Daily Multivitamin May Slow Memory Loss in Older Adults by Two Years, Study Finds
A new study suggests that taking a daily multivitamin may help slow down memory loss in older adults by about two years. This finding comes from the third study in a series that examines the cognitive effects of multivitamins on older individuals. The researchers conducted a systematic review of all three studies and found that the group taking a multivitamin performed better in memory function compared to the placebo group. While each study had different participants and methods, they collectively provide evidence that daily multivitamin supplementation can have a significant impact on cognition among older people.
Cognitive decline is a major concern for many older adults, and this study offers a promising and accessible approach to slowing it down. Chirag Vyas, an instructor in investigation in the psychiatry department at Massachusetts General Hospital and the first author of the study, emphasizes the importance of finding ways to address memory loss in older individuals.
The study is part of the COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS), a collaboration between Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Columbia University, and Wake Forest University. The most recent study involved 573 participants and found statistically significant improvements in short- and long-term memory among those taking a multivitamin. However, there was less benefit in executive function tasks compared to the first study.
JoAnn Manson, chief of Brigham’s division of preventive medicine and co-leader of the COSMOS study, explains that the first study showed a significant benefit in both memory and executive function, while the second study focused primarily on memory. Despite these variations, Manson believes that the overall findings are powerful evidence of the benefits of multivitamins on memory and cognitive aging.
The research consisted of randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials involving 5,000 participants over a period of two to three years. The latest study and meta-analysis were published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. According to calculations in the meta-analysis, the probability of these findings occurring by chance is less than 1 in 1,000, indicating that the effects of multivitamins on memory are likely real.
The studies used Centrum Silver for Adults (age 50+) as the multivitamin supplement. However, Manson suggests that any high-quality multivitamin is likely to provide similar benefits. She emphasizes that multivitamins are affordable and easily accessible over-the-counter products that have been deemed safe for long-term use.
The third study and the meta-analysis were funded by investigator-initiated grants from Mars Edge and the National Institutes of Health. The multivitamin and placebo tablets were donated by Pfizer Consumer Healthcare. Howard Sesso, associate director of the division of preventive medicine at Brigham, reported receiving grants from Pure Encapsulations and Pfizer.
While the studies had limitations in terms of participant diversity and duration, they still provide valuable insights into the potential benefits of multivitamins for memory health. Christine Kistler, an associate professor of geriatrics at the University of Pittsburgh, suggests that taking a multivitamin may be a good option for individuals who want to hedge their bets against memory decline. However, she emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy diet, exercise, and good sleep for overall brain health.
Manson acknowledges that essential vitamins and minerals can be obtained through healthy food. However, many older adults have deficiencies in micronutrients crucial for cognitive function. The Centrum product used in the studies contains these important nutrients, but Manson advises against replacing healthy eating with multivitamins.
Multivitamins and minerals are already popular among Americans, with over 39 percent of those over 60 taking them, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Donald Hensrud, a nutrition specialist at the Mayo Clinic, agrees that while this study doesn’t replace the recommendation for a healthy diet, it provides the best evidence for taking a multivitamin, especially for individuals aged 60 and over.
In conclusion, the latest study adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that daily multivitamin supplementation can help slow down memory loss in older adults. While further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind these effects, taking a multivitamin appears to be a simple and accessible strategy for maintaining cognitive health in older age.
