Taking a vitamin supplement can help combat dementia. This, at least, is the result of a North American study of more than 2,200 people over the age of 65. The results reveal that daily consumption of these products can help combat cognitive decline by about 60%, which equates to approximately two years of age, with significant effects in people with a history of cardiovascular disease.
However, experts warn that more in-depth studies are needed before prescribing this type of supplement to fight diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
“We have the first evidence, in a long-term controlled trial of older women and men, that daily use of a safe, accessible and low-cost multivitamin can improve the cognitive ability of the brain,” the researchers confirmed, citing the British journal The Guardian.
The scientists add that “this discovery may have important implications for brain health and resistance to cognitive decline in the future.”
With populations aging worldwide, dementia has become one of the major global health challenges, but there are still no drugs that can cure the disease.
In the UK, around 850,000 people live with dementia, most of whom have Alzheimer’s disease or ‘vascular dementia’.
The study also found that people over the age of 65 with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and depression were most at risk.
One of the principal investigators in this study, Laura Baker, He finds it too early to recommend daily intake of this type of supplement, as “more research is needed in a more diverse group of people.” The researcher also ensures that “there is work to be done to better understand how older adults can benefit from cognitive multivitamins.”
Also, Alzheimer’s Society International scientist Maria Carrillo emphasized, “This is the first large-scale, long-term study to reveal that vitamin-mineral supplementation in older adults can delay cognitive aging.” Carrillo admits that while the association considers the results optimistic, it admits it is not ready to “recommend the widespread use of vitamin supplements to reduce the risk of cognitive decline in the elderly.”
Andrea Hargraves is a contributor to Brytfmonline.com, covering a broad range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sports, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is committed to delivering clear, accurate, and reader-focused reporting that helps audiences stay informed about current events and emerging developments. Andrea’s work emphasizes useful information, balanced coverage, and stories that matter to everyday readers, making complex topics accessible and relevant to a wide audience.