Research suggests that a daily intake of multivitamins and minerals could potentially contribute to a modest deceleration of overall aging in individuals over 60. This finding is an extension of prior evidence indicating a slight reduction in cognitive decline in this age group when taking similar supplements.
However, the current findings are based on an indirect indicator of aging, leaving uncertainty regarding their implications for tangible health benefits. Howard Sesso of Harvard University emphasized that the research has not yet progressed to a point where recommending multivitamins for all older adults would be appropriate. Despite this, he noted the possibility of minor advantages with minimal associated risks, stating, “There’s been no deleterious effects of a daily multivitamin that we’ve identified so far.”
Concerns Regarding Individual Vitamin Supplementation
Historically, claims about the diverse benefits of taking individual vitamins have been widespread. Current understanding, however, highlights potential harm from excessive intake. For instance, overconsumption of vitamin A can compromise bone strength, excessive vitamin B3 may lead to liver damage, and too much vitamin B6 can result in a loss of sensation in the extremities. The UK’s National Health Service currently recommends vitamin D supplementation for the general population, primarily during winter months.
The Study Design and Methodology
Multivitamin and mineral supplements, such as Centrum Silver used in this investigation, typically contain dosages close to the recommended daily allowances. Sesso described these as not being “mega-dosing.” To explore their potential advantages, Sesso and his team conducted a rigorous randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. This study involved 1,000 participants with an average age of 70, who were randomly assigned to receive either the supplement or a placebo.
Steve Horvath from the University of California, Los Angeles, who was not involved in the study, commented on its methodological strength. He characterized it as a “very rigorous randomised-controlled trial; double-blind, placebo-controlled,” distinguishing it from much of the existing supplement literature, which often relies on observational data susceptible to confounding factors.
Epigenetic Markers as Biological Age Indicators
Throughout the two-year study, blood samples were collected from participants at baseline, after one year, and again after two years. The DNA of immune cells within these samples was subsequently analyzed for the presence or absence of epigenetic markers. These markers are chemical tags that attach to DNA at specific locations within the genome.
The arrangement of these epigenetic markers alters predictably with age, enabling researchers to estimate an individual’s biological age from blood tests. Various epigenetic clock models have been developed, differing in the specific genomic sites they target for analysis.
Study Findings and Interpretation
Sesso’s team employed five epigenetic clocks. While all indicated a slightly slower biological aging in the multivitamin group compared to the placebo group, statistical significance was only achieved with two of these clocks. Horvath, a developer of epigenetic clocks, noted that the statistically significant results were in “second-generation clocks,” which other research has identified as more reliable and sensitive for assessing longevity interventions.
He further explained that first-generation clocks are adept at estimating chronological age, but many of the epigenetic markers they examine are not directly related to health. In contrast, second-generation clocks are based on markers associated with declining health and mortality risk. Horvath cautioned, however, that “the effect sizes are modest. This is not a fountain of youth.”
Daniel Belsky of Columbia University in New York observed that, “The difference was very small relative to the variation observed in the trial participants prior to intervention.”
Limitations and Future Directions
The researchers reported that the observed slowing of epigenetic clocks equated to approximately four months over the two-year study period. However, Belsky pointed out a challenge with this interpretation, noting that the conversion of epigenetic clock slowing into time-based metrics varies significantly among different clock models. This variability complicates precise translation into established time scales.
Sesso acknowledged the current lack of clarity on the clinical significance of these epigenetic findings, stating, “We just don’t know how to translate clinically an improvement of four months of biological aging.”
The study’s participant demographics, which primarily consisted of individuals of European descent, raise questions about whether similar results would be observed in non-European populations or in younger individuals. Additionally, the long-term effects and potential efficacy of different multivitamin formulations remain unknown, as do outcomes beyond the two-year study period.
Cocoa Extract Findings
The study also examined the effects of cocoa extracts, with some participants receiving these alongside multivitamins or in lieu of a placebo. The analysis revealed no significant impact of the cocoa extracts on any of the epigenetic clocks.
Journal Reference
Nature Medicine DOI: 10.1038/s41591-026-04239-3