A recent study has found that taking daily multivitamins does not necessarily help people live longer and may even increase the risk of early death. Researchers in the US examined the health records of nearly 400,000 adults without major long-term diseases to determine if daily multivitamin use had any impact on their risk of death over a 20-year period.
Surprisingly, the study revealed that individuals who took daily multivitamins were slightly more likely to die during the study period compared to non-users. This led government researchers to conclude that there is no evidence to support the use of multivitamins to improve longevity.
Despite the widespread popularity of multivitamins and dietary supplements, experts have raised concerns about their health benefits and potential risks. For example, while natural food sources of beta-carotene have been shown to protect against cancer, beta-carotene supplements may actually increase the risk of lung cancer and heart disease. Similarly, the addition of iron to many multivitamins can lead to iron overload and raise the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and dementia.
The study, conducted by Dr. Erikka Loftfield and her team at the National Cancer Institute, analyzed data from three major US health studies involving over 390,000 healthy adults. The researchers found no evidence that daily multivitamin use reduced the risk of death and actually reported a 4% higher mortality risk among users in the initial years of follow-up.
While vitamins can be beneficial in specific cases, such as preventing scurvy or slowing age-related macular degeneration, multivitamins as a whole seem to overpromise and underdeliver. Instead of relying on supplements, experts recommend focusing on a healthy diet that provides a wide range of essential nutrients, macronutrients, and fiber while limiting saturated fat and cholesterol.
Registered dietitian Duane Mellor emphasized that while a vitamin and mineral supplement cannot fix an unhealthy diet on its own, it can help fill nutrient gaps for individuals who struggle to obtain them through food alone. For example, adults in the UK are advised to take vitamin D supplements during the winter months, and vegans and vegetarians may benefit from vitamin B12 supplements.
In conclusion, the latest research suggests that daily multivitamins may not be the key to a longer life and could potentially have negative effects on health. Instead of relying on supplements, it is essential to prioritize a balanced diet rich in nutrients to support overall health and well-being.
