Experts say vitamin supplements are likely a waste of money

BOSTON - More than half of American adults have used at least one vitamin supplement in the past month, but a federal panel of health experts suggests they may be wasting their time and money. This includes multivitamins.

After reviewing more than 80 previous studies, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says there is not enough evidence for or against taking most vitamin and mineral supplements, including multivitamins, to prevent cancer, heart disease, or death, unless someone has a real deficiency. 

They specifically recommend against the use of beta carotene and vitamin E saying there is no benefit to taking vitamin E and beta carotene could increase the risk of lung cancer. 

Mallika Marshall, MD

Mallika Marshall, MD is an Emmy-award-winning journalist and physician who has served as the HealthWatch Reporter for CBS Boston/WBZ-TV for over 20 years. A practicing physician Board Certified in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Dr. Marshall serves on staff at Harvard Medical School and practices at Massachusetts General Hospital at the MGH Chelsea Urgent Care and the MGH Revere Health Center, where she is currently working on the frontlines caring for patients with COVID-19. She is also a host and contributing editor for Harvard Health Publications (HHP), the publishing division of Harvard Medical School.

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