title: Efficacy of a complex multivitamin supplement.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Multivitamin supplements are often sold to consumers with the claim that supplements modify risk factors associated with disease. Because few products are validated scientifically, we examined the effects of a 24-ingredient multivitamin formula in an open-label pilot investigation.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined 150 subjects for specific endpoints including blood concentrations of selected vitamins, homocysteine, lipids, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation indices at baseline and at 12 and 24 wk.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred forty-one subjects were successfully assayed for and showed significant time effects for homocysteine and vitamin B6 (as pyridoxal-5'-phosphate), B12, and folic acid concentrations during treatment (P < 0.0001). Vitamin B6, B12, and folic acid concentrations were significantly elevated at weeks 12 and 24 (P < 0.05). Homocysteine concentration decreased significantly during the same periods (7.9 +/- 2.4 versus 6.7 +/- 1.7 versus 6.7 +/- 1.9 mM/mL; P < 0.05). There were correlations relating homocysteine to vitamins B6 (P = 0.001, r(2) = 0.03), B12 (P < 0.001, r(2) = 0.09), and folic acid (P = 0.001, r(2) = 0.10). Significant time effects were noted for 121 subjects successfully assayed for vitamin C, E, beta-carotene, LDL oxidation rate, and LDL lag time (P < 0.0001). Post hoc assessment showed elevations in vitamin C, E, and beta-carotene concentrations at 12 and 24 wk (P < 0.05). LDL oxidation lag time at baseline (57.5 +/- 13.9 min) increased by 12 wk (63.5 +/- 19.0 min; P < 0.05) and 24 wk (63.8 +/- 16.3 min; P < 0.05). LDL oxidation rate at baseline (9.7 +/- 3.0 microM x min(-1). g(-1)) was reduced at 12 wk (7.1 +/- 2.5 microM x min(-1) x g(-1); P < 0.05) and 24 wk (6.0 +/- 2.0 microM x min(-1) x g(-1); P < 0.05). Only vitamin C was significantly correlated with LDL oxidation rate (P = 0.05, r(2) = 0.003).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A multi-ingredient vitamin formula with antioxidant properties has measurable effects on homocysteine and LDL oxidation indices.
authors.affiliation: The Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research, Dallas, Texas 75230, USA. cearnest@cooperinst.org
authors.forename: Conrad
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Earnest
authors.forename: Kenneth H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marks
authors.forename: Tedd L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Mitchell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011732:Pyridoxal Phosphate / Q000097:blood; D011736:Pyridoxine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood*; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D014815:Vitamins; D019207:beta Carotene; D006710:Homocysteine; D014810:Vitamin E; D011732:Pyridoxal Phosphate; D005492:Folic Acid; D011736:Pyridoxine; D014805:Vitamin B 12; D001205:Ascorbic Acid