Vitamania

How Vitamins Revolutionized the Way We Think About Food

Catherine Price

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Michael Pollan: "Highly recommended"

Book Synopsis

In "Vitamania," Catherine Price delves into the colorful and complex world of vitamins, revealing the science, history, and future of these essential nutrients. Through her captivating storytelling, she explores our obsession with vitamins, the myths and misconceptions surrounding them, and the billion-dollar industry built on our desire for health and longevity.

Taking her readers on a global journey, Price examines how vitamins were discovered and named, and how they have shaped our understanding of nutrition. She reveals the origins of the vitamin supplement craze, tracing it back to the early 20th century and the discovery of vitamin deficiencies. Exploring the impact of advertising and marketing, Price exposes the tactics used by manufacturers to convince consumers of the necessity and effectiveness of supplements.

With meticulous research and sharp analysis, Price investigates the efficacy of vitamins, questioning whether they provide the health benefits often associated with them. She uncovers the dangers of vitamin overdose and the potential harm caused by the belief that more is always better. Conversely, she also highlights the crucial role vitamins play in preventing and treating devastating diseases like scurvy and rickets.

"Vitamania" offers an eye-opening exploration of the often misleading and deceptive practices surrounding vitamins. It serves as a reminder to approach nutritional supplements with caution, while emphasizing the importance of a well-balanced diet in obtaining essential nutrients.

Price's insightful and thought-provoking book challenges readers to critically examine the role of vitamins in our lives and reevaluate our relationships with these seemingly magical substances.

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