Clinical research on multivitamins - physician input?

[chassis]

I searched the site and found a lot of discussion about vitamins but nothing referring to clinical studies on their effects.

Does anyone have a source for clinical studies showing the effects of daily multivitamin supplements? I searched NIH and found one study of over 5,000 physicians over age 65, where daily multivitamin supplements did not affect cognitive level, or change of that level over time.

Is there anything that people can point to with peer reviewed studies? Thanks. I know there are some health professionals on this site, I hope they chime in.

[JP10]

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/heal...-multivitamins

I share the same opinion as the above link in regards to the multivitamins.

May I ask the reason why you are looking for clinical studies pertaining to them?

[chassis]

Originally Posted by JP10

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/heal...-multivitamins

I share the same opinion as the above link in regards to the multivitamins.

May I ask the reason why you are looking for clinical studies pertaining to them?

Good article, thanks JP10

The article itself is not a clinical study, but rather mentions studies and research done by others. It seems to refer to the 5000+ male [physicians] studied I noted in the original post.

I think I am generally of the view in the article, that multivitamins generally have no effect for nearly all people. I remain interested to see more clinical studies surrounding this.

Why am I looking for clinical studies? Because I prefer to use information sources as close to first principles as possible.

A quote in the article that speaks to me:

“The total price tag [for multivitamins] exceeds $12 billion per year—money that Johns Hopkins nutrition experts say might be better spent on nutrient-packed foods like fruit, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products.”

[omasou]

https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...ght=supplement

[chassis]

Thanks omasou A thread with opinions makes for interesting reading. I didn't see reference to randomized clinical studies. Were such studies included in the link?

Here is another article noting noting that multivitamins do not reduce the risk of any chronic disease: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/MV...hProfessional/

I consider NIH and John Hopkins to be credible sources, I'm sure there are others. I also consider randomized controlled clinical trials to be credible source material.

Hopefully others who are more knowledgeable than I am, and preferably are health care providers, can point the direction for information on this. Thanks!

[JP10]

Originally Posted by chassis

Good article, thanks JP10

The article itself is not a clinical study, but rather mentions studies and research done by others. It seems to refer to the 5000+ male [physicians] studied I noted in the original post.

I think I am generally of the view in the article, that multivitamins generally have no effect for nearly all people. I remain interested to see more clinical studies surrounding this.

Why am I looking for clinical studies? Because I prefer to use information sources as close to first principles as possible.

A quote in the article that speaks to me:

“The total price tag [for multivitamins] exceeds $12 billion per year—money that Johns Hopkins nutrition experts say might be better spent on nutrient-packed foods like fruit, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products.”

Oh I wasn't questioning the use of clinical studies, I agree 100%, best source of info. Rather was wondering what information you were hoping to find - is the question in general whether or not multivitamins are beneficial?

[omasou]

Originally Posted by chassis

Thanks omasou A thread with opinions makes for interesting reading. I didn't see reference to randomized clinical studies. Were such studies included in the link?

Here is another article noting noting that multivitamins do not reduce the risk of any chronic disease: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/MV...hProfessional/

I consider NIH and John Hopkins to be credible sources, I'm sure there are others. I also consider randomized controlled clinical trials to be credible source material.

Hopefully others who are more knowledgeable than I am, and preferably are health care providers, can point the direction for information on this. Thanks!

Did you click on the ArsTech link. There was an observational study which is probably as close as you'll get.

Clinical trials are designed to prove the benefit of a medicine for a NDA approval. Vitamin's don't require approval. So that leaves research. No manufacturer is going to fund an academic or other type of study to prove their vitamins are effective b/c there isn't any ROI.

So like the ArsTech article said. There is no proven benefit to taking manufactured vitamins, they may be linked to cancers, and eating a balanced diet should provide all the vitamins needed.

[chassis]

Originally Posted by omasou

Did you click on the ArsTech link. There was an observational study which is probably as close as you'll get.

Clinical trials are designed to prove the benefit of a medicine for a NDA approval. Vitamin's don't require approval. So that leaves research. No manufacturer is going to fund an academic or other type of study to prove their vitamins are effective b/c there isn't any ROI.

So like the ArsTech article said. There is no proven benefit to taking manufactured vitamins, they may be linked to cancers, and eating a balanced diet should provide all the vitamins needed.

omasou Yes, that’s my view. I’m attempting to be open minded that I may be wrong. If there are clinical randomized controlled studies that argue against my view, I’m willing to listen. Thanks for pointing out the link, I will have a look.