Do Multivitamins Actually Do Anything?

The most popular supplement, with surprisingly thin evidence.

Half the country takes a daily multivitamin. The research suggests most people get less out of it than they'd hope.

Insurance with limits

For a well-fed person, large studies have generally not found that a daily multivitamin prevents heart disease, cancer, or early death. You mostly can't out-supplement a poor diet, and nutrients work better as a package in real food than isolated in a pill.

When they do help

They're genuinely useful for specific gaps — pregnancy (folate), certain restrictive diets, some older adults, or diagnosed deficiencies. Targeted beats scattershot: a specific nutrient you're actually low on does more than a broad multi.

The move

If a daily multi gives you peace of mind, it's low-risk. But don't count on it to offset an unbalanced diet — and if you suspect a real deficiency, a test and a targeted supplement beat a one-size-fits-all pill.

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