I was looking through my own medicine cabinet recently and realized something: despite being an Athletic Trainer and obsessed with performance, I don’t take a multivitamin. With over 31% of adults popping a daily multi for "general wellness," am I missing out? Or are we all just paying for expensive urine? In this solo Saturday episode, I dive into the hard data to answer one question: Does a multivitamin actually prevent disease? We review the massive 2022 JAMA study on heart disease and cancer, a 14-year study on brain health, and why the "shotgun approach" to nutrition might be doing you more harm than good. Whether you are an elite athlete or just trying to stay healthy, this episode will help you decide if you should refill that prescription or save your money. In This Episode, We Cover: The Big 31%: Why 1 out of 3 adults takes a multi, and why "longevity" doctors usually skip them. Heart & Cancer Truths: Breaking down the USPSTF findings on multivitamins and major diseases (plus a specific warning for smokers). Brain Power: Does a daily pill stop cognitive decline? We look at the results from a 14-year physician study. The Athlete’s Dilemma: Why elite soccer players focus on Creatine and Tart Cherry Juice instead of multivitamins. Supplement Safety: The "Wild West" of regulation—why you need to look for NSF or Informed Sport labels. Stop Guessing, Start Testing: Why I recommend annual blood work (via your PCP, Function Health, or InsideTracker) over generic supplementation. Resources for episode: 1. Ward E. Addressing nutritional gaps with multivitamin and mineral supplements. Nutr J . 2014;13(1):72. doi: 10.1186/1475-2891-13-72 2. Abreu R, Oliveira CB, Costa JA, Brito J, Teixeira VH. Effects of dietary supplements on athletic performance in elite soccer players: a systematic review. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition . 2023;20(1):2236060. doi: 10.1080/15502783.2023.2236060 3. Ghazzawi HA, Hussain MA, Raziq KM, et al. Exploring the Relationship between Micronutrients and Athletic Performance: A Comprehensive Scientific Systematic Review of the Literature in Sports Medicine. Sports . 2023;11(6):109. doi: 10.3390/sports11060109 4. US Preventive Services Task Force. Vitamin, Mineral, and Multivitamin S Support the show Support the Show: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star review and subscribe on YouTube! It helps us continue to bring you the best health insights so you can Go Fix Yourself. You can also so your support through donations! You can click here and pledge a monthly amount to help keep this podcast running! We'll give you a shout out and answer a question of your choosing on an episode! Find us on the Following! Instagram: @gfy.podcast Spotify: Website: Youtube: Available on all podcast streaming sites! If you have general questions about pain you're experiencing send us a DM on instagram or email at
[email protected] Michael Stant has also launched a weekly blog, Well-Informed. If interested in following. You can subscribe to the following link: https://wellinformed24.substack.com/
