Multivitamins in the News

Multivitamins have been in the news lately, as a few trials have failed to show improvements in cancer and cardiovascular disease. I think this is an unfair assessment. No one ever said that multivitamins could improve cancer or cardiovascular disease. Instead they provide nutrients to fill in the gaps. Subjects might have had subtle differences in energy level or mood, but it is unfair to think that a multivitamin might prevent cancer.

In a press release from the Council of Responsible Nutrition (CRN), Drs. MacKay and Wong state "None of the three studies suggested that the medical community should abandon using and recommending MVMM supplements, yet that’s what the editorial authors called for. In fact, as  observed in their review, the report from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force actually called for additional research and innovative research methodologies to study the effects of nutrients. Further, according to the CRN scientists, the AIM editorial missed the point of why most consumers take vitamins—not for preventing chronic disease, but instead for the very real nutrient shortfalls found in most Americans’ diets.

“Recent government research shows that a large portion of Americans fall below the estimated average requirement (EAR) for certain nutrients, specifically vitamins A, C, D, and E and magnesium and calcium, even when nutrient intake from diet, fortified foods, and supplements is considered,” Drs. MacKay and Wong emphasize in their review. “Intake of some nutrients is low enough to be a public health concern. These include potassium, dietary fiber, calcium, and vitamin D, along with iron, folate, and vitamin B12 for specific population groups.""