Based on nationally representative data in 10,698 adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES), assessments were made of intakes of 17 nutrients with an estimated average requirement (EAR) and tolerable upper intake level (UL), and of the status of five nutrients with recognized biomarkers of deficiency. Compared to food alone, the use of MVMS was associated with a lower prevalence of inadequacy for 15 or the 17 nutrients examined. With the exception of calcium, magnesium and vitamin D, most frequent MVMS use (≥21 days/30 days) virtually eliminated inadequacies of the nutrients examined, and was associated with significantly lower odds ratios of deficiency for the examined nutrient
biomarkers except for iron. The bottom line is that MVMS use is associated with decreased micronutrient inadequacies, intakes slightly exceeding the UL for a few
nutrients, and a lower risk of nutrient deficiencies. Who knew?
Blumberg JB, Frei BB, Fulgoni VL, Weaver CM, Zeisel SH. Impact of Frequency of Multi-Vitamin/Multi-Mineral Supplement Intake on Nutritional Adequacy and Nutrient Deficiencies in
U.S. Adults. Nutrients. 2017 Aug 9;9(8). Pii: E849. doi: 10.3390/nu9080849.