Campbell’s initial research consisted of in-depth lab research focusing on the consumption of animal based foods versus plant based foods and its effect on the rate of disease. In his research, conducted in China, he and his team surveyed 130 villages (6,500 families) taking necessary samples, such as blood and urine, and sited nutrient levels and elements of that nature. They then compared information on their blood health with the rates of disease for 400+ kinds of diseases.

Their findings clearly indicated that to have optimized health, animal products should be eliminated and a strict vegan diet is the healthiest way to prevent disease.

Throughout the course of the interview and Q & A, he continues to compare the China study’s diet with the Mediterranean diet, the myth of animal calcium intake, the role of fat in relation to disease and more.

Following the original airing of this episode, host, Dennis McCuistion tried out the diet to see if it was everything it claimed.  Click here to see his findings on Vegan Benefits to Health.

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04.19.09 – 1714

Click here to read how Dennis McCuistion applied the principles of this episode in his vegetarian diet experiment.

There is an obvious health problem in the United States.  While, American citizens spend more on health care than any other country, two-thirds of the country is overweight. Greater than 15 million Americans have diabetes, more than 1 million have high cholesterol and half of all Americans have a health problem that requires them to use a prescription drug.  Dr. Campbell sought to discover what, if any, are the changes that could be made to the American diet to better prevent disease. Partnering with Cornell, Oxford and the Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine, Dr. Campbell conducted his study.

The American diet consists of high quantities of protein. However, the findings of The China Study suggest that there are significant vegan benefits to health.  Disease increases when a person consumes more than 10% protein in comparison to his or her daily caloric intake. The average American has a protein consumption of 17-18%  and 70-75% of that is from animal foods. Through Campbell’s research, it became very clear that there is a direct relationship between animal protein intake and disease increase. The findings showed that as soon as animal protein started to show up in the diet, there was an increase in cholesterol, cancer and heart disease.

Dr. Campbell, closes his conversation noting that his intention in his message is not to push an opinion on listeners, but rather to provide information to the public that unfortunately has not been taught. His concern is that the information the public tends to receive is incorrect, therefore consumers cannot make educated choices on healthy diets.  The facts from his study clearly point toward strong vegan benefits to healthy living.

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04.12.09 – 1713

The China Study

Click here to view the episode on nutrition that provoked the vegetarian diet experiment.

Dennis McCuistion, host of the discussion, was so taken by the information, he decided to experiment and see if the benefits were all the study touted.  He has and it worked… He is now almost a full blown vegan himself, with good results. I (Niki McCuistion) asked him about the up and down sides.  Here’s what Dennis said:

“The China Study had information that was based on real, objective research that clearly pointed out the risks in eating animal protein and the advantages of plant protein.  So I just asked, ‘Why am I killing myself when I have a third of my life left?’ I had already quit drinking milk due to lactose intolerance so that was easy to see.

I lost over 10 pounds in the next 90 days and have kept it off for over 2 years.  I always felt good and now feel even better with one great unexpected side effect: I seldom ever have a headache. I cannot say there is a cause and effect, but it’s an added advantage.

It is not difficult to follow, just bothersome as there is virtually no way to eat anything at a fast food place.  That is a shame as I am in the habit of often eating on the run, so to speak. At good restaurants, while there may be a limited menu, they will make a vegetable plate. Our American habits of filling up a plate is a shame as there is always a waste.

My typical breakfast is:

• Cereal with fruit (blueberries, strawberries and bananas) with man’s bread or equivalent and non-butter.
• Hot decaffeinated tea is good and some health supplements are also good.

Lunch is  usually a vegetable dish. I shouldn’t have bread but usually do, and of course anything chocolate is my weakness.

Dinner can include:

• Salad and veggies, beans, in particular, for protein.
• I may have a protein drink occasionally.
• Pizza without cheese but with lots of veggies is also good.
• Eat lots of nuts, easy on the salt of course.

Oh, after about 30 days, I had no craving for a good steak or other meat. I do eat fish once or twice a week, preferably not fried. I am not obsessive; I just try to be sensible.

As to other regimes, I never really dieted before and don’t consider this a diet either, just a change in the way I eat and live.  And I sure feel better.”

Niki Nicastro McCuistion
Executive producer/Producer

Often a needed point of clarification: The difference between a vegan and a vegetarian diet is that a vegetarian diet will incorporate animal bi-products such as milk and eggs, whereas a vegan diet will not.

A no meat diet will prevent disease.

Recently, McCuistion TV conducted a two part series with T. Collin Campbell, author of The China Study, discussing the health benefits of a vegan diet. During the series, he expounded on the study and explained that their findings clearly indicated that to have optimized health, animal products should be eliminated and a strict vegan diet is the healthiest way to prevent disease.

A no meat diet will lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.

The American Dietetic Association has also produced results from their studies that promotes health benefits to a vegetarian diet.

“Winston Craig, professor of nutrition and wellness at Andrews University, and Reed Mangels, nutrition advisor at the Vegetarian Resource Group, Baltimore, conducted the study on behalf of the American Dietetic Association (ADA).

Vegetarian diets are often associated with health advantages, including lower blood cholesterol levels, lower risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure levels and lower risk of hypertension and type 2 diabetes.

‘Vegetarian diets tend to be lower in saturated fat and cholesterol and have higher levels of dietary fiber, magnesium and potassium, vitamins C and E, folate, carotenoids, flavonoids,’ the study said.

These nutritional differences may explain some of the health advantages of those following a varied, balanced vegetarian diet, said an ADA release.”

Vitamin B-12 deficiency in a no meat diet.

Although few will dispute the health benefits of eating more vegetables and less red meat, there are concerns that a meatless diet has other health risks.  According to the Ukiah Clinic,

“Vitamin B12 is fittingly known as the energy vitamin, and your body requires it for a number of vital functions. Among them: energy production, blood formation, DNA synthesis, and myelin formation. Myelin is insulation that protects your nerve endings and allows them to communicate with one another…Vitamin B12 deficiency is extremely common in strict vegetarians and vegans. B12 is not readily available in plants, so if you do not eat meat or animal products you are at risk.

The few plant foods that are sources of B12 are actually B12 analogs. An analog is a substance that blocks the uptake of true B12, so your body’s need for the nutrient actually increases…

after about seven years of B12 deficiency, irreversible brain damage can result.

Vitamin B12 is a powerhouse micronutrient for a whole host of reasons. Your body needs B12 for:

• proper digestion, food absorption, iron use, carbohydrate and fat metabolism
• healthy nervous system function
• promotion of normal nerve growth and development
• help with regulation of the formation of red blood cells
• cell formation and longevity
• proper circulation
• adrenal hormone production
• healthy immune system function
• support of female reproductive health and pregnancy
• feelings of well-being and mood regulation
• mental clarity, concentration, memory function
• physical, emotional and mental energy

A meatless diet leads to lower bone mineral density.

According to a recent article on Science Alert.

“Researchers in Australia and Vietnam searched all peer-reviewed literature on the subject, selecting nine studies for analysis. The nine studies compared bone mineral density (BMD) of meat eaters and vegetarians from around the world, including 2749 men and women.

Their results showed that people on vegetarian diets have BMD roughly 5 per cent lower than non-vegetarians.

The study was led by Professor Tuan Nguyen from Sydney’s Garvan Institute of Medical Research and Dr Ho-Pham Thuc Lan from the Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Their findings are published online today in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition…

‘We conclude that vegetarians as a group have lower BMD than meat eaters as a group, but whether the difference translates into increased fracture risk has yet to be resolved.’”

There are obviously positives and negatives on both sides of the “meat or no meat diet” debate.  We’d be interested to hear your feedback on the subject and any more informational articles you’d like to post in the comments section as well.

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