Editing Multivitamin (section)

=== Expert bodies ===
A 2006 report by the U.S. [[Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality]] concluded that "regular supplementation with a single nutrient or a mixture of nutrients for years has no significant benefits in the primary prevention of cancer, cardiovascular disease, cataract, age-related macular degeneration or cognitive decline."<ref name="HHS2006">{{cite journal | vauthors = Huang HY, Caballero B, Chang S, Alberg A, Semba R, Schneyer C, Wilson RF, Cheng TY, Prokopowicz G, Barnes GJ, Vassy J, Bass EB | title = Multivitamin/mineral supplements and prevention of chronic disease | journal = Evidence Report/Technology Assessment | issue = 139 | pages = 1–117 | date = May 2006 | pmid = 17764205 | pmc = 4781083 | url = http://www.ahrq.gov/downloads/pub/evidence/pdf/multivit/multivit.pdf | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080916040502/http://www.ahrq.gov/downloads/pub/evidence/pdf/multivit/multivit.pdf | archive-date = 2008-09-16 }}</ref> However, the report noted that multivitamins have beneficial effects for certain sub-populations, such as people with poor nutritional status, that vitamin D and calcium can help prevent fractures in older people, and that zinc and antioxidants can help prevent age-related [[macular degeneration]] in high-risk individuals.<ref name=HHS2006 /> A 2017 Cochrane Systematic Review found that multivitamins including vitamin E or beta carotene will not delay the onset of macular degeneration or prevent the disease,<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Evans JR, Lawrenson JG | title = Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements for preventing age-related macular degeneration | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = 2017 | issue = 7 | pages = CD000253 | date = July 2017 | pmid = 28756617 | pmc = 6483250 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD000253.pub4 }}</ref> however, some people with macular degeneration may benefit from multivitamin supplementation as there is evidence that it may delay the progression of the disease.<ref name="Evans_2017">{{cite journal | vauthors = Evans JR, Lawrenson JG | title = Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements for slowing the progression of age-related macular degeneration | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = 7 | issue = 7 | pages = CD000254 | date = July 2017 | pmid = 28756618 | pmc = 6483465 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD000254.pub4 }}</ref>{{Update inline|reason=Updated version https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37702300|date = October 2024}} Including lutein and zeaxanthin supplements in with a multivitamin does not improve progression of macular degeneration.<ref name="Evans_2017" /> The need for high-quality studies looking at the safety of taking multivitamins has been highlighted.<ref name="Evans_2017" />

According to the [[Harvard School of Public Health]]: "... many people don't eat the healthiest of diets. That's why a multivitamin can help fill in the gaps, and may have added health benefits."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/vitamins/|title=Vitamins|date=18 September 2012|website=harvard.edu|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323032041/https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/vitamins/|url-status=live}}</ref> The U.S. Office of Dietary Supplements, a branch of the [[National Institutes of Health]], suggests that multivitamin supplements might be helpful for some people with specific health problems (for example, [[macular degeneration]]). However, the Office concluded that "most research shows that healthy people who take an MVM [multivitamin] do not have a lower chance of diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, or diabetes. Based on current research, it's not possible to recommend for or against the use of MVMs to stay healthier longer."<ref name="ods">{{cite web |publisher=Office of Dietary Supplements, [[National Institutes of Health]] |title=Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Multivitamin/mineral Supplements |url=http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/MVMS-QuickFacts/ |access-date=March 2, 2012 |archive-date=February 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218082959/http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/MVMS-QuickFacts/ |url-status=live }}</ref>