Daily Multivitamin Use Improves Memory!

BY STEVE BORN

As most everyone knows, the brain is responsible for many functions that fall under the term “cognition”—thinking, learning, memory, attention, perception, processing information, and much more.

A little over two years ago, we wrote about research whose results showed that participants who took a multivitamin/mineral supplement daily for three years were associated with a 60% slowing of cognitive aging. [1] Using the Global Cognitive Function (GCF) composite score—the overall summary of 19 separate tests and the primary method in determining overall cognitive function— a noticeable improvement in GCF composite score was noted in the multivitamin/mineral supplement vs. placebo results.

Summarizing the results, lead study researcher, Dr. Laura D. Baker, stated, "Daily multivitamin-mineral supplementation appears to slow cognitive aging by 60% or by 1.8 years,” and that the results “may have important public health implications, particularly for brain health, given the accessibility of multivitamins and minerals, and their low cost and safety.”

A second, more recent study using data from that same original study--the COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study Web (COSMOS-Web)—was performed, and the results linked the intake of a daily multivitamin supplement to better brain function, particularly improved memory. [2]

Led by Dr. Adam M. Brickman of Columbia University, this latest study involved more than 3,500 participants, ages 60 and older. Half of the participants received a daily multivitamin supplement, while the other half received a placebo. Neither the participants nor the researchers knew what type of pills—multivitamin or placebo—each group received.

At the beginning of the study, the participants took a series of web-based online tests to determine their cognitive abilities, which were repeated annually for three years. After the first year, the participants took a test that involved viewing a series of 20 words, one at a time, for three seconds each. Immediately afterward, the participants were asked to input as many words as they could remember. The results showed significantly higher scores (i.e., improved memory) for the participants who took the multivitamin supplement than those who took the placebo. This improvement was maintained over the second and third years.

Compared to those taking a placebo, the researchers estimate that participants who took a multivitamin supplement enjoyed improved performance by "the equivalent of 3.1 years of age-related memory change.” Additionally, the researchers believe that taking a multivitamin supplement daily may not only assist in maintaining cognitive function but possibly even enhance it later in life.

The researchers summarize: "Vitamin supplementation is relatively inexpensive, accessible, and has a few adverse effects, and thus might be a potentially useful population health intervention. Daily multivitamin supplementation, compared with placebo, improves memory in older adults. Multivitamin supplementation holds promise as a safe and accessible approach to maintaining cognitive health in older age."

Discussing both COSMOS studies, Dr. JoAnn Manson states: “The findings that a daily multivitamin improved memory and slowed cognitive decline in two separate studies in the COSMOS randomized trial is remarkable, suggesting that multivitamin supplementation holds promise as a safe, accessible, and affordable approach to protecting cognitive health in older adults.” [3]

Once again, we can add to the “arsenal” of research that shows that daily use of a high-quality multivitamin/mineral supplement provides extraordinary, wide-ranging benefits. At Hammer Nutrition, we always recommend that the first place to start your supplement program is with Premium Insurance Caps, and this latest study solidifies that recommendation even more! There are a number of reasons why Premium Insurance Caps are the only multivitamin/mineral supplement you’ll ever need; please see the article at 5 reasons why Premium Insurance Caps should be YOUR multi!

References:
[1] https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03035201
[2] The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition July 2023, Volume 118, Issue 1, Pages 273-282
[3] https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/multivitamins-appear-to-help-memory-in-older-adults

SIDEBAR

Premium Insurance Caps is one of the three products in the Daily Essentials Kit, along with Race Caps Supreme and Mito Caps. We’ve designated these three products as “daily essentials” because they are the cornerstone of the Hammer Nutrition product line and provide the widest range of benefits for both athletic performance and overall health purposes. Take them every day, training and on days off, and feel the profoundly beneficial impact these three products will have on you!

Race Caps Supreme

• Higher energy levels during workouts and all day long, without the unpleasant stimulant side effects that come from the ingredients in many other supplements.
• Noticeable increase in endurance.
• Less muscle soreness and enhanced recovery after training sessions.
• Antioxidant support for optimal immune system function.

Mito Caps

The Mito Caps formula is based on the eye-opening studies of Dr. Bruce Ames regarding mitochondrial functioning, aging, deterioration, and regeneration. The importance of maintaining optimal functioning of the mitochondria is eloquently stated by Dr. Bill Misner: “The longer you can stimulate the lifespan or health of the mitochondria, the longer you may potentially live and the better you will perform in endurance events. The athlete who has the most healthy/efficient active mitochondria is the athlete who performs at their best.”