JAMA Study Finds No Link Between Daily Multivitamins and Lower Death Risk in Healthy Adults

A large analysis of data from nearly 400,000 healthy adults followed for more than 20 years has found no association between regular multivitamin use and lower risk of death.

The study, led by researchers at the National Institutes of Health’s National Cancer Institute, was published in JAMA Network Open.

Many adults across the globe take multivitamins with the hope of improving their health.

Multivitamins are dietary supplements that combine a variety of vitamins and minerals, often alongside other nutrients, intended to provide a comprehensive boost to overall health. They are commonly taken to fill nutritional gaps and support bodily functions.

However, the benefits and harms of regular multivitamin use remain unclear. Previous studies of multivitamin use and mortality have yielded mixed results and been limited by short follow-up times.

For the study, researchers inestigated the relationship between long-term regular multivitamin use and overall mortality, as well as death from cardiovascular disease and cancer. They analyzed data from three large, geographically diverse prospective studies involving 390,124 adults who were tracked for over 20 years.

The large study population, coupled with lengthy follow-up and comprehensive data on demographics and lifestyle factors, allowed the researchers to minimize potential biases that may have affected the results of previous studies. For instance, multivitamin users often lead generally healthier lifestyles, while individuals with health issues might be more inclined to increase their multivitamin use.

Results showed that the participants, who were generally healthy with no history of cancer or other chronic diseases, showed no significant difference in mortality rates between those who took daily multivitamins and those who did not.

The finding held true for overall mortality and deaths specifically from cancer, heart disease, or cerebrovascular diseases.

The researchers emphasized the importance of evaluating multivitamin use and mortality risk among different populations, particularly those with documented nutritional deficiencies and also highlighted the need to explore the potential impact of regular multivitamin use on other health conditions associated with aging.

Reference: Loftfield E, O’Connell CP, Abnet CC, et al. Multivitamin Use and Mortality Risk in 3 Prospective US Cohorts. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(6):e2418729. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.18729