Multivitamin health effects
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Multivitamin Supplementation and General Health Effects
Research shows that multivitamin supplementation can have several beneficial effects on health, particularly in healthy adults. Studies have found that multivitamins can reduce oxidative stress, lower homocysteine levels (a marker linked to heart health), and improve energy metabolism by increasing certain metabolites in the blood. These changes suggest a positive impact on overall nutritional balance and metabolic health, supporting a good state of health in adults Sánchez2024Abbasi2025.
Multivitamins and Mortality Risk
Large-scale studies indicate that multivitamin use may be linked to a small reduction in all-cause mortality, especially among middle-aged adults and those with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). In these populations, multivitamin users had a slightly lower risk of death, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease compared to non-users. However, the reduction in mortality is modest, and no significant effect was found for liver-related mortality or liver cirrhosis Ding2024Ryu2025. Another systematic review found little or no benefit of multivitamin use in preventing cancer, cardiovascular disease, or death, except for a small reduction in cancer incidence .
Cognitive Function and Mood in Older Adults
Multivitamin supplementation appears to have some positive effects on cognitive function and mood in older adults. Meta-analyses and clinical trials show that multivitamins can improve delayed memory recall, reduce perceived stress, increase feelings of friendliness, and decrease emotional loneliness in older adults. However, there is little evidence that multivitamins significantly improve other cognitive functions such as immediate recall, idea production, or cognitive speed Docherty2022Xu2024Docherty2024.
Metabolic Health and Obesity
Animal studies suggest that multivitamin supplementation can improve metabolic health by reducing weight gain, lowering blood glucose, and improving insulin resistance, especially in the context of a high-fat diet. These benefits may be linked to increased energy expenditure, promotion of fat tissue browning, and positive changes in the gut microbiome .
Safety and Long-Term Use
Systematic reviews indicate that multivitamin and multimineral supplements are generally safe for long-term use when taken within recommended dietary allowances. Most reported side effects are minor, such as mild gastrointestinal symptoms, and there is no evidence of increased mortality with long-term use in healthy adults or the elderly .
Multivitamins and Neurological or Growth Disorders
The relationship between multivitamin use and neurological or growth disorders is complex. Some vitamins (like vitamin D, B2, and B9) are associated with a lower risk of neurological disorders, while others (such as vitamin A, B1, and B12) may increase risk. For growth disorders, the associations vary depending on the specific disorder, with some vitamins linked to increased risk and others to decreased risk. Overall, the effects depend on the type and amount of vitamins consumed and the specific health condition .
Conclusion
Multivitamin supplementation can offer modest health benefits, such as improved metabolic balance, reduced oxidative stress, and small reductions in mortality and certain disease risks, especially in specific populations. In older adults, multivitamins may help with mood and some aspects of cognitive function. When used within recommended guidelines, multivitamins are generally safe for long-term use. However, their effects on neurological and growth disorders are mixed and may depend on individual vitamin components and underlying health conditions. Further research is needed to clarify the long-term health impacts of multivitamin use in different populations.
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