Multivitamins: Impact of on Biological Aging
Impact of Multivitamins on Biological Aging
Recent research has revealed that taking a daily multivitamin for two years might slow some markers of biological aging. This finding is significant as it suggests potential benefits of multivitamins in promoting healthier aging.
The study involved over 900 healthy participants, with an average age of about 70, who were divided into four groups: those receiving a multivitamin and cocoa extract, those receiving cocoa extract and a placebo, those receiving a multivitamin and a placebo, and a control group taking two placebos. Participants who took the daily multivitamin exhibited a slowdown in biological aging for two of five epigenetic clocks.
This slowdown in biological aging equated to roughly four months less biological aging over the study’s duration. However, it is important to note that several large trials have previously failed to demonstrate meaningful mortality reduction from standard multivitamin supplementation in well-nourished populations.
The study was published in the journal Nature Medicine and received a grant from Mars Edge, which included the donation of multivitamins for the research. Despite the promising results, experts caution that taking a multivitamin may not be any better than consuming a healthy, varied diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
According to research from the Food Standards Agency, 41 percent of people who take supplements opt for multivitamins. However, Dr. Dorsa Jalaei noted, “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.”
Dr. Howard Sesso, one of the researchers, stated, “This study opens the door to learning more about accessible, safe interventions that contribute to healthier, higher-quality ageing.” Nonetheless, Professor Luigi Fontana pointed out 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 findings from this study are not consistent across all aging measures tested, leaving room for further investigation into the role of multivitamins in health.