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Doctors say don't waste your money on vitamins

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — More than half of all adults in the United States take some sort of multivitamin but the latest studies on vitamins have some medical experts saying case closed, and that it's time for consumers to stop wasting money on them.

An editorial based on three studies and published in this week's Annals of Internal Medicine said, "The message is simple. Most supplements do not prevent chronic disease or death, their use is not justified and they should be avoided ... we believe that the case is closed -- supplementing the diet of well-nourished adults with (most) mineral or vitamin supplements has no clear benefit and might even be harmful."

Health expert Holli Adams took issue with the editorial's conclusion -- and methodology -- since she said not all vitamins are created equal.

"You get what you pay for. If you buy cheap vitamins, it may not have the benefit long term," Adams said.

Pharmacist Jesse Pike is also skeptical of the message, but added, "We all need to be watchful, and all healthcare professionals should be alert to changes that influence our practice."

Consumer Sara Doty said she'll continue taking vitamins each day until more conclusive research tells her otherwise.

"We change our minds all the time about things, so I just have to go by that," Doty said.

Click here to read the editorial and studies.