Taking a daily multivitamin supplement may slow age-related memory declineaccording to new work by scientists and doctors at Columbia University and Brigham and Women’s/Harvard Hospital.
Adam M. Brickman, a professor of neuropsychology at Columbia University and the coordinator of this work, believes that “cognitive aging is one of the main health problems of older adults, and this study suggests that there may be a simple and inexpensive way to help them delay their memory.” decrease.
Many seniors take vitamins or supplements in the belief that they will help maintain overall health. But studies testing whether they improve memory and brain function have been mixed, and very few large randomized trials have been conducted.
In this study that spreads American Journal of Clinical Nutritionmore than 3,500 adults (mostly non-Hispanic white) over the age of 60 were randomly assigned to take a daily multivitamin supplement or a placebo for three years.
At the end of each year, participants completed a series of cognitive assessments. online home tests designed to assess the memory function of the hippocampus, an area of the brain affected by aging.
The COSMOS-Web study is part of a large clinical study led by Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Harvard called A study on cocoa supplement and multivitamin results (COSMOS).
At the end of the first year memory improved in people taking a daily multivitamincompared to those who took a placebo. The researchers estimated that the improvement sustained over the three years of the study was equivalent to about three years of age-related memory decline.
Nutrition and brain aging
The effect was more pronounced in participants with underlying cardiovascular disease.
The results of the new study are consistent with other recent COSMOS work of more than 2,200 older adults, which found that daily multivitamin use improved overall cognition, memory recall, and attentioneffects are also more pronounced in patients with underlying cardiovascular disease.
So Professor Brickman reminds us that there is evidence that people with cardiovascular disease can have lower levels of micronutrients and that multivitamins can correct, “but at the moment we don’t really know why the effect is stronger in this group”.
Although this team of researchers did not examine whether any specific component of the multivitamin supplement was linked to improved memory, the findings support growing evidence that nutrition is important as we age to optimize brain health.
Joann Manson, MD, chief of preventive medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, notes that “the finding that a daily multivitamin improved memory in two separate cognitive trials in the randomized COSMOS trial is remarkable, suggesting that a multivitamin supplement shows promise as a safe, accessible, and affordable approach to protecting cognitive health in older adults“.
Professor Brickman shows more caution in this respect. “Accessories of any kind – he is entitled – they should not replace more holistic ways of obtaining the same micronutrients. Although multivitamins are generally safe, one should always consult a doctor before taking them.’
Multivitamins were supplied by Pfizer. In addition, Sesso acknowledges receipt of grants during a study initiated by researchers from Pure Encapsulations and Pfizer and/or conference travel from the Council for Responsible Nutrition, BASF, NIH, and the American Society for Nutrition.
Multivitamins are not a substitute for food
An information brush on what multivitamin and mineral supplements are, according to information provided by the United States INH. They contain a combination of vitamins and minerals and sometimes other ingredients.
Each of the minerals and vitamins that make up these supplements has a unique function in the body. Multivitamin and mineral supplements should not replace different types of food, which are important for a healthy diet. Food provides much more than just vitamins and minerals. They also contain fiber and other ingredients that can be beneficial to your health.
Likewise, there are dietary supplements according to age, gender and other factors (e.g. pregnancy) that may contain a combination of vitamins and minerals more suitable for needs.
For example, those recommended in pregnancy usually provide vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene. Most baby supplements contain nutrients in smaller amounts that are most suitable for them.
Those designed for seniors usually contain more calcium and vitamins D and B12 and less ironcompared to supplements for young adults.
On the other hand, taking a basic multivitamin and mineral supplement probably won’t harm your health. However, if you consume fortified foods and drinks (such as cereals or drinks with added vitamins and minerals) or take other dietary supplements, you must ensure that no vitamin or mineral exceeds the maximum limits.
Finally, the INH recommends that smokers and ex-smokers avoid supplements with high amounts of beta-carotene and vitamin A, as these ingredients may increase the risk of lung cancer.
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