MULTIVITAMINS SHOW BENEFITS

A number of recent studies have focused on whether taking multivitamins has an effect on memory and cognition. A Mass General study involving 5,000 participants and a Columbia University and Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard study involving 3500 participants looked at this issue. In the A number of recent studies have focused on whether taking multivitamins has an effect on memory and cognition. A Mass General study involving 5,000 participants and a Columbia University and Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard study involving 3500 participants looked at this issue. In the Columbia study, participants “over age 60 were randomly assigned to take a daily multivitamin supplement or placebo for three years. At the end of each year, participants performed a series of online cognitive assessments at home designed to test memory function of the hippocampus, an area of the brain that is affected by normal aging.” The Mass General study included in-person assessments of 500 of the participants over a two-year period. Both studies, and others, found that taking a multivitamin every day showed a statistically significant benefit with respect to cognition and memory in the group that took the vitamin – as compared to those who received a placebo. This research is positive news as additional studies are conducted to determine whether dementia can be prevented or slowed as we age.Columbia study, participants “over age 60 were randomly assigned to take a daily multivitamin supplement or placebo for three years. At the end of each year, participants performed a series of online cognitive assessments at home designed to test memory function of the hippocampus, an area of the brain that is affected by normal aging.” The Mass General study included in-person assessments of 500 of the participants over a two-year period. Both studies, and others, found that taking a multivitamin every day showed a statistically significant benefit with respect to cognition and memory in the group that took the vitamin – as compared to those who received a placebo. This research is positive news as additional studies are conducted to determine whether dementia can be prevented or slowed as we age.