Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2015 May 19;7(5):3796-812.
doi: 10.3390/nu7053796.

Improved blood biomarkers but no cognitive effects from 16 weeks of multivitamin supplementation in healthy older adults

Elizabeth Harris  1 , Helen Macpherson  2   3 , Andrew Pipingas  4
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Improved blood biomarkers but no cognitive effects from 16 weeks of multivitamin supplementation in healthy older adults

Elizabeth Harris et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Supplementation with vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients may be beneficial for cognition, especially in older adults. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of multivitamin supplementation in older adults on cognitive function and associated blood biomarkers. In a randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled trial, healthy women (n = 68) and men (n = 48) aged 55-65 years were supplemented daily for 16 weeks with women's and men's formula multivitamin supplements. Assessments at baseline and post-supplementation included computerised cognitive tasks and blood biomarkers relevant to cognitive aging. No cognitive improvements were observed after supplementation with either formula; however, several significant improvements were observed in blood biomarkers including increased levels of vitamins B6 and B12 in women and men; reduced C-reactive protein in women; reduced homocysteine and marginally reduced oxidative stress in men; as well as improvements to the lipid profile in men. In healthy older people, multivitamin supplementation improved a number of blood biomarkers that are relevant to cognition, but these biomarker changes were not accompanied by improved cognitive function.

Keywords: biomarkers; cognition; multivitamins; vitamins.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart of participant involvement.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Gillette-Guyonnet S., van Kan A.G., Andrieu S., Barberger-Gateau P., Berr C., Bonnefoy M., Dartigues J.F., de Groot L., Ferry M., Galan P., et al. Iana task force on nutrition and cognitive decline with aging. J. Nutr. Health Aging. 2007;11:132–152. - PubMed
    1. Kennedy D.O., Haskell C.F. Vitamins and cognition: What is the evidence? Drugs. 2011;71:1957–1971. doi: 10.2165/11594130-000000000-00000. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Ahlemeyer B., Krieglstein J. Neuroprotective effects of ginkgo biloba extract. Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 2003;60:1779–1792. doi: 10.1007/s00018-003-3080-1. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Gohil K.J., Patel J.J. A review on bacopa monniera: Current research and future prospects. Int. J. Green Pharm. 2010;4:1–9. doi: 10.4103/0973-8258.62156. - DOI
    1. NHMRC . Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand Including Recommended Dietary Intakes. National Health and Medical Research Council, Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing; Canberra, ACT, Australia: 2006.

Publication types

MeSH terms