A study conducted by a research team from Columbia University in the United States examined the correlation between multivitamin intake and cognitive abilities among 3,562 adults aged 60 and above. Participants were divided into two groups: one receiving a placebo and the other consuming a multivitamin supplement. The researchers compared and analyzed changes in cognitive abilities. Cognitive tests assessing memory were conducted before the study began and after one year.
The multivitamin group showed slower rates of memory decline compared to the placebo group. In a test where participants had to recall a list of twenty words, those taking multivitamins remembered an average of 7.81 words, which was an increase of 0.7 words from the previous year. In contrast, the placebo group recalled an average of 7.65 words, reflecting an increase of 0.44 words.
Based on the slightly improved memory among those taking multivitamins over the course of one year, the researchers suggested that these individuals displayed typical memory performance equivalent to someone three years younger.
Notably, the results were particularly significant for individuals with cardiovascular diseases. People with cardiovascular conditions often have lower levels of micronutrients in their bodies, leading to faster cognitive decline in memory, attention, and other cognitive abilities.
Dr. Adam Brickman, the lead author of the study, emphasized the lack of effective methods for addressing the major health issue of age-related memory and cognitive decline among the elderly. He stated that seniors should incorporate balanced diets, including multivitamin supplements, to help combat these challenges.