Multivitamin supplements have become a routine addition to many Americans’ diets, with as many as 1 in 3 U.S. adults consuming them regularly, but are these daily doses improving overall health and longevity?
A study from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) published Wednesday found that multivitamins won’t help extend your life, with researchers reporting, “multivitamin use to improve longevity is not supported.”
The study analyzed data from nearly 400,000 adults over 20 years. Participants had a median age of 61.5 years old and were generally healthy, with no history of chronic diseases, according to the study published in JAMA Network Open.
The study found no evidence that daily multivitamin consumption reduced the risk of death from conditions such as heart disease or cancer.
Vitamins are seen at a Walgreens Pharmacy in Miami.
Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images via Getty Images
Rather than living longer, otherwise healthy people who took daily multivitamins were slightly more likely (4%) than non-users to die in the study period, according to researchers.
Researchers reported nearly 165,000 deaths occurring during the follow-up period of the study, out of the initial group of 390,000 participants.
The study, however, did not analyze data from people with pre-existing vitamin deficiencies.
“What this study shows is that, generally, multivitamins aren’t going to help you live longer,” Dr. Jade A Cobern, MD, MPH, board-certified physician in pediatrics and general preventive medicine, told ABC News.
“Even though the cost of many multivitamins isn’t high, this is still an expense that many people can be spared from,” Cobern said.
STOCK PHOTO/Getty Images
Cobern explained that, when possible, it’s best to get vitamins and minerals from your diet, focusing on increasing vegetable intake and limiting red meat consumption, rather than relying solely on a supplement.
“We can all likely benefit from adding more vegetables and whole grains or legumes into our diets, reducing red meat intake, decreasing our sedentary time and reducing alcohol intake,” Cobern suggested.
While taking a multivitamin supplement does not increase longevity, Cobern said it’s important for people to ask their doctor to know if a multivitamin or specific vitamin supplement would be helpful in their case, based on their health history and diet.
“If a doctor prescribes a vitamin for someone, it’s important to take that medication,” Cobern said, adding, “I recommend everyone get routine health checkups and to talk to doctors about your dietary history and disclose any supplements you’re taking in those appointments.”
A new study has found that taking daily multivitamin supplements does not extend lifespan, contrary to popular belief. The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, analyzed data from over 21,000 participants over a span of 12 years.
The researchers found that there was no significant difference in lifespan between those who took daily multivitamin supplements and those who did not. This finding challenges the common belief that taking multivitamins can help individuals live longer.
While multivitamins are often marketed as a way to fill in nutritional gaps and promote overall health, this study suggests that they may not have the desired effect when it comes to extending lifespan. The researchers noted that it is important for individuals to focus on maintaining a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, rather than relying solely on supplements.
It is important to note that this study focused specifically on multivitamin supplements and their impact on lifespan. Other studies have shown that certain individual vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin D and calcium, can have positive effects on health when taken in appropriate doses.
Overall, the findings of this study highlight the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle in order to promote longevity. While multivitamin supplements may still have benefits for certain individuals, they should not be seen as a substitute for a well-rounded diet. It is always best to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen.
