Study shows daily multivitamin use may slow cognitive aging for older adults

Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association has published “Effects of cocoa extract and a multivitamin on cognitive function: a randomized clinical trial.” The three-year study of more than 2,200 older adults found that daily multivitamin-mineral supplementation resulted in a statistically significant cognitive benefit. Cocoa extract had no effect on global cognition.

Post-embargo, the article will be at: https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/15525279

Advance embargoed copies are available.

Alzheimer’s Association scientists are available to discuss:

• The conduct and results of this new clinical trial.
• The implications of this announcement for public health, older adults, and people living with –– and at risk for –– Alzheimer’s and all other dementia, and their families. 
• The Association’s perspective on Alzheimer’s/dementia risk reduction, research and treatment.

Contact [email protected] to set up an interview. 

For the most recent Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, please visit alz.org/facts.

The Alzheimer’s Association is available anytime, day or night for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers at 800-272-3900, and [email protected]. 

Quotes from Maria C. Carrillo, Ph.D., Alzheimer’s Association chief science officer

“This is the first positive, large-scale, long-term study to show that multivitamin-mineral supplementation for older adults may slow cognitive aging. While the Alzheimer’s Association is encouraged by these results, we are not ready to recommend widespread use of a multivitamin supplement to reduce risk of cognitive decline in older adults.”

“Independent confirmatory studies are needed in larger, more diverse study populations. It is critical that future treatments and preventions are effective in all populations.”

“For now, and until there is more data, people should talk with their health care providers about the benefits and risks of all dietary supplements, including multivitamins.”

“We envision a future where there are multiple treatments and risk reduction strategies available that address cognitive aging and dementia in multiple ways — like heart disease and cancer — and that can be combined into powerful combination therapies… in conjunction with brain-healthy guidelines for lifestyle factors like diet and physical activity.”