A large-scale study involving over 390,000 generally healthy U.S. adults found no evidence that daily multivitamin use reduces the risk of mortality from any cause, including cardiovascular diseases or cancer, even after adjusting for factors like lifestyle, demographics, health conditions, race, ethnicity, education, and diet quality over a 20-year period.

While about one-third of U.S. adults take daily multivitamins assuming potential benefits for disease prevention and longevity, previous studies have shown conflicting results, and the benefits and harms remain unclear. This large study suggests daily multivitamin use may not extend longevity or provide mortality benefits for generally healthy individuals without chronic diseases or nutritional deficiencies.

The study found that those who did not take multivitamins had the lowest risk of death during the study period, and mortality rates were higher for daily multivitamin users, especially among younger individuals. There were no significant differences in mortality risks between groups over a longer time horizon.

The research suggests multivitamins can be an unnecessary expense for those without a diagnosed deficiency. Vitamin supplements that the body doesn't need can cause health problems, ranging from mild to severe, including death in cases of severe overdose.

Getting vitamins from food is generally recommended over taking multivitamin pills, which have downsides, like impeding antibiotic absorption in some cases.

Experts recommend using vitamin pills to fill in gaps alongside a healthy diet, such as with vitamin D or B12 supplements, and recommend focusing on nutrient-dense foods and following diets like the Mediterranean or Blue Zone diet for lifelong health.

Sources: CBS News, Business Insider, Fox News, Medical Dialogues, Science Daily, Benzinga, Liverpool Echo, List23, SciTechDaily, Tech Explorist, The Times-Tribune, CTV News, Boston Herald, Medical News Today, Technology Networks, National Post, The Weekly Journal

This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq.

The post Massive research finds no evidence between daily multivitamins and reduced mortality risk appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

A groundbreaking study published in JAMA Network Open has cast doubt on the widespread practice of taking daily multivitamins for disease prevention. The research, conducted by the National Cancer Institute, found that regular multivitamin use was associated with a 4% higher risk of death compared to non-use.

A bitter pill to swallow: Multivitamins may increase risk of death#health #wellness #diet #vitamins #HealthAndWellness #HealthyLife pic.twitter.com/niXV9IB0Q1

— Israel Hayom English (@IsraelHayomEng) July 1, 2024

The study, which followed 390,000 healthy Americans over two decades, challenges the common belief that multivitamins offer significant health benefits. Researchers divided participants into three groups – nonusers, occasional users, and daily users – and tracked their health outcomes for two decades. During the follow-up period, nearly 165,000 deaths occurred.

"In this cohort study of 390,124 US adults without a history of major chronic diseases, we did not find evidence to support improved longevity among healthy adults who regularly take multivitamins," the researchers stated. They added, "However, we cannot preclude the possibility that daily [multivitamin] use may be associated with other health outcomes related to aging."

The findings suggest that multivitamins did not lower the risk of dying from cancer, heart disease, or cerebrovascular diseases. This conclusion aligns with a 2022 determination by the US Preventive Services Task Force, which found that vitamin and mineral supplementation offers "little or no benefit" in preventing cancer, cardiovascular disease, and death.

Despite these findings, multivitamin use remains popular in the US, with one in three adults taking them, typically to prevent disease or improve health. The researchers noted that this popularity persists despite mixed evidence about their benefits.

The study's authors propose a shift in focus from supplements to whole foods. "Refocusing nutrition interventions on food, rather than supplements, may provide the mortality benefits that multivitamins cannot deliver," they wrote. "Vegetables, fruits, legumes, and cereal grains are staples in areas of remarkable longevity."

While the study's results are compelling, the researchers acknowledged some limitations. Participants may not have accurately reported their multivitamin use, and individuals with a history of cancer and other chronic diseases were excluded from the study.

The researchers also hypothesized that people who use multivitamins may have healthier lifestyles overall, while those with health issues might be more likely to increase their multivitamin intake. They did note that some specific supplements may offer benefits, leaving room for further research in this area.

As this study adds to the growing body of evidence questioning the efficacy of multivitamins, it underscores the importance of a balanced, nutrient-rich diet in maintaining overall health and longevity. It seems an apple a day will keep the doctor away after all. 

The post A bitter pill: Multivitamins don't help you live longer appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.