A recent advertisement stated that consuming a daily multivitamin leads to better overall health and enhanced immunity. This claim is backed by studies that reportedly show individuals taking multivitamins tend to visit doctors less frequently than those who do not. However, skeptics argue that this correlation does not imply causation and that multivitamin users may simply be more health-conscious overall.
Despite the claims, a national health survey indicates that many individuals do not consume a balanced diet, which is necessary for obtaining essential vitamins and minerals. Critics further assert that reliance on multivitamins may lead to complacency in maintaining a proper diet.
Which of the following, if true, would most seriously weaken the argument made in the advertisement?