Food For Thought And Heart Health

A study found that 82% of people who keep to the plant-based diet recommended by The China Study experience huge improvements in cholesterol levels and arterial blockages. Convinced by this information, former President Bill Clinton switched to the diet and lost 24 pounds in about five months.

On January 7, 2011, Tara Parker-Pope of The New York Times published a long overdue book review of The China Study (BenBella Books, 2006), authored by father-son team of Dr. T. Colin Campbell, nutritionist, and Dr. Thomas M. Campbell, M.D. While both the publisher and the topic are seemingly obscure, the surprise best-seller sold 500,000 copies and caught public attention last fall when former President Bill Clinton praised the book. For better heart health, the president has reportedly given up dairy and meat, occasionally eats fish and lives primarily on beans, vegetables and fruit.

The China Study distills a 20-year lifestyle survey in China and Taiwan to conclude that a plant-based diet (devoid of beef, fish, milk and poultry) will promote long-term health. While the diet may not be familiar to most Americans, the health benefits far outweigh any initial inconvenience and uncertainties.

For anyone who wants to learn more, go see the upcoming film, Forks Over Knives, opening in March 2011. The research-based documentary tells Dr. T. Colin Campbell's story as well as Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn's heart disease reversal study.

(For the original New York Times book review of The China Study, follow this link: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/07/nutrition-advice-from-the-china-study/)