Do You Believe in Magic? audiobook cover - Vitamins, Supplements, and All Things Natural: A Look Behind the Curtain

Do You Believe in Magic?

Vitamins, Supplements, and All Things Natural: A Look Behind the Curtain

Paul A. Offit

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Health & Nutrition

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Do You Believe in Magic?
Appeal & Danger of Alternative Medicine+
The Truth About Vitamins & Supplements+
Celebrity Influence on Health+
History of Quacks and Charlatans+
The Power of the Placebo Effect+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 6
What did the 2004 University of Copenhagen study reveal about taking vitamins A, C, E, and beta-carotene?
  • A. They significantly reduced the risk of intestinal cancer.
  • B. They had no measurable impact on overall health or lifespan.
  • C. They were associated with a six percent higher death rate in users.
  • D. They effectively cured the common cold but failed to treat cancer.
Question 2 of 6
According to the text, what was the real-world consequence of Jenny McCarthy's campaign with the Defeat Autism Now! (DAN!) program?
  • A. It led to the FDA banning several harmful alternative treatments for autism.
  • B. It caused parents to become wary of vaccines, resulting in a rise in deaths from diseases like whooping cough.
  • C. It successfully funded new research that discovered a genetic link to autism.
  • D. It popularized a safe, natural alternative to conventional childhood immunizations.
Question 3 of 6
What did journalist Hopkins Adams discover in 1905 when a chemist analyzed common herbal medications?
  • A. They were completely devoid of any active ingredients, essentially acting as expensive placebos.
  • B. They contained high levels of heavy metals like lead and mercury.
  • C. They often contained large quantities of alcohol and sometimes even opium and cocaine.
  • D. They were highly effective but kept secret by mainstream doctors to protect their profits.
Question 4 of 6
How did neurologist Albert Abrams claim his 1910 invention, the 'Dynamizer,' worked to diagnose patients?
  • A. By analyzing the chemical composition of a patient's hair follicles.
  • B. By detecting changes in the radio wave-like vibrations emitted by a person's body.
  • C. By measuring the exact vitamin and mineral deficiencies in the bloodstream.
  • D. By utilizing early X-ray technology to spot tumors and internal blockages.
Question 5 of 6
Why does acupuncture often provide relief to patients suffering from chronic pain, according to the text?
  • A. The needles stimulate specific nerve endings that permanently block pain receptors.
  • B. The process realigns the body's natural energy fields to promote cellular healing.
  • C. The needles release microscopic amounts of natural plant extracts directly into the bloodstream.
  • D. The solemn ritual of the treatment triggers the brain to release stress- and pain-reducing endorphins.
Question 6 of 6
What is the book's primary actionable advice regarding vitamin intake?
  • A. Only purchase vitamins that are explicitly labeled as natural, bio, or organic.
  • B. Obtain your essential vitamins by eating a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables rather than taking concentrated pills.
  • C. Take high doses of vitamin C daily to prevent the common cold and other illnesses.
  • D. Consult an alternative healer to determine the exact blend of dietary supplements your body needs.

Do You Believe in Magic? — Full Chapter Overview

Do You Believe in Magic? Summary & Overview

Do You Believe in Magic? (2013) uncovers the hidden truth behind the alternative medicine. With insightful research findings and revealing case studies, these blinks will make us rethink our beliefs about supposedly all-natural treatments, and their less than healing side effects.

Who Should Listen to Do You Believe in Magic??

  • People who take vitamins and supplements daily
  • Patients who are discontented with conventional medicine and are considering alternatives
  • Fans wondering about the latest miraculous remedy recommended by their favorite movie star

About the Author: Paul A. Offit

Paul A. Offit, MD, is chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases and director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He’s the author of Autism’s False Prophets, Vaccinated and Deadly Choices.

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