Multivitamin for women over 50
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Multivitamin Benefits for Women Over 50
Cognitive Function and Multivitamin Supplementation
Memory and Cognitive Improvements
Research indicates that multivitamin supplementation can have specific cognitive benefits for elderly women. A study involving 56 elderly women who took a combined multivitamin, mineral, and herbal supplement for 16 weeks showed improvements in the speed of response on spatial working memory tasks. However, no significant benefits were observed in other cognitive processes1. Another study with a larger sample size of 116 older adults (both men and women) found no cognitive improvements after 16 weeks of multivitamin supplementation, despite significant improvements in blood biomarkers such as increased levels of vitamins B6 and B12 and reduced C-reactive protein2.
Mood and Stress Reduction
Multivitamin supplementation may also influence mood and stress levels. A study focusing on 76 healthy women aged 50-75 years found that four weeks of multivitamin supplementation did not significantly improve mood when assessed in a laboratory setting. However, in-home assessments using mobile phones revealed that multivitamin supplementation improved ratings of stress and showed a trend towards reducing mental fatigue3.
Blood Biomarkers and Nutritional Benefits
Improvements in Blood Biomarkers
Multivitamin supplementation has been shown to improve several blood biomarkers relevant to cognitive aging. In the study involving 116 older adults, significant improvements were observed in levels of vitamins B6 and B12, reduced homocysteine, and marginally reduced oxidative stress. These changes are important as they are associated with better cognitive health, even though they did not translate into measurable cognitive improvements in the study2.
Safety and Nutritional Adequacy
The safety of multivitamin supplementation in elderly women has also been confirmed. The study on 56 elderly women reported no hepatotoxic effects, indicating that the multivitamin formula used was safe for everyday usage1. This is crucial for ensuring that elderly women can safely incorporate multivitamins into their daily routine without adverse effects.
Multivitamins and Chronic Disease Prevention
Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) reviewed the evidence on the efficacy of multivitamin supplements for the prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer in adults aged 50 years or older. The task force concluded that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of multivitamins for these purposes. They specifically recommended against the use of β-carotene or vitamin E supplements for the prevention of cardiovascular disease or cancer4.
Conclusion
While multivitamin supplementation can offer specific benefits such as improved blood biomarkers and reduced stress levels, the evidence for cognitive improvements and chronic disease prevention remains inconclusive. Elderly women considering multivitamin supplements should weigh these potential benefits against the current lack of strong evidence for preventing major diseases. As always, consulting with healthcare providers is recommended to tailor supplementation to individual health needs.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Memory improvements in elderly women following 16 weeks treatment with a combined multivitamin, mineral and herbal supplement
16 weeks of multivitamin supplementation may improve working memory in elderly women at risk of cognitive decline, but other cognitive processes were not observed.
RCT
Rigorous JournalImproved Blood Biomarkers but No Cognitive Effects from 16 Weeks of Multivitamin Supplementation in Healthy Older Adults
Multivitamin supplementation in healthy older adults improved blood biomarkers related to cognition, but did not improve cognitive function.
RCT
Very Rigorous JournalThe Effects of Four-Week Multivitamin Supplementation on Mood in Healthy Older Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Four-week multivitamin supplementation in healthy older women may improve stress ratings, but its effects may not be detectable in laboratory mood assessments.
RCTRigorous JournalVitamin, mineral, and multivitamin supplements for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer: U.S. Preventive services Task Force recommendation statement.
The USPSTF recommends against multivitamin supplements for prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer, as current evidence is insufficient to assess benefits and harms.
Highly CitedMultivitamin use and adverse birth outcomes in high‐income countries: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Routine multivitamin use in high-income countries can be recommended but with caution due to low quality evidence.
Meta-AnalysisRigorous JournalVitamin and Mineral Supplements: Do We Really Need Them?
Multivitamin/mineral supplements show no overall benefit for most people, and some studies have shown increased cancer risk with certain vitamins.
Literature ReviewRigorous JournalMultivitamin use and the risk of hypertension in a prospective cohort study of women
Multivitamin use in middle-aged and older women is not associated with the risk of developing hypertension.
Observational StudyVery Rigorous JournalEffects of multivitamin and mineral supplementation on adiposity, energy expenditure and lipid profiles in obese Chinese women
Multivitamin and mineral supplementation can reduce body weight and fatness in obese Chinese women, while calcium supplementation improves lipid profiles only.
RCTRigorous JournalHighly CitedThe effect of a 12-week multivitamin supplement on everyday functioning in older adults: a double blind, placebo controlled, parallel groups trial
A 12-week multivitamin supplementation significantly improved mood, reduced perceived stress, and reduced emotional loneliness in older adults compared to placebo.
RCTMultivitamin Use and Overall and Site-Specific Cancer Risks in the National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study.
Multivitamin use is not cancer-preventive, except for colon cancer, and may increase risks of prostate, lung, and leukemia in men, with a higher oropharyngeal cancer risk in women.
Observational StudyVery Rigorous Journal