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Multivitamins are particularly beneficial for individuals on restrictive diets, picky eaters, older adults, and those with difficulty absorbing certain nutrients.
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In Canada, multivitamins have gained immense popularity as a dietary supplement, as highlighted by recent market research.
These supplements are commonly utilized to avert nutrient deficiencies, uphold overall well-being, and promote immune, bone, and metabolic health.
Recent findings published in *Nature Medicine* now suggest an additional advantage of daily multivitamin intake.
Regular consumption may actually decelerate cellular aging, a significant indicator of overall health, chronic disease risk, and physical capability.
Here’s what the research reveals and why it’s premature to universally endorse multivitamins as a means to slow down biological aging.
Understanding Biological Age
Biological age refers to the rate at which your cells, tissues, and organ systems are aging, as opposed to your chronological age, which is merely the number of years you have lived.
Several factors influence biological age, including genetics, health conditions, diet, physical activity, sleep patterns, and lifestyle choices such as smoking and alcohol consumption.
There are various methods for estimating biological age.
One popular approach utilizes epigenetic clocks, which assess tiny molecular markers on DNA that alter predictably with age. These modifications influence how cells function, self-repair, and manage stress.
When a person’s epigenetic markers resemble those typically associated with older individuals, their biological age is estimated to be higher.
Epigenetic clocks are recognized as some of the most reliable biomarkers for biological aging.
Overview of the Latest Study
The recent research falls under the Cocoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS), a comprehensive randomized controlled trial involving 21,442 U.S. adults to evaluate the impact of daily multivitamin or cocoa extract supplements on cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other health outcomes.
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For this ancillary study published on March 9, researchers analyzed blood samples from 958 healthy COSMOS participants, averaging 70 years of age, to evaluate the two-year effects of multivitamin and cocoa extract supplements on biological aging.
Participants were divided into one of four groups: a daily multivitamin or placebo, a daily cocoa extract or placebo, a combination of both supplements, or two placebo pills.
The multivitamin was specifically designed to meet the nutritional needs of individuals over 50 and included a diverse range of vitamins, minerals, and lutein to support heart, brain, eye, and overall health.
Biological age was determined at the start of the study, at one year, and at two years, utilizing five distinct epigenetic clocks, all closely linked to chronic disease risk and mortality.
Findings on Daily Multivitamin Use
After adjusting for factors such as age, sex, and participants’ initial biological age, the researchers discovered that daily multivitamin use modestly slowed biological aging as observed in two of the five epigenetic clocks.
This effect corresponded to approximately four months less of biological aging over a span of two years.
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The positive effects of multivitamins were notably more significant among participants whose biological age was greater than their chronological age at the beginning of the study.
These results were consistent irrespective of age, sex, body mass index, diet, smoking habits, the presence of hypertension, diabetes, or the use of cholesterol-lowering medications.
Conversely, there was no indication that daily cocoa extract supplementation led to a delay in biological aging.
The exact mechanism through which multivitamins might slow biological aging remains unclear.
In an analysis involving a subset of COSMOS participants, researchers found that lower levels of carotenoids and vitamin E in the bloodstream were linked to accelerated biological aging at baseline.
Thus, it’s feasible that improving nutritional status through daily multivitamin intake could positively influence biological aging.
Implications of the Findings
The study indicated that taking a daily multivitamin for two years had a modest yet statistically significant effect on slowing biological aging in older adults.
While these results are intriguing, they remain preliminary.
Furthermore, it remains uncertain if a slight, short-term reduction in biological age correlates with increased longevity in good health.
Nonetheless, there are some indications that it could.
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Minor sub-analyses conducted post-trial revealed that participants in the multivitamin group who experienced slowed biological aging also exhibited decreased inflammation and improved memory.
However, further research is essential to determine the potential implications of these findings for healthy aging outcomes.
Considering Broader Benefits
In the interim, there are various reasons to consider taking a daily multivitamin.
This practice can provide assurance that you are meeting most of your daily vitamin and mineral requirements.
Although it’s ideal to fulfill nutritional needs through a balanced and healthy diet, that may not be achievable for everyone.
Multivitamins are especially valuable for those on restrictive diets, picky eaters, irregular eaters, older adults, and individuals facing challenges in nutrient absorption.
Moreover, they ensure adequate folic acid intake before and during pregnancy, a vital B vitamin that helps prevent serious neural tube defects.
If you’re uncertain whether a multivitamin could benefit you, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional.
In Canada, multivitamin and mineral supplements are regulated as natural health products.
When purchasing these supplements, look for a Natural Product Number (NPN) on the packaging, indicating that Health Canada has reviewed and approved the product’s ingredients, dosages, manufacturing quality, and health claims.
Leslie Beck, a Toronto-based private practice dietitian, is director of food and nutrition at Medcan.
