tuesday, November 18, 2003
news
the university daily kansan
5A
Experts say vitamins poor substitute for balanced diet
By Danielle Hillix
dhillix@kansan.com
kansan staff writer
Vitamin supplements are not magic bullets.
A U.S. government task force has found that the vitamins in pills don't prevent cancer and disease as effectively as the vitamins found naturally in foods.
"A magic bullet 'pill isn't going to do the trick," said Melanie Polk, director of nutrition education for the American Institute for Cancer Research. "A healthy diet is."
studies, the task force found no evidence that supplements could lower the risk for cancer or cardiovascular disease.
Based on several thousand
Studies did, however, find that a diet high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans could reduce the risk of cancer and disease.
Polk said it was unrealistic to think scientists could isolate nutrients from food and successfully consolidate them into an effective pill.
"It's an attractive notion, but science doesn't support it," she said.
Health Center, said it was important that students got their nutrients from a balanced diet. Foods such as fruits and vegetables provide nutrients, vitamins and minerals, in addition to fiber and antioxidants.
Ann Chapman, registered dietician at Watkins Memorial
"You're not getting that from a pill," Chapman said.
Despite the findings, some students looking to prevent disease still pop pills instead of baby carrots.
Cole Robinson, Overland Park sophomore, said he was almost afraid to not take his daily multivitamin, for risk of getting sick. But Robinson doesn't worry about eating his recommended
five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables.
"A lot of times I fall back on vitamins," Robinson said. "I'll just take my pills and not worry about it."
Surveys by the AICR confirmed that Robinson was not alone. A survey done in 2000 showed that 43 percent of Americans take a vitamin supplement to prevent cancer. In contrast, 59 percent eat a healthy diet designed to reduce cancer chances.
Polk said that to get the full benefits of vitamins and nutrients, it was important to eat a varied diet consisting of many different plant foods.
Roll Maka/Ketan
"People who take vitamin supplements to lower their cancer risk should steer their grocery cart
out of the supplement aisle," Polk said. "And head straight for the produce section."
— Edited by Andy Marso
KUJH: New shows include political talk, action-comedy and late-night talk formats
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A
Evil Kansas, about a student group fighting evil around campus. He said the first three episodes could make their debut in January or February.
Another show, The Wonderful World of Wads, has a latenight format. It will be hosted by Brett Wadsworth, Overland Park senior, who ran for student body president last spring on the Lord Wads and the 12 Knights of the Crusade ticket.
Wadworth got the idea from getting to know people during the Student Senate campaign.
"Itturns out that I met so many people who do so many cool things and nobody knows about it," Wadsworth said.
In addition to interviews with
people around the University of Kansas, the show would feature skits "for people who like stupid comedy," Wadsworth said. The final part of the show will be performances by local bands.
The show would make its debut the week of Nov. 24.
Wadsworth said.
"Once it finally hits, it's going to be pretty big just because it's KU and they're letting us do it," he said.
"I think that people are inherently interested in local issues," he said. "Once people will actually see them, they'll pause and watch that as opposed to a rerun of The Real World."
Martin said these shows would be a good fit for the station because it would give students a more personal connection to the University.
Edited by Scott Christie
ONLINE: Pictures in online ads can be deceiving
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A
one ad inviting users to someone's house for an orgy.
"That's a little over the top." Vavra said.
Vavra included a picture in her ad, which is optional. She said she thought her picture was the reason she got so many responses, but they weren't always enticing.
"Some people just write and say, 'You're hot,' Vavra said.
Vavra said she didn't join
Kansan persons for sex, or
"Some people just write and say 'You're ..."
Alison Vavra Newton senior
even necessarily a relationship.
If Vavra did meet an interesting guy and wanted to meet him, she would, she said. Right now, she's enjoying the pressure-free environment of just meeting people she wouldn't have otherwise.
The one drawback of online dating, Hill said, is deceit. It's easy for people to post a picture of someone else or lie in their personal profiles, she said, but they couldn't keep the act up for long if they ever planned to meet someone in person.
Hill also said meeting people online was no more dangerous than meeting people in bars. She said you couldn't know if someone was dangerous until you got to know them, no matter where you met.
— Edited by Cate Batchelder
CUTS: Students show early interest in discussion
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A
tuition and fees and for students to voice concerns about the direction the University is taking.
sure students are informed and engaged about higher-ed funding," Murguia said. "And if they want to act on this information, that is tangible."
Murguia said she was pleased student leaders formed the panel and that it could be beneficial for students and could lead to results.
Provost David Shulenburger and Janet Murguia, executive vice chancellor for University Relations, will be among panelists that will speak and answer students' questions.
Mike Green, Taylorville, Ill., graduate student, said he would be at the event to see what the panel was talking about and maybe comment.
"I think it's important to be
Green said the increase was a burden to those who have to pay out-of-state tuition and could possibly hurt enrollment.
"I think they are going to see a definite decline in it." Green said.
Jones said attendance at the panel was a concern. However, she said if the postcards were any indication of student awareness, more than just student senators would be present.
Jones said she didn't know what student reaction would be, but was pleased with the enthusiasm she saw from students filling out postcards.
"I was a little worried," Jones said. "But it's such a big deal to students. It does directly affect them."
Edited by Abby Sidesinger