Daily multivitamin intake may slow cognitive aging among older adults
Researchers have found in anew study conducted on more than 2,200 older adults that Daily intake of multivitamin-mineral supplements was linked to cognitive benefit including improved global cognition, episodic memory and executive function in older adults,
The research has been published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of The Alzheimer's Association.
The researchers conducted a large randomized two-by-two factorial 3-year trialthat included 2,262 participants (mean age, 73 years; 60% female).Primary outcomes were assessed through a global cognition composite formed from mean standardized scores from individual tests, including telephone interviews of cognitive status, word list and story recall, oral trail-making, verbal fluency, number span and digit ordering. Secondary outcomes were evaluated by change in composite with 3 years of multivitamin supplementation.
Quotes from Maria C. Carrillo, Ph.D., Alzheimer's Association chief science officer
"This is the first positive, large-scale, long-term study to show that multivitamin-mineral supplementation for older adults may slow cognitive aging. While the Alzheimer's Association is encouraged by these results, we are not ready to recommend widespread use of a multivitamin supplement to reduce risk of cognitive decline in older adults."
"Independent confirmatory studies are needed in larger, more diverse study populations. It is critical that future treatments and preventions are effective in all populations."
"For now, and until there is more data, people should talk with their health care providers about the benefits and risks of all dietary supplements, including multivitamins."
"We envision a future where there are multiple treatments and risk reduction strategies available that address cognitive aging and dementia in multiple ways- like heart disease and cancer-and that can be combined into powerful combination therapie in conjunction with brain-healthy guidelines for lifestyle factors like diet and physical activity."
Reference:
Baker, LD, Manson, JE, Rapp, SR, et al. Effects of cocoa extract and a multivitamin on cognitive function: A randomized clinical trial. Alzheimer's Dement. 2022; 1- 12. https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.1276
