Multivitamin use in older women
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Multivitamin Use Prevalence and Patterns in Older Women
Multivitamin use is very common among older women in the United States, with surveys showing that women, especially those in older age groups, are more likely to use multivitamin-multimineral supplements compared to men and younger individuals. This trend is also seen in those with higher education, healthier lifestyles, and better diets, although supplement users may already have higher nutrient intakes from food alone .
Multivitamin Use and Cardiovascular Health in Older Women
Large prospective studies and randomized controlled trials have found that multivitamin use does not significantly reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events, such as heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death, in middle-aged and older women. Both baseline and ongoing multivitamin use showed no association with the long-term risk of developing cardiovascular disease or hypertension Rautiainen2016Rautiainen2014Sesso2022. However, one study found that multivitamin use was associated with lower pulse wave velocity, a marker of arterial stiffness, but not with other measures of arterial health, and the clinical significance of this finding remains unclear .
Multivitamin Use and Cancer Risk in Older Women
Evidence from a large randomized clinical trial indicates that daily multivitamin supplementation does not significantly reduce the overall risk of invasive cancer, breast cancer, or colorectal cancer in older women. There was a possible protective effect against lung cancer, but this finding needs further investigation. Overall, multivitamin use did not affect all-cause mortality or raise safety concerns .
Multivitamin Use and Cognitive Function in Older Women
Research on cognitive benefits is mixed. Some studies found that 16 weeks of multivitamin supplementation improved certain aspects of working memory in elderly women with subjective memory complaints, but did not show broader cognitive improvements . Other studies in healthy older adults found no cognitive benefits from multivitamin use, despite improvements in blood biomarkers related to cognitive health, such as increased levels of vitamins B6 and B12 and reduced homocysteine .
Multivitamin Use and Mood, Stress, and Wellbeing in Older Women
Recent studies suggest that multivitamin supplementation may have positive effects on mood and wellbeing in older adults. In particular, older women taking multivitamins reported higher levels of friendliness, and older men experienced reduced stress and emotional loneliness after supplementation. These findings support earlier research showing that multivitamins can improve mood and reduce depressive symptoms in older adults, although more research is needed to confirm these effects and understand the mechanisms involved Docherty2024Docherty2022.
Multivitamin Use and Nutritional Adequacy in Older Women
Consistent multivitamin use in middle-aged and older adults is associated with improved nutritional status and a lower prevalence of micronutrient inadequacies, especially for nutrients like folate, iodine, selenium, and vitamins B6, B12, and D. This effect is particularly important for older adults, who are at higher risk of micronutrient deficiencies. However, multivitamin use can also increase the proportion of individuals exceeding the recommended upper intake level for certain nutrients, such as folic acid .
Safety of Multivitamin Use in Older Women
Studies have found no evidence of harm or hepatotoxicity from daily multivitamin use in older women, suggesting that these supplements are generally safe for everyday use in this population Macpherson2012Sesso2022.
Conclusion
Multivitamin use is widespread among older women and is associated with improved nutritional status and some potential benefits for mood and certain aspects of cognitive function. However, current evidence does not support a significant role for multivitamins in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, or most cancers in older women. Multivitamin supplementation appears safe, but its benefits may be most relevant for addressing micronutrient inadequacies rather than preventing major chronic diseases.
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