Daily Multivitamin Improves Memory and Slows Cognitive Aging, Study Finds
In a groundbreaking study, researchers from Mass General Brigham have discovered that taking a daily multivitamin can significantly improve memory and slow down cognitive aging. The team’s research provides strong evidence of the benefits of a daily multivitamin in preventing memory loss and preserving cognitive function.
The study, which involved a meta-analysis of 5,000 participants from the COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS), found that those who took a daily multivitamin experienced better global cognition and episodic memory compared to those who took a placebo. The multivitamin was shown to slow down cognitive aging by two years, a significant finding that could have a profound impact on the health and well-being of older adults.
Chirag Vyas, the first author of the study and a founding member of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system, emphasized the importance of their research. “The meta-analysis of three separate cognition studies provides strong and consistent evidence that taking a daily multivitamin helps prevent memory loss and slow down cognitive aging,” Vyas stated.
To gather data for their study, the researchers conducted detailed, in-person cognitive assessments on 573 participants over a two-year period. Some participants took a daily multivitamin supplement during this time, while others took a placebo pill. The results clearly demonstrated the positive effects of the multivitamin on memory and cognitive function.
The findings of this study are particularly significant considering the growing concern about cognitive decline among older adults. Olivia Okereke, the director of Geriatric Psychiatry and the senior author of the study, highlighted the potential impact of their research on brain health. “A daily supplement of multivitamins has the potential as an appealing and accessible approach to slow cognitive aging,” Okereke said.
The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, also emphasized the importance of the COSMOS experiment. This is the third COSMOS trial that has praised the benefits of daily multivitamins, further solidifying the findings and their implications for cognitive health.
The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that a significant number of aging adults will be at risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease in the future unless effective interventions are implemented. The findings from these placebo-controlled studies are exciting and offer hope for preserving cognitive function in older adults, according to Dr. JoAnn Manson, who led the overall COSMOS trial.
The implications of this study are far-reaching, as it provides evidence for the role of a daily multivitamin in supporting better cognitive aging. With cognitive decline being a top concern for many older adults, the accessibility and affordability of multivitamins make them an appealing option for preserving brain health.
In conclusion, this groundbreaking study highlights the significant benefits of taking a daily multivitamin in improving memory and slowing cognitive aging. The findings offer hope for older adults who are concerned about their cognitive health and provide evidence for the role of multivitamins in preserving brain function. With further research and awareness, multivitamins could become a widely recommended approach to support cognitive aging and prevent memory loss.
