About one-third of American adults report take multivitaminsdata shows — but new research suggests the daily practice won't extend lifespan.
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) analyzed more than 20 years of data from 400,000 healthy adults in the US and concluded that taking multivitamins does not reduce the risk of death.
“The analysis found that people who took daily multivitamins did not have a lower risk of death from any cause than people who did not take multivitamins,” the researchers wrote in an NIH press release.
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“There were also no differences in cancer mortality, heart disease or cerebrovascular diseases.”
Data shows that about one-third of adults in the US take multivitamins. (iStock)
Those who took daily multivitamins were actually found to have a 4% higher mortality risk, according to the study, published Wednesday in JAMA Network Open.
The average age of the participants was 61.5 years. During the follow-up period, 164,762 people died.
“People who use multivitamins generally have a healthier lifestyle. In addition, sick patients are more likely to use multivitamins more often.”
The results were adjusted for factors such as race, ethnicity and education and nutrition.
The study followed a 2022 analysis by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which concluded there was “insufficient evidence” to determine whether multivitamin use improved mortality.
The study, published Wednesday in JAMA Network Open, found that people who took a daily multivitamin had a 4 percent higher risk of dying. (iStock)
By including a larger number of participants and extending follow-up over longer periods of time, the researchers aimed to address potential biases that could have affected the findings.
“For example, people who use multivitamins may experience: healthier lifestyle “In general, sicker patients are more likely to take multivitamins,” they wrote in an NIH press release.
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Pieter Cohen, an associate professor of medicine at the Cambridge Health Alliance in Massachusetts, was not involved in the study, but did provide his feedback.
“This study provides further evidence that taking multivitamins, even for 20 years or more, will not extend your life,” he told Fox News Digital.
“For healthy adultsthere is no reason to add a multivitamin unless your doctor specifically recommends it.”
Doctor points out limitations
Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurologist and longevity expert, was also not involved in the study but offered his opinion on the findings.
Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurologist and longevity expert at Senolytix, is an advocate of daily multivitamins. (Dr. Brett Osborn)
“Important aspects of the study include its observational nature, the lack of a control group, and the variability in the multivitamin formulas participants took,” he said in an email to Fox News Digital.
(The researchers also acknowledged these limitations in their discussion of the study results.)
“Most multivitamins contain a broad spectrum of vitamins and minerals, but concentrations can vary widely by brand and formulation,” one doctor said. (iStock)
“Observational studies such as this can suggest associations or correlations, but cannot prove causation because of the possibility of confounding variables affecting both multivitamin use and mortality rates,” Osborn said.
While the researchers noted that they adjusted for factors such as demographics, lifestyle behaviors, and… health statusOsborn said, “residual confusion remains a concern.”
The doctor also noted that the lack of a control group makes it difficult to compare results.
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“Without a control group, it is challenging to separate the effects of multivitamins from those of other health behaviors or baseline values. health conditions “That could affect mortality,” Osborn said.
The study also did not include controls on the specific formulation or dosage of multivitamins taken by participants, the doctor noted.
The study highlights the importance of “thorough scientific research” into the health benefits of multivitamins, a doctor said. (iStock)
“Most multivitamins contain a broad spectrum of vitamins and minerals, but concentrations can vary widely by brand and formulation,” he said.
“Many commercially available multivitamins may not provide the optimal amount of nutrients needed for health benefits, potentially blunting any potential effects on longevity.”
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In his practice, Osborn said, he recommends a daily multivitamin with multiple capsules to his patients.
Vitamin use is just one aspect of longevity, the doctor emphasized, along with genetics, lifestyle, and socioeconomic status access to health careamong other factors.
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“The multifactorial nature of longevity means that isolating the impact of multivitamins alone is complex and challenging, if not impossible,” Osborn said.
“There are just too many potentially confounding variables.”
According to the doctor, the study emphasizes the importance of “rigorous scientific research” into the health benefits of multivitamins.
According to one doctor, vitamin use is just one aspect of longevity, along with genes, lifestyle, socioeconomic status and access to health care. (iStock)
“In my opinion, multivitamins should be taken as most Americans are malnourished – certainly not in terms of calories, but in the context of vitamins and minerals.”
Looking to the future, the researchers emphasized the importance of measuring the impact of multivitamins on mortality in more diverse populations with different medical conditions and diet habits.
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“It is important to evaluate multivitamin use and risk of death among different population groups, such as those with documented nutritional deficiencies, as well as the potential impact of regular multivitamin use on other health conditions associated with aging,” they wrote.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the study's researchers for comment, as well as vitamin manufacturers PharmaVite (NatureMade), Nestlé Health Science (Garden of Life and Nature's Bounty) and Life Extension.
