A recent extensive trial has demonstrated that older individuals aged 60 and above who incorporated a daily multivitamin into their routine experienced a significant reduction in memory loss compared to those who received a placebo.
The study, conducted in collaboration between Brigham and Women's Hospital and Columbia University, was part of the Cocoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS), a comprehensive research initiative investigating the impact of various dietary supplements on health outcomes. This trial marks the second occasion within COSMOS where a multivitamin study has yielded the same positive results.
According to the findings published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, participants who took multivitamins exhibited an estimated 3.1-year delay in memory decline compared to the control group that received a placebo. In other words, the multivitamin group demonstrated memory function that was estimated to be 3.1 years "younger" than the placebo group.
JoAnn Manson, the chief of Brigham's division of preventive medicine and one of the study's leaders alongside Howard Sesso, highlighted the significance of these findings for older adults, who are particularly concerned about preserving cognitive abilities and memory. Manson emphasized that while multivitamins can have a substantial impact, they should never be viewed as a substitute for a healthy diet and lifestyle.
The multivitamin used in the study was Centrum Silver, a commonly available brand. However, Manson suggested that similar results could be expected from other high-quality multivitamins. Centrum Silver contains a range of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins D, A, and B12, thiamine, riboflavin, and manganese.
It is worth noting that Mars Edge, a division of Mars focused on nutrition research and producer of the dietary supplement CocoaVia, and Pfizer Consumer Healthcare (now Haleon), the manufacturer of Centrum Silver, provided financial support and donated the multivitamins and placebos for the trial. The study also received backing from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Overall, the study's outcomes contribute to the growing popularity of multivitamins among older individuals, with 39 percent of adults aged 60 and above in the United States already taking them, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. According to NIH data, in 2020, multivitamins and multivitamins with minerals sales in the U.S. amounted to approximately $8 billion.
A recent trial involving over 3,500 participants aged 60 and above has revealed that the memory benefits of multivitamin supplementation lasted for three years. The study utilized web-based assessments of memory and cognition conducted annually over the course of the trial. Participants engaged in tasks such as word recall, recognition of novel objects, and measures of executive control.
Compared to the placebo group, those who were randomized to receive multivitamin supplementation demonstrated significantly better immediate recall of words after one year, and this advantage persisted for an additional two years of follow-up. However, multivitamin use did not have a significant impact on memory retention, executive function, or novel object recognition when compared to placebo use.
The findings are particularly significant as the brain, like other organs, relies on proper nutrition for optimal functioning and can experience cognitive decline without essential nutrients. Brain-health experts emphasize the importance of the study's results and the potential of a simple multivitamin to slow cognitive decline in individuals aging normally.
Low levels of vitamins B1 (thiamine), B12, and D have been linked to cognitive decline. The fact that a multivitamin could potentially mitigate cognitive decline is highly encouraging, as it is an accessible intervention for almost everyone, according to experts in the field.
The previous study, conducted independently by Brigham and Women's Hospital and Wake Forest University School of Medicine, found a 60 percent deceleration in cognitive aging among those who took multivitamins compared to the placebo group.
Both studies were randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials, considered the gold standard for determining the efficacy of drugs or medical treatments. It is worth noting that both studies suggest that participants with a history of cardiovascular disease may have derived the greatest benefits from multivitamin supplementation.
The overall COSMOS trial, which encompasses various studies, revealed lower rates of side effects such as stomach pain, diarrhea, skin rash, and bruising with multivitamin use compared to the placebo. However, there was an increased incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding.
Future research in this field should explore the applicability of these findings to even more diverse populations, including those with lower education levels and socioeconomic status. It would also be valuable to identify the specific nutrients that offer the most benefits and investigate the underlying mechanisms involved.