BMJ  2005;330 (16 April), doi:10.1136/bmj.330.7496.0

Evidence doesn't support routine use of multivitamins

It is still not clear how effective multivitamins and mineral supplements are in reducing infections in elderly people. A systematic review by El-Kadiki and Sutton (p 871) included eight randomised controlled trials with different outcome measures, and pooling of the compatible results gave conflicting answers. Although a meta-analysis of some trials showed a significant reduction in the mean annual number of days spent with infection, meta-analyses of other trials showed no difference for at least one infection in the study period or for the infection rate ratio. Adverse events were poorly reported in all trials.

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Relevant Article

Role of multivitamins and mineral supplements in preventing infections in elderly people: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Alia El-Kadiki and Alexander J Sutton
BMJ 2005 330: 871. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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Harvey D Sanders
bmj.com, 16 Apr 2005 [Full text]

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