Taking a daily multivitamin supplement can slow age-related memory decline, finds a large study led by researchers at Columbia University and Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard.
The study showed that the aging brain may be more sensitive to nutrition than realized.
Just as the Body Ages, So Too Does the Brain Age
Results were significant. Even after the first year, memory improved for people taking a daily multivitamin vs. those taking a placebo. The improvement was sustained over the three-year study period during which they continued to take the multivitamin.
Researchers estimated the improvement in those taking the daily multivitamin to be equivalent to about three years of age-related memory decline. The improved effect was more pronounced in those with underlying cardiovascular disease.
Does It Matter Which Multivitamin You Take?
This study used Centrum Silver, which has over two dozen vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. All multivitamins differ in their formulations. They vary in the specific vitamins and minerals they contain, the forms and dosages of the nutrients.
My “go-to” multivitamin is Thorne Basic Nutrients 2/Day, as an adjunct to a good diet.
Thorne Basic Nutrients 2/Day contains vitamins in their bioactive/readily usable forms, minerals that are highly absorbable and many nutrients in the forms that occur in nature.
Thorne Basic Nutrients 2/Day contains nutrients not found in most multis, like vitamin K2 (supports heart and bone health), nutrients for macular and retinal health, vitamin D3 and methylated B vitamins and natural forms of vitamin E.
Taken two per day (one in AM and one in PM), the water soluble vitamins stay in a steady state in the body throughout the day and night.
Is Any One Particular Nutrient Responsible for the Cognitive Improvement?
In this study, the researchers did not look at whether any specific component of the multivitamin supplement was linked to improvement in memory.
Researchers believe that the multivitamins may work by providing micronutrients that enhance function of the hippocampus area of the brain. This is the second large study conducted by the researchers to show that memory improved in older adults who took daily multivitamins.
Double blind research studies on multivitamins are rare. That’s because the studies are very expensive to do.
This study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and also by Mars Edge, a division of Mars, which makes candy, pet food and other products; and Pfizer and Haleon, both makers of multivitamins.
Can’t I Get Enough Nutrients Through Food?
Because of the state of the current food supply, and because very few individuals eat the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables, many nutrition experts (including myself) agree that a multivitamin/mineral supplement should be taken daily. It’s kind of a nutrition “insurance” for the essential nutrients to be consumed on a daily basis.
Even the Journal of the American Medical Association – not usually known as a supporter of nutritional supplements – suggests that everyone should take a multi-vitamin/mineral supplement (JAMA 2002;287:3127-3129).
