The Ugly Truth About Multivitamins

One-third of Americans take some variety of a vitamin supplement or multivitamin daily, with seventy percent of this amount comprised of individuals aged sixty-five and older. There are two conflicting views when it comes to consuming a daily vitamin. One side of the story believes vitamin supplements can reduce a patient’s risk for diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's and can fill the gaps in nutrition a majority of individuals lack. The other side of the argument criticizes vitamin supplements and claims they are mostly a ‘placebo effect,’ that does not contribute any nutritional value to the body.