Multivitamins are dietary supplements typically taken daily. A multivitamin provides varying amounts of a number vitamins such as vitamin A, B-complex vitamins and vitamin E. Which vitamins and the amount of each vitamin contained in a multivitamin formula depends on the brand and the target market. For example, prenatal vitamins are higher in vitamin B9. In 2008, Americans paid almost $4.7 billion for multivitamins, according to information from Consumer Reports.
Behavior
People who take multivitamins indulge themselves more, exercise less and are less likely to eat right, according to a study by researchers from Southern Taiwan University and reported in the April 2011 issue of the medical journal "Psychological Science." In the study, two groups took placebo pills. About half the participants were told they took multivitamins and the other half, considered the control group, did not know if the pills prescribed were multivitamins or a placebo. The "multivitamin" group walked less and was more likely to choose a buffet over an organic meal as well as engage in self-indulgent activities.
Cancer and Heart Attacks
Taking multivitamins does not protect you from dying of heart disease or cancer, according to a study of over 180,000 people by the University of Hawaii Cancer Center in Honolulu and published in a 2011 issue of the "America Journal of Epidemiology." However, no participants experienced harm from the vitamins either. The researchers explain that past small studies have shown that dietary supplements containing specific vitamins reduced the risk of heart disease and cancer.
Doctors and Multivitamins
Personal use and recommendation of multivitamins is more common among dermatologists, cardiologists and orthopedics than other specialties, according to the 2008 Healthcare Professionals Impact Study published in a 2011 issue of the "Nutrition Journal." In regards to multivitamin use among doctors, the study found 44 percent of cardiologists, 57 percent of orthopedists and 61 percent of dermatologists had taken at least one multivitamin in the previous year. Dermatologists recommend supplements to their patients 66 percent of the time, cardiologists recommend supplements to their patients 72 percent of the time and orthopedic specialists recommend supplements to their patients 91 percent of the time.
Prenatal Vitamins Reduce Incidence of Autism
Women who did not take a prenatal vitamin daily immediately before and throughout the first month of pregnancy gave birth to almost twice the number of children with an autism spectrum disorder than those who did, according to a study by the University of California Davis School of Medicine. The authors of the study, to be published in July 2011 in the medical journal "Epidemiology," hypothesize it's the folic acid -- also known as vitamin B9 -- in the prenatal vitamins that promotes proper early fetal brain development.
References
- "Association for Psychological Science"; Are Dietary Supplements Working Against You?; Wen-Bin Chiou, et al.; April 2011
- EurekAlert!; Women Who Start Prenatal Vitamins Early are Less Likely to Have Children with Autism; May 2011
- EurekAlert!; Study Finds Usage of , Recommendations for Supplements Common Within Various Physician Specialities; March 2011
- "America Journal of Epidemiology"; Multivitamin Use and the Risk of Mortality and Cancer Incidence; Song-Yi Park, et al.; Feb. 2011
- Reuters Health Information; Do Vitamins Stop Cancer, Heart Attacks? Study: No; Leigh Krietsch Boerner; March 2011
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