As yet another influencer or company produces yet another product or service claiming to improve our health – the road to health and wellbeing has become even more confusing than before. Do we need this gym membership or that diet plan? The volume of information filling our brains and screens can be suffocating at times as we hand over deposits, monthly payment plans, or one-off purchases. But as the profits of the wellness industry continue to rise, diseases linked to unhealthy lifestyle choices remain the leading causes of death throughout the developed world.
Why, then, when we are willing to pay more than ever before in the name of our health, do we remain so unhealthy? One of the starkest case studies of this oxymoron lies in the pills and tablets that promise untold benefits to transform your life – this is, of course, the phenomenon of vitamin supplements.
The global market for vitamin supplements was valued at 48.51 billion USD in 2022, with an expected annual growth rate of 7.3% until 2030.[1] It is estimated that around a third of us are taking vitamins regularly. However, how much evidence is there that they are actually doing us any good?
Dr Helen MacPherson, a senior researcher at the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University Australia, has only found multivitamins to be beneficial to specifically vulnerable demographics. “Our research,” she says, “would suggest people over sixty-five, who are frailer, or have cognitive or cardiovascular difficulties would benefit from taking multivitamins. But research does not suggest there’s an equal benefit to all people to take multivitamins.”
“Our developed world is over-fed and under-nourished so that might be an argument for taking mutlivitamins. But it doesn’t take away from the overall message that the best way to get adequate nutrition is by having a healthy diet with a variety of food.”
So, without secure evidence, why do we keep buying and taking these daily pills?
Studies have shown that most users do not take supplements because they are concerned about their diet but rather, to maintain their general health.[1] In most cases, it is not those unable to access nutrient dense foods who are turning to the tablets but those looking for that extra health kick. Many take them under the impression that vitamin pills act as a guardrail against illness – a theory unsubstantiated by science and concerning to professionals who worry that individuals may be reluctant to turn to medical care when necessary. Instead of focusing our energy on diet or exercise, we demand paying for minimal effort health solutions.
Evidence supporting the effectiveness of multivitamins is contentious within the scientific community. Some studies have shown taking multivitamins slightly decreases cancer deaths but has no effect on cardiovascular or overall death rates. Although vitamin D deficiency is common within developed countries, data on the effectiveness of supplements within the general population is highly conflicting. One study into vitamin D supplements found “no firm evidence” of its effect on cancer mortality whilst another found it reduced cancer moralities by 15%.[1][2] Some vitamins used in specific cases, such as folic acid in pregnancy, have solid evidence behind them. However, the vast majority display inconclusive results.
Whilst these quick fixes reassure us, the lack of substantial evidence behind them suggests we are becoming increasingly negligent to the time and effort required to maintain and improve our health. Perhaps before we worry about our vitamin ABCDEFG intake, we should all take a breath and eat a banana.
Sources:
[1] Sakhri, K. Kaur, K. Public knowledge, use and attitude toward multivitamin supplementation: A cross-sectional study among general public. NIH https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4137646/
[1] Zhang Y, Fang F, Tang J, Jia L, Feng Y, Xu P et al. Association between vitamin D supplementation and mortality: systematic review and meta-analysis BMJ 2019; 366 :l4673 doi:10.1136/bmj.l4673
[2] Bjelakovic, Goran, et al. “Vitamin D supplementation for prevention of cancer in adults.” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 6 (2014).
