Argument168 [Mettle 7.25] by werecat

werecatUID: 2289296

168Typically, as people age, their bone mass decreases, making them more vulnerable to bone fractures. A recent study concludes that the most effective way to reduce the risk of fractures in later life is to take twice the recommended dose of vitamin D and calcium daily. The three-year study followed a group of French women in their eighties who were nursing-home residents. The women were given daily supplements of twice the recommended dose of vitamin D and calcium. In addition, the women participated in a light weightlifting program. After three years, these women showed a much lower rate of hip fractures than is average for their age.

In this article the author points out that the most effective way to reduce the risk of fractures of aged people is to take twice the prescribed dose of vitamin D and calcium daily. To support this recommendation, the author provides the supporting evidences: A three-year study of a group of eighty years old French women who live in nursing-home were given daily supplements of twice the recommended dose, they also participated in a light weighlifting program, therefore, after the three-year period of study, they show much lower rate of hip fractures. However, after close scrutiny, the evidence appeared to be unconvincing and flawed in several respects.

In the first place, it is unwarranted that the lower incidences of fractures of the old people were mainly contributed by the double dose of vitamin D and calcium. As the article provided us with no warranted evidence of the causal relationship between fractures and the amount of vitamin D and calcium taken in, it is equally possible that these two facts are only coincide with each other and then appeared to be correlated. Chances are that except for the pills, these old people were treated by other programmes. Therefore, it is hard to come to the conclusion that vitamin D and calcium alone can determine the possibility of fracture. Furthermore, only mentioning the hip fracture is everything but sufficient to represent the whole condition of fractures.

Secondly, the study mentioned above has several methodology faults which demean its credibility. Firstly, some French women in their 80's in the nursing house are too narrow and partial to be the samples, they are too vague and oversimplified to be representative as the overall situation of all the old people. We may even assume that these old women were specially selected for the study so that it can achieve certain conclusion intentedly.

Moreover, many other factors may have influences on the result of the study. It is somehow ridicules to make old people participated in weighlifting programmes concerning their health conditions. Still, we are not guaranteed that these exercises would not affect the outcome of the study. It is very likely that these activities may slightly change the bones of old people, thus altered the results. As long as other probably involved factors are not taken into consideration and ruled out, this study tends to be groundless at all.

In summary, this article accomplishes nothing toward suggesting old people take double dose of the recommended vitamin D and calcium. We may not be convinced unless the author proves the definite causal connection between the possibility of fracture and the usage of vitamin D and calcium. Furthermore, the validity of the study remains doubtful, the author would be better to refine the methods of it.

macawUID: 2291086

Argument168 [Mettle 7.25] by werecat
168 Typically, as people age, their bone mass decreases, making them more vulnerable to bone fractures. A recent study concludes that the most effective way to reduce the risk of fractures in later life is to take twice the recommended dose of vitamin D and calcium daily. The three-year study followed a group of French women in their eighties who were nursing-home residents. The women were given daily supplements of twice the recommended dose of vitamin D and calcium. In addition, the women participated in a light weightlifting program. After three years, these women showed a much lower rate of hip fractures than is average for their age.

In this article the author points out that the most effective way to reduce the risk of fractures of aged people is to take twice the prescribed dose of vitamin D and calcium daily. To support this recommendation, the author provides the supporting evidences: A three-year study of a group of eighty years old French women who live in nursing-home were given daily supplements of twice the recommended dose, they also participated in a light weightlifting program, therefore, after the three-year period of study, they show much lower rate of hip fractures. However, after close scrutiny, the evidence appeared to be unconvincing and flawed in several respects.

In the first place, it is unwarranted that the lower incidences of fractures of the old people were mainly contributed by the double dose of vitamin D and calcium. As the article provided us with no warranted evidence of the causal relationship between fractures and the amount of vitamin D and calcium taken in, it is equally possible that these two facts are only coincide with each other and then appeared to be correlated. Chances are that except for the pills, these old people were treated by other programmes. Therefore, it is hard to come to the conclusion that vitamin D and calcium alone can determine the possibility of fracture. Furthermore, only mentioning the hip fracture is everything but sufficient to represent the whole condition of fractures.【似乎可以多举点可能性，不急于下结论】

Secondly, the study mentioned above has several methodology faults which demean its credibility. Firstly, some French women in their 80's in the nursing house are too narrow and partial to be the samples, they are too vague and oversimplified to be representative as the overall situation of all the old people. We may even assume that these old women were specially selected for the study so that it can achieve certain conclusion intentedly.
【还是具体点好些，看上去只有逻辑推理】

Moreover, many other factors may have influences on the result of the study. It is somehow ridicules to make old people participated in weighlifting programmes concerning their health conditions. Still, we are not guaranteed that these exercises would not affect the outcome of the study. It is very likely that these activities may slightly change the bones of old people, thus altered the results. As long as other probably involved factors are not taken into consideration and ruled out, this study tends to be groundless at all.
【这段很有道理的】

In summary, this article accomplishes nothing toward suggesting old people take double dose of the recommended vitamin D and calcium. We may not be convinced unless the author proves the definite causal connection between the possibility of fracture and the usage of vitamin D and calcium. Furthermore, the validity of the study remains doubtful, the author would be better to refine the methods of it.

【我觉得首先攻击大前提有问题，作者就是为了证明骨折和用药量有关，而且作者提供了一些相关证明，没有驳倒证明材料的时候，驳他的前提似乎有些不妥。】