Editing Multivitamin (section)

=== History and debate ===
The history of multivitamins begins in the [[Frederick Gowland Hopkins|early 20th]] century when advancements in nutritional science led to the discovery of essential [[Vitamin|vitamins and minerals]]. Initially, multivitamins were designed to respond to widespread nutritional deficiencies.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Martini SA, Phillips M | title = Nutrition and food commodities in the 20th century | journal = Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry | volume = 57 | issue = 18 | pages = 8130–8135 | date = September 2009 | pmid = 19719130 | doi = 10.1021/jf9000567 | bibcode = 2009JAFC...57.8130M }}</ref> These supplements were seen as a practical solution to combat malnutrition, improving public health by providing vital nutrients that were otherwise scarce.

As the 20th century progressed, the use of multivitamins expanded beyond addressing [[Micronutrient deficiency|deficiencies]]. With the rise of the wellness industry,<ref name="Nichter_2006"/> they became popularized as a convenient way to enhance overall health, even for those with access to sufficient nutrition. However, as marketing strategies evolved, the emphasis shifted from necessity to preventative health and general well-being,<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Cardenas D, Fuchs-Tarlovsky V | title = Is multi-level marketing of nutrition supplements a legal and an ethical practice? | journal = Clinical Nutrition ESPEN | volume = 25 | pages = 133–138 | date = June 2018 | pmid = 29779808 | doi = 10.1016/j.clnesp.2018.03.118 }}</ref> often without sound scientific backing.

The role of multivitamins has since been increasingly questioned. Some still view them as beneficial, especially in cases of specific deficiencies. A growing body of research suggests that for many people, multivitamins act more as a [[placebo]] than a necessary supplement. This indicates a shift in the [[epistemology]] of vitamins, where people are generally more aware of them and their properties but there is a gap in their knowledge of the scientific research surrounding them

Studies have shown that multivitamins can have positive effects on mood and energy,<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Sarris J, Cox KH, Camfield DA, Scholey A, Stough C, Fogg E, Kras M, White DJ, Sali A, Pipingas A | title = Participant experiences from chronic administration of a multivitamin versus placebo on subjective health and wellbeing: a double-blind qualitative analysis of a randomised controlled trial | journal = Nutrition Journal | volume = 11 | issue = 1 | pages = 110 | date = December 2012 | pmid = 23241329 | pmc = 3545984 | doi = 10.1186/1475-2891-11-110 | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Harris E, Kirk J, Rowsell R, Vitetta L, Sali A, Scholey AB, Pipingas A | title = The effect of multivitamin supplementation on mood and stress in healthy older men | journal = Human Psychopharmacology | volume = 26 | issue = 8 | pages = 560–567 | date = December 2011 | pmid = 22095836 | doi = 10.1002/hup.1245 }}</ref> but there is little evidence to support an increase in general health and life expectancy.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Pocobelli G, Peters U, Kristal AR, White E | title = Use of supplements of multivitamins, vitamin C, and vitamin E in relation to mortality | journal = American Journal of Epidemiology | volume = 170 | issue = 4 | pages = 472–483 | date = August 2009 | pmid = 19596711 | pmc = 2727181 | doi = 10.1093/aje/kwp167 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Macpherson H, Pipingas A, Pase MP | title = Multivitamin-multimineral supplementation and mortality: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials | journal = The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition | volume = 97 | issue = 2 | pages = 437–444 | date = February 2013 | pmid = 23255568 | doi = 10.3945/ajcn.112.049304 | hdl = 10536/DRO/DU:30073126 | hdl-access = free }}</ref>  

Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), passed in 1994 in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is not responsible for testing the risks and efficacy of dietary supplements. Manufacturers are not required to present data on the effectiveness of multivitamins or disclose known side effects to the FDA. Furthermore, manufacturers are not required to test human safety of dietary supplements.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Dodge T | title = Consumers' perceptions of the dietary supplement health and education act: implications and recommendations | journal = Drug Testing and Analysis | volume = 8 | issue = 3–4 | pages = 407–409 | date = 2016 | pmid = 27072844 | doi = 10.1002/dta.1857 }}</ref>