I wrote this for my friend, Sam… but it could be for millions of Americans…maybe even you?
Dear Sam,
It’s interesting how our desire for pleasure can sometimes work against our most basic instinct to survive. We often think we’re creating a good life, but the things we crave can slowly harm us. I know this from personal experience, having struggled with unhealthy eating simply because it tasted so good or because I mindlessly consumed food or alcohol at parties because of the social setting. However, I believe there comes a time when, after learning about the science behind our food choices, we can no longer ignore the evidence. Sadly, many people reach this point only after experiencing a health crisis.
I don’t want that to be your story, Sam. You’ve already had a close call and been given a second chance. I’m writing to you from a place of compassion, concern, and, yes, my own selfishness—I want you to be around for many years.
I understand the comfort and joy that food can bring, even though it later causes harm. I know you want to be here to watch your grandchildren grow, to spend time with loved ones, and to accomplish your goals. My father wanted those things too, but his diet ultimately robbed him of those opportunities.
It may sound like a bold claim, but consider what the future might hold if your appetite dictates your diet instead of your knowledge and understanding. Once you gain insight into the power of a healthy diet, you can train your mind to override those unhealthy cravings or at least keep them in check. Research shows that the less you consume processed and unhealthy foods, the less you desire them. Our bodies like the good stuff and respond better to healthy meals.
Do you remember our vegetarian friend, whom we thought was a little extreme? Looking back, we judged her harshly. The truth is, she missed a key piece of the puzzle—she was a junk food vegetarian. Relying on processed, sugary, and fatty foods gave us the impression that vegetarians were unhealthy. And we weren’t wrong; a poor diet, even meat-free, can still lead to illness.
However, I came across a book I think you’d appreciate. It’s rooted in extensive scientific research and is the most comprehensive study on the relationship between diet and chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease. The findings are clear and life-saving: Adopting a whole-food, plant-based diet can dramatically reduce cholesterol and lower heart disease risk. Eliminating or reducing the consumption of animal-based products from your diet is a critical step.
I know you love history, so here’s an interesting fact. During World War II, when Germany occupied countries like Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands, livestock was requisitioned for the war effort, forcing the local populations to rely heavily on plant-based diets. From 1940 to 1944, the death rate from cardiovascular disease in Norway plummeted. Before the war, once animal-based foods were reintroduced in 1945, the rates climbed again.
This pattern isn’t unique to wartime Europe. In rural parts of China, Papua New Guinea, Central Africa, and among the Tarahumara Indians in Mexico, where diets are primarily plant-based, coronary artery disease is virtually nonexistent.
Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr., a leading cardiovascular disease prevention and reversal researcher, has been studying this issue since 1985. He shared an alarming finding: by the age of 12, many children in the United States already show signs of artery damage. According to Dr. Lewis Kuller, “All males 65 and older, and all females 70 and older, who have been exposed to the traditional Western diet have cardiovascular disease and should be treated as such.”
It’s shocking to think that many people over a certain age already have heart disease, they may not yet have experienced a heart attack. But symptoms can manifest in other ways, such as dementia, frailty, or hypertension.
Sam, I don’t share this to scare you but to encourage you to reflect on your food and health choices and how they affect your future. I urge you to explore this topic further. The beauty of research is that it can open doors to a better way of life. And here’s the best part: I promise you won’t miss the Standard American Diet. Look at the recipes on this website, and you’ll see that healthy food can be very delicious. Your body will thank you for it!
With care and hope,
Phoebe
Buy The China Study book. A portion of the proceeds help support this website. We thank you in advance for helping us promote plant-based living.
