Taking multivitamins will not help you live longer, according to a major study. Regularly taking the supplements, which promise benefits such as stronger bones and improved immunity, has no positive effect on longevity, the research found. In fact, using them daily was associated with a 4 per cent higher mortality risk, the analysis involving almost 400,000 health adults found.
The vitamins industry is estimated to be worth billions in the UK and US, with most buyers assuming that the supplements will protect and improve their health. Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion. But the potential benefits and harms of additional vitamins and minerals remains unclear, often hindered by the fact that studies on the subject have not been big enough to be conclusive and by short follow-up times.
Led by researchers at the National Cancer Institute in the US, a team followed individuals with an average age of 61, who had no history of cancer or other chronic disease, for more than 20 years. They looked at their multivitamin use from 1993 to 2001 and again between 1998 and 2004 with a follow-up period of up to 27 years. During this time, 164,762 of them died, with 49,836 deaths attributed to cancer, 35,060 to heart diseases, and 9,275 attributed to cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke and brain aneurysms.
Researchers assessed for other factors such as education level, whether those taking part were ever smokers, their body mass index, mari.
