Do daily vitamins help older brains remember better?
Effect of multivitamin-mineral supplementation versus placebo on cognitive function: Results from the clinic sub-cohort of the COSMOS randomized clinical trial and meta-analysis of three cognitive studies within COSMOS.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
The effect on global cognition was equivalent to reducing cognitive aging by 2 years, despite no improvement in attention or executive function.
Most assume cognitive decline affects all areas equally—this shows vitamins selectively help memory, not the whole brain.
Practical Takeaways
Adults over 60 may consider taking a daily multivitamin-mineral supplement if they’re concerned about memory lapses.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
The effect on global cognition was equivalent to reducing cognitive aging by 2 years, despite no improvement in attention or executive function.
Most assume cognitive decline affects all areas equally—this shows vitamins selectively help memory, not the whole brain.
Practical Takeaways
Adults over 60 may consider taking a daily multivitamin-mineral supplement if they’re concerned about memory lapses.
Publication
Journal
The American journal of clinical nutrition
Year
2023
Authors
Chirag M. Vyas, J. Manson, H. Sesso, Nancy R. Cook, P. Rist, Alison Weinberg, M. V. Moorthy, Laura D. Baker, M. Espeland, Lok-Kin Yeung, A. Brickman, Olivia I. Okereke
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Claims (4)
Taking a daily vitamin and mineral pill for two years might help older adults think a little sharper—like their brain is two years younger than it would’ve been without the pills.
Taking a daily multivitamin for two years might help older adults remember things like names or where they put their keys a little better — but the improvement is very small.
Taking a daily vitamin and mineral pill for two years might help older adults think more clearly and remember things better—like turning back their brain’s clock by two years.
Taking a daily vitamin pill every day for two years won’t make your memory, focus, or ability to plan things any better if you’re 60 or older.