What the Health

by Eunice Wong, Kip Andersen, Keegan Kuhn

About the Author

EUNICE WONG is a multiple-award-winning actor, writer, and editor who wrote The Sustainability Secret in collaboration with Kip Andersen and Keegan Kuhn. She trained at the Juilliard School and has performed extensively on professional stages nationwide. She is Chief Editor of Truthdig's Book Review and its Countering Violence Against Women series.

KIP ANDERSEN is the founder of AUM Films and Media, a non-profit dedicated to promoting thrivability, compassion, and harmony for all life. He is co-director with Keegan Kuhn of the groundbreaking documentary films, Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret and What the Health, as well as an entrepreneur.

KEEGAN KUHN is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, video producer, and professional musician. He runs First Spark Media, a video production company working with conscientious organizations. He directed Turlock: The Documentary and Something To Be Thankful For, and co-directed, with Kip Andersen, Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret and What the Health.

Genres: Health, Vegan, Nonfiction

414 pages, Hardcover

Published February 22, 2017

Reviews

[Jenna ❤ ❀ ❤ · Rating 4 out of 5]

All too often, people think they have no choice but to get and live with chronic illness. It's bad genes, their parents had this, they are powerless when it comes to preventing the same disease in themselves, nothing to do but take medications and hope for the best. However, this is often not the case and we have more power over disease and illness than the pharmaceutical companies would have us believe. What if we can prevent and reverse Type 2 Diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, and many types of cancer? What if it's not that we've inherited these diseases from our parents and grandparents so much as their bad eating habits?

What the Health is a companion book to the documentary of the same name. In it, we learn what the meat and dairy industries would rather us not know. For instance:

•Studies show that the more animal protein people consume, the higher their risk of diabetes.

•Eating just 50 grams of chicken a day increases your risk of pancreatic cancer by 72%.

•Fish are full of mercury and other toxins, and farmed fish are also full of antibiotics and anti-fungal medications.

•Consumption of meat and dairy products greatly increases your risk for several types of cancer.

Perhaps the biggest myth of all is that human bodies require meat and dairy in order to be strong and healthy. The authors of this book show how it is not true that we should be eating animal products, and make the case that we are behavioral omnivores, not physiological omnivores. Our teeth are not designed to kill and rip meat from carcasses. Our 30-foot long intestines are those of herbivores. The food in a cat's intestines stays for under 4 hours; the food in our intestines stays up to 18 hours -- think about all that dead flesh rotting inside you!

The reason for milk is to grow helpless baby mammals into larger animals.... note the word baby here! How is it natural for a human adult (or even child) to drink the milk that is meant to grow a small calf into a 1,000+ pound creature? The nutrients in cow's milk are clearly not designed for human beings; human milk contains only 2.5 grams of protein (524) whilst cow milk contains 7.9 gram . And no, contrary to what we've been told by the livestock industries, the human body does not require large amounts of protein to thrive. And we certainly don't need all the fat, calories, and cholesterol in dairy, eggs, and meat (not to mention all the antibiotics and hormones in them!)

I often get asked, But where do you get your protein? In turn, I ask, "Where does the cow you ate get its protein? All protein is made by plants. Getting it from animals means you're just getting recycled protein. You get more than enough in a plant-based diet, and in fact, too much protein is bad for our bodies, especially our livers.

I'm not the happiest with the science in this book. The authors cite numerous studies but I don't feel that enough was talked about with those studies. They weren't discussed in length and therefore lack important information, perhaps even skewing the results. Whilst I do agree with the book's assertions that animal products are not good for us, I think the book would be more believable to others if the studies were discussed more in depth. Also, occasionally they cite studies from the 1980s and 90s and I don't find that information useful. Perhaps in those cases, no studies have since been done and if that is the case, then that needs to be explained. It just made it feel like they were grabbing any study that backed up the point they were trying to make, and maybe ignoring any that differed from their opinions.

Still, I think this is an important book and a great starting point for any who may want to explore how they can take control of their own health. Yes, we're all going to die eventually, but I personally would rather live as healthily as I can instead of suffering from a myriad of health problems that could be prevented by eating a whole food plant based diet. Yes, genes do play a role in disease, but for most diseases, it requires environmental and nutritional factors to trigger them.

If nutrition and exercise can help prevent even one chronic disease, then that is enough reason for me to make it worthwhile.

This book does not discuss the treatment of animals raised for food. It doesn't make the case for ethically adopting a plant-based diet. The reasons here are solely for health purposes. If you're tired of taking a bunch of prescription medications and feeling lousy all the time, or if you're concerned about getting chronic illness later in life, this is a great book to start with, lots of "food for thought". It's never too early to take control of your health. Even young children who are fed animal products show fatty streaks in their arteries. Imagine what your arteries look like after a lifetime accumulation of saturated fat and cholesterol! In case you're thinking that growing children at least need animal products in order to grow and be healthy, this book debunks that myth, as well as the idea that athletes require animal products in order to be strong.

There are other books advocating a whole food plant based diet that have better science, such as T. Colin Campbell's Whole: Rethinking the Science of Nutrition. Still, there is a lot packed into this book, including 50 recipes for those who are seeking to make a change. I haven't tried any of the recipes, but many of them look very yummy! Contrary to what many people think, there are MANY great food options that don't include animal products. If you're considering making a change, try not to think of it as the foods you will no longer be able to eat; instead, think of all the great new options waiting to be tried!


(Netflix members, Click here to watch the documentary!)

[Leigh Collazo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book after binge-watching What the Health, Forks Over Knives, Earthlings, Food, Inc., and several other documentaries about where our food comes from and why we need to rethink eating animal products. The book-version of What the Health is similar to the documentary, but it goes a bit deeper and includes extended interviews from the people in the documentary. I do understand why people question the science here--the doc makes some wild comparisons and claims--but I still very much agree with the main premise that eating meat and dairy is bad for our bodies, our environment, and the animals we share this planet with.

[debbicat *made of stardust* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good. A companion book to the documentary, What the Health, which I loved. I was already vegan when I saw the documentary, but I later knew of some friends who became vegan after viewing the documentary. I highly recommend this book. More in depth. Thrilled I got an opportunity to read it over Christmas break. Many 🙏 thank yous to NetGalley and one of my favorite publishers for allowing me a digital copy to read and review. 5 stars!

[Todd Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Companion book to the documentary, more in depth in the interviews they conducted while filming, more facts, and scientific research included as well. Worth reading if you've seen the documentary on Netflix, even if you haven't still worth reading. It can and will change how you look at our food system and our overall health care in the US, possibly the world.

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was OUTSTANDING! I highly recommend to everyone- vegans, vegetarians, meat eaters, people who have seen the movie, people who haven’t seen the movie.
It’s a game changer. It’s filled with facts, data and personal stories. It’s a page turner even though it may not seem like it would be.
READ IT!

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The diseases and disorders that are 100 percent genetically determined include Down Syndrome, sickle-cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, hemophilia and Huntington's Disease.

The reason that most people have more fecal bacteria in their kitchen sinks than their toilet seats is likely because they prepare their chickens in the kitchen, not the bathroom.

If you are going to make an important first step that would improve your health, get the dairy out of your diet.

Legumes are the one food associated with longevity in every single long-lived culture.

[Lisa Gaunky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.

This really sums up a lot of the issues surrounding eating a plant-based diet in a powerful way. It's about the health of our bodies, our communities, our planet...it's about compassion and moving forward with strength. I have been eating healthy vegan for a couple of months now and reading a lot of books about the various aspects of eating this way, and I was impressed by this book!

[Özgün Balaban · Rating 5 out of 5]

I watched "What the Health" documentary and I turned vegan. Then I got interested in books/documentaries about veganism, watched "Forks over knives" and bunch of others. When I saw the book of What the Health, I was interested because I wanted to check the papers myself. This book reference all the sources used in the book/documentary. Quite detailed and engaging, after reading the book I was surprised in my lack of knowledge about the food industry practices.

[Eileen Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye-opening and life-changing.

As consumers of animal products, we often do not hear about the adverse effects animal products have on our health. The information presented in this book is soundly based on interviews and a plethora of scientific studies.

[Ann Marie Keim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had me gagging at times and speechless at others. You'll never look at meat or the pharmaceutical industries the same way again! Confirmed what I suspected about the govt so that part was no surprise. Easy good read that could change your life.

[Brian McNease · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eating will never be the same again. Life-changing book! I recently watched the documentary, which was also really good, but enjoyed the additional detail and thoroughness contained in the book. Highly recommend to anyone looking for enhanced health.

[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much important information that will totally change your life if you let it.

[Ann Croce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! Everyone should read it! It's a real eye opener about the food they are selling us!

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Companion to the documentary. Everyone should read this, seriously.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening. Life changing.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't read this book fast enough! I so liked this book! The book will make the reader think about the food and things we put into our bodies. Is there a political and corporate agenda? The author surely makes a good argument. Are the additives making us sick? Is this the cause of some of the problems children and adults have? This book is worth every second it takes to read.

[Christine Carey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be required reading for every single person in America!

[Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alarmist view from an author with little understanding of statistics.

[Neo Raskolnikov · Rating 3 out of 5]

Biased.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you #NetGalley for providing me with this digital edition of What the Health!

Overview:

A print companion to the documentary film of the same name, What the Health explores the Standard American Diet, why Americans are sicker and unhealthier than ever, and how the food industry literally feeds into our lack of understanding about our biology and how on a daily basis, most Americans are making dietary choices that are literally slowly killing them. Sound dramatic? It's not. The data and studies overwhelmingly show that a plant-based diet is the key to long, healthy lives and that the consumption of animal products is a direct link to the spread of the most deadly and devastating diseases - heart disease, cancer, diabetes, etc. The statistics are terrifying. Terrifying enough that my husband made the switch after this book.

I have been plant-based for several years and I myself saw the massive changes in my life as soon as I changed my diet - I am rarely sick now, I was able to get off all medications for a chronic condition, and I feel better on a daily basis. Our 3 year-old daughter is plant-based, and we have only had to take her to the doctor twice for minor illness.

Six years ago, when I first read about how our Standard American Diet is killing Americans, I immediately went from a meat-eating, dairy consuming adult to plant-based OVERNIGHT. I will NEVER, EVER go back.

The book presents chapters on milk, eggs, poultry, fish, diseases, raising plant-based children, etc. and also has a section for basic recipes to get you going to better health.

I can easily recommend this book, along with a viewing of the documentary. While you're at it, also check out Forks Over Knives, which explores the direct link between animal products and the growth of cancer cells.

[Michelle Mallette · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a disappointment. I chose this book because I am concerned about the medicalization of our health: that health care is about treatment rather than prevention and that the pharmaceutical industry has no place in television and print media. Unfortunately this is not a balanced, critical analysis of how North Americans are relying too heavily on pills, but rather a skewed pseudo-scientific call to veganism. I am actually on the path to vegetarianism, and some of the information in here is helpful in making the change, but it is weakened by its slanted approach. I did like some of the recipes in the back, so there’s that…. Overall, though, not recommended.
See my full review at https://mmbookshelf.wordpress.com/201...

[Marathon County Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on the Netflix documentary of the same name, this is an absolute must read for anyone looking for the truth behind the Standard American Diet and information on what the healthiest way of eating actually is. Backed by scientific studies and packed with recipes, this is an eye-opening resource for anyone looking to take control of their health.

As someone who wants to give myself the best possible chance of avoiding serious illness and diseases like Alzheimer's and cancer, I am so thankful for informative and important books like this and Michael Greger's "How Not to Die: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease." If there were two books that I would want everyone to read, it would be this and Michael Greger's "How Not to Die"!

Sarah M. / Marathon County Public Library

[Keetha]

The companion book to the documentary, What the Health was what I thought it would be, only with more horrific-ness. Whatever your stance may be on vegan versus paleo, for instance, it's worth a read, for nothing else than to learn more about the way lobbyists affect guidelines from American Cancer Society, the USDA food pyramid, and the like.

[cfog · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book veers into the sensational, anecdotal and childishly hyperbolic at times (“Chimps also scratch their butts in public and throw faeces at people. I don’t think we should do that.”), I was a sometime meat eater and now I’m a vegan. That’s quite a big change.

[Ro · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the makers of What the Health Documentary came this book. I had to read the book. There is a lot of research into what is in this book. He tells the secret to preventing and even reversing many chronic diseases. There is also a cookbook but in this book are many really good recipes.

[Dyane Harwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved "What the Health"! The film by the same authors was lifechanging and this book is fantastic as well. (I knew it would be.) I highly, highly recommend reading Andersen and Kuhn's extraordinary book.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compilation of all the whole-food, plant-based champions, so not too much new information here. The plight of those living near factory farms was tough reading, but much tougher for those living it.

[Cindy Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Changed my life. Saving the planet and my health at the same time

[Colleen Burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book.. Nothing I didn’t know already. Everything is bad for you! I’m still going to eat chicken and fish! Reading this was interesting..