Animal Protein

Luigi Fontana's research in longevity and health also examines diet composition. Although timing of eating can improve longevity, what is eaten is even more important. The book which piqued my interest in diet and nutrition, The China Study, by Campbell and Campbell, emphasized the harmful health effects of animal protein in Campbell's laboratory research, confirmed with epidemiological statistics in China where it was clear that those who ate the least animal products lived longer and avoided most chronic illnesses including cancer and heart disease. Fontana has reached the same conclusion through analysis of his own and others' research. When minimally processed plant foods form the bulk of the diet all animals studied, including humans, live longer and enjoy better health.

Animal protein promotes cellular aging and encourages cancer growth at least partly by causing an excess of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). IGF-1 is a naturally occurring hormone which aids tissue growth. A diet with more than very small amounts of animal protein causes an excess of this hormone. Our western diet is wonderful for producing huge NFL players, cancer, other chronic disease and premature death.

Why do some "experts" still promote high protein diets? The agriculture and food industries have a giant stake in maintaining our current eating habits. They support research labs and the press to spread misleading, incomplete or false information. There is no doubt what Fontana and other top scientists have discovered about food, but money can buy a lot of misinformation.

Fontana has also emphasized the economic and environmental value of a whole food plant based diet. Changing to this way of eating will drastically reduce pollution and save huge amounts of money in food production, medical and other costs.