Page 25 - Spring2012

no mention in The China Study—showed that cry from the sunshine-and-lollipops descriptions we read in the book.
when wheat gluten is supplemented with lysine to Although rats consuming a high-casein diet were indeed developing liver
make a complete protein, it behaves exactly like cancer as Campbell described, the ones in the low-casein groups—which
casein to promote tumor growth. This means were portrayed as downright bright-eyed and shiny-coated in The China
11
that animal protein doesn’t have some mystical Study—were suffering an even worse fate. Campbell’s research actually
ability to spur cancer by mere virtue of its origin showed that a low-protein diet increases the acute toxicity of aflatoxin,
in a sentient creature—just that a full spectrum resulting in cell genocide and premature death. Because protein deficiency
of amino acids provide the right building blocks prevents the liver from successfully doing its detoxifying duties, less af-
for growth, whether it be of malignant cells or latoxin gets converted into cancer-causing metabolites, but the end result
healthy ones. And as any vegan who’s been asked is massive (and eventually deadly) tissue damage.
“Where do you get your protein?” for the eight Even the research from India that jumpstarted Campbell’s interest in
hundredth time will answer, even a plant-only the diet-cancer link showed that rats on a low-casein diet were dying with
diet supplies complete protein through various disturbing frequency, while the high-protein rats—tumored as they may
mixtures of legumes, grains, nuts, vegetables, have been—were at least staying alive. (It’s surprising, then, that The
13
and other approved vegan fare. Theoretically, China Study promotes a plant-based diet to prevent cancer, when death is
a meal of rice and beans would provide the equally effective and requires fewer shopping trips.)
same so-called cancer-promoting amino acids More clues for understanding the casein-cancer research come from
that animal protein does. Indeed, Campbell’s another Indian study—this one published in the late 1980s, and examin-
experiments lose their relevance in the context ing the effects of protein in aflatoxin-exposed monkeys instead of rats.
14
of a normal, real-world diet opposed to the puri- As with Campbell’s experiments, the monkeys were fed diets containing
fied menu of casein, sugar, and corn oil his rats either 5 percent or 20 percent casein, but with one important difference:
received. instead of being slammed with an astronomically (and unrealistically) high
But that’s only the tip of the proteinaceous dose of aflatoxin, the monkeys were exposed to lower, daily doses—mim-
iceberg. In his September 2010 article, “The icking a real-world situation where aflatoxin is consumed frequently in
Curious Case of Campbell’s Rats,” Chris small amounts from contaminated foods. In a fabulous case of scientific
12
Masterjohn ventured beyond the well lit pages switcheroo, this study showed that it was the low-protein monkeys who got
of The China Study to explore the dark alleys of cancer, while the high-protein monkeys rejoiced in their tumorlessness.
Campbell’s publications firsthand. And what he This apparent paradox highlights a major problem in Campbell’s rat
found regarding the low-protein rats was a far research: the level of aflatoxin exposure plays a critical role in how protein

the plant-based diet dOCtOR squad

dean ORnish, Md: limits sugar, corn syrup, white flour, margarine, vegetable oil, alcohol and any processed food
with more than two grams of fat. program involves smoking cessation, peer support, stress management and exercise.

CaldWell esselstYn, Md: Forbids vegetable oils, refined grains, white flour, and products made from enriched flour
such as bread, pasta, bagels and baked goods. uses statins to bring patients' cholesterol levels below 150.

JOhn MCdOuGall, Md: limits white flour, refined grains, sugar-coated cereals, soft drinks, processed carbohydrates,
fruit juice and vegetable oils.

neal baRnaRd, Md: Forbids vegetable oils, high-glycemic foods, high fructose corn syrup, caloric sweeteners andfried
starches like potato chips and french fries.

JOel FuhRMan, Md: excludes refined foods, including vegetable oils.

Getting rid of empty and refined foods, especially vegetable oils—the common denominator in all these plant-based
prescriptions—will make for improvements in almost everyone. but long term, without nutrient-dense animal foods,
deficiencies will emerge.

Wise Traditions spRinG 2012 spRinG 2012 Wise Traditions 25

89494_text.indd 25 3/13/12 1:47 AM