Daily Multivitamin Use May Benefit Health of Older Adults, Study Finds
Islamabad: A new medical study suggests that taking a daily multivitamin supplement may help older adults maintain better health and reduce the risk of certain age-related cardiovascular conditions.
Researchers noted that physical and cognitive functions naturally decline with age, prompting growing interest in whether nutritional supplements can help support healthy aging.
The study, conducted by Augusta University in the United States, examined the health effects of daily multivitamin use among more than 16,000 adults aged 60 and older.
At the beginning of the study, none of the participants had cardiovascular disease. They were divided into four groups: one received a daily multivitamin supplement, another was given a cocoa extract supplement, a third received both supplements, and the fourth group was given a placebo.
The trial continued for three years, during which participants completed annual questionnaires assessing their ability to perform daily activities, while researchers also monitored signs of heart failure.
After three years, the researchers found that participants who took daily multivitamins showed better cardiovascular health and a reduced risk of several serious medical conditions.
According to the study, daily multivitamin use was also associated with a lower risk of narrowing in the major artery that carries blood from the neck to the brain.
Researchers believe the benefits may result from correcting minor deficiencies of essential vitamins and minerals, which could support healthy cell function and improve blood vessel health.
The team concluded that regular multivitamin use may help preserve cardiovascular health and improve quality of life in older adults.
However, the researchers acknowledged that the findings have limitations and do not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship. They emphasized that further studies are needed to confirm the results.
Multivitamin supplements are widely used around the world. In the United States alone, annual sales of dietary supplements exceed US$8 billion, with many people taking them to support overall health, fitness, and the prevention of chronic diseases.
