One tablet a day—which ingredients are really worth including?

Aim of the study: Multivitamin and mineral (MVM) supplements are among the most widely used dietary supplements globally; however, their role in promoting healthspan and longevity remains unclear. This review evaluated comprehensive findings from meta-analyses to clarify their health effects.

Results: Observational studies found associations between MVM use and a reduced risk of colorectal cancer, coronary heart disease, cataracts, and fragility hip fractures, but not breast or prostate cancer, stroke, or overall mortality. During pregnancy, MVM supplementation was linked to reduced risks of small-for-gestational-age births and pediatric cancers, but not to preterm birth, stillbirth, or low birth weight. Overall, the findings revealed a lack of consistency in the definition of MVM supplementation, and substantial variability in MVM effectiveness depending on population, age, and health status. These results highlighted the importance of shifting from generalized supplementation approaches to more targeted, personalized nutritional strategies to support healthspan and longevity.

Aim of the study: Maintaining cognitive abilities is critically important to older adults, yet few effective strategies to slow cognitive decline currently exist. Multivitamin supplementation is used to promote general health; it is unclear whether it has a beneficial effect on cognition in older age. This study examined the effect of daily multivitamin/multimineral supplementation on memory in older adults.

Results: Compared with placebo, participants randomly assigned to multivitamin supplementation had significantly better ModRey immediate recall at 1 y, the primary endpoint (t(5889) = 2.25, P = 0.025), as well as across the 3 y of follow-up on average (t(5889) = 2.54, P = 0.011). Multivitamin supplementation had no significant effects on secondary outcomes. Based on cross-sectional analysis of the association between age and performance on the ModRey, we estimated that the effect of the multivitamin intervention improved memory performance above placebo by the equivalent of 3.1 y of age-related memory change. Daily multivitamin supplementation, compared with placebo, improves memory in older adults. Multivitamin supplementation holds promise as a safe and accessible approach to maintaining cognitive health in older age. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04582617.

Aim of the study: Preeclampsia (PE) is a common pregnancy complication characterized by hypertension, proteinuria, and end-organ dysfunction. However, to date, no effective treatment has been established other than iatrogenic delivery, and the importance of prevention as an alternative approach to addressing PE has been emphasized.

Results: According to recent systematic reviews and network meta-analyses, current evidence on the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation is inconsistent. Although vitamin D is a candidate for the prevention of PE, future large-scale randomized controlled trials are necessary to draw definitive conclusions. We also reviewed other dietary supplements, including vitamins (vitamins A, B6, C, and E, folic acid, and multivitamins), minerals (magnesium, zinc, and iron), amino acids (l-arginine and l-carnitine), antioxidants (lycopene, resveratrol, and astaxanthin), and other agents (omega-3 fatty acids, coenzyme Q10, melatonin, and s-equol). In this study, we provide a comprehensive approach to help develop better preventive strategies and ultimately reduce the burden of PE.

Aim of the study: Multivitamin/mineral supplements (MVMs) are widely used in many populations. MVMs, together with iron and folic acid, are recommended for pregnant women to improve birth outcomes and reduce low birth weight and miscarriage rates.

Results: Only minor adverse events (e.g., nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms) were reported in all studies. In particular, there were no significant differences between treatment and placebo groups. MVM use within the range of the Dietary Reference Intake will not result in excess intake, even when including the effect of food and fortified food, and does not increase mortality. Taken together, these findings indicate that MVMs can be safe for long-term use (>10 y).

Aim of the study: Multivitamin/mineral supplements (MVM) are widely used in many populations. In particular, MVM together with iron and folic acid are recommended for pregnant women to improve birth outcomes and reduce low birth weight and miscarriage rates.

Results: Only minor adverse effects (e.g., nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms) were reported in all studies. In particular, there were no significant differences between treatment and placebo groups. MVM use within the range of the dietary reference intake will not result in excess intake, even when including the impact of food and fortified food, and does not increase mortality. Taken together, these findings indicate that MVM can be safe for long-term use (more than 10 y).

Aim of the study: To review the benefits and harms of vitamin and mineral supplementation in healthy adults to prevent cardiovascular disease and cancer and inform the US Preventive Services Task Force.

Results: Eighty-four studies (N=739 803) were included. In pooled analyses, multivitamin use was significantly associated with a lower incidence of any cancer (odds ratio [OR], 0.93 [95% CI, 0.87-0.99]; 4 RCTs [n=48 859]; absolute risk difference [ARD] range among adequately powered trials, -0.2% to -1.2%) and lung cancer (OR, 0.75 [95% CI, 0.58-0.95]; 2 RCTs [n=36 052]; ARD, 0.2%). However, the evidence for multivitamins had important limitations. Beta-carotene (with or without vitamin A) was significantly associated with an increased risk of lung cancer (OR, 1.20 [95% CI, 1.01-1.42]; 4 RCTs [n=94 830]; ARD range, -0.1% to 0.6%) and cardiovascular mortality (OR, 1.10 [95% CI, 1.02-1.19]; 5 RCTs [n=94 506] ARD range, -0.8% to 0.8%).

Aim of the study: To provide updated guidance on preconception folic acid and multivitamin supplementation for primary and secondary (recurrence) prevention of neural tube defects and other folate-sensitive congenital anomalies.

Aim of the study: This double-blind, randomized, controlled trial primarily aimed to determine how supplementation of a prenatal multivitamin with biotin levels above the Adequate Intake (AI) affected biotin status in mother-fetus pairs. Additionally, the correlation between biotin status and stress markers was explored.

Results: In conclusion, a higher-biotin prenatal multivitamin formulation with biotin content exceeding the AI led to increases in biotin biomarkers in the mother-fetus pair. The higher concentrations of biotin status biomarkers were related to mitigation of stress indicators. Further research is needed to confirm the positive role of higher biotin intake in improving maternal and fetal health. This trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05673070).

Aim of the study: Male reproductive capacity is impaired by prolonged psychological stress, which is also a potential factor in infertility. The common use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) needs to be replaced with safer antidepressant options because their reproductive side effects create a need for such alternatives.

Results: CUMS caused a significant increase in anhedonic behavior and serum cortisol and testosterone levels, resulting in damaged seminiferous tubule structure and decreased spermatogenic cell counts, together with changes in Johnsen’s score and testicular structure. In the stressed untreated group, testicular levels of folate and global DNA methylation declined, along with increased oxidative stress and changes in inflammatory marker expression, and decreased expression of genes that control cell proliferation, meiosis, and sperm motility. The biochemical, histological, epigenetic, and molecular changes that occurred during the study were all reversed by multivitamin supplementation.