Multivitamin supplementation in women over 65
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Cognitive Function and Memory in Women Over 65: Multivitamin Supplementation Effects
Research on multivitamin supplementation in women over 65 shows mixed but promising results for cognitive health. Some studies found that multivitamin use can improve certain aspects of memory, such as spatial working memory and episodic memory, especially in women with subjective memory complaints or those at risk of cognitive decline 19. However, other studies in healthy older women did not observe significant improvements in broader cognitive functions after supplementation, even though blood biomarkers related to cognition improved 24. There is also weak evidence suggesting that women aged 75 and over, or those at higher risk of micronutrient deficiency, may experience some cognitive benefits from supplementation .
Mood, Stress, and Everyday Functioning: Multivitamin Supplementation Outcomes
Short-term multivitamin supplementation in healthy older women has shown subtle improvements in mood, particularly in reducing stress and possibly mental fatigue, when mood is assessed in real-life settings rather than in a laboratory . Over a 12-week period, women taking multivitamins reported higher levels of friendliness, suggesting a positive effect on social mood and wellbeing . These findings indicate that multivitamins may help with certain aspects of mood and social interaction, though effects are generally modest.
Biological Aging and Multivitamin Use in Older Women
Recent evidence suggests that daily multivitamin supplementation may slow biological aging in older adults, as measured by specific DNA methylation markers (epigenetic clocks). The effect appears more pronounced in individuals with higher baseline biological aging, indicating that those who are aging faster biologically may benefit the most . This is a new area of research, but it highlights a potential long-term benefit of multivitamin use beyond traditional health outcomes.
Cardiovascular Health, Cancer, and Hypertension: Multivitamin Supplementation Findings
Large-scale studies have found that daily multivitamin use does not significantly reduce the risk of total cancer, cardiovascular disease, or all-cause mortality in older women, though there may be a protective effect against lung cancer . Regarding hypertension, long-term multivitamin use was not associated with a reduced risk of developing high blood pressure in middle-aged and older women . However, some epidemiological data suggest that multivitamin use may be linked to a lower risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack), particularly in populations with lower fruit and vegetable intake .
Safety and Blood Biomarker Improvements
Multivitamin supplementation in older women is generally safe, with no evidence of liver toxicity or other major adverse effects reported in the studies 127. Supplementation consistently increases blood levels of vitamins B6 and B12, and can reduce homocysteine and markers of inflammation, which are relevant to cognitive and cardiovascular health, even if these changes do not always translate into clear clinical benefits 12.
Conclusion
For women over 65, multivitamin supplementation is safe and may offer modest benefits for memory, mood, and biological aging, especially in those at risk of deficiency or cognitive decline. While improvements in blood biomarkers are common, the impact on major health outcomes like cancer, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension appears limited. Multivitamin use may be most beneficial for specific subgroups of older women, and further research is needed to clarify who will benefit the most.
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