Myth or Misunderstanding About Diet and Exercise

Myth or Misunderstanding:

1. Exercise burns calories

Scientific Basis:

1. Calories are not molecules, so they cannot be burned in the physical sense, but we do oxidize (burn) the fuels to provide the energy needed to perform various activities.

Myth or Misunderstanding:

2. Active people who are increasing their fitness need more protein.

Scientific Basis:

2. The amount of protein needed is very small--about 50 grams. Most people get many times the amount of protein required.

Myth or Misunderstanding:

3. Vitamins supply energy.

Scientific Basis:

3. Most vitamins assist enzymes in bringing about chemical reactions, some of which may be energy yielding, but they are not sources of energy.

Myth or Misunderstanding:

4. Large amounts of protein are needed to build muscle.

Scientific Basis:

4. A person can build only a few grams of new muscle per day. Therefore, consuming large amounts of protein will not increase the rate of muscle growth.

Myth or Misunderstanding:

5. Large amounts (megadoses) of vitamins will fight disease, build strength, and increase lifespan.

Scientific Basis:

5. Quantities of vitamins that greatly exceed recommendations have not been shown to be beneficial. Large doses of some vitamins - A, D, and B2 are toxic.

Myth of Misunderstanding:

6. Protein supplements are more quickly absorbed than dietary protein and can build muscle faster.

Scientific Basis:

6. There is adequate protein in nearly all diets. The supplements may be absorbed faster, but that does not mean that they are incorporated into muscle mass faster.

Myth of Misunderstanding:

7. Vitamins prevent cancer, heart disease, and other health problems.

Scientific Basis:

7. Vitamins are important to health. However, it is a gross oversimplification to suggest that the consumption of excess amounts of specific vitamins will prevent certain diseases. Many factors contribute to the causes of disease.


Source: Concepts in Biology-Twelfth Edition. Mc Graw Hill.