How Multivitamins and Minerals Impact Health and Longevity
A recent review evaluated studies that included over 5.5 million participants to assess the impact of multivitamin and mineral supplements on different aspects of health [1]. Multivitamin and mineral (MVM) supplements are widely used worldwide, with approximately 40% of adults in the United States reportedly taking these supplements regularly [2]. While substantial scientific evidence exists regarding the beneficial effects of individual vitamins or micronutrients on health, the role of MVMs in lifespan and longevity remains to be fully evaluated.
A Big Market
With the increasing usage of MVMs, Andrea Maier and her team conducted an extensive review over the past 25 years, analyzing findings from 19 meta-analyses. Each study included thousands to nearly a million participants, aiming to explore the impact of MVMs on various health outcomes. Their findings revealed no significant effect of MVM supplementation on all-cause mortality; however, specific benefits and risks concerning different health conditions were noted.
Impacting Disease Risk
The researchers initially focused on the association between MVM supplements and cancer. Notably, seven prospective cohort studies indicated a potential protective effect against colorectal cancer, showing an 8% lower incidence among supplement users. Conversely, no correlation was found between MVM use and the incidence or mortality of breast or prostate cancers. The pooled analysis also assessed cardiovascular-related outcomes:
| Study Aspect | Findings |
|---|---|
| Cancer Risk | 8% lower incidence of colorectal cancer; no effect on breast or prostate cancer. |
| CVD Mortality | No significant association with heart disease or stroke mortality. |
| Blood Pressure | Lowered blood pressure in hypertensive individuals. |
In terms of infections, while no significant effect was observed in healthy individuals aged 65 and older, those under 65 benefited from MVM supplementation, which was associated with fewer infections. This was also true for older, undernourished individuals after 6 months of supplementation. However, two randomized controlled trials focusing on COVID-19 found no protective effect from MVMs in hospitalized patients.
Psychological and Cognitive Benefits
When examining psychological health, positive effects were noted with MVM supplementation. Studies indicated improvements in stress reduction, mild psychiatric symptoms, anxiety, and fatigue among healthy adults, although no significant effect on depression was reported. The effectiveness was particularly noted with high doses of B vitamins.
Regarding cognitive health, MVMs appeared to support global cognition and cognitive performance, showing a lower risk of fragility-related hip fractures. Here are some highlights:
- MVMs and Cognitive Function: Improvements noted in measures like immediate free recall and episodic memory.
- Musculoskeletal Health: Reduced risk of fragility-related hip fractures noted.
Concerns About Visual Health
Despite the positive findings, a cautionary note emerged regarding age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In an analysis of 13 RCTs involving participants aged 42 to 89, the researchers concluded that MVM supplementation does not improve visual acuity and may increase the risk of progression to late-stage AMD. However, other vision-related studies suggested MVMs could lower the risk of cataracts, particularly nuclear cataracts in older adults.
Pregnancy and MVMs
Studies on MVM use during pregnancy yielded mixed results. While observational studies found no link between MVMs containing folic acid and risks of gestational hypertension or preeclampsia, randomized controlled trials suggested a protective effect against certain birth-related issues:
| Outcome | Observational Study Findings | RCT Findings |
|---|---|---|
| Neural Tube Defects | Protective effect observed. | Consistent findings. |
| Preeclampsia | No significant effect. | Protective effect suggested. |
| Low Birth Weight | No significant effect. | No significant effect. |
The Need for a Standardized Definition
The review's overall results indicate that MVM supplementation can offer benefits in specific populations and conditions. Factors such as age, sex, health status, dietary intake, and food frequency must be considered when recommending MVMs. The authors emphasize that nutritional deficiencies should not be overlooked, as they can accelerate aging [3].
Furthermore, researchers pointed out that nutritional status may modify the efficacy of supplementation, implying that benefits could be heightened among individuals with poorer dietary quality [4].
Conclusion
In conclusion, the value of MVM supplementation in optimizing health and extending healthspan among relatively healthy individuals remains uncertain. Limitations in existing studies, including the lack of standardized definitions regarding MVM compositions and potential biases due to self-selection in participant groups, highlight the need for more rigorous and uniform research protocols.
About the author
Anna Drangowska-Way
Anna graduated from the University of Virginia, where she studied genetics in a tiny worm called C. elegans. During graduate school, she became fascinated by science communication and joined the Genetics Society of America’s Early Career Scientist Leadership Program, serving on the Communication and Outreach Subcommittee. After completing her studies, she worked as a freelance science writer and communications specialist for several non-profit organizations.
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Literature
[1] Lou, C., et al. (2025). Association of female reproductive traits with altered aging trajectories: Insights from genetic and observational analyses. Cell Reports. Medicine, 6(12), 102481.
[2] Knippen, K. L., et al. (2020). Outcome Expectancies, Health Information Seeking, and Cancer Beliefs Associated with Multivitamin/Mineral Use in a National Sample, HINTS-FDA 2015. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120(8), 1368–1376.
[3] Mahadzir, M. D. A., et al. (2025). Towards defining optimal concentrations of micronutrients in adults to optimize health. Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, 225, 112062.
[4] Rautiainen, S., et al. (2017). Effect of Baseline Nutritional Status on Long-term Multivitamin Use and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: A Secondary Analysis of the Physicians’ Health Study II Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Cardiology, 2(6), 617–625.
Discussion