Last month, Dr. T. Colin Campbell and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn co-wrote an article for the Huffington Post — (see link below my signature). It is entitled “Forks over Knives, How a Plant-based diet can save America.” This is not the first time they have written an article together — they wrote an Op-Ed for the San Francisco Chronicle in March of 2009 entitled “It all starts with diet.” From that article:

Today’s health care debate has very little to do with what makes us sick. It is centered almost entirely on who gets covered and who pays. Extending coverage to more people is a good thing. But Americans who already are covered are suffering rising rates of chronic disease. Lack of coverage is not causing their disease, and expanding coverage won’t cure these diseases in others. We have to do more than increase coverage.

This powerful movie opened in theaters all across the USA on 5-13-2011.

Since then, a powerful new movie has been produced by a top Hollywood producer and it is now being shown in most major cities around the country. The movie, Forks Over Knives, presents all of the compelling information in The China Study in a very convincing manner and has already changed thousands of lives. We had a local pre-screening here in Mystic, CT (Nov. 2010) with a packed house. I personally know of dozens of people who have made major changes in their lives because of the message in that movie — the simple message that you will find on every page of this blog site.

We can all take charge of our health by simply returning to the natural diet for our species — whole plants. If we all do that, we could lower health care costs in the USA by up to 80%.

J. Morris Hicks reviewing his book manuscript with Dr. T. Colin Campbell at Cornell University

Giants in their fields with unquestioned credentials, credibility and integrity. Back in 2002, when I first started studying this topic, it was important to me to find people like Dr. Campbell at Cornell and Dr. Esselstyn at The Cleveland Clinic. It was important to me that I find credible sources of this critical information — because all of it is in such stark contrast to the conventional medical and academic body of knowledge that drives our current system of health care in the U.S. and other western countries.

Since discovering Dr. Campbell online in early 2003, he has been my hero, and it was through his great book (January 2005) that I was first introduced to Dr. Esselstyn. Since then, I have become personal friends with both. Dr. Campbell and son Nelson have written the foreword for our book and Dr. Esselstyn is writing an endorsement. In the Huffington Post article they write:

J. Morris Hicks with Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, who along with Dr. Campbell and Dr. Ornish, influenced Bill Clinton to start eating at the "4-Leaf" level.

The fact is our nation’s economic stability, already crumbling due to the repeated bursting of bubbles such as technology and housing, has been hard hit by spiraling health costs that seem to have no end in sight. Despite this, as a nation, we are sicker and fatter than we have ever been. The epidemic of obesity and diabetes, especially in the young, forecasts an economically unsustainable public health challenge with the gloomy prophecy that today’s children may not outlive their parents.

Who will protect the public? Not our government: The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s nutrition pyramid is laden with food that will guarantee millions will suffer ill health. Not the American Dietetic Association, which is controlled by food corporations. Not the insurance industry, which profits by selling plans to the sick. Not the pharmaceutical industry, which pockets billions from chronic illnesses. And not the medical profession, in which doctors and nurses receive virtually no training in nutrition or behavioral modification, and are handsomely rewarded for administrating drugs and employing technical expertise.

Think again for a moment about the respective backgrounds of the two men who wrote that last paragraph. What they’re saying is running counter to everything you have ever heard about diet, health and disease. But what they are saying is the truth and it may take several decades for the collective “system” described about to catch up. But you don’t have to wait for the “system” — Bill Clinton didn’t have to wait either. He read books by Campbell and Esselstyn and followed the message that has probably saved his life.

My primary message here is this. Find a way to go see this powerful movie ASAP. Then find a way to get everyone you care about to do the same. After you become convinced that their message is true, you may need some help as you begin to chart your own course. Hopefully, our 4-Leaf Program will make your journey to vibrant health easier and more enjoyable. Eventually, you will find that eating this way is not about deprivation, but rather, it is all about CELEBRATION. (Both of the articles mentioned above appear beneath my signature.)

If you like what you see here, you may wish to join our periodic mailing list. Also, for help in your own quest to take charge of your health, you might find some useful information at our 4-Leaf page. From the seaside village of Stonington, Connecticut – Be well and have a great day.

If you’d like to order our book on Amazon,  visit our BookStore now.

—J. Morris Hicks…blogging daily at HealthyEatingHealthyWorld.com

PS: Occasionally an unauthorized ad may appear beneath a blog post. It is controlled by WordPress (a totally free hosting service). I do not approve or personally benefit whatsoever from any ad that might ever appear on this site. I apologize and urge you to please disregard. 

Forks Over Knives: How a Plant-Based Diet Can Save America (Huffington, May 13, 2011)

It all starts with diet (San Francisco Chronicle, March 17, 2009)