Efficacy of a complex multivitamin supplement.
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.
Earnest
Conrad
C
The Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research, Dallas, Texas 75230, USA. cearnest@cooperinst.org
Cooper
Kenneth H
KH
Marks
Angela
A
Mitchell
Tedd L
TL
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
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