New Findings Offer Hope for Those Suffering from Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
Taking a daily multivitamin supplement has been found to potentially enhance memory and decelerate cognitive decline in aging adults, according to a recent study. The implications of these results are significant, particularly for the millions of Americans dealing with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
The study, known as the COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS), is a nationwide clinical trial that investigates the effects of cocoa extract and multivitamin supplements on cognition and the risk of Alzheimer’s. This is the third study conducted under COSMOS, which has already demonstrated the positive impact of daily multivitamin use on cognitive function in previous research.
In the current study, over 500 participants were included, and their data was combined with information from an additional 5,000 participants. The average age of both groups was 69. “Cognitive decline is among the top health concerns for most older adults, and a daily supplement of multivitamins has the potential as an appealing and accessible approach to slow cognitive aging,” stated Chirag Vyas, the study’s first author and an instructor in investigation in the department of psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH).
Positive Impacts on Memory and Cognition
During the study, cognitive assessments were administered to all participants, and the results were published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The findings revealed that daily multivitamin use improved both memory and cognition over a two-year period compared to a placebo group.
Individuals who took the multivitamins exhibited memory performance equivalent to someone nearly five years younger and had cognitive abilities comparable to someone two years younger. The study also highlighted statistically significant improvements in episodic memory, which refers to the ability to recall memories, although no significant differences were observed in executive attention, the skill to focus on a task and eliminate distractions.
A meta-analysis was also conducted, combining data from the separate studies with non-overlapping participants. The results reaffirmed the positive effects of multivitamin use on memory and cognition. This could be particularly beneficial for seniors with nutritional deficiencies.
“These findings will garner attention among many older adults who are, understandably, very interested in ways to preserve brain health, as they provide evidence for the role of a daily multivitamin in supporting better cognitive aging,” explained Dr. Olivia Okereke, senior author of the report and director of geriatric psychiatry at MGH.
Addressing the Rising Concerns of Alzheimer’s
The impact of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias is a growing concern, with an estimated 6.7 million people currently affected in the U.S. This number is projected to reach 14 million by 2060, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Prior research has already demonstrated that a healthy lifestyle, including managing high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and depression, can help slow down the risk of dementia. In addition, the CDC suggests that quitting smoking, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, and engaging in regular physical exercise can improve brain health.
Limitations of the Study
Although the study shows promising results, there are certain limitations to consider. The multivitamin used in the study was the Centrum Silver brand, and it remains uncertain if other brands would yield the same outcomes. Furthermore, it is unclear which specific vitamins in the multivitamin are responsible for the observed positive effects.
In terms of demographics, 98% of the study participants were white, so the findings may not be entirely representative of the non-white population.
