A new study suggests that taking multivitamins daily does not help you live longer, despite approximately one-third of U.S. adults reporting that they take multivitamins.
Over 20 years, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) studied 400,000 healthy U.S. adults. They found that taking multivitamins did not lower the risk of death.
Researchers at the NIH stated in a press release that their analysis found no evidence to support the idea that taking daily multivitamins reduces the risk of death from any cause compared to those who do not take multivitamins.
There were no differences in the number of deaths from cancer, heart disease, or diseases affecting the blood vessels leading to and within the brain.
No differences were found in death rates from cancer, heart disease, or stroke.
The results were modified to account for race, ethnicity, education, and nutrition factors.
A 2022 analysis by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force found insufficient evidence to show whether taking multivitamins can improve mortality.
To reduce potential biases that may have affected the findings, the researchers aimed to include more participants and extend the follow-up period.
According to a press release from NIH, the use of multivitamins may be more common among people with healthier lifestyles, and individuals with health issues may be more inclined to start taking multivitamins.
Pieter Cohen, a doctor at the Cambridge Health Alliance in Massachusetts, wasn’t part of the study but shared his thoughts.
Fox News Digital reports that a new study suggests that taking multivitamins, even for 20 years or more, will not help you live longer.
“Remember, most healthy adults don’t need a multivitamin unless their doctor recommends it.”
Doctor Stresses the Limitations
Dr Brett Osborn, a Florida neurologist and expert on ageing, did not participate in the research but commented on the results.
The study is observational and did not include a control group. Additionally, participants used different multivitamin formulations. This information was reported by Fox News Digital.
The researchers discussed the study’s limitations in their report.
“Studies like this one can’t prove that taking multivitamins directly causes changes in mortality rates. This is because other factors might be involved, and these factors could be the real reason for the observed connection between taking multivitamins and mortality.” Osborn mentioned this.
Even though the researchers considered factors like demographics, lifestyle behaviours, and health status, Osborn still expressed concerns about potential remaining confounding effects.
The doctor also pointed out that it is difficult to compare outcomes due to the need for a control group.
Osborn said it’s easier to determine the effects of multivitamins on mortality with a control group. Other health behaviours or baseline health conditions could also influence the results.
The doctor also pointed out that the study does not consider the specific formulation or dosage of the multivitamins taken by participants.
“Most multivitamins have a wide range of vitamins and minerals, but the amounts can vary depending on the brand and type,” he said.
“Most multivitamins you can buy may not contain enough nutrients for good health. This means they might not help you live longer.”
Osborn recommends that his patients take a daily multivitamin consisting of multiple capsules in his practice.
The doctor emphasized that longevity involves multiple factors such as genetics, lifestyle, socioeconomic status, and access to health care. Vitamin usage is just one component of overall longevity.
“It’s complex and challenging, if not impossible, to isolate the impact of multivitamins alone due to the multifactorial nature of longevity,” Osborn said.
“There are too many factors that could cause confusion.”
The doctor emphasized the need for thorough scientific research into the health advantages of multivitamins.
“Most Americans lack essential vitamins and minerals in their diets, so taking multivitamins is important.”
Researchers stressed the need to study how multivitamins affect the risk of death in a broader range of people with different medical conditions and eating habits.
“It is essential to assess the use of multivitamins and the risk of death among different populations, including those with known nutritional deficiencies. It is also important to consider how regular multivitamin use may affect other health conditions associated with ageing,” they stated.
