Clinical Study Title:
Effect of a multivitamin and mineral supplement on infection and quality of life. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Plain English Summary:

This study looked at the benefits from taking a multivitamin by adults in the U.S. A total of 130 participants were given either a multivitamin or a placebo to take daily for a year. During the year, those participants who were taking the placebo reported a higher rate of illness, especially among participants who had diabetes. Those participants, both with and without diabetes, reported less sickness over the year. Those taking the multivitamin also had less absenteeism related to illness over the year. This suggests that the use of a daily multivitamin does protect against some illness, and when illness occurs, its intensity may not be as severe as it would have been otherwise. This is also true for people who have diabetes.

Authors

Barringer TA. Kirk JK. Santaniello AC. Foley KL. Michielutte R.

Institution

University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.

Country of Publication

United States

Source

Annals of Internal Medicine. 138(5):365-71, 2003 Mar 4.