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Is It a Good Idea for Adults to Take a Daily Multivitamin?

Millions of Americans take multivitamins, though the supplements’ popularity appears to be fading.

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in October found that the use of dietary supplements of any kind remained stable between 1999 and 2012 at 52% of adults in the U.S. But only 31% of those surveyed in 2011-12 said they took a multivitamin/multimineral product, down from 37% surveyed in 1999-2000.

That decline may reflect in part the release of several studies in the intervening years that questioned whether multivitamins had any benefit in preventing chronic disease.

But this case is hardly closed. Other studies have shown some benefit…

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Featured

 Do you need a daily multivitamin? Probably not, says national health task force

Exercising and eating well do more for your health than vitamin supplements.

 Vitamin supplements may do more harm than good

The findings of this review show that people should be turning first to supplementing their diet with ‘healthy food’ rather than supplements. Focussing on one vitamin or mineral supplement means missing out on a range of beneficial nutrients found in food that go along with that particular nutrient that contribute to overall health. If supplements are taken, it should be done so as being relevant to an identified deficiency of that nutrient.

Articles of Interest

Multivitamins May Not Provide Heart Benefits

An analysis found no ties between multivitamins and the risk for cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease or stroke incidence or mortality.

Your multivitamins aren’t helping you live longer

You probably have a jar of multivitamins somewhere in your house. And it’s probably useless.

Are MultiVitamins a Waste of Money?

According to the experts mentioned in this article, multivitamins play an important role in filling well documented nutrition gaps in the U.S. population, assuring normal body function and helping preserve good health. There is evidence that they may have a modest role in reducing the risk for chronic diseases, and there is no evidence that multivitamin supplements increase the risk of mortality.

Can Multivitamins Actually Improve Your Health?

Multivitamins are the most widely used nutritional supplement in the United States. But despite their popularity, there is a lot of debate as to whether multivitamin supplements are necessary. While some diseases and health conditions can be caused by nutrient deficiencies, in the developed world, where there is a wide availability of nutrient-dense foods, some question how common true nutrient deficiencies are.

Do I need to take a multivitamin supplement?

Following the news on supplements is like watching a pingpong match. One study finds supplements improve health, then another study questions their benefit. Back and forth they go.

How Bad is it to Binge on Gummy Vitamins?

A multivitamin can't replace the benefits of healthy eating, and a bulk of nutrients should be obtained by eating whole foods so you can reap the benefits of naturally occurring fiber, phytochemicals and antioxidants. Further, there does exist a risk of overdosing on certain vitamins and minerals, so if your vitamin usage has turned into repeated ransacking to satisfy your sweet tooth, go purist with some Sour Patch instead

More evidence that routine multivitamin use should be avoided

If scientific evidence guides our health decisions, we will look back at the vitamin craze of the last few decades with disbelief. Indiscriminate use is, in most cases, probably useless and potentially harmful. We are collectively throwing away billions of dollars into supplements, chasing the idea of benefits that have never materialized.

Multivitamins Are a Waste of Money, Doctors Say

Most supplements do not prevent chronic disease or death, their use is not justified and they should be avoided

Multivitamins Are Linked to Slower Brain Aging

Aging is inevitable, but that doesn’t stop us from trying to slow it down. And the easier the intervention, the better. In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers report that taking a multivitamin that you can buy at the pharmacy can slow cognitive decline associated with aging by as much as two years.

Multivitamins Revisited, Again: Mission, Methods and Muddled Messages

Clarifying the latest controversy around multivitamins.

Mutagens and Multivitamins

Not one to shy away from controversy, Bruce Ames has pitted himself against industry groups, environmentalists, and his peers through his work identifying DNA mutagens. And he’s not done yet.

Not everyone should be taking a multivitamin

In some situations, they can be helpful. In others, they can lead to dangerous nutrient deficiencies or imbalances. Experts weigh in on how to make an informed decision.

Study Finds Multivitamins Are a Complete Waste of Money, Why Do We Keep Taking Them?

Evidence is sufficient to advise against routine supplementation, and we should translate null and negative findings into action. The message is simple: Most supplements do not prevent chronic disease or death, their use is not justified, and they should be avoided…The evidence also has implications for research. Anti-oxidants, folic acid, and B vitamins are harmful or ineffective for chronic disease prevention, and further large prevention trials are no longer justified…With respect to multivitamins, the studies published in this issue and previous trials indicate no substantial health benefit.

Supplements - So Which Ones Should We Really be Taking?

Have you taken your supplements today? But are they really necessary or a waste of your hard earned money. A healthy, balanced diet may be all you really need!

Taking the Spin Out of the Multiple Vitamin Controversy

So, how can a major news agency get something so easy to track down with a computer and PubMed get this important information so wrong? Hopefully, given time they will start to get it right, but in order to live long enough to see it happen you better start taking your MVM.

The Controversial Redesign of the Lowly Multivitamin (Yes, Controversial)

The approach is admirable but, also, inevitably fraught. Some quarters of the medical community are increasingly skeptical of multivitamins because of a dearth of evidence that they offer any benefit, and because there is little regulation or oversight.

The Multi-Vitamin Controversy

Last summer it was fish oil. Before that it was vitamin E and beta carotene. Medical researchers love to brand nutritional supplements as harmful and are content to base their findings on flawed studies. The news media have been gleefully complicit in this farce and have vigorously stirred the pot. Now it’s multi-vitamin’s turn. To paraphrase Ronald Reagan, “there they go again.”

Resources

Patient

Multivitamin preparations contain a mix of vitamins which are essential to help our bodies grow, develop, and function properly. Most people get the vitamins they need from the food they eat, but if you are on a special diet or if you are unable to eat a well-balanced diet (as is the case for some young children or elderly people), then you may need extra vitamins.