Multivitamins: State of the science

Media reports are just now coming out on the draft statement from the NIH on multivitamin use. The headlines clamor that Americans are taking too many vitamins. Add this to the data released earlier this year from the Women's Health Initiative and the subsequent brouhaha, and you could wind up very confused.

The NIH State of the Science consensus report released this week focused mainly on the use of a multivitamin/mineral supplement in the prevention of chronic disease. What they state is not really surprising. Multivitamin use for prevention of heart disease, cancer, age-related macular degeneration, osteoporosis, etc., shows some promise. However the available research is inconsistent. People who are generally healthy, with a good diet, and who exercise may not need a multivitamin, but these are the people who are most likely to take them. People with poor health habits may benefit from a multivitamin, but a multivitamin alone will not miraculously reverse the effects of unhealthy living.

In the upcoming weeks I will be discussing various vitamins and minerals, where we get them from our food, and how fortification may result in you getting more than you think. Don't worry if right now all the numbers and percentages are a big jumble to you. A reasonable goal is to not get more than 100% of any nutrient from fortified foods and supplements, especially iron if you're a non-menstruating person (that means menfolk, post-menopausal women and the wee kiddies).

If you can't wait, there's some good reporting over at NPR.

Straight up--if you're eating a big bowl of Total and taking a high potency multivitamin, you may want to take a close look at what you may be getting too much of.

Read your labels!


Posted by Kris on May 18, 2006 3:57 PM
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