Vitamins each day ‘can slow effects of dementia’

Taking multivitamin supplements on a daily basis may help protect against cognitive decline in older adults, early research suggests.

Scientists in the US found that consuming the vitamins for three years resulted in around 60% slowing of cognitive decline, with those living with cardiovascular disease benefiting most.

But the researchers cautioned that their findings, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, needed additional research before any health recommendations can be made.

Laura D Baker, professor of gerontology and geriatric medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in North Carolina, and one of the principal investigators, said: “It’s too early to recommend daily multivitamin supplementation to prevent cognitive decline. Additional research is needed in a larger and more diverse group of people.”

The research looked at data from more than 2,200 participants, aged 65 and older, who were given multivitamins, cocoa extracts or placebos, which are designed to have no therapeutic benefit.

Previous research has indicated that cocoa extracts can help with cognition, but the scientists found they had no benefit.

The team also found those with significant cardiovascular disease saw the greatest benefit, which the researchers said is “important because these individuals are already at increased risk for cognitive impairment and decline”.

Maria C Carrillo, of the Alzheimer’s Association in the US, said: “Independent confirmatory studies are needed in largerstudy populations.”