Arie Boomsma and Renze Klamer have had a spicy TV argument. The dumbbell minister is completely upset when the talk show host questions him critically. “Witch hunt!”
Celebrities who suddenly come up with all kinds of nutritional advice? It often rightly leads to criticism. And now it is Arie Boomsma’s turn. He has written a new booklet in which he explains to us all which supplements we should take. But doctors and scientists state that ‘98 percent of the people doesn’t need any extra vitamins at all’.
Pure business
Why are supplements constantly recommended by people like Arie? “Supplements are purely business,” says Bart van den Bemt, professor of proper use of medicines, in Het Parool.
Ah, there’s something to that. Arie has one own supplement line and is ‘ambassador‘ (advertising pole) from Vitakruid, where you can complete a short online test to receive complete supplement advice. Teun from the Kitchen earlier: “After a few minutes it turned out that I had an ‘extraordinary need for extra magnesium’. My total package costs 91.64 euros.”
Arie pissed off
Arie was in the room last night talk show by Renze Klamer, who does not use supplements himself and is quite critical of the fitness guru. According to Renze, Arie says things that contradict statements by scientists. “No, but that’s where you’re wrong,” Arie then sneers. According to him, scientists assume ideal conditions and not reality.
Nonsense, Renze objects. “The people at the RIVM don’t assume some kind of ideal reality, do they? They are also people from Wageningen University. They all say: ’98 percent…’ (…) Magnesium is not deficient at all, I read. I’m just quoting what I read, right?”
‘Name something!’
When Arie asks Renze to name some specific names of scientists, something happens that he does not expect: Renze is prepared for this – there is a lot of paperwork next to him. When he then quotes all kinds of experts, Arie is pissed: “But Renze, listen carefully, before we have the whole conversation about this instead of about the book…”
Renze: “I think so too, but you said: ‘Name someone who says it’, so I’ll include it.”
Supplement shaman Arie then talks about ‘rhetoric’, but according to Renze – and Gijs Rademaker is also involved in the background – there is clearly ‘scientific consensus’ on this subject.
‘Is that right?!’
When Arie comes up with alternative facts from another scientist, he asks: “Is he less specialized than these people?”
Renze: “Yes, I can’t really judge that.”
Arie pissed off: “Then why are we talking about it? There is no consensus. That’s exactly what it’s about.”
Renze: “Well, is that so? Is there no scientific consensus about the added value of supplements?”
Witch hunt
According to fellow guest Maxim Hartman, it is better to first have yourself tested for possible deficiencies before accepting advice from Arie. Arie: “I would, but this witch hunt…”
Maxim: “Oh, you really think that’s a witch hunt?”
Arie: “I think it’s a witch hunt, yes.”
According to him, the value of supplements is evident. “Every time people are found who protest against this, because they think it is important that people do not take their health too seriously…”
Renze thinks Arie is going too far: “Yes, but now… The Nutrition Center is not: ‘found a few people who are agitating against it’, right?”
‘Very shame’
Arie is disappointed that he came to Renze in the first place – he just wants his book to be praised and not to have a critical conversation. “Don’t you think this is a waste of our conversation?”
Renze: “You go into it in depth yourself!”
Arie: “I am also fierce, because I think: we are now going to include an article in which three people have been featured. Why weren’t other people also included? Why don’t you have the articles from [noemt hele rits namen]?”
Then Renze pulls the trigger: “You’re the poster child for a supplement organization, right?”
Arie: “I think it’s a shame. I could have been in bed right now.”
Ah, the arguments are over. Arie apparently does not have any supplements on offer for that deficiency…