According to one study, taking a multivitamin every day can slow an older person’s cognitive decline by about 60%.
Researchers at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, who conducted the three-year study, said the pills could help because they prevent deficiencies in nutrients like vitamin D and zinc, which are vital to brain health.
It was the first large-scale study to suggest that multivitamins could protect the brain in old age, but scientists acknowledged that more research is needed before recommending that seniors start taking daily pills.
Manufacturers and scientists have for years denounced the benefits of supplements, which has led to a market of up to $50 billion a year in North America alone, and about 31 percent of Americans are already at risk for at least one vitamin deficiency.
But the jury has yet to decide whether the tablets can benefit brain health. While some experts called them a “big waste of money,” someone warned earlier this month that some could cause heart problems in people in their 20s.
Scientists at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in North Carolina studied taking cocoa or multivitamin supplements for three years. They found that those who took multivitamins experienced slower mental decline than others (archive photo)
The above shows the multivitamin supplement (left) and cocoa supplement (right) given to each participant once a day.
In the study, published Wednesday in Alzheimer’s and Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, researchers recruited 2,000 people over the age of 65, with no history of other medical conditions, and who weren’t taking supplements.
The average BMI of the participants was 28, which classified them as overweight but not obese.
They were divided into four groups and were asked to take a multivitamin once a day, a cocoa tablet a day, or avoid supplementation.
Multivitamins took the Centrum Silver pill made by Haleon, and the pill sold for around 19 cents. It is aimed at people over 50 and contains nutrients believed to support brain function, such as vitamin D, calcium and zinc.
Cocoa buyers bought supplements from CocoaVia, owned by chocolate giant Mars and sold for around 66 cents a pill. Contains flavonols that have been shown to reduce inflammation to help maintain brain health.
The mental capacity of each was measured by phone calls at the start of the study and once a year for three years during follow-up.
The results showed improvement for all groups in the first two years, possibly due to getting used to the tests, the scientists said.
But until the third year, there was only an improvement for the multivitamin group.
The study also found that daily cocoa tablets did not help slow the rate of cognitive decline.
The scientists said they did significantly better than those in the placebo group they were compared to who didn’t take any supplements.
They estimated that they slowed brain aging by about 60 percent compared to those who didn’t take the supplement, which was equivalent to saving about two years.
This was particularly evident in participants with cardiovascular disease who were already at higher risk for cognitive decline.
Dr. Laura Baker, an aging expert who led the study, said: “Our study showed that … daily multivitamin mineral supplementation led to statistically significant cognitive improvement.
‘[But] It’s too soon to recommend daily multivitamin supplements to prevent cognitive decline.
“While these preliminary results are promising, more research is needed in a larger and more diverse group of people.
“We also have work to do to better understand why multivitamins may benefit cognition in the elderly.”
Earlier this month, experts talked about over-the-counter vitamins and said they could delay people from seeking medical treatment, although there is little evidence they cause direct harm.
Dr. Douglas Scharre, a neurologist at Ohio State University, said: UPIA: “People have been using supplements to boost memory for hundreds of years, and some are so common that you can find them for sale in a supermarket.
“The truth is that these products may provide some benefit for some people, but not for most.”
Dr. Sarah Lock, senior vice president of AARP, added: “Brain health supplements seem like a huge waste of money for the 25% of adults over 50 who use them.
“These people taking these pills spend between $20 and $60 a month, and by flushing those dollars down the toilet, they could be better spent on things that improve brain health.”
A study published earlier this month also found that the pills can cause heart rhythm problems in people in their 20s.
A cardiologist in California, Dr. Danielle Belardo said: The most common reason people came to her clinic was because of the inside.
He said this is likely due to the poor regulation surrounding their formulation and effectiveness, leaving little literature describing what might cause them.
Source: Daily Mail
Errol Villanueva is an author and lifestyle journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a passion for exploring the latest trends in fashion, food, travel, and wellness, Errol’s articles are a must-read for anyone interested in living a stylish and fulfilling life.
