Results are based on an NIH study that analyzed over two decades of dietary information from 390,124 U.S. adults.
A large analysis of data from nearly 400,000 healthy U.S. adults followed for more than 20 years has found no association between regular multivitamin use and a lower risk of death. The study, led by researchers at the National Institutes of Health’s National Cancer Institute, was published on June 26, 2024, in JAMA Network Open.
Many adults in the United States take multivitamins with the hope of improving their health. However, the benefits and harms of regular multivitamin use remain unclear. Previous studies of multivitamin use and mortality have yielded mixed results and have been limited by short follow-up times.
To more deeply explore the relationship between long-term regular multivitamin use and overall mortality and death from cardiovascular disease and cancer, the researchers analyzed data from three large, geographically diverse prospective studies involving a total of 390,124 U.S. adults who were followed for more than 20 years. The participants included in this analysis were generally healthy, with no history of cancer or other chronic diseases.
Analysis and Results
Because the study population was so large and included lengthy follow-ups and extensive information on demographics and lifestyle factors, the researchers were able to mitigate the effects of possible biases that may have influenced the findings of other studies. For example, people who use multivitamins may have healthier lifestyles in general, and sicker patients may be more likely to increase their use of multivitamins.
The analysis showed that people who took daily multivitamins did not have a lower risk of death from any cause than people who took no multivitamins. There were also no differences in mortality from cancer, heart disease, or cerebrovascular diseases. The results were adjusted for factors such as race and ethnicity, education, and diet quality.
The researchers noted that it is important to evaluate multivitamin use and risk of death among different kinds of populations, such as those with documented nutritional deficiencies, as well as the potential impact of regular multivitamin use on other health conditions associated with aging.
“Multivitamin Use and Mortality Risk in 3 Prospective US Cohorts” by Erikka Loftfield, Caitlin P. O’Connell, Christian C. Abnet, Barry I. Graubard, Linda M. Liao, Laura E. Beane Freeman, Jonathan N. Hofmann, Neal D. Freedman and Rashmi Sinha, 26 June 2024, JAMA Network Open.
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.18729
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2 Comments
Interesting reading, but I didn’t find any mention of time-frames related to the risk of death. Taken in the whole, we all have exactly the same overall risk of death – 100%
You can’t build a house without a foundation.
Per NIH and CDC most American’s do not receive enough magnesium, or potassium, from obviously deficient foods (perhaps even calcium). If one chooses to take a multivitamin they must make sure they first have the foundation; for example, currently a magnesium supplement is truly needed BEFORE a multivitamin can be beneficial. The same is likely true for potassium and maybe calcium. For a multivitamin to have this necessary “foundation” it would be enormous!
These many studies regarding multivitamins never determine if the foundation is present! Again the NIH and CDC assure us that it is quite likely the foundation is not present!