Impact of Multivitamins on Biological Aging
A recent study has found that taking a daily multivitamin for two years might slow some markers of biological aging. This finding is particularly significant as it suggests a potential avenue for promoting healthier aging among older adults.
The study involved more than 900 healthy participants, with an average age of about 70. Participants were divided into four groups: those receiving a multivitamin and cocoa extract, those taking cocoa extract and a placebo, those on a multivitamin and a placebo, and a control group receiving two placebos.
Results indicated that those who took a daily multivitamin exhibited a slowdown in biological aging for two of five epigenetic clocks, equating to roughly four months less biological aging over the study period.
Despite these findings, several large trials have previously failed to demonstrate meaningful mortality reduction from standard multivitamin supplementation in well-nourished populations. This raises questions about the practical implications of the new study.
The research was published in the journal Nature Medicine and received a grant from Mars Edge, which included the donation of multivitamins for the research. However, experts remain skeptical about the necessity of multivitamins for healthy adults.
Dr. Dorsa Jalaei stated, “The honest answer, supported by the weight of current evidence, is, for most healthy adults eating a reasonably varied diet, no.” Similarly, Professor Pilar Guallar Castillón advised, “My personal advice is to stop taking multivitamins, whether in pill or gummy form.”
Interestingly, 41 percent of people who take a supplement opt for a multivitamin, according to research from the Food Standards Agency. This statistic highlights the popularity of multivitamins among supplement users.
Dr. Howard Sesso, one of the researchers, noted, “This study opens the door to learning more about accessible, safe interventions that contribute to healthier, higher-quality ageing.” However, Professor Luigi Fontana cautioned that “the magnitude of the effect is extremely small, and the effect was not consistent across all the ageing measures tested.”
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the long-term effects of multivitamin supplementation on biological aging. The study’s findings are not consistent across all aging measures tested, leaving room for further investigation into the role of multivitamins in health.