Is a well nourished elderly study body reflective of the population as a whole? I believe the body is sophisticated enough, that it can, in fact, crave the nutrients, even mineral and vitamin supplements that each individual body, age group, body type, is lacking. We have known for a long time about the bodies seeking out C vitamins particularly on the not too distant long cross sea oceanic voyages of our ancestors. I consider supplementation as dietary. I'm eating something. So those thinking in this light may as well take to banning or regulating the sell of oranges and grapefruit. Also why then are we still supplementing iodine and D vitamins, amongst a few others, if they are all so ineffective? What about gender studies where people seem to inherently seek out more commonly needed nutrients by gender? I do believe there could be some harm in certain nutrients. Study subject probably would quit taking certain combination of vitamins, given if they were not expected to do so, as part of the study. Bad research technique.
I don't know. I use Mg and Ca supplements for sleep, reducing stress and increased energy. They really are effective. I don't think all minerals are ineffective as the article suggests, but maybe I am wrong and they know better. Then why are there good effects?