Taking a daily multivitamin supplement may improve memory and slow cognitive decline in older adults, according to new research.
The findings could have major implications for the millions of Americans suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
The study, published Thursday, Research on the effects of COCOA supplements and multivitamins (COSMOS) is a large national clinical trial testing whether cocoa extract and multivitamin supplements can improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
In two previous studies, the group found that taking a daily multivitamin did have a positive effect on cognitive performance. The current study combines a study with more than 500 participants and a meta-analysis of data from more than 5,000 participants, with an average age of 69 years for both groups.
“Cognitive decline is one of the greatest health concerns for most older adults, and daily multivitamin supplements may be an attractive and accessible approach to slowing cognitive aging.” ,'' said Chirag Vyas, lead author and lecturer in psychiatric research. Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) stated: statement Present your research.
In an undated stock photo, a woman is seen taking a multivitamin.
Stock Photo/Getty Images
In the first part of the study, researchers conducted in-person cognitive assessments with 573 people. As a result, it was announced that American Journal of Clinical Nutritionshowed that daily multivitamin intake improved memory and cognition over a two-year period compared to a placebo.
Those who took the multivitamin had memory performance equivalent to that of someone nearly five years younger than them, and cognitive performance equivalent to someone two years younger than them.
Furthermore, while there was a statistically significant effect on improving episodic memory, or the ability to recall memories, there was no effect on executive attention, the ability to block out distractions and focus on a task. I couldn't see it.
The team also conducted a meta-analysis based on three separate studies with nonoverlapping participants and found that multivitamin intake also has benefits for memory and cognition, and that it is more effective in undernourished older adults. I discovered that it may help.
“These findings provide evidence of the role of a daily multivitamin in supporting improvements in cognitive aging, so many older adults are understandably very interested in how to maintain their brain health. “It will garner attention among the public,” said lead author Dr. Olivia Okereke. Commenting on the report, MGH's head of geriatric psychiatry said in a statement:
An estimated 6.7 million people in the United States currently have Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, and that number is expected to rise to 14 million by 2060. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
previous the study We have already shown that maintaining a healthy lifestyle can slow the risk of dementia, including managing high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and depression. By reducing smoking, refraining from binge eating and drinking, and getting enough exercise, maybe According to the CDC, it improves brain health.
The new study has limitations, including that the multivitamin used was the Centrum Silver brand, and other multivitamin brands may not produce the same results. It is also unclear whether the specific vitamins in the multivitamin itself are contributing to the positive effects.
Additionally, 98% of participants in this study were white, so the new study's results may not be generalizable to non-white populations.
