Over a year ago, a report was released that claimed there was no benefit from taking a multivitamin and that they might even be harmful. But as we previously reported, many professionals don’t agree with these claims and believe that there are many multivitamin benefits worth your while. A recently published study adds additional evidence, showing that multivitamin supplementation might protect you from cardiovascular disease.

Multivitamins and minerals and cardiovascular disease risk

A recent study in the Journal of Nutrition looked at data from 8,678 participants. It found that women who took a multivitamin (with minerals) regularly for longer than three years had a significantly reduced risk of cardiovascular disease mortality. Interestingly, this same association was not seen for men. It was important that the supplement contained vitamins and minerals, as no association was seen for multivitamins alone.[1]

Previous reports have also found evidence that taking a multivitamin benefits heart health. For example, a large study of over 30,000 women found that multivitamin intake was associated with reduced risk of heart attack, especially over long-term use (greater than five years).[2]

Additional multivitamin benefits

One of the major benefits of taking a multivitamin is filling nutritional gaps in the diet. Although, theoretically, we should be able get all of the necessary vitamins, minerals, and nutrients through our diet, studies show that many of us don’t always reach recommended daily values. And multivitamins are an effective way to help us reach adequate levels. For example, dietary supplements can help fix deficiencies in vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium, all of which are very important to our health.[3] While supplements should never take the place of place proper, wholesome nutrition, they can help us make up for any holes in our diet that might occur inadvertently.

Daily intake of a multivitamin can also help protect against certain diseases. A large study in male physicians found that multivitamin and mineral intake was associated with significantly reduced cancer incidence, as well as reduced risk for age-related eye diseases.[3,4] Men who have previously had cancer can benefit even more from a multivitamin; in men with a history of cancer, the risk of cancer was 27% lower for those who took multivitamins compared to those who did not.[4]

Multivitamins can also help to improve mood and energy levels as well.

One a day is worth your while

While some may argue against it, there is plenty of evidence to support the use of daily multivitamins to support your health. So if you stopped taking yours due to the claims against them, it may be time to restart the habit. Find a high quality supplement with vitamins and minerals like magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, and more.

[1] J Nutr. 2015 Jan. [Epub ahead of print]

[2] Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 Nov;92(5):1251-6.

[3] Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2014 Jun 18:0. [Epub ahead of print]

[4] Postgrad Med. 2015 Jan;127(1):107-16.