What are Multivitamins?
Multivitamins (MVs) are dietary supplements that generally “contain a combination of vitamins and minerals, and sometimes alongside other ingredients.” 1,2 Because there is no regulated standard for what constitutes an MV, the composition of each MV varies by brand and product 3,4. For instance, the United States Department of Health and Human Services have defined MVs as “products containing at least three vitamins and minerals in amounts below the Upper Intake Level (UL) but no herbs, hormones, or drugs.” 5 On the other hand, some researchers have defined it as a “‘full-spectrum’ [product] providing all 12 vitamins plus 10 minerals.”6 Most MVs contain the following vitamins: A, B (including thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin B 12, folate, and biotin), C, D, and E.7 Calcium, magnesium, zinc, selenium, iron, and potassium are minerals typically found in today’s MVs. A study of 1,246 different multivitamins’ compositions revealed the most common vitamins and minerals and their average concentrations, shown in the table below:
Median and Average Nutrient Profiles for Multivitamin Supplements
Vitamin | Median | Mean |
Vitamin C (mg) | 120 | 60 |
Vitamin A (ug retinoL) | 1375 | 1833 |
Vitamin E (mg alpha-tocopherol) | 20.3 | 16.9 |
Thiamine | 5 | 1.5 |
Riboflavin (mg) | 5.1 | 1.7 |
Niacin (mg) | 20 | 20 |
Folate (ug DFE) | 680 | 300 |
Vitamin B-6 (mg) | 5 | 2.5 |
Vitamin B-12 (ug) | 12 | 15.5 |
Calcium (mg) | 54.3 | 180 |
Magnesium (mg) | 38.8 | 100 |
Iron (mg) | 1.7 | 13.5 |
Zinc (mg) | 15 | 15 |
Median: midpoint of datapoint frequencies
Mean: the average of datapoint frequencies
mg = milligrams
ug= micrograms
Key Facts:
- The 1929 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine winner Dr. Eijkman discovered that chickens who ate processed white rice (vitamin-rich outer layer stripped) would develop beriberi-like symptoms.10 When the chickens were fed regular rice (with the vitamin-rich outer layer), their health rapidly improved. 11 After Dr. Eijkman’s death, Dr. Casimir Funk discovered via isolation of substances from rice husks that it was the presence of (what is known today as) thiamine that contributed to the well-being and health of the chickens. Dr. Funk went on to call it an “amine” before putting forth the theory that there were a group of substances, “vitae anime” and later shortened to “vitamine,” that were essential for life.12
- In 1920, the pharmaceutical company Parke, Davis, and Company launched “Metagen,” a capsule made up of the fat-soluble vitamin A, water-soluble vitamin B, and water-soluble vitamin C. 13 However, the more formally known “first” multivitamin was the early 1920’s Mastin’s “Vitamon Tablets,” which not only contained all three of the vitamins, but also iron, calcium, and phosphorous.14
- Women are more likely to take multivitamins than men (34% of women vs. 28.3% of men).15,16
- Nearly half of American adults 18+ and 70% of people aged 71+ take multivitamins.17,18
- The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, “an independent panel of experts in primary care and prevention that systematically reviews the evidence of effectiveness and develops recommendations for clinical preventive services,” reviewed 26 studies and concluded there was insufficient evidence to support any benefits of multivitamins or individual vitamins for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease or cancer among healthy, nutrient-sufficient adults. 19,20,21
- Those who take MVs are oftentimes consuming more nutrients and vitamins via food and drinks compared to those who do not take MVs. 22
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to approve of any MVs on the market as they do not claim to treat, cure, diagnose, or prevent disease in any way. 23 However, since 2019, the FDA has taken a stricter approach regarding the MV industry due to them “claiming to treat Alzheimer’s disease” 24. There are smaller agency groups, such as the USP who may give their seal of approval for certain MVs that meet their criteria. 25
- Although commonly thought of as a form of “nutritional insurance,” 26,27 there is also the risk of too much. 28,29 Overconsumption of certain vitamins and minerals within the multivitamin such as vitamin E (leads to an increased prevalence of hemorrhagic strokes) and vitamin D (hypercalcemia) can result in harmful and even fatal conditions. 30,31 It is of utmost importance to compare the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of each nutrient that is included within a MV. 32
Search Engine and Search Terms:
Searched on Google, Google Scholar, and PubMed containing the following combinations of search terms from the years [2000-2023].
Inclusion Terms:
- Multivitamin AND cardiovascular OR heart OR myocardial
- Multivitamin AND cognition OR cognitive health
- Multivitamin AND adverse interactions OR overconsumption
- Multivitamin AND cancer
- Multivitamin AND immunity
- Multivitamin AND stress OR mental health OR quality of life
- Multivitamin AND children OR adolescent OR toddler
- Multivitamin AND pregnancy OR fetal OR prenatal
- Multivitamin AND osteoporosis OR bone health
- Multivitamin AND marketing
- Multivitamin AND optical health
- Multivitamin AND efficacy OR effectiveness
- Multivitamin AND large scale study
Resource Websites:
- National Institute of Health Multivitamin Fact Sheet for Health Professionals
- National Institute of Health Multivitamin Definition Sheet
- National Institute of Health Multivitamin Fact Sheet for the Consumer
- World Health Organization Recommendations on Multivitamins During Pregnancy
- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists on Nutrition During Pregnancy
- National Institute of Health Office of Dietary Supplements Nutrient Recommendations
- National Health Service on Multivitamins
- Dr. Andrew Huberman’s Guide to Multivitamin Need and Usage
- Food and Drug Administration Information for Consumers on Using Dietary Supplements
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force on Vitamin, Mineral and Multivitamin Recommendations
- American Heart Association on Multivitamin Usage
- British Heart Foundation on Multivitamin Effects on Heart Health
- Use of SNAP for Multivitamins
- USDA Guide to Food Choices Containing Essential Vitamins
Current Uses and Scientific Review of the Literature:
Note: Before reviewing the literature, it is important to note that many peer-reviewed studies may be biased because of industry-funded research to promote product sales, and a conflict of interest is not always disclosed (see information from biologist and nutritionist Marion Nestle on sponsored research here). In this article, we have done our best not to include any industry-funded studies. As discussed in the Food as Medicine Report (on page 158, specifically), there is a need for more government funding for food as medicine initiatives.
Multivitamins Effect on Aging Populations
Different studies show mixed results on the benefits of MVs to older patients as a specific target study group. These studies range from cognitive health (positive association between MVs and memory recall) to cardiovascular impacts (no effects).
- Multivitamin Supplementation Improves Memory in Older Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial (The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2023)
- Multivitamin/Multimineral Supplementation Prevents or Reverses Decline in Vitamin Biomarkers and Cellular Energy Metabolism in Healthy Older Men: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study (Nutrients, 2023)
- The effect of consuming multivitamin/mineral supplements on elderly quality of life: Based on randomized control trial (Journal of education and health promotion, 2021)
- The Effect of a Multivitamin and Mineral Supplement on Immune Function in Healthy Older Adults: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial (Nutrients, 2020)
- Multivitamins and Nutritional Adequacy in Middle-Aged to Older Americans by Obesity Status (Journal of dietary supplements, 2020)
- Circulatory and Urinary B-Vitamin Responses to Multivitamin Supplement Ingestion Differ between Older and Younger Adults (Nutrients, 2020)
- Multivitamins, individual vitamin and mineral supplements, and risk of diabetes among older U.S. adults (Diabetes care, 2011)
- Effect of multivitamin and mineral supplementation on episodes of infection in nursing home residents: A randomized, placebo-controlled study (Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2007)
Blood Pressure
This meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled studies showed there was no significant effect on MV on blood pressure (BP)33.
- Effects of Multivitamin and Multimineral Supplementation on Blood Pressure: A Meta-Analysis of 12 Randomized Controlled Trials (Nutrients, 2018)
Bone Health
Studies show that MVs have a positive effect on bone health (greater bone mineral density (BMD)).
- Association between multiple vitamins and bone mineral density: a cross-sectional and population-based study in the NHANES from 2005 to 2006 (BMC Musculoskelet Disord, 2023)
- Multivitamins and risk of fragility hip fracture: a systematic review and meta-analysis (Arch Osteoporos, 2021)
- Multivitamin Use in Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocols: A Cost Analysis (Military medicine, 2021)
Cancers
Most of the below studies showed no correlation or association between multivitamin intake and incidence of any cancer or better mortality outcomes.
- Multivitamin Use and Overall and Site-Specific Cancer Risks in the National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study (The Journal of Nutrition, 2022)
- The Associations of Multivitamin and Antioxidant Use With Mortality Among Women and Men Diagnosed With Colorectal Cancer (JNCI Cancer Spectrum, 2022)
- Schenk, Jeannette M et al. “Differential Biopsy Patterns Influence Associations between Multivitamin Use and Prostate Cancer Risk in the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 2022)
- Multivitamin/multimineral supplements for cancer prevention: implications for primary care practice (Postgraduate Medicine, 2015)
- Multivitamin and mineral use and breast cancer mortality in older women with invasive breast cancer in the women’s health initiative Breast cancer research and treatment, 2013)
- Multivitamin supplement use and risk of breast cancer: a meta-analysis (The Annals of pharmacotherapy, 2011)
- Multivitamin use and breast cancer outcomes in women with early-stage breast cancer: the Life After Cancer Epidemiology study (Breast cancer research and treatment, 2011)
- Song-Yi Park and others, Multivitamin Use and the Risk of Mortality and Cancer Incidence: The Multiethnic Cohort Study (American Journal of Epidemiology, 2011)
- Multivitamin supplement use and risk of invasive breast cancer (Public health nutrition, 2010)
- Effects of vitamin C vs. multivitamin on melanogenesis: Comparative study in vitro and in vivo (International Journal of Dermatology, 2010)
- Multivitamin use is not associated with cancer recurrence or survival in patients with stage III colon cancer: findings from CALGB 89803 (Journal of clinical oncology: official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, 2010)
- Multivitamin Use and Risk of Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease in the Women’s Health Initiative Cohorts (Arch Intern Med., 2009)
- Multivitamin-multimineral supplement use and mammographic breast density (The American journal of clinical nutrition, 2008)
- Multivitamin use and risk of prostate cancer in the National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study (Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 2007)
- Multivitamin use and colon cancer mortality in the Cancer Prevention Study II cohort (Cancer causes & control, 2001)
Cardiovascular Disease
The majority of studies show no significant effect on CVD-caused mortality.
- Mortality after multivitamin supplementation: Nearly 35‐year follow‐up of the Randomized Linxian Dysplasia Nutrition Intervention Trial (Cancer, 2022)
- Multivitamin/mineral supplementation and the risk of cardiovascular disease: a large prospective study using UK Biobank data (European journal of nutrition, 2022)
- Multivitamins in the prevention of cancer and cardiovascular disease: the COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS) randomized clinical trial (The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2022)
- Vitamin, Mineral, and Multivitamin Supplementation for the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer: A Systematic Evidence Review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2021)
- Effect of Baseline Nutritional Status on Long-term Multivitamin Use and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: A Secondary Analysis of the Physicians’ Health Study II Randomized Clinical Trial (JAMA cardiology, 2017)
- Multivitamin use and the risk of hypertension in a prospective cohort study of women (Journal of hypertension, 2016)
- Multivitamin Use and the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Men (The Journal of nutrition, 2016)
- Multivitamin-mineral use is associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease mortality among women in the United States (The Journal of nutrition, 2015)
- A systematic review of multivitamin-multimineral use and cardiovascular disease and cancer incidence and total mortality (Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 2013)
- Oral High-Dose Multivitamins and Minerals After Myocardial Infarction: A Randomized Trial (Ann Intern Med, 2013)
- Multivitamins in the prevention of cancer in men: the Physicians’ Health Study II randomized controlled trial (JAMA, 2012)
Children
Most studies showed that most children already receive adequate amounts of nutrition with a balanced, healthy diet, and the use of MVs marketed for children can even contribute to an excess of micronutrients (taking more than daily allowance because they taste good, etc.) that can become toxic.
- Toxic elements in children’s multivitamin-multimineral supplements and the health risks they pose (Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology, 2023)
- Do Multivitamin/Mineral Dietary Supplements for Young Children Fill Critical Nutrient Gaps? (Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 2022)
- The effect of daily zinc and/or multivitamin supplements on early childhood development in Tanzania: Results from a randomized controlled trial (Maternal & Child Nutrition, 2016)
- Vitamin D-containing supplements for children between 1-3 years of age: are they essential for bone health? (Journal of pediatric endocrinology & metabolism, 2015)
- An examination of product packaging marketing strategies used to promote pediatric multivitamins (Journal of community health, 2015)
- Maternal multivitamin supplementation reduces the risk of diarrhea among HIV-exposed children through age 5 years (International health, 2014)
- Do dietary supplements improve micronutrient sufficiency in children and adolescents? (The Journal of pediatrics, 2012)
- Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study: do vitamin and mineral supplements contribute to nutrient adequacy or excess among US infants and toddlers? (Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 2006)
Chronic Disease Prevention
Studies show few clear effects on chronic diseases. Higher-income country populations can usually prevent chronic diseases via a balanced and healthy diet; lower-income countries may benefit but not enough research is present to confirm.
- Dietary supplements and disease prevention – a global overview (Nature reviews. Endocrinology, 2016)
- Efficacy of Multivitamin/mineral Supplementation to Reduce Chronic Disease Risk: A Critical Review of the Evidence from Observational Studies and Randomized Controlled Trials (Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 2015)
- Multivitamin Therapy for Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (University of Connecticut, 2012)
- Clinical trials and observational studies to assess the chronic disease benefits and risks of multivitamin-multimineral supplements (The American journal of clinical nutrition, 2007)
Cognition
No significant effect by MVs was found on cognition, except for slightly improved free memory recall.
- Effects of cocoa extract and a multivitamin on cognitive function: A randomized clinical trial (Alzheimer’s Dement., 2023)
- Long-term multivitamin supplementation and cognitive function in men: a randomized trial (Annals of Internal Medicine, 2013)
- The effects of multivitamins on cognitive performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis (Journal of Alzheimer’s disease, 2012)
Multivitamin Studies on Various Sub-Populations
These were studies done on various groups of people who have high similarities. For instance, there are a few MV studies done on women, as their biological makeup and ability to produce children sets them apart from men. There is also MV research specifically looking at only higher income countries or only those living with disabilities etc. Research shows that non-ethnic minority communities (those living with disabilities, living with lower socioeconomic statuses, etc.) are more likely to use MVs. Interestingly, Whites were the most likely to use MVs when compared to all other ethnicities. Mothers who took MVs were more likely to have children that took children’s MVs. Women use MVs more than men do.
- Dietary Supplement Use Differs by Socioeconomic and Health-Related Characteristics among U.S. Adults, NHANES 2011-2014 (Nutrients, 2018)
- Multivitamin use and risk of stroke incidence and mortality amongst women (European Journal of Neurology, 2017)
- Multivitamin use and adverse birth outcomes in high-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis (American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2017)
- Nutrient intake and use of dietary supplements among US adults with disabilities (Disability and Health Journal, 2015)
- Multivitamin use and the risk of mortality and cancer incidence: the multiethnic cohort study (American Journal of Epidemiology, 2011)
- Multivitamin use and breast cancer incidence in a prospective cohort of Swedish women (The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2010)
- Multivitamin use among multi-ethnic, low-income adults (Cancer Causes & Control, 2009)
- Multivitamin use and telomere length in women (The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2009)
- Maternal influences on 5- to 7-year-old girls’ intake of multivitamin-mineral supplements (Pediatrics, 2002)
Effective Nutritional Supplementation
One delphi consensus panel determined that MVs can be helpful in acting to specifically close the gap of deficiencies in micronutrients. This can be helpful to certain populations (young and older adults, those in a disease state, etc.) who have a temporary barrier to receiving all essential nutrients. Those who already receive nutritious diets normally would not benefit as much.
- Dietary Supplement Use Among Adults: United States, 2017-2018 (NCHS Data Brief, 2021)
- Intravenous Multivitamin Therapy Use in Hospital or Outpatient Settings: A Review of Clinical Effectiveness and Guidelines (Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health, 2020)
- The Use of Multivitamin/Multimineral Supplements: A Modified Delphi Consensus Panel Report (Clinical Therapeutics, 2018)
- Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Micronutrient Supplementation (Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 2018)
- The Evolving Role of Multivitamin/Multimineral Supplement Use among Adults in the Age of Personalized Nutrition (Nutrients, 2018)
- Impact of Frequency of Multi-Vitamin/Multi-Mineral Supplement Intake on Nutritional Adequacy and Nutrient Deficiencies in U.S. Adults (Nutrients, 2017)
- Addressing Nutritional Gaps with Multivitamin and Mineral Supplements (Nutrition Journal, 2014)
- Plasma changes in micronutrients following a multivitamin and mineral supplement in healthy adults (Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 2003)
- Efficacy of a complex multivitamin supplement (Nutrition, 2002)
Immunity
Most studies showed that there is reduction of infection incidences amongst those who take MVs when compared to those who did not. However, all studies state that more research is required.
- Association between multivitamin supplementation and mortality among patients with Ebola virus disease: An international multisite cohort study (African Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2020)
- Multivitamin supplementation supports immune function and ameliorates conditions triggered by reduced air quality (Vitamins and Minerals, 2015)
- A systematic review of multivitamin and multimineral supplementation for Infection (Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, 2006)
- Effect of a multivitamin and mineral supplement on Infection and quality of life (Annals of Internal Medicine, 2003)
Interactions/Overconsumption
There is serious potential for overconsumption of multivitamins; this can take the form of physical indigestion buildup, negative effects on development, and more. It is very important for MV companies to market appropriately and clearly label the recommended directions on the products.
- Multivitamin-Induced Pharmacobezoar: A Rare Entity of Large Bowel Obstruction (Cureus, 2023)
- An analysis of nutrient facts labels of pediatric multi-vitamin and mineral supplements: Is there a risk of overexposure? (Nutrition and Health, 2022)
- Risk of excessive intake of vitamins and minerals delivered through public health interventions: objectives, results, conclusions of the meeting, and the way forward (Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 2019)
- Emergency Department Visits for Adverse Events Related to Dietary Supplements (The New England Journal of Medicine, 2015)
- Americans’ Use of Dietary Supplements That Are Potentially Harmful in CKD (American Journal of Kidney Diseases, 2013)
- Multivitamin and multimineral dietary supplements: definitions, characterization, bioavailability, and drug interactions (The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2007)
- A functional 19-base pair deletion polymorphism of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and risk of breast cancer in multivitamin users (The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2007)
- Adverse event monitoring and multivitamin-multimineral dietary supplements (The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2007)
- What is known about the safety of multivitamin-multimineral supplements for the generally healthy population? Theoretical basis for harm. (The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2007)
- Potential complication of multivitamin use in patients with Wilson’s disease (The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1995)
Perceived Health/Qualitative Studies
Using MVs generally will result in positive expectations of its effect on health; people who use MVs have a more positive view of their health than they did before using MVs.
- Why and how do consumers use dietary supplements? A systematic review and thematic analysis (Health Promotion International, 2023)
- Effects of Oral Multi-Vitamin Multi-Mineral Supplement Formulations on Laboratory Outcomes and Quality of Life: A Quasi-Experimental Study (Frontiers in Nutrition, 2022)
- Self-reported health without clinically measurable benefits among adult users of multivitamin and multimineral supplements: a cross-sectional study (BMJ Open, 2020)
- Consumer attitudes about the role of multivitamins and other dietary supplements: report of a survey (Nutrition Journal, 2015)
- Effects of Vitamin and Mineral Supplementation on Stress, Mild Psychiatric Symptoms, and Mood in Nonclinical Samples: A Meta-Analysis (Psychosomatic Medicine, 2013)
Pregnancy
The intake of MVs have not been shown to prevent preeclampsia, which is having high blood pressure during late-stage pregnancy and can have harmful effects on the fetus. However, MVs that contain folic acid, or specifically pre-natal MVs, have a substantial net benefit on the development of neural tubes in the fetus. There are also a few studies that show a protective effect against cancer on the future child of the mother who takes MVs during pregnancy.
- Multivitamin use and risk of preeclampsia: A systematic review and meta-analysis (Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 2022)
- Multivitamin intake does not affect the risk of preterm and very preterm birth (Danish Medical Journal, 2020)
- Estimation of Total Usual Dietary Intakes of Pregnant Women in the United States (JAMA Network Open, 2019)
- Multiple-micronutrient supplementation for women during pregnancy (The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2019)
- Maternal over supplementation with folic acid and its impact on neurodevelopment of offspring (Nutrition Reviews, 2018)
- Folic Acid Supplementation for the Prevention of Neural Tube Defects: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement (JAMA, 2017)
- Preconceptional and prenatal supplementary folic acid and multivitamin intake and autism spectrum disorders (Autism, 2015)
- Effect of multivitamin versus multivitamin-mineral supplementation on metabolic profiles and biomarkers of oxidative stress in pregnant women: a double-blind randomized clinical trial (The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine, 2015)
- A prospective cohort study of vitamins B, C, E, and multivitamin intake and endometriosis (Journal of Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Disorders, 2013)
- Participant experiences from chronic administration of a multivitamin versus placebo on subjective health and wellbeing: a double-blind qualitative analysis of a randomized controlled trial (Nutrition Journal, 2012)
- Association of Periconceptional Multivitamin Use With Reduced Risk of Preeclampsia Among Normal-Weight Women in the Danish National Birth Cohort (American Journal of Epidemiology, 2009)
- Folic Acid and Multivitamin Supplement Use and Risk of Placental Abruption: A Population-based Registry Study (American Journal of Epidemiology, 2008)
- Prenatal multivitamin supplementation and rates of pediatric cancers: a meta-analysis (Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 2007)
- Preventing pre-eclampsia: do multivitamins work? (Nursing for Women’s Health, 2007)
- Prenatal multivitamin supplementation and rates of congenital anomalies: a meta-analysis (Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada, 2006)
Stress/Mental Health
Studies show that self-reported stress levels were decreased when taking MVs. However, because there is no clear biological mechanism between the MVs and multiple mood states, it cannot be said that this is a causal relationship. Note that stress is measured by perception.
- Multivitamin and protein supplement use is associated with positive mood states and health behaviors in US Military and Coast Guard personnel (Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 2014)
- The Effects of Multivitamin Supplementation on Diurnal Cortisol Secretion and Perceived Stress (Nutrients, 2013)
- The effects of multivitamin supplementation on mood and general well-being in healthy young adults. A laboratory and at-home mobile phone assessment (Appetite, 2013)
- Multivitamin supplementation in HIV-positive pregnant women: Impact on depression and quality of life in a resource-poor setting (HIV Medicine, 2007)
- Effect of a probiotic multivitamin compound on stress and exhaustion (Advances in Therapy, 2002)
- A double-blind, placebo-controlled, double-center study of the effects of an oral multivitamin-mineral combination on stress (South African Medical Journal, 2000)
Videos:
- Developing a Rational Approach to Supplementation for Health & Performance (Dr. Andrew Huberman, 2023)
- Talk on Multivitamins During an NIH Video Seminar on Supplements, Diets, and the Food System (Marion Nestle, 2023)
- Do We Need to Rely on Dietary Supplements? (TED – Varun Valentine, 2021)
Medical Organizations on MVs:
- Hopkins Medicine: “The researchers concluded that multivitamins don’t reduce the risk for heart disease, cancer, cognitive decline (such as memory loss and slowed-down thinking) or an early death. They also noted that in prior studies, vitamin E and beta-carotene supplements appear to be harmful, especially at high doses.”
- Cleveland Clinic “‘So many of my patients tell me they know their diet is not great but that I shouldn’t worry because at least they take a multivitamin,” says Taylor. “But multivitamins aren’t a surefire way to get what you need.’”
- Harvard Health: “Most studies find no benefit from multivitamins in protecting the brain or heart. But there are potential benefits and no risks from a one daily standard multivitamin.”
- Northwestern Medicine: “There’s no ‘magic set of pills to keep you healthy.’ Diet and exercise are key.”
- Forbes Health: “Their purpose is to fill nutritional gaps that you may not know exist. That’s why I take one every day—just in case.”
- Harvard Health: “Vitamins can help ward off disease and other health problems, but only in people who are severely malnourished, something that’s not true of the average American adult.”
- Cleveland Clinic (Kids): “It’s like having an insurance policy. You don’t need it, but it’s a good idea.”
- British Heart Foundation: “The researchers said: ‘Our study supports current professional guidelines that recommend against the routine use of multivitamin and mineral supplements for the purpose of cardiovascular disease prevention in the general population.’”
- CNN Health: “Although supplement use remains popular with adults and children, science has not shown that they actually offer much help with health.”
- WebMD: “Eating a balanced diet with plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains should provide the vitamins your body needs. However, it’s not always possible to eat healthy meals. If that’s the case, taking supplements might help. Multivitamins are designed to fill nutritional gaps. There are different brands and formulations, and each will list the percent daily value (DV) or recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of the nutrients in one serving.”
Books:
- Vitamania: How Vitamins Revolutionized the Way We Think About Food (Catherine Price, 2016)
- The Vitamin Solution: Two Doctors Clear the Confusion about Vitamins and Your Health (Dr. Romy Block and Dr. Arielle Levitan, 2015)
Opinion Pieces:
- New York Times: Don’t Take Your Vitamins (NYT, 2013) & Are You Wasting Your Money on Multivitamins? (NYT, 2022)
- The Telegraph: The Truth About Your Daily Multivitamin (Telegraph, 2022)
- MedScape: It’s Official. Vitamins Don’t Do Much for Health (MedScape, 2022)
- NBC THINK: The multivitamin industry rakes in billions of dollars. But science says we’re not getting healthier (NBC, 2018)
- The Cut: How Americans Became Obsessed with Vitamins (The Cut, 2015)
- Annals of Internal Medicine: Enough Is Enough: Stop Wasting Money on Vitamin and Mineral Supplements (AIM, 2013)
- L.A. Times: Our bodies make vitamin D naturally. So why do Americans spend billions on supplements? (LATimes, 2012)
News Articles:
- AP News: Taking a daily multivitamin appears to boost brains of adults over 60, but more study is needed (Associated Press, 2023)
- NBC News: Brain Memory: Multivitamins may help slow loss of memory as people get older (NBC, 2023)
- NPR: Not Everyone Should Be Taking a Multivitamin (NPR, 2023)
- CNN: Most US adults and a third of children use dietary supplements, survey finds (CNN, 2023)
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health News: Daily multivitamin may improve memory in older adults (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 2023)
- Ditch the multivitamins and take a cold shower: New Year wellness resolutions for 2023 (USA Today Health and Wellness, 2023)
- Washington Post: Multivitamins may help slow memory loss in older adults, study shows (Washington Post, 2023)
- TIME: What the Science Says About the Health Benefits of Vitamins and Supplements (TIME, 2022)
- TIME: Do Gummy Vitamins Work? Here’s What Experts Say (TIME, 2019)
- The Guardian: Multivitamins a waste of money and just create ‘very expensive urine’ (The Guardian, 2017)
- The Atlantic: The Vitamin Myth: Why We Think We Need Supplements (The Atlantic, 2013)
Podcasts:
- The Truth About Supplements (Zoe Health, 2023)
- Multivitamins (Barbell Medicine Podcast, 2022)
- Your Multivitamin Won’t Save You (Short Wave, 2022)
Conclusion:
This resource guide presents a comprehensive overview of multivitamins, drawing on a variety of reliable and reputable sources, including peer-reviewed studies and expert opinions from healthcare organizations. The evidence gathered highlights the importance of understanding that there is currently less evidence than many may think there exists to back the effectiveness of a supplement often taken as “nutritional insurance.”
References:
- Vitamins Come to Dinner | Science History Institute. Accessed September 16, 2023. https://sciencehistory.org/stories/magazine/vitamins-come-to-dinner/
- Koul PA, Ahmad SH, Ahmad F, Jan RA, Shah SU, Khan UH. Vitamin D Toxicity in Adults: A Case Series from an Area with Endemic Hypovitaminosis D. Oman Med J. 2011;26(3):201-204. doi:10.5001/omj.2011.49
- Fortmann SP, Burda BU, Senger CA, Lin JS, Whitlock EP. Vitamin and mineral supplements in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer: An updated systematic evidence review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Ann Intern Med. 2013;159(12):824-834. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-159-12-201312170-00729
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