An extensive analysis of data from nearly 400,000 healthy U.S. adults monitored for over two decades reveals no link between regular multivitamin consumption and a decreased risk of death. This research, spearheaded by experts at the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health, was documented in the June 26, 2024, edition of JAMA Network Open. In the United States, many adults consume multivitamins, hoping to enhance their health. Nonetheless, consistent multivitamin intake’s advantages and disadvantages are still poorlyneed to be better understood. This study’s unique contribution lies in its ability to overcome the limitations of prior investigations into the connection between multivitamin use and mortality rates, which often presented inconsistent outcomes and were constrained by brief follow-up durations.
The current study aimed to thoroughly investigate the correlation between prolonged, regular multivitamin use and overall mortality, as well as deaths linked to cardiovascular diseases and cancer. The researchers utilised data from three extensive, geographically varied prospective studies, which included 390,124 U.S. adults. These participants, who were generally healthy and had no history of cancer or other chronic conditions, were observed for more than 20 years.
Owing to the significant size of the study group, the lengthy follow-up period, and comprehensive details on demographics and lifestyle factors, the researchers could control for potential biases that might have skewed the results of previous studies. For instance, individuals who consume multivitamins regularly lead generally healthier lifestyles, and those suffering from illnesses are more inclined to increase their multivitamin usage.
The findings indicated that daily multivitamin takers did not experience a reduced mortality risk from any cause compared to those who did not use multivitamins at all. There were no observable differences in death rates from cancer, heart disease, or cerebrovascular conditions. These results were adjusted for variables such as race and ethnicity, education, and dietary quality. The researchers underscored the necessity of assessing the relationship between multivitamin use and mortality risk across various populations, including those with known nutritional deficiencies, and the potential effects of habitual multivitamin consumption on other health issues related to ageing, which warrants further investigation.
More information: Erikka Loftfield et al, Multivitamin Use and Mortality Risk in 3 Prospective US Cohorts, JAMA Network Open. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.18729
Journal information: JAMA Network Open Provided by NIH / National Cancer Institute
