Editor,
In reference to John Wagner's reply published in the Daily Lobo on Wednesday to Dr. Peggy Spencer's column regarding the use of vitamins, we once again see the guise of selective pseudoscience used to support one's worldview.
While one can only surmise that Wagner is purporting a vegan diet, he wants to use an article from Nutrition in 1989 to show that calcium supplements are bad for women.
First, proof by example is no proof at all, as any beginning math student should know. In fact, Wagner has been highly selective in his reading of this article. Indeed, the article concludes that supplemental calcium is required in a modern omnivore diet. To quote from the actual article: "Recent studies indicate that when the diet results in an acid urine, the loss of calcium from the body is increased. In turn, the intake of calcium must be increased to compensate for that loss. The omnivorous diet of many Americans usually results in an acid urine and, for that reason, calcium balance can be attained only with a high intake."
Wagner also attacks Spencer's message to use a vitamin supplement. In doing so, he ignores her message and twists the reality of the situation. Spencer's message clearly was that a healthy, balanced diet is optimal, but as a medical professional who has worked with students for many years, she has learned by experience that students do not always eat healthy. In such a case, she advocates for vitamin supplements.
I did not read anything in the article that advocated for eating unhealthily. Rather, she chose to face the reality of students' life and suggest that if they will eat an unhealthy diet, then at a minimum they should supplement it with vitamins. I highly doubt that Spencer would disagree with Wagner's message of increased fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, Wagner chose to ignore the practicality of Spencer's
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
message and devolved his message to one of pseudoscience. But beyond misusing the printed word to support his stance, what Wagner has done is disperse a harmful message which espouses that there is harm in calcium supplements.
Science has unquestionably shown that women, especially older, post-menopausal women, can help prevent osteoporosis via calcium supplements. This is supported by numerous recent articles, studies, researches, doctors and nutritionists - something Wagner would know if he just Googled "calcium supplements osteoporosis."
The letter from Wagner points out a situation of which most students will hopefully take note. That is, do not let others read articles for you. Read and study the facts for yourself. Spin has become the language of the new world, and the only way to counter that is to go back to the source.
Paul Davidson
Daily Lobo reader
