According to a recent study named COSMOS-clinic published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Multivitamin-mineral (MVM) supplementation has emerged as a potential strategy to prevent cognitive decline in older adults.
The COSMOS-clinic study was meticulously designed, consisting of 573 participants who completed all neuropsychological tests at baseline. The findings from the main analyses indicated a modest but statistically significant benefit of MVM supplementation over placebo in global cognition over the 2-year follow-up. The mean change in global cognition score was 0.06 SD units, with a 95% confidence interval of 0.003 to 0.13. Additionally, MVM supplementation showed a statistically significant improvement in episodic memory, with a mean difference in change of 0.12 SD units (95% CI: 0.002, 0.23). These results suggest a potential cognitive advantage associated with MVM use.
To explore potential variations in the effects of MVM supplementation, the study conducted subgroup analyses based on various demographic and health-related factors. The analyses did not reveal significant interactions within selected subgroups, indicating a consistent positive effect of MVM supplementation across diverse participant characteristics. This lends support to the generalizability of the findings.
Clinically, MVM supplements may be considered a recommended preventive strategy for cognitive decline in older adults without dementia. Moreover, the safety profile of long-term MVM use, as demonstrated in the study, adds to the feasibility of incorporating such supplements into daily routines.
Something to note is that the study did not delve into specific vitamins or minerals within the MVM supplement that may be responsible for the observed cognitive benefits.
The observed improvements in global cognition and episodic memory, and the meta-analysis results offer a strong foundation for considering MVM supplements as a preventive measure against cognitive decline. As the scientific community continues to explore interventions for healthy aging, MVM supplementation emerges as a potential and accessible strategy to support cognitive well-being in the aging population.
Sources: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
