The movie Forks Over Knives
features the work of Dr. T. Colin Campbell. He is a pioneer in studying the effects of nutrition on long-term health. He is also the Jacob Gould Schurman Professor Emeritus of Nutritional Biochemistry at Cornell University.
If you know his name it probably because he is best known as the co-
author of The China Study (2004), one of America’s best-selling books about nutrition.
Those are some very dry facts and a rather poor introduction to a man who is an incredible contributor to the health of our nation and the world.
I first heard of him in 2005 when my Mother brought me a copy of The China Study. She was so impressed by the book that she couldn’t quit talking about it, and in fact, gave up eating animal products as the result of attending a series of lectures based on the book. Of course, I ignored her – my job as her kid.
She finally nagged me enough, that I picked up the book and skimmed it. At the time I found it pretty dense and all the charts made it difficult reading. I put it aside, but kept it around, just in case. It did, at the very least make me start think about cutting down on our use of animal products – except for cheese, 1/2 and 1/2 and eggs.
Yes, I am pretty sure there is something very wrong with that last statement. . . But denial and wishful thinking are what they are!
Last year, everyone we knew kept telling us to watch the movie Forks Over Knives. Finally, we sat down and watched. David was so impressed that he sat down and read The China Study from cover to cover – twice! He was convinced. That was when we really got serious about eliminating animal products from our diet. It has been over a year since we did.
I have lost 25 lbs. and David has lost 50. We have not only lost the pounds, but our bodies have changed in amazing ways. My belly fat is gone – I am wearing a size 2 jeans and David is down to 34 inch waist! We both feel great, most of those nagging little problems of ageing and chronic disease are GONE.
I am always a little leery about sounding like a “convert” but when I came across a little You Tube video of Dr. Campbell doing a TEDtalk earlier this year, I just had to share it! He is talking about how to resolve the looming Health Care Crisis in this country. Please watch:
By the way, Dr. Campbell has inspired me so much that I am in the process of getting a certification in plant based nutrition through a program created by the T. Colin Campbell Foundation and eCornell. I’ll keep you posted on my progress.
