The Road to Shangri-La Is Paved with Vitamins
REUBEN BITENSKY PH.D.1
1 Associate Dean and Associate Professor, School of Social Work, Syracuse University, 926 South Crouse Ave., Syracuse, N.Y. 13210
A number of people have adopted a belief that vitamins can prevent disease and restore youth. The author examines the implications of this belief as it was uncovered in group therapy sessions. He discusses the liberalism and activism of these middle-aged group members in their younger years, the anti-establishment values of the vitamin cult, and the denial of aging by seeking eternal youth. The author concludes that their common belief in the powers of vitamins has not been beneficial to the growth and well-being of the group.
