The article by Paul Offit highlights the issue of Vitamin supplements. In most occasions, it has been argued that the foods that people consume do not contain enough nutrients. As such, there is a need to include supplements in the diet. However, several studies have been conducted to show that they are not completely beneficial as most people tend to believe. For instance, some scientists have established that Vitamin C alone have minimal impact on the duration and severity of the upper respiratory tract infections (Offit, 2013). Other studies have also shown that the consumption of these supplements cannot reduce death rates as a result of cancer. From this information, it is clear that members in society have been made to believe in the effectiveness offered by vitamin supplements. However, the research carried out by other scholars and researchers should make them disregard the belief entirely.

The article has a couple of key moments that stood out. One of them is where the Pauling published an article that urged the public to consume 3000 milligrams of Vitamin C daily. The frequency is about 50 times the recommended daily allowance. A second key moment that stood out was where it was established that on its own or when complemented with an antihistamine, Vitamin C has minimal impact on the duration or level of infections in the upper respiratory tract. Thirdly, there was the case where the article stated that as a result of having hope, cancer patients and their families convinced their healthcare providers to offer them massive vitamin C doses.  

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With regard to the key moments, I must say that I also agree with what the author says. When I look around, I also see people obsessed with consuming vitamin supplements. These people will walk into pharmacies and walk out with various kinds of medicines. Further, there are those who will take more than the recommended level. Though they believe that they are beneficial to the body, these people do not know that they are not 100 percent effective. I have taken some time to conduct more research concerning these supplements and the side effects that they may have on the human body. First, people should realize that there is a thing as too much of a good thing. Specific vitamins, for instance, the fat-soluble ones, are more likely to be overdosed on. Cases of overdose may vary from mild to severe, which can result in symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, insomnia, and sweating (Kolarov & Stoimenova, 2016). Additionally, people might also experience depression, difficulty in breathing, and fatigue. The vitamins that one needs to watch out for include A, D, E, and K.

Secondly, people should know that some vitamins do not work as well as they should. Liquid and chewable vitamins work better as compared to solid pills. This is because the latter pass via the stomach and intestines without complete absorption taking place. As such, they do not end up offering the maximum level of benefit as required of them (Irfan, 2019). Thirdly, there is the matter of safety. In some cases, these supplements do not require to be approved prior to being sold in the market. As such, one is likely to purchase supplements that contain unsafe additives or chemicals.  Additionally, there is the issue of the allowable limit of vitamins, which means that one may be getting the wrong amount.

The information provided has shown that members in society may be easily misled. As shown, there is the popular belief that the food people consume lacks all the nutrients that the body needs, hence the need to include vitamin supplements. It is surprising to see the number of studies and research initiatives that have disputed this belief and put an end to the long debate. Thus, people should avoid overdependence on vitamin supplements. Instead, they should strive to purchase and consume natural foods that are rich in the vitamins that they require.

References

Irfan, M. (2019). Complementary Feeding; Pros and Cons. Acta Scientific Nutritional Health, 3, 12-16.

Kolarov, P., & Stoimenova, M. (2016). Does the supplementation of vitamin D affect depressive symptoms? European Psychiatry, 33, S513.

Offit, P. (2013). The Vitamin Myth: Why We Think We Need Supplements. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/07/the-vitamin-myth-why-we-think-we-need-supplements/277947/

I am an athletic man from Davie, Florida who on his spare time loves to go fishing and play tennis.

My name is Alex Fernandez-Blay and I major in Biology and Political Science. I have an interest in this field as I feel they are highly linked and each compliment the other. I find it hard writing about one and avoiding the other.  The idea of biology and politics might appear a little strange to many people but upon keen scrutiny, you realize that the interconnection of the two is just what happens in every day of our individual lives. The two blend well and when information about the two is disseminated in a good way, it is easy for the general public to understand the connection and thus ensuring that the information between the two fields is not left for the professionals only. Decontextualizing the contents of both topics would make it easy for all audiences to understand the connection and also provide a clear insight into how they affect their individual lives despite the visible differences in the context of the two topics.

Biology as science uses facts to establish arguments and these arguments have been used in political settings to create policies that have a direct effect on citizens. The political class who uses biology to base their arguments have a high chance of convincing the electorates and have their confidence in matters of policy changes. Biology is also directly linked to the progress of society in terms of research carried out in the field that is used to advance industries. Industries empower people economically and through power, they can politically administer their influence over their subjects. Higher knowledge in science thus sets the path or charters a way over which the beholders of such power use it to gain social power. Interest groups as observed in our society have used such approaches in empowering themselves economically and at the same time align with political wings to further their agenda.

Political issues that have plagued our society both in the past and currently are best addressed through the use of science. Issues such as abortion and the death penalty have been a major talking reference points by political players. The issues in question have set a political debate in the country and those in a position of knowledge as informed through biology have better chances of stealing the show as they are seen to be talking from a point of knowledge and facts. There is more evidence as provided by biology in pushing for politically instigated issues that affect the policies of our nation. The issues of same-sex relationships have been politically boiling all over the world and biology has been used as the core arguing point. As others see this option as a choice of an individual, others have used biology in proposing as a major course or a contributor to people having these genes in them.

Politics runs deep and biology is seen to be in the middle of political issues that affect the people. The use of biological facts and arguments have been used in bringing forth political arguments that people tolerate. People in politics have also realized that using facts and proven information can be a good source of creating a long term effect and have a stable political career. In this sense, the idea of biology and politics is deeply intertwined and that both topics are easy to understand for both professionals and the general public when the issues are discussed in a way to reach out to the general public. Put forth in a simpler understandable language, then there is a high chance there can be more people participating and giving their opinions regarding biology and politics. 

This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.

You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.

Why do this?

• Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
• Because it will help you focus you own ideas about your blog and what you’d like to do with it.

The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.

To help you get started, here are a few questions:

• Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
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• Who would you love to connect with via your blog?
• If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?

You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.

Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.

When you’re ready to publish, give your post three to five tags that describe your blog’s focus — writing, photography, fiction, parenting, food, cars, movies, sports, whatever. These tags will help others who care about your topics find you in the Reader. Make sure one of the tags is “zerotohero,” so other new bloggers can find you, too.