would also be helpful to have a more scientific background on vegan eating. I eat a well-balanced diet and have definitely noticed a different in how I feel since I began last May, but it gets frustrating when friends don’t understand and try to argue that “there’s no way I’m getting all the protein and nutrients I need.”
I’d like to read this book because I’m always interested in gaining more information to expand my knowledge of the benefits of veganism. I would definitely read this and pass it on! 😀
I’d like to read it because of your intriguing review. It would be nice to discuss this with my parents the next time they tell me that I need to eat some animal protein.
I absolutely, totally agree with you & I really thank you so much for writing this!!
Don’t enter me in the giveaway because I already own the book, but I tweeted about it so others who want to read it will know where to enter. 🙂
i’ve been meaning to get my hands on a copy of this for some time now. being already painfully shy, it’s pretty hard to defend my eating choices with omnivores sometimes, and i lack some ‘arguments’ to some of the things thrown my way. i’d really like to read this and be able to share the information with loved ones 🙂
I read the book and liked it, and found his argument backed with lots of thorough evidence and research, which I also appreciated. There are still some science-y things that elude me and I wish I understood it more so I could take away more from the book.
I (personally) think that men probably take away more from it because it’s so “sciency” and less focused on how veganism can “clear your skin and give you that glow” or help you be a “skinny bitch”. Look at it this way-both the China Study and Skinny Bitch are about veganism (I have not read SB, but I’ve heard it promotes a lot of processed soy products, am I right?) and look at the people who buy them…you don’t see many guys buying skinny bitch, right? That’s just my idea. I hope I’m wrong, because that’s pretty sad, but likely true.
tweet tweet.
great give away, Gena!
Believe it or not, I don’t own this book! I would love to have my own copy. I have read tons and tons of excerpts online, on blogs, in forums, but never read the whole thing in book-format, on my own.
Very cool you love the book, but that don’t put it on the top of the mantle, as the ONLY great book out there.
And thank you for including the caveat: “A person can thrive so long as he or she eats animal food in strict moderation, avoids processed junk, and eats an abundance of plant foods.”
Thank you for being open minded, as always, Gena 🙂
While I’ve heard so many tidbits from the book, I’d like to read it in its entirety in order to really assess the overall argument before passing judgment.
i completely agree with you 100% you have articulated my exact thoughts about the china study, veganism, vegans who don’t understand the valid criticisms, ex-vegans and FANATICAL paleo eaters (LOVE IT)… uhmazing post. im sure the book will go to someone very deserving with great benefit.
I would LOVE to read The China Study because my Mom raved about it! She read it a few years ago and made some huge dietary changes because the book had such a big impact on her.
To remind myself why I became vegan for kindness not for Ed! Thank you!
I retweeted your post about the China Study giveaway. I have read a library copy of the book, but would love to read it again and have it to share some points from the book with others on my blog! Thanks for the opportunity!
I want to read it because I’m not completely vegan but wonder if it would help my health and allergies more.
I would love to win a copy of The China Study. It has been on my list of books to read but have yet tackled.I would love more information that would hopefully allow me to see past my love of dairy!
I’d like to read this because even my Texas-bred meat-stuffed-with-butter-eating father in law owns a copy and I, as a vegan, somehow don’t!
I wanna read the china study to remind myself why I became vegan not for Ed reasons but for life and kindness thank you so much!!!
im interested in reading the china study because i love graphs and charts and data and it just sounds interesting.
I’ve been meaning to pick up the book. I tried eating vegan a few years ago, purely for health reasons and when it turned into a hassle I let it go. This book may give me more motivation. Wouldn’t mind a free book, otherwise there’s the local library. 🙂
I’d like to read this because a friend of mine, who was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago in his early twenties, turned to veganism after reading this and I’d love to be able to talk about it all with him.
Thank you for your moderate approach, too – I, too, am wary of any text/idea becoming a holy grail for groups of people.
Several members of my UU covenant group have read this book and as a result have eliminated animal protein from their diets. I am currently recovering from a cardiac catheterization and am having to face my own mortality and all of the past bad habits that brought me to this place. For these reasons it is my sincere hope that the powers of the universe will provide me with a copy of The China Study…hence, please enter me in your drawing.