Multivitamin-multimineral supplementation and mortality: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
PubMed 23255568 · doi:10.3945/ajcn.112.049304
What was done
Researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials identified from multiple electronic databases searched between March and October 2012. The study evaluated daily multivitamin-multimineral supplementation for at least 1 year in independently living adults for primary or secondary prevention. Studies of institutionalized or terminally ill cohorts were excluded. Twenty-one articles were included, pooling 91,074 participants (mean age 62 years, mean supplementation duration 43 months) and 8,794 deaths. Outcomes were expressed as relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals.
What was found
Across all included trials, multivitamin-multimineral supplementation had no significant effect on all-cause mortality (RR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.94, 1.02). There was a trend toward reduced all-cause mortality in primary prevention trials (RR: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.89, 1.00). Supplementation showed no effect on vascular mortality (RR: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.93, 1.09) or cancer mortality (RR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.88, 1.04). No statistical evidence of heterogeneity or publication bias was observed.
Why it matters
This meta-analysis provides strong evidence that routine multivitamin-multimineral supplementation does not alter mortality risk in community-dwelling adults, refuting observational reports that suggested increased mortality.
Limits
The abstract does not report specific supplement formulations, ingredient dosages, or baseline nutritional status. Findings cannot be generalized to institutionalized or terminally ill individuals because they were excluded from the analysis.
Cited by
- context Scientific research shows that standard synthetic multivitamin supplements provide literally no benefit.