Skip to main content

Are multivitamins really good for you?

727,579 Views

3,133 Questions Answered

Best of Web

Let’s Begin…

People spend billions of dollars every year trying to boost their health with multivitamins- but are they actually good for you? SciShow researches the science of multivitamins.

Additional Resources for you to Explore

Watch these recommended TED-Ed Lessons

How one scientist averted a national health crisis
In 1960, Frances Kelsey was one of the Food and Drug Administration’s newest recruits. Before the year was out, she would begin a fight that would save thousands of lives — though no one knew it at the time. Andrea Tone explains how Kelsey was able to prevent a massive national public health tragedy by privileging facts over opinions, and patience over shortcuts.

How do carbohydrates impact your health?
The things we eat and drink on a daily basis can impact our health in big ways. Too many carbohydrates, for instance, can lead to insulin resistance, which is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease and Type 2 Diabetes. But what are carbs, exactly? And what do they do to our bodies? Richard J. Wood explains.

Additional references


The case against multivitamins grows stronger - NPR
Evidence continues to mount that vitamin supplements don't help most people and can cause diseases that people are taking them to prevent, like cancer. Even people who know about all these studies showing no benefit continue to buy multivitamins for their families. So how is this still a multi-billion dollar industry?

Medical journal: 'Case closed' against vitamin pills - USA Today
Vitamin industry and some researchers disagree that 'enough is enough' when it comes to supplement studies.

Next Section »

About TED-Ed Best of Web

TED-Ed Best of Web are exceptional, user-created lessons that are carefully selected by volunteer teachers and TED-Ed staff.

Meet The Creators

More from Getting Under Our Skin