Researchers estimated 3.1 fewer years of memory loss in the supplement group versus those who took a placebo. The researchers concluded: "Multivitamin supplementation holds promise as a safe and accessible approach to maintaining cognitive health in older age."
These findings are in line with those in the previously published COSMOS-Mind trial. That study found statistically significant improvement on global cognition in participants who took a multivitamin over the course of the long-term clinical trial.
Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) Senior Vice President, International and Scientific Affairs, Jim Griffths, Ph.D., was among the COSMOS-Mind trial participants. “CRN has always recognized the importance of multivitamins is to fill nutrient gaps and to ensure the public gets the recommended levels of nutrients essential to everyday life," Dr. Griffths said. "This study is another exciting example of the ever-growing body of evidence demonstrating the benefits of multivitamins on both physical health and cognitive function.”
Duffy MacKay, Senior Vice President of Dietary Supplements of the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), also commented on the trial. “When it comes to nutrition, even those individuals with the healthiest diets often fail to reach the recommended daily intake level for vitamins and nutrients," MacKay said. "As we age, achieving that goal becomes even more important in order to protect memory and cognition, which is why CHPA is pleased to once again see promising results emerge from this clinical trial.
“These results are certainly important, as there is an urgent need to identify strategies to preserve cognitive function and reduce the burden of dementia on families and society. This clinical trial reinforces the important role supplements play in helping adults meet their nutrient needs, which is a critical part of healthy aging for the mind and body.
“Last year, participants in CHPA’s Regulatory, Scientific and Quality Conference had the opportunity to hear directly from Mark Espeland, Ph.D., Principal Investigator on the 2022 COSMOS-Mind trial results, and we are excited to see this additional study published. Scientific evidence grows in increments, and this study is an important component in strengthening the beneficial role of safe, accessible, and affordable dietary supplements that can be used to optimize health through self-care.”
