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In a groundbreaking study published online on January 18 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers have found that a basic, no-frills multivitamin taken daily may slow cognitive decline by as much as two years. The study, part of the COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS), revealed a statistically significant cognitive benefit among participants who took the multivitamin compared to those on a placebo, offering hope for a potential preventive measure against memory loss and cognitive aging among older adults.
The study involved 573 participants aged 60 or older for men and 65 or older for women, who did not have a history of heart attack, stroke, or cancer diagnosed within two years before the trial began. The research utilized in-person cognitive assessments and showed a modest but statistically significant benefit for the multivitamin compared to the placebo over a two-year period. Specifically, improvements were observed in episodic memory, although no significant impact was seen in executive function and attention.
The positive effects on cognition mark the third report within the COSMOS trial, suggesting that daily multivitamin supplementation holds promise for supporting cognitive health in older adults, according to Dr. Laura D. Baker, a coauthor of the study and professor of gerontology and geriatric medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.
However, not everyone is convinced of the findings. Dr. Pieter Cohen, a researcher and internal medicine doctor at Cambridge Health Alliance in Boston, cautions against recommending multivitamins for maintaining or improving memory based solely on these results. Dr. Cohen emphasizes the need for further research and real-world outcomes, stating that the positive effects observed were small and not enough to make widespread recommendations.
A separate meta-analysis combining three studies from COSMOS estimated that multivitamins may slow overall cognitive aging by two years compared to a placebo. While this finding has sparked interest, some experts, such as Dr. Hussein Yassine from the University of Southern California, stress the need for more research to identify who is likely to benefit from multivitamin supplementation.
The urgency for safe and affordable interventions to protect the brain is emphasized by the rising global incidence of dementia. A Lancet Public Health study projects a doubling of adults living with dementia in the United States by 2050. Despite the potential benefits suggested by the study, experts agree that it remains unclear how or why a multivitamin would preserve memory or cognition.
In conclusion, while the study provides intriguing insights into the potential cognitive benefits of daily multivitamin use, more research is needed to confirm the findings and understand the underlying mechanisms. Experts caution against widespread recommendations at this stage and emphasize the importance of personalized approaches to brain health, including daily exercise and a healthy diet. The ongoing efforts to address the lack of diversity in study participants also highlight the need for inclusive research to serve the health needs of all populations.
