Maybe it's coincidence but when I'm not taking a multi vitamin my body runs down faster and I get sick everyime. So I take them! Do I know if they work? Not 100%. But I don't care, I have peace of mind when I take my vitamins. Sure I still get I'll sometimes when taking my vits but from my experience both on and off vitamins. I am much healthier when I am taking them. Even my costco brand! I don't have much use for media or research unless it's done by like Hopkins university or somethin...