Daily Multivitamins May Sluggish Biological Aging, Study Finds

For older adults, a daily multivitamin may slightly slow the aging process, new research suggests. A two-year randomized study found that multivitamin use was associated with a slowing of biological aging, particularly in individuals who began the trial with signs of accelerated aging.

What is Biological Age?

Even as chronological age measures the time since birth, biological age reflects the condition of the body at a cellular level. These two ages don’t necessarily align; lifestyle, genetics, and medical history can all influence how quickly the body ages biologically. Scientists measure biological age using epigenetic clocks, which analyze chemical changes in DNA known as DNA methylation. These changes affect gene expression and naturally occur with age, providing insights into mortality risk and the pace of aging.

The COSMOS Trial Findings

Researchers from Mass General Brigham and Harvard analyzed data from the COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS), a large clinical trial involving 958 healthy adults aged 60 and older (women 65 and older, with an average age of 70). Participants were randomly assigned to receive a daily multivitamin, cocoa extract, both, or a placebo. Blood samples were analyzed at the start of the trial, after one year, and after two years to assess changes in five different epigenetic clocks.

The analysis revealed that those who took a daily multivitamin experienced a slowing of biological aging equivalent to approximately four months over the two-year period. The effect was statistically significant for two epigenetic clocks strongly associated with mortality risk. Notably, individuals who exhibited signs of faster biological aging at the study’s outset experienced the greatest benefits from multivitamin supplementation.

Implications and Future Research

According to Howard Sesso, ScD, MPH, associate director of the Division of Preventive Medicine at Mass General Brigham, the findings suggest that a multivitamin may positively influence the trajectory of health as people age. “It was exciting to notice the benefits of a multivitamin linked with markers of biological aging,” Sesso stated. “This study opens the door to learning more about accessible, safe interventions that contribute to healthier, higher-quality aging.”

Researchers caution that further investigation is needed to determine the long-term effects of multivitamin supplementation and whether the observed benefits persist after individuals discontinue use. Future studies will also explore the potential link between these changes in biological aging and other health outcomes, such as cognitive function and the risk of chronic diseases.

Key Takeaways

• Daily multivitamin use may slow biological aging in older adults by approximately four months over two years.
• The benefits appear to be more pronounced in individuals who began the study with accelerated biological aging.
• Biological age, measured by epigenetic clocks, provides a more nuanced understanding of health and aging than chronological age alone.
• Further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore the long-term implications of multivitamin supplementation.

Sources: Mass General Brigham, Harvard Gazette, NBC News, Medical Xpress