Fat China - a chat with Paul French

If I'm not mistaken Mr. French mentioned a report that Hu Jintao is diabetic. A quick Google search didn't turn up anything; where can I find more about that story?

Very interesting interview about a fascinating and complex problem. I think Paul French's analysis and insights are right on the mark. I look forward to reading the book!

One small quibble I might have, however, is that when Paul mentions the implications of diabetes (roughly at 6:30) he says that it can't be cured, but must be managed. I assume, in this instance, that he's taking about diabetes from the point of view of a nation-wide health care system, and not on the individual level, in which case I'd agree. On an individual level, whether you are a common person or 胡主席, one can fairly easily cure diabetes in roughly two to five weeks through diet (low fat, plant-based, whole foods) and exercise. There are quite a few successful eating guides that could help one achieve this....ie: Dr. Joel Furhman's Eat to Live, Doug Graham's 80/10/10 Diet, Dr. Neal Barnard's Program for Reversing Diabetes, and Dr. Dean Ornish's books. Likewise, Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn has a track record of over 20 years of reversing and curing heart disease - in patients who have already had heart attacks! - through a nutritional approach.

Of course, I'd estimate that even though "lifestyle" diseases outlined in the talk (cancer, heart disease, strokes, diabetes...etc) can largely be cured through a nutritional approach at an extremely low cost, Chinese people will probably generally choose to adopt the expensive and ineffective pharmaceutical model that the US has taken. The political ramifications of a middle class that is sick and angry at the already fragile and problem-ridden health care sector is indeed an issue to watch closely!

The great irony is that China made a great contribution to what scientists now know about the links between animal foods and disease, by allowing Cornell researcher T. Colin Campbell and his Chinese colleagues to conduct the largest ever survey of diets and disease rates in China in the late 1970's, chronicled in Campbell's book "The China Study".

William - you a journo? what are you contact details?

yes - looks a thoroughly good read - French clearly knows his stuff.

William, there are different kinds of diabetes. One type can be cured or at least improved by diet and excercise. One cannot. If your pancreas is dead, it's dead.

Please research your facts before you go around posting your opinions. No type of diabetes can be cured.