Study Finds Daily Multivitamins Don't Help You Live Longer

Many people take daily multivitamins with the hope of extending their lifespan, but recent research indicated these supplements might not deliver on that promise.

The study published in JAMA Network Open analysed data from nearly 400,000 adults over a 20-year period. The median age of participants was 61.5 years, and they were generally healthy with no chronic disease history.

The study found no significant evidence that daily multivitamin use reduced the risk of death from major conditions like heart disease or cancer. In fact, participants who took multivitamins were slightly more likely (4%) to die over the study period compared to those who did not take the supplements. However, it’s important to note that the research did not include individuals with pre-existing vitamin deficiencies, which means the results may not apply to those who require specific vitamins for health reasons.

Multivitamins may not significantly impact longevity for healthy individuals. However, multivitamins can still be beneficial for those with active deficiencies or risk factors, such as poor diet, vegan diets, or a history of bariatric surgery,” said Stephen Vogel, a family medicine physician.

The study highlighted that food and diet are most important for health and longevity and that not everyone needs to take a multivitamin, says Prest. Aside from multivitamins, focus on healthy lifestyle habits like getting enough sleep, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, and moving your body daily to help you live a longer, healthier life.

“We recommend discussing vitamin supplements with your healthcare provider. Meeting with a registered dietitian can also provide personalized guidance based on your diet and health history. Supplementation may benefit those with alcohol addiction, poor diets, vegan diets, or a history of bariatric surgery. However, for those with a healthy lifestyle or concerns about the cost of daily multivitamins, supplementation is optional. There's minimal risk in taking multivitamins, so use this information to make informed decisions,” said the authors.

Reference: Barnard ND, Kahleova H, Becker R. The Limited Value of Multivitamin Supplements. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(6):e2418965. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.18965