Multivitamins are promoted for everything from boosting energy to improving heart health. Find out whether they live up to their billing and what to look for in a multi.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
The Claim: Everyone should take a multivitamin.
Multivitamins, you might say, are a type of insurance policy… a way to help stay healthy in case our diets don’t do the job. At least that’s what the millions of people who take multivitamins are often led to believe. But for many of us, the payout from this insurance may fall short of what’s promised.
Overall, large studies show that multivitamin users have no lower rates of heart disease, stroke or premature death than non-users.
When it comes to cancer, the findings are mixed, with some studies showing a reduced risk, others no effect, and still others an increased risk among certain multi users.
What’s more, there’s little evidence that multis ward off colds or other infections.
Nor is there proof that the vitamins improve memory or make you feel more energetic.
Still, multis supply nutrients that some of us may get too little of, such as folic acid in women of child-bearing age, vitamin B-12 in older people, and vitamin D in people who have darker skin or live in northern regions.
Multivitamins may also make sense for vegans, people on very low-calorie diets, and those who have conditions that prevent them from eating normally.
If you use multis, look for a product with 100% of the daily value for most vitamins and minerals.
Multis with higher levels aren’t necessarily better.
The same goes for products that claim to have special benefits like helping your heart, building muscle or boosting immunity.
Keep in mind that many foods, from cereals to bottled water, have added nutrients, essentially making them supplements, so taking a multi on top of that may be overkill. And no amount of insurance, whether in the form of vitamin pills or fortified foods, can make up for a lousy diet.
For more on diet and nutrition claims, check out my book, Coffee is Good For You… which reveals the truth about everything from red meat to red wine.
Helping you be a healthy skeptic, I’m Robert Davis.