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MVI6.0

Multivitamin Research

Probably helps

266 peer-reviewed studies

What the evidence says

Probably helps

Multivitamin helped in about half (8/13) of the studies that measured an effect — promising, but not unanimous.

Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 1970–2026 with a typical study size of 603 participants.

Based on 266 studies · 37 meta-analyses · 199 RCTs · 68,222 total participants

Confidence

High confidence

What the studies found

8helped4unclear1didn't help· 253 more without graded effect data

By outcome

Cognitive functionImproved memory scores in older adults, particularly episodic memory · 3-6 months
Probably helps96 studies
Women's health
Mostly mechanism / observational50 studies
Therapeutic & clinical
Mostly mechanism / observational44 studies
Micronutrient & trace-element status
Probably helps35 studies
Heart & blood pressureModest cardiovascular benefit primarily in those with nutritional gaps; no strong primary prevention effect in well-nourished populations · 3-12 months
Probably helps23 studies
Immune supportReduced frequency and duration of common infections; improved immune cell function · 4-8 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational15 studies
InflammationReduced oxidative stress markers; modest anti-inflammatory effect · 6-12 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational9 studies
Recovery
Mostly mechanism / observational8 studies
Longevity & agingPotential reduction in cancer incidence in men; antioxidant support for cellular aging · 6-24 months
Mostly mechanism / observational6 studies
Vision & eye healthReduced risk of age-related cataracts and macular degeneration with specific formulations (AREDS-type) · 6-24 months
Mostly mechanism / observational6 studies
Anxiety & stressB-complex vitamins and magnesium may reduce perceived stress and anxiety · 4-8 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational5 studies
Safety profile
Mostly mechanism / observational5 studies
Bone healthSupports bone mineral density and skeletal strength · 8-12 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational4 studies
Depression & moodModest reductions in stress and mood disturbances associated with B-complex and magnesium repletion · 4-8 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational3 studies
Energy & fatigueReduction in fatigue associated with B-vitamin and iron insufficiency · 2-6 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational3 studies
Fertility & reproductiveMay support reproductive health and fertility markers · 4-12 weeks
Too few graded studies2 studies
Cholesterol & lipidsModest cardiovascular benefit primarily in those with nutritional gaps; no strong primary prevention effect in well-nourished populations · 3-12 months
Too few graded studies2 studies
Digestive healthB vitamins and zinc support gut mucosal integrity; modest benefit for those with nutritional gaps · 4-8 weeks
Too few graded studies1 study
Men's vitalitySupport for thyroid function via iodine and selenium; adrenal support via B vitamins and vitamin C · 4-12 weeks
Too few graded studies1 study

By the numbers

Pulled from 43 studies with measurable effects

Likely real effects

75%

across studies

People studied

68k

typical study: 603 people

Strongest designs

236

37 pooled, 199 randomised

Showed benefit

62%

8/13 studies

How long studies ran

1–3 months

3+ months

Populations Studied

Older adults7

General population3

Adults2

General adult population2

Steady research

72 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2026

197019982026

1Meta-Analysis2025

Abate BB, Kumsa H, Kibret GA, Wodaynew T, Habtie TE, Kassa M · Neuroepidemiology (2025)

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2Meta-Analysis2024

Šelb J, Cvetko F, Deutsch L, Bedrač L, Kuščer E, Maier AB · Geroscience (2024)

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3Meta-Analysis2022

Lee S, Huh I, Kang S, Nam YE, Cho Y, Kamruzzaman M · Nutrients (2022)

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4Meta-Analysis2022

Christiansen CH, Høgh S, Rode L, Schroll JB, Hegaard HK, Wolf HT · Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand (2022)

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5Meta-Analysis2021

Beeram I, Mortensen SJ, Yeritsyan D, Momenzadeh K, von Keudell A, Nazarian A · Arch Osteoporos (2021)

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6Meta-Analysis2019

Guo BQ, Li HB, Zhai DS, Ding SB · Nutr Res (2019)

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7Meta-Analysis2018

Kim J, Choi J, Kwon SY, McEvoy JW, Blaha MJ, Blumenthal RS · Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes (2018)

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8Meta-Analysis2018

Li K, Liu C, Kuang X, Deng Q, Zhao F, Li D · Nutrients (2018)

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9Meta-Analysis2017

Wolf HT, Hegaard HK, Huusom LD, Pinborg AB · Am J Obstet Gynecol (2017)

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10Meta-Analysis2014

Zhao LQ, Li LM, Zhu H, The Epidemiological Evidence-Based Eye Disease Study Research Group EY · Nutrients (2014)

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11Meta-Analysis2013

Macpherson H, Pipingas A, Pase MP · Am J Clin Nutr (2013)

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12Meta-Analysis2012

Grima NA, Pase MP, Macpherson H, Pipingas A · J Alzheimers Dis (2012)

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13Meta-Analysis2011

Chan AL, Leung HW, Wang SF · Ann Pharmacother (2011)

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14Meta-Analysis2008

Tanvetyanon T, Bepler G · Cancer (2008)

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15Meta-Analysis2007

Goh YI, Bollano E, Einarson TR, Koren G · Clin Pharmacol Ther (2007)

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16Meta-Analysis2006

Stephen AI, Avenell A · J Hum Nutr Diet (2006)

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17Meta-Analysis2006

Ingrid Goh Y, Bollano E, Einarson TR, Koren G · J Obstet Gynaecol Can (2006)

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18Meta-Analysis2005

El-Kadiki A, Sutton AJ · BMJ (2005)

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19Total invasive cancer incidenceRCTCited 41×n=21,442 · very large study2022

A daily MVM supplement, compared with placebo, did not significantly reduce the incidence of total cancer among older men and women.

Sesso HD et al. · The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2022)

Daily multivitamin did not significantly reduce total invasive cancer incidence (518 MVM vs 535 placebo)
No significant effect on the composite cardiovascular disease outcome (HR 0.98; 95% CI 0.86-1.12)
A protective effect was observed for lung cancer (HR 0.62; 95% CI 0.42-0.92)

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20Global cognitionMeta-AnalysisCited 25×n=5,765 · very large study2024

Multivitamin-mineral supplementation showed a beneficial effect on global cognition compared with placebo, with the pooled analysis across COSMOS cognitive studies estimating a treatment benefit equivalent to 2.0 years of age-related cognitive decline.

Vyas CM et al. · The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2024)

Noticeable benefit

← WorseNo effectBetter →

Multivitamin-mineral supplementation significantly improved global cognition vs placebo (pooled meta-analysis)
Treatment benefit estimated at equivalent of 2.0 years of age-related cognitive decline
Episodic memory was particularly improved in the clinic subcohort

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View in Research Library

Multivitamin Research

Probably helps

By the numbers

Preconception Folic Acid and Multivitamin Supplementation for the Prevention of Neural Tube Defect: An Umbrella Review of Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Personalization matters: the effect of sex in multivitamin-multimineral-based cancer prevention.

Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials Evaluating Effectiveness of a Multivitamin Supplementation against Oxidative Stress in Healthy Subjects.

Multivitamin use and risk of preeclampsia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Multivitamins and risk of fragility hip fracture: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Maternal multivitamin supplementation is associated with a reduced risk of autism spectrum disorder in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Association of Multivitamin and Mineral Supplementation and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Effects of Multivitamin and Multimineral Supplementation on Blood Pressure: A Meta-Analysis of 12 Randomized Controlled Trials.

Multivitamin use and adverse birth outcomes in high-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The effect of multivitamin/mineral supplements on age-related cataracts: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Multivitamin-multimineral supplementation and mortality: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

The effects of multivitamins on cognitive performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Multivitamin supplement use and risk of breast cancer: a meta-analysis.

Beta-carotene in multivitamins and the possible risk of lung cancer among smokers versus former smokers: a meta-analysis and evaluation of national brands.

Prenatal multivitamin supplementation and rates of pediatric cancers: a meta-analysis.

A systematic review of multivitamin and multimineral supplementation for infection.

Prenatal multivitamin supplementation and rates of congenital anomalies: a meta-analysis.

Role of multivitamins and mineral supplements in preventing infections in elderly people: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Multivitamins in the prevention of cancer and cardiovascular disease: the COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS) randomized clinical trial

Effect of multivitamin-mineral supplementation versus placebo on cognitive function: results from the clinic subcohort of the COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS) randomized clinical trial and meta-analysis of 3 cognitive studies within COSMOS