Daily Multivitamins May Not Help You Live Longer, Study Shows Here's what you need to know about the study, as well as whether this means you shouldn't consider taking a multivitamin
Research shows that people without chronic conditions who took a daily multivitamin over a long period of time didn't have a lower risk of death than those not taking a multivitamin
- New research found that people without chronic disease who took a daily multivitamin over a long period had the same risk of dying as those who did not.
- While the study focused on the connection between multivitamins and longevity, it didn't assess other aspects of multivitamin use, such as its effect on quality of life.
- Experts say that some people may benefit from taking a daily multivitamin, but in general it's better to get vitamins and minerals through food.
About one in three people in the United States take multivitamins, many with the aim of improving health and preventing disease. But new research has found that the supplements may not help people live longer.
The study, published in late June in the journal JAMA Network Open, found that people without chronic disease who took a daily multivitamin (MV) over long periods had the same risk of dying of any cause as those who did not.
“Understanding the relationship between MV use and mortality is crucial for public health guidance, but there has been insufficient evidence to determine the benefits and harms,” Erikka Loftfield, PhD, MPH, lead author and investigator for the Intramural Research Program at the National Cancer Institute, told Health. “We aimed to evaluate the association of MV use with leading causes of chronic disease-related death, like cardiovascular disease and cancer.”
The new research suggests that taking multivitamins, which contain a combination of vitamins and minerals, may not be a helpful way for some people to extend their lifespans. However, researchers didn’t assess how the supplements might affect other aspects of health, such as quality of life.
“It is possible that daily MV use has an impact on other health outcomes associated with aging,” Loftfield said. “However, such outcomes were beyond the scope of the current study.”
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Investigating the Connection Between Daily Multivitamins and Longevity
The study is the latest to dig into the effects of taking multivitamins, a long-debated topic.
Prior studies assessing multivitamins’ effects on chronic diseases have had mixed results, Loftfield said. There are “some studies showing modest potential benefit, others suggesting harm, and still others showing no effect.”
To further investigate the impacts of multivitamin use, Loftfield and colleagues at the National Cancer Institute analyzed health records from 390,124 U.S. adults with a median age of 61.5 years spread across three large studies. The participants had no history of chronic disease.
The team assessed multivitamin use and mortality outcomes over 20 to 27 years. They discovered that people who took a daily multivitamin did not have a higher chance of living longer than their non-multivitamin-using counterparts. Alternatively, taking a multivitamin was associated with a 4% higher mortality risk for all causes.
“Understanding the relationship between MV use and mortality is crucial for public health guidance,” Loftfield said.
However, she added that further research, including more diverse populations like those with nutrient deficiencies, is needed.
When Multivitamins Can Help
While the study found that daily multivitamin use might not help people live longer overall, experts agree that it can be helpful in some cases.
A multivitamin may be helpful for certain people who “find it hard to eat balanced meals and snacks,” Alyssa Smolen, RDN, a New Jersey-based registered dietitian, told Health. “This can be especially true for people with young families or food allergies and intolerances.”
A daily multivitamin might also benefit people with certain medical conditions, Lisa Andrews, RD, a registered dietician based in Cincinnati, Ohio, told Health. These conditions include celiac disease, active alcoholism, or malabsorptive conditions like pancreatitis or short bowel syndrome.
Studies have also suggested that taking a multivitamin may help reduce cognitive decline in those with mild cognitive impairment. Additional research has tied multivitamin use in men with a lower risk of cancer and cataracts and a reduction in depression and anxiety.
What to Consider Before Taking a Multivitamin
Experts recommend consulting a doctor before taking any new supplement to assess whether it’s appropriate for your specific circumstances.
But generally speaking, nutrition experts often suggest getting minerals and nutrients through food rather than vitamins. For many people, multivitamins likely aren’t worth the effort and expense.
“Eating a healthful diet, getting adequate sleep, and regularly exercising tends to have better health and longevity benefits than the singular act of taking a multivitamin,” Smolen stressed.
While a daily multivitamin “is safe for most people as long as it’s taken as prescribed,” Andrews said, the pills do come with risks.
“Certain medical conditions such as liver and kidney disease may raise the risk of toxicity when vitamins are taken in excess,” she said. Additionally, some medications may also interact with a multivitamin.
It’s also important to know that dietary supplements, like multivitamins, are not tested for purity, safety, or effectiveness by the Food and Drug Administration. If you do decide to take a multivitamin, look for brands verified by a third party, like the National Science Foundation and U.S. Pharmacopeia.
This story originally appeared on: Health News - Author:Christina Manian, RDN
