Multivitamin
Multivitamins fill dietary gaps for some people. Effects on hard outcomes are generally modest and context-dependent.
Overview
What is a multivitamin?
A multivitamin is a supplement that contains a combination of minerals, vitamins or other ingredients. Multivitamins vary greatly in formulation type and ratios. There are no proven health benefits from either long-term or short-term multivitamin supplementation; however, multivitamins that contain nutrients in amounts not exceeding dietary reference intakes are likely safe for most people.
Dosage
N/A
Effect graph
Effect heatmap
SupplementDEX Database
29 conditions for , and rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.
Database Snapshot
Most multivitamin research is concentrated in a handful of conditions.
- Cancer accounts for 12 of 92 studies (13%).
- Age-related macular degeneration accounts for 11 of 92 studies (12%).
- Cardiovascular disease accounts for 10 of 92 studies (11%).
- Sparse coverage remains for Breast cancer, Esophageal cancer, Infant development.
Dietary Sources
Dietary sources
Eating a balanced diet is superior to taking a multivitamin for general health outcomes.
Safety
N/A
Frequently Asked Questions
References
Sources66 references
SupplementDEX uses only high-quality sources to determine supplement effectiveness.
1.SupplementDEX Database: Age-related macular degeneration — Multivitamin Supplementation Improves Memory in Older Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial2023
A randomized trial of 3,562 older adults (COSMOS-Web) found daily multivitamin supplementation significantly improved memory performance over one year versus placebo.
2.SupplementDEX Database: Age-related macular degeneration — Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements for slowing the progression of age-related macular degeneration2023
A systematic review found antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements may slow AMD progression, but evidence quality varies across formulations and populations.
3.SupplementDEX Database: Age-related macular degeneration — Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements for slowing the progression of age-related macular degeneration2017
A Cochrane systematic review found AREDS-style antioxidant plus mineral formulations reduce progression to advanced AMD in moderate-risk patients.
4.SupplementDEX Database: Age-related macular degeneration — The effects of long-chain omega-3 fish oils and multivitamins on cognitive and cardiovascular function: a randomized, controlled clinical trial2015
An RCT of 160 adults aged 50–70 years found multivitamins improved some cognitive measures while omega-3 fish oil improved cardiovascular markers over the study period.
5.SupplementDEX Database: Age-related macular degeneration — Effects of multivitamin, mineral and herbal supplement on cognition in younger adults and the contribution of B group vitamins2014
A 16-week double-blind RCT of 138 adults aged 20–49 found multivitamin/mineral/herbal supplementation improved attention and working memory versus placebo.
6.SupplementDEX Database: Age-related macular degeneration — Long-term effects of vitamins C and E, β-carotene, and zinc on age-related macular degeneration: AREDS report no. 352013
AREDS long-term follow-up of 4,757 participants confirmed antioxidant plus zinc supplementation continued to slow AMD progression over many years.
7.SupplementDEX Database: Age-related macular degeneration — Long-term multivitamin supplementation and cognitive function in men: a randomized trial2013
A long-term randomized trial in older men found daily multivitamin supplementation modestly improved global cognitive function and slowed cognitive decline.
8.SupplementDEX Database: Age-related macular degeneration — The effects of multivitamins on cognitive performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis2012
A systematic review and meta-analysis found multivitamin supplementation produced small but significant improvements in immediate memory and attention.
9.SupplementDEX Database: Age-related macular degeneration — Potential public health impact of Age-Related Eye Disease Study results: AREDS report no. 112003
An AREDS analysis projected that widespread antioxidant plus zinc supplementation could substantially reduce future advanced AMD cases in the U.S. over 5 years.
10.SupplementDEX Database: Age-related macular degeneration — A randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of high-dose supplementation with vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and zinc for age-related macular degeneration and vision loss: AREDS report no. 82001
The AREDS trial of 1,063 participants (ages 55–80) found high-dose vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and zinc significantly reduced progression to advanced AMD.
11.SupplementDEX Database: Age-related macular degeneration — A randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of high-dose supplementation with vitamins C and E and beta carotene for age-related cataract and vision loss: AREDS report no. 92001
AREDS Report No. 9 in 4,757 participants (ages 55–80) found high-dose antioxidant supplementation did not significantly prevent cataract progression or reduce cataract-related vision loss.
SupplementDEX Database · Cardiovascular disease
10 references12.SupplementDEX Database: Cardiovascular disease — Multimicronutrient and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation reduces low-grade inflammation in older participants: An exploratory study2025
A 12-week RCT found multimicronutrient plus omega-3 supplementation reduced low-grade inflammation markers versus control in adults.
13.SupplementDEX Database: Cardiovascular disease — Vitamin, Mineral, and Multivitamin Supplementation to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement2022
A USPSTF evidence review found insufficient evidence that multivitamin or mineral supplementation prevents cardiovascular disease or cancer in healthy adults.
14.SupplementDEX Database: Cardiovascular disease — Multivitamins in the prevention of cancer and cardiovascular disease: the COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS) randomized clinical trial2022
The COSMOS RCT of 535 older adults found daily multivitamin supplementation did not significantly reduce cancer or cardiovascular disease incidence versus placebo.
15.SupplementDEX Database: Cardiovascular disease — Multivitamin/mineral supplementation and the risk of cardiovascular disease: a large prospective study using UK Biobank data2022
A longitudinal study of 465,278 adults found multivitamin/mineral supplementation was not associated with lower cardiovascular disease risk.
16.SupplementDEX Database: Cardiovascular disease — Supplemental Vitamins and Minerals for CVD Prevention and Treatment2018
A systematic review found moderate evidence for folic acid/B-vitamin cardiovascular benefits but no clear preventive benefit from calcium, vitamin D, multivitamins, or selenium on CVD or all-cause mortality.
17.SupplementDEX Database: Cardiovascular disease — Association of Multivitamin and Mineral Supplementation and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis2018
A meta-analysis of 862 participants found multivitamin and mineral supplementation did not significantly reduce cardiovascular events.
18.SupplementDEX Database: Cardiovascular disease — Multivitamin Use and the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Men2016
A long-term RCT in U.S. male physicians found daily multivitamin use did not reduce major cardiovascular disease events.
19.SupplementDEX Database: Cardiovascular disease — Multivitamin use and cardiovascular disease in a prospective study of women2015
A prospective study of 37,193 women found multivitamin use was not associated with lower cardiovascular disease incidence.
20.SupplementDEX Database: Cardiovascular disease — Oral high-dose multivitamins and minerals after myocardial infarction: a randomized trial2013
A randomized trial of 1,708 post-MI patients found high-dose oral multivitamins and minerals did not reduce recurrent cardiovascular events versus placebo.
21.SupplementDEX Database: Cardiovascular disease — Multivitamins in the prevention of cardiovascular disease in men: the Physicians' Health Study II randomized controlled trial2012
The Physicians' Health Study II RCT of 754 men found daily multivitamins did not reduce major cardiovascular events over median 11.2 years.
SupplementDEX Database · All-cause mortality
4 references22.SupplementDEX Database: All-cause mortality — Multivitamin Use and Mortality Risk in 3 Prospective US Cohorts2024
An analysis of three large U.S. cohorts (732 multivitamin users) found no significant association between multivitamin use and all-cause mortality.
23.SupplementDEX Database: All-cause mortality — Multivitamin use after diagnosis and prostate cancer survival among men with nonmetastatic prostate cancer2024
A prospective study of 4,756 men with nonmetastatic prostate cancer found post-diagnosis multivitamin use was not associated with improved cancer-specific or overall survival.
24.SupplementDEX Database: All-cause mortality — Co-trimoxazole or multivitamin multimineral supplement for post-discharge outcomes after severe anaemia in African children: a randomised controlled trial2019
A randomized TRACT trial found multivitamin-multimineral supplementation did not significantly improve survival or reduce rehospitalization after severe pediatric anemia in Africa.
25.SupplementDEX Database: All-cause mortality — Multivitamin-multimineral supplementation and mortality: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials2013
A meta-analysis of 91,074 participants across randomized trials found multivitamin-multimineral supplementation did not reduce overall mortality.
SupplementDEX Database · Alzheimer's disease
1 reference26.SupplementDEX Database: Alzheimer's disease — Efficacy of multivitamin supplementation containing vitamins B6 and B12 and folic acid as adjunctive treatment with a cholinesterase inhibitor in Alzheimer's disease: a 26-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in Taiwanese patients2007
A 26-week RCT of 89 adults found multivitamins containing B6, B12, and folic acid significantly reduced homocysteine and improved vascular endothelial function versus placebo.
SupplementDEX Database · Breast cancer
1 reference27.SupplementDEX Database: Breast cancer — Multivitamin supplement use and risk of breast cancer: a meta-analysis2011
A meta-analysis of 355,080 women found no significant association between multivitamin use and breast cancer risk over 3–10 years of follow-up.
SupplementDEX Database · Cancer
9 references28.SupplementDEX Database: Cancer — Multivitamin use and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in cancer survivors2024
An observational study of cancer survivors found multivitamin use was not associated with lower all-cause or cause-specific mortality.
29.SupplementDEX Database: Cancer — Multivitamin Use and Overall and Site-Specific Cancer Risks in the National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study2022
An analysis of 489,640 participants in the NIH-AARP cohort found multivitamin use was not linked to lower overall or site-specific cancer risk.
30.SupplementDEX Database: Cancer — Regular, Long-Duration Multivitamin Use and Risk of Overall and Aggressive Prostate Cancer in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study2022
A prospective study of 48,137 men found regular long-duration multivitamin use was not associated with reduced overall or aggressive prostate cancer risk.
31.SupplementDEX Database: Cancer — The Associations of Multivitamin and Antioxidant Use With Mortality Among Women and Men Diagnosed With Colorectal Cancer2022
An observational study of 534 women found multivitamin and antioxidant use was not associated with lower mortality over follow-up.
32.SupplementDEX Database: Cancer — Mortality after multivitamin supplementation: Nearly 35-year follow-up of the randomized Linxian Dysplasia Nutrition Intervention Trial2022
Nearly 35-year follow-up of the Linxian trial found multivitamin supplementation did not reduce long-term mortality in the original cohort.
33.SupplementDEX Database: Cancer — Dietary supplement use and colorectal cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analyses of prospective cohort studies2015
A meta-analysis found no clear evidence that dietary supplement use, including multivitamins, reduces colorectal cancer risk.
34.SupplementDEX Database: Cancer — The effect of supplemental vitamins and minerals on the development of prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis2011
A meta-analysis found supplemental vitamins and minerals did not significantly reduce prostate cancer incidence in pooled trial data.
35.SupplementDEX Database: Cancer — Intakes of vitamins A, C, and E and use of multiple vitamin supplements and risk of colon cancer: a pooled analysis of prospective cohort studies2010
A prospective study of 676,141 women found higher vitamin C and E intake and multivitamin use were not associated with lower lung cancer risk.
36.SupplementDEX Database: Cancer — Intakes of vitamins A, C and E and folate and multivitamins and lung cancer: a pooled analysis of 8 prospective studies2006
A pooled analysis found intakes of vitamins A, C, E, folate, and multivitamins were not consistently associated with reduced lung cancer risk.
SupplementDEX Database · Canker sores
1 reference37.SupplementDEX Database: Canker sores — Multivitamin therapy for recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial2012
A double-blind RCT of 83 patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis found multivitamin therapy did not significantly reduce ulcer frequency versus placebo.
SupplementDEX Database · Cataracts
1 reference38.SupplementDEX Database: Cataracts — The effect of multivitamin/mineral supplements on age-related cataracts: a systematic review and meta-analysis2014
A systematic review and meta-analysis found multivitamin/mineral supplements did not significantly slow age-related cataract progression.
SupplementDEX Database · Cognitive performance
5 references39.SupplementDEX Database: Cognitive performance — 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 COSMOS2024
A meta-analysis of 2,472 participants found multivitamin-mineral supplementation produced small but significant improvements in global cognition versus placebo.
40.SupplementDEX Database: Cognitive performance — Effects of cocoa extract and a multivitamin on cognitive function: A randomized clinical trial2023
In 2,262 older adults over 3 years, 500 mg/day cocoa flavanols did not improve global cognition, while daily multivitamin-mineral supplementation did.
41.SupplementDEX Database: Cognitive performance — Impact of multivitamin-mineral and cocoa extract on incidence of mild cognitive impairment and dementia: Results from the COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study for the Mind (COSMOS-Mind)2023
The COSMOS-Mind RCT of 2,262 older adults found multivitamin-mineral supplementation over 3 years did not significantly reduce incident mild cognitive impairment.
42.SupplementDEX Database: Cognitive performance — A 1-year randomized controlled trial of a nutritional blend to improve nutritional biomarkers and prevent cognitive decline among community-dwelling older adults: The Nolan Study2022
A 1-year RCT of 305 older adults found a nutritional blend improved nutritional status and some cognitive measures versus control.
43.SupplementDEX Database: Cognitive performance — A Systematic Review of the Effect of Dietary Supplements on Cognitive Performance in Healthy Young Adults and Military Personnel2020
A systematic review found mixed evidence that dietary supplements including multivitamins improve cognitive performance in younger adults.
SupplementDEX Database · Colorectal cancer
1 reference44.SupplementDEX Database: Colorectal cancer — Post-diagnostic multivitamin supplement use and colorectal cancer survival: A prospective cohort study2024
A prospective study of 2,424 colorectal cancer patients found post-diagnostic multivitamin use was not associated with improved survival.
SupplementDEX Database · COVID-19
4 references45.SupplementDEX Database: COVID-19 — Preventive Intake of a Multiple Micronutrient Supplement during Mild, Acute SARS-CoV-2 Infection to Reduce the Post-Acute COVID-19 Condition: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial2024
A 2-week RCT of 285 adults found preventive multivitamin intake during mild acute SARS-CoV-2 infection did not significantly shorten symptom duration versus control.
46.SupplementDEX Database: COVID-19 — The Efficacy of Multivitamin, Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, and Vitamin D Supplements in the Prevention and Management of COVID-19 and Long-COVID: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials2024
A meta-analysis found vitamin and multivitamin supplementation did not consistently reduce COVID-19 severity or mortality across trials.
47.SupplementDEX Database: COVID-19 — Melatonin, vitamins and minerals supplements for the treatment of Covid-19 and Covid-like illness: A prospective, randomized, double-blind multicenter study2024
An RCT of 164 COVID-19 patients found melatonin plus vitamin/mineral supplements did not significantly improve clinical outcomes versus standard care.
48.SupplementDEX Database: COVID-19 — The effect of supplementation with vitamins A, B, C, D, and E on disease severity and inflammatory responses in patients with COVID-19: a randomized clinical trial2021
A 7-day RCT of COVID-19 outpatients found vitamins A, B, C, D, and E supplementation did not significantly reduce disease severity versus control.
SupplementDEX Database · Dry eye
1 reference49.SupplementDEX Database: Dry eye — Effect of multivitamin drug on intractable dry eye symptoms2022
An RCT of 42 patients with intractable dry eye found multivitamin supplementation improved symptom scores versus baseline.
SupplementDEX Database · Ebola
1 reference50.SupplementDEX Database: Ebola — Association between multivitamin supplementation and mortality among patients with Ebola virus disease: An international multisite cohort study2020
An observational study of 424 ICU patients found multivitamin supplementation was not associated with lower mortality.
SupplementDEX Database · Hair growth
1 reference51.SupplementDEX Database: Hair growth — Impact of nutraceutical supplements on hair growth in non-scarring alopecia: a systematic review and meta-analysis2025
A systematic review found limited high-quality evidence that nutraceutical multivitamin supplements promote hair growth in non-scarring alopecia.
SupplementDEX Database · High blood pressure
1 reference52.SupplementDEX Database: High blood pressure — Effects of Multivitamin and Multimineral Supplementation on Blood Pressure: A Meta-Analysis of 12 Randomized Controlled Trials2018
A meta-analysis of 22,852 participants found multivitamin/multimineral supplementation did not significantly lower blood pressure.
SupplementDEX Database · Infant development
2 references53.SupplementDEX Database: Infant development — Effects of prenatal small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements on pregnancy, birth, and infant outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of individual participant data from randomized controlled trials in low- and middle-income countries2024
A meta-analysis of 5,273 pregnant women found prenatal small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements improved birth outcomes but effects varied by formulation.
54.SupplementDEX Database: Infant development — Interventions to improve linear growth during exclusive breastfeeding life-stage for children aged 0-6 months living in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review with network and pairwise meta-analyses2020
A systematic review found micronutrient interventions during exclusive breastfeeding had inconsistent effects on infant linear growth.
55.SupplementDEX Database: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) — The Efficacy of an Over-the-Counter Multivitamin and Mineral Supplement to Prevent Infections in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Remission With Immunomodulators and/or Biological Agents: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial2024
A 24-week RCT of 158 adults found an over-the-counter multivitamin/mineral supplement did not significantly prevent upper respiratory infections versus placebo.
SupplementDEX Database · Male infertility
2 references56.SupplementDEX Database: Male infertility — Comparison of the effects of coenzyme Q10 and Centrum multivitamins on semen parameters, oxidative stress markers, and sperm DNA fragmentation in infertile men with idiopathic oligoasthenospermia2022
A 3-month RCT of 130 infertile men found Centrum multivitamins improved some semen parameters similarly to coenzyme Q10.
57.SupplementDEX Database: Male infertility — Resveratrol-Based Multivitamin Supplement Increases Sperm Concentration and Motility in Idiopathic Male Infertility: A Pilot Clinical Study2020
A 6-month study of 20 men found a resveratrol-based multivitamin increased sperm concentration and motility versus baseline.
SupplementDEX Database · Mood
1 reference58.SupplementDEX Database: Mood — Improvements to mood, stress and loneliness following 12-week multivitamin supplementation in older adults: a randomised, placebo-controlled, trial2024
A 12-week RCT of 66 adults found multivitamin supplementation improved mood, reduced stress, and lowered loneliness scores versus placebo.
59.SupplementDEX Database: Myocardial infarction — Effect of high-dose oral multivitamins and minerals in participants not treated with statins in the randomized Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy (TACT)2018
An RCT in participants not treated with statins found high-dose oral multivitamins and minerals did not significantly reduce cardiovascular events.
SupplementDEX Database · Osteoporosis
1 reference60.SupplementDEX Database: Osteoporosis — Multivitamins and risk of fragility hip fracture: a systematic review and meta-analysis2021
A meta-analysis of 80,148 adults found multivitamin use was not associated with lower fragility hip fracture risk.
SupplementDEX Database · Pregnancy outcomes
3 references61.SupplementDEX Database: Pregnancy outcomes — Selecting a dietary supplement with appropriate dosing for 6 key nutrients in pregnancy2022
A review of prenatal supplement dosing found most products provide inadequate choline, iodine, vitamin D, and other key nutrients at labeled amounts.
62.SupplementDEX Database: Pregnancy outcomes — Effects of Maternal Nutritional Supplements and Dietary Interventions on Placental Complications: An Umbrella Review, Meta-Analysis and Evidence Map2021
A meta-analysis found maternal nutritional supplements modestly improved placental outcomes, with effects varying by nutrient and population.
63.SupplementDEX Database: Pregnancy outcomes — Preconception micronutrient supplementation positively affects child intellectual functioning at 6 y of age: A randomized controlled trial in Vietnam2021
An RCT of 1,321 women found preconception micronutrient supplementation improved child intellectual development at follow-up versus control.
64.SupplementDEX Database: Quality of life (Elderly) — The effect of consuming multivitamin/mineral supplements on elderly quality of life: Based on randomized control trial2021
A 3-month RCT found multivitamin/mineral supplements improved quality-of-life scores in elderly adults versus placebo.
SupplementDEX Database · Stress
1 reference65.SupplementDEX Database: Stress — Effects of vitamin and mineral supplementation on stress, mild psychiatric symptoms, and mood in nonclinical samples: a meta-analysis2013
A meta-analysis found vitamin and mineral supplementation produced small reductions in stress and mild psychiatric symptoms in non-clinical populations.
SupplementDEX Database · Type 1 diabetes
1 reference66.SupplementDEX Database: Type 1 diabetes — Vitamin supplementation and its effect on incident type 1 diabetes mellitus and islet autoimmunity: a systematic review and meta-analysis2025
A meta-analysis found vitamin supplementation did not significantly reduce incident type 1 diabetes or islet autoimmunity in at-risk individuals.