Midlife Health: Should you be taking a multivitamin?

It's a simple question, should those in middle age take a multivitamin? It turns out that there isn't such an easy answer, but if you don't have the time or interest to read this entire post and want an answer, here it is. If you are currently taking a multivitamin there is no reason to stop. If you are not taking a multivitamin there is no reason to start.This and much more is available at a lengthy article on multivitamins at the LAT (may require registration or fee). The key points are summarized below.

1. Science is unconvinced that multivitamins have any significant benefit to your heath. In the words of the National Institutes of Health which examined studies of multivitamins the evidence of the health benefits of multivitamins is "thin." That said, the strongest argument for them is that they probably don't hurt and that's why 40% of Americans take them daily.

2. Supplements are a major industry (to the tune of $1.3 to $1.7 billion dollars). With this much money at stake there is of money to throw at marketing and studies of dubious value. (Read our post on research bias.) "People sort of cherry-pick studies that they like," says Alice Lichtenstein, professor of nutrition science and policy at Tufts University. "You can find a study that supports almost anything."

3. If you are eating a proper diet there is almost no evidence supporting any benefit. Dr. Charles Halsted, editor of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition says, "You're deluding yourself if you think you're preventing a heart attack or cancer with a multivitamin. It's a waste of money if you're perfectly healthy and have a proper diet." In fact the major danger of multivitamins is that they may give people a false sense of security that they can have a poor diet and then make up for it with a multivitamin.

4. But since not everyone (particularly teens) don't eat a proper diet, isn't it a proper backup plan? Yes, according to some specialists. "I think all Americans — adults, teenagers and children — should be taking a multivitamin. Period," says Jeffrey Blumberg, professor of nutrition and director of the Antioxidants Research Laboratory at Tufts University.

5. Understand that not everyone is the same. People with some conditions (diabetes) might benefit more than others, and some elderly might find that their declining appetites make it difficult to get everything they need through diet. As with everything involving health, this should be part of the conversation you have with your primary health care provider during you annual physical.

So there it is. Mixed messages even from specialists at the same institutions. The one thing that everyone agrees is that proper diet is key and a daily pill doesn't change that.