In randomized clinical trials, there have not been many approaches that are effective in improving memory and slowing cognitive decline among older people. The brain requires several nutrients to function at its best. A deficiency in certain nutrients can accelerate cognitive decline.

The COSMOS Web study, one of two studies that examined the effects of daily multivitamins supplementation on cognitive function showed that the results of the COSMOS Web study show that taking a daily multivitamin supplement compared to a placebo improved memory.

This is the second study from the COSMOS Research, following the COSMOS-Mind published earlier, that has examined memory improvements among individuals who take a multivitamin.

The findings of the two separate COSMOS research studies, which found that a daily multivitamin improved memory and slowed cognitive decline, indicate that multivitamin supplements could be a safe and affordable way to help protect cognitive health for older people.

These 2 studies, as well as more to come, will help COSMOS understand the benefits of multivitamins in preventing cognitive decline and memory impairment.

Over 3,500 people aged 60 and older completed online cognitive and memory tests each year for three years. The multivitamin group performed significantly better than the placebo group on memory tests after a year, and the benefits were maintained for the three-year follow-up.

Comparing the multivitamin group to a placebo, it was estimated that the treatment improved memory by roughly 3.1 years. The COSMOS studies showed that those who had a history of cardiovascular disease were the ones to benefit the most.

Researchers were able, through an innovative method of evaluating cognitive outcomes using internet-based testing, to examine the impact of multivitamins on thousands of people. The results of the study are encouraging and pave way for important follow-up research regarding the effects multivitamin supplements have on cognition.

Most older adults are worried about the changes in memory that occur with age. According to the study, multivitamin supplements could be a simple and inexpensive way for older people to delay memory loss.

The COSMOS Web study confirms previous findings from the COSMOS Mind study that daily multivitamin supplements are associated with cognitive decline. The COSMOS Mind study, which tested 2,200 older adults for three years, showed that daily multivitamin supplements were associated with a 60% delay of global cognitive aging compared to placebo. This is equivalent to 1.8 years less cognitive decline.

The COSMOS Web study provides evidence that multivitamins have cognitive benefits. However, further research is needed to identify the nutrients that are most important in this regard as well as to understand the mechanisms involved.

It is also important to conduct more studies to see if these results are applicable to a diverse population of lower socioeconomic statuses and educational levels.