Over the last several years, people have been looking to decrease stress, increase sleep and increase their brain power. Additionally, 46 million people suffer from dementia worldwide. 

The brain and its functions rely on a mixture of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. This has led us to ask if specific vitamins or a multivitamin supplement can improve or protect brain function. 

Researchers from the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, in collaboration with Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston conducted a three-year, placebo-controlled study on 2,262 older adults. Participants were given either a multivitamin or a placebo made from cocoa powder. Even researchers during the study didn’t know which participants received the vitamin vs the placebo. 

The Result

MultiVitamins proved some brain benefits especially over the placebo. Specifically, they Improved:

• Overall brain function, especially in people with cardiovascular disease
• Memory
• The ability to do tasks such as planning ahead or remembering instructions, also known as executive function

Based on these findings, the researchers estimated that three years of multivitamin use could slow age-related decline in brain function by as much as 60%.

Is There a Catch?

The exact link between a multivitamin and brain function is unclear. The study participants were mostly white (89%) with an average age of 73 years old. As a result, study findings cannot be universally applied to the general population. 

What Can We Do?

Dr. Keith Vossel, a neurologist at UCLA (who was not involved in the study) says “It’s well-known that those with cardiovascular risk factors could have lower levels in their blood of vitamins and minerals. So supplementing those vitamins and minerals could improve cardiovascular health and, by virtue of that, improve cognitive health – and we know that there’s a strong connection between cardiovascular health and brain health,”  

He further suggests that with the connection between brain health and heart health, it is important to take steps to protect heart health for cognition and overall well-being. 

Many seniors for a variety of reasons have trouble getting the vitamins and minerals they need so taking care to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables is another important step to take. Lastly, one can consider taking a multivitamin to fill in the gaps where their diet falls short. 

This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used as medical advice. If you have immediate concerns about your health, please seek the help of your physician. 

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.