About one in three people in the United States takes a multivitamin, often to improve health and prevent disease. But a new study finds that supplements may not be effective in helping people live longer.
The study was published in the journal Neurology in late June. JAMA Network Open, People without chronic disease who took a daily multivitamin (MV) for the long term had the same risk of dying from any cause as those who did not.
“Understanding the relationship between MV use and mortality is important for public health guidance, but there is insufficient evidence to determine its benefits and harms,” said Ericka Loftfield, PhD, lead author and researcher in the National Cancer Institute’s Intramural Research Program. health. “We aimed to assess the association between MV use and the leading causes of chronic disease-related death, including cardiovascular disease and cancer.”
A new study suggests that taking a multivitamin that contains a combination of vitamins and minerals may not help some people live longer, but the researchers did not evaluate how the supplements affect other aspects of health, such as quality of life.
“It’s possible that daily MV use could affect other health outcomes associated with aging,” Loftfield said, “but such outcomes are outside the scope of this study.”
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The study is the latest to take a closer look at the effects of taking multivitamins, a topic that has long been debated.
Previous studies evaluating the effects of multivitamins on chronic diseases have produced mixed results, according to Loftfield: “Some studies have shown small potential benefits, others have suggested harm, and still others have shown no effect.”
To further explore the impact of multivitamin use, Loftfield and his colleagues from the National Cancer Institute analyzed the health records of 390,124 U.S. adults, average age 61.5 years, across three large studies who had no history of chronic disease.
The research team evaluated multivitamin use and mortality outcomes over a 20-27 year period. They found that people who took a daily multivitamin were no more likely to live longer than those who did not take a multivitamin. However, taking a multivitamin was associated with a 4% higher risk of death from any cause.
“Understanding the relationship between MV use and mortality is critical for public health guidance,” Loftfield said.
But further research is needed, including more diverse populations, such as those who are undernourished, she added.
While studies have found that taking a daily multivitamin doesn’t increase life expectancy overall, experts agree that it may help in some cases.
Alyssa Smolen, a registered dietitian in New Jersey, said multivitamins may be helpful for certain people who “have a hard time eating balanced meals and snacks.” health“This is especially true for families with young children and those with food allergies or intolerances.”
Taking a daily multivitamin may be beneficial for people with certain medical conditions, said Lisa Andrews, a registered dietitian based in Cincinnati, Ohio. healthThese conditions include celiac disease, alcoholism, and malabsorption conditions such as pancreatitis and short bowel syndrome.
Research also suggests that taking a multivitamin may help reduce cognitive decline in people with mild cognitive impairment. Additional studies have shown that men who use multivitamins may experience a lower risk of cancer and cataracts, as well as reduced depression and anxiety.
Experts recommend consulting a doctor before taking any new supplement to assess whether it is appropriate for your particular situation.
Generally speaking, however, nutrition experts often recommend getting minerals and nutrients from food rather than vitamins, and for many people, a multivitamin may not be worth the effort and expense.
“Eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep and exercising regularly tend to have a greater positive effect on health and longevity than simply taking a multivitamin,” Smolen emphasized.
Andrews said taking a daily multivitamin was “safe for most people when taken as prescribed,” but that pills did carry risks.
“Certain medical conditions, such as liver or kidney disease, may increase the risk of toxicity when taking too many vitamins,” she said. Additionally, some medications may also interact with multivitamins.
It is also important to know that dietary supplements, such as multivitamins, are not tested for purity, safety, or effectiveness by the Food and Drug Administration. If you decide to take a multivitamin, look for a brand that’s verified by a third-party organization, such as the National Science Foundation or the United States Pharmacopeia.