Results appeared in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition on May 24, At the end of the first year, people taking the daily multivitamin had significantly higher scores on a test of immediate recall compared to the placebo group.

The test involved viewing a series of 20 words, one at a time, for three seconds each. Immediately afterward, people were asked to key in as many words as they could remember. In the multivitamin group, scores improved from an average of about 7.

For comparison, scores changed from about 7. The improved scores in the multivitamin group continued but did not significantly increase over that of the placebo group into the second and third years of the study.

Other types of cognitive tests showed no significant differences between the groups. Notably, participants with a history of cardiovascular disease had lower immediate-recall scores at the start of the study compared to those without such history.

But after one year of taking multivitamins, the scores of those with cardiovascular disease improved significantly, becoming comparable to those without the disease. These results refine the findings of a related NIH-supported study published last year. That study of more than 2, people ages 65 and older found that a daily multivitamin improved a broad measure of cognitive function.

Improvements were likewise more prominent in those with a history of cardiovascular disease. Further research is needed to study more diverse populations and pinpoint which nutrients might play a role in protecting memory.

References: Multivitamin Supplementation Improves Memory in Older Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Yeung LK, Alschuler DM, Wall M, Luttmann-Gibson H, Copeland T, Hale C, Sloan RP, Sesso HD, Manson JE, Brickman AM. Am J Clin Nutr.

Additionally, the prevalence of AD is expected to reach over 14 million by This especially affects Hispanics, African Americans, and people over the age of It is also expected to be more prevalent among women.

Melanie Murphy Richter, MS, RDN , a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and instructor of Nutrition Physiology at the University of California, Irvine, explained that the vitamins and minerals that are found in multivitamins play an important role as catalysts in a variety of brain functions.

Richter went on to say that neurotransmitters are involved in sending signals to other parts of the body. Not to mention, serotonin dictates our sleep cycles.

Yet other micronutrients found in multivitamins — such as vitamins C and E and minerals like selenium and zinc — can protect against the oxidative damage that is associated with age-related cognitive decline, per Richter.

Richter added that micronutrients are also important in breaking down macronutrients like carbohydrates , fats, and proteins. Micronutrient deficiencies can leave us unable to break down our food for energy which can also deprive the brain of energy. She noted, however, that multivitamins are easy to obtain and relatively affordable.

Researchers have found that a daily multivitamin supplement was linked with slowed cognitive aging and improved memory. The improvements in memory and cognition could be because vitamins and minerals play important roles in brain health.

You should speak with your doctor if you have questions about whether a multivitamin supplement is right for you. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. It doesn't hurt to take a daily vitamin, but do you actually know what goes into it — and does it have vitamin D?

If you had to check, you may want to…. In an observational study, researchers report that statins may help slow cognitive decline in some people with Alzheimer's disease. While they're not typically able to prescribe, nutritionists can still benefits your overall health.

Let's look at benefits, limitations, and more. A new study found that healthy lifestyle choices — including being physically active, eating well, avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol consumption —….

Her research focused on brain aging, specifically how estrogens and reproductive aging influence the aging brain's synapses and mitochondria. She earned a doctorate in neurology and neuroscience at Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences of Cornell University and a bachelor's degree in biology from Cornell University, with additional study at Keio University in Japan.

Hara has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, including articles in PNAS and Journal of Neuroscience. The GCBH Releases Recommendations on Vitamins, Minerals, and Other Dietary Supplements.

Is That Supplement Safe to Take With Your Medications? Are Dietary Supplements Safe? Watch Out for Brain Health Pseudomedicine. Can cocoa flavanols improve cognitive functions? What are carotenoids, and can they protect against dementia?

Manage Hypertension, Prevent Dementia? Know Your Supplements Can a multivitamin supplement protect your brain health? October 10, Yuko Hara, PhD. Baker LD, Manson JE, Rapp SR et al.

Cvetinovic N, Loncar G, Isakovic AM et al. International journal of molecular sciences Desideri G, Kwik-Uribe C, Grassi D et al. Hypertension 60,

The improved scores in the multivitamin group continued but did not significantly increase over that of the placebo group into the second and third years of the study. Other types of cognitive tests showed no significant differences between the groups. Notably, participants with a history of cardiovascular disease had lower immediate-recall scores at the start of the study compared to those without such history.

But after one year of taking multivitamins, the scores of those with cardiovascular disease improved significantly, becoming comparable to those without the disease.

These results refine the findings of a related NIH-supported study published last year. That study of more than 2, people ages 65 and older found that a daily multivitamin improved a broad measure of cognitive function.

Improvements were likewise more prominent in those with a history of cardiovascular disease. Further research is needed to study more diverse populations and pinpoint which nutrients might play a role in protecting memory.

References: Multivitamin Supplementation Improves Memory in Older Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Yeung LK, Alschuler DM, Wall M, Luttmann-Gibson H, Copeland T, Hale C, Sloan RP, Sesso HD, Manson JE, Brickman AM.

Am J Clin Nutr. doi: Online ahead of print. PMID: Site Menu Home. gov Science Education Resources NIH Clinical Research Trials and You Talking to Your Doctor More ». Search Health Topics.

Multivitamin Improves Memory in Older Adults, Study Finds. May 24, Share this page Share on Facebook Share on X formerly Twitter Share on LinkedIn Share by email. Adam M. References More information The study, titled " Multivitamin supplementation improves memory in older adults: A randomized clinical trial ," was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Manson and Dr. Sesso are co-leaders of the parent COSMOS trial. No other conflicts have been reported. But your brain needs more than just calories and carbohydrates—it needs specific nutrients.

There are six distinct nutrients that have the biggest and most immediate impact on your overall brain health. These vitamins, minerals, and nutrients have powerful properties that fuel your brain.

Anthocyanins are pigments that give fruits and vegetables their vibrant hues. You'll find anthocyanins in any plant-based foods that are black, red, purple or blue.

they work as potent antioxidants, helping to protect your brain cells from toxins you're exposed to in your diet or environment. they support neural signalling and the brain's natural process for generating new neurons and new brain cells.

they have potent anti-inflammatory effects that a beneficial for your brain and general wellness. They may help activate the parts of your brain associated with memory. They have been shown to improve learning and memory , making them effective memory supplements.

Omega 3 is one of the first brain health supplements that come to mind. Approximately a third of your brain's grey matter the part of the brain involved in emotions, memory, and decision making, is composed of these fatty acids.

It supports all functions of the grey matter, including general cognition, motor skills and emotional regulation. It may prevent neurological conditions associated with poor grey matter health. Higher omega 3 intake may help with focus and concentration problems. It may reduce your risks of cognitive decline , with one study finding that 75 year-olds with high blood levels of omega 3s reduced their risk of dementia by 47 per cent.

It may support improved mental health. Vitamin D is one of the most well-known brain supplements. It regulates the expression of hundreds of genes gene expression is the process where your DNA gives "instructions" to your body.

Vitamin D protects against cognitive decline. Enter your email below to get 10 small habits to build into your everyday routine that are easy as well as weekly braincare tips.

In lists of vitamins for brain health, iron is often overlooked. It supports overall blood health , including the production of red blood cells.

When tests of cognition were analyzed at the end of the trial, those receiving cocoa did not demonstrate any improvement. But those assigned to take a multivitamin had improved scores on tests of.

They were followed for only three years. However, it was a randomized, double-blind trial, which is considered the most powerful study design. This study alone isn't enough to suggest routine use of multivitamins for people of all ages. It may turn out that the benefits for older adults seen in this study were due to deficiencies in certain nutrients among some of the study participants.

We don't know if this is true because it wasn't part of the study. Or we might learn that the benefits reported here are too small to make much difference in real life, or wane over time, or have no effect on preventing common types of dementia.

And it's hard to ignore an earlier randomized, placebo-controlled trial that was actually larger and longer-term: it found no improvement in brain function among male physicians ages 65 and older taking multivitamins. But it does mean that more study is warranted.

We need to understand who is most likely to benefit from multivitamin use, what dose is optimal, and what parts of the multivitamin are most important. We also need trials that are larger, last longer, and include a more diverse group of participants.

And certainly, there's a difference between improving cognitive function and preventing dementia. We still need to know if conditions like Alzheimer's disease can be prevented by multivitamin use or other supplements. Claims that certain supplements can improve brain health are everywhere you look.

But sound scientific evidence backing up those claims is much rarer. Additionally, the prevalence of AD is expected to reach over 14 million by This especially affects Hispanics, African Americans, and people over the age of It is also expected to be more prevalent among women.

Melanie Murphy Richter, MS, RDN , a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and instructor of Nutrition Physiology at the University of California, Irvine, explained that the vitamins and minerals that are found in multivitamins play an important role as catalysts in a variety of brain functions.

Richter went on to say that neurotransmitters are involved in sending signals to other parts of the body. Not to mention, serotonin dictates our sleep cycles. Yet other micronutrients found in multivitamins — such as vitamins C and E and minerals like selenium and zinc — can protect against the oxidative damage that is associated with age-related cognitive decline, per Richter.

Richter added that micronutrients are also important in breaking down macronutrients like carbohydrates , fats, and proteins. Micronutrient deficiencies can leave us unable to break down our food for energy which can also deprive the brain of energy.

She noted, however, that multivitamins are easy to obtain and relatively affordable. Researchers have found that a daily multivitamin supplement was linked with slowed cognitive aging and improved memory.

The improvements in memory and cognition could be because vitamins and minerals play important roles in brain health. You should speak with your doctor if you have questions about whether a multivitamin supplement is right for you.

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. It doesn't hurt to take a daily vitamin, but do you actually know what goes into it — and does it have vitamin D? If you had to check, you may want to…. In an observational study, researchers report that statins may help slow cognitive decline in some people with Alzheimer's disease.

While they're not typically able to prescribe, nutritionists can still benefits your overall health. Let's look at benefits, limitations, and more. A new study found that healthy lifestyle choices — including being physically active, eating well, avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol consumption —….

Carb counting is complicated. Take the quiz and test your knowledge! Together with her husband, Kansas City Chiefs MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Brittany Mohomes shares how she parents two children with severe food….

While there are many FDA-approved emulsifiers, European associations have marked them as being of possible concern. Let's look deeper:. Dietitians can help you create a more balanced diet or a specialized one for a variety of conditions. We look at their benefits and limitations. A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic?

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These 5 Habits Help Prevent Dementia. How to Age-Proof Your Whole Body. These Specific Exercises Boost Memory. Study Finds Wasabi May Boost Memory. Study: Eating Cheese May Lower Dementia Risk.

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Jump to: Vitamins for brain health Supplements for brain health The bottom line. Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega. Nature Made Vitamin B Sports Research Double Strength L-Theanine Supplement. NOW L-Carnitine 1, mg.

Host Defense Lion's Mane Capsules, Mushroom Supplement. Nature's Bounty Ginkgo Biloba Capsules. ONNIT Nootropic Brain Supplement. Nature's Bounty Ginseng Complex Capsules.

BioSchwartz Turmeric Curcumin with BioPerine. Gaia Herbs Bacopa - Herbal Supplement. Arielle Weg. Madeleine Haase. Brain Health. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below. Vitamin B7 , most commonly known as biotin , regulates cell signals for quick and efficient communication throughout the body.

In the brain, it's crucial for cellular signaling via neurotransmitters. Vitamin B9 , or folate , is a popular supplement and a key vitamin for supporting brain and neurological health, optimal neurotransmitter function, and balanced psychological health. Vitamin B12, o r cobalamin , is an essential vitamin for forming red blood cells and DNA, and supporting the development and function of the nervous system.

B12 also supports the breakdown of homocysteine, a protein that can negatively impact cardiovascular health and lead to dementia when in excess. I'm a "food-first" person, so I always encourage people to incorporate foods containing these vitamins into their meals. However, our diets are not perfect, so there may be instances where supplements may help.

If that's the, case my simple advice is to "test, not guess" — and consult with your doctor first. The goods news is that B vitamins are among the easiest to work into your diet because foods that are rich in one B vitamin often contain many, if not all, of the B vitamins when consumed as whole foods.

One egg contains a third of the recommended daily value of vitamin B7, while also containing small amounts of many of the other B vitamins.

Yogurt is high in both vitamin B2 and vitamin B12, as well as in natural probiotics, which support both gut health and mental health. I like plain Greek yogurt for the added protein. Legumes such as black beans, chickpeas, edamame and lentils all help to boost your mood and brain health.

They are an excellent source of vitamin B9, and include small amounts of vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B5 and vitamin B6. Salmon is naturally rich in all of the B vitamins, especially vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B6 and vitamin B Be mindful of the source of your seafood, and remember that frozen or canned salmon is a budget-friendly option, too.

Sunflower seeds are one of the best plant sources of vitamin B5. Leafy greens such as spinach, Swiss chard and cabbage are a great source of vitamin B9. This is the first food I suggest to patients who want to boost low mood.

Uma Naidoo is a nutritional psychiatrist, brain expert, and faculty member at Harvard Medical School. But I recently heard it may help my brain. Tell me it's true!! It might be. Early in , two randomized controlled trials of a multivitamin pill containing over 20 vitamins and minerals including vitamins A, B 12 , C, D, E, biotin, potassium, magnesium, and zinc got my attention.

Randomized controlled trials are the best way to determine whether a treatment is effective. To continue reading this article, you must log in. Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School. Already a member? Login ». Anthony L. Komaroff, MD , Editor in Chief, Harvard Health Letter.

As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.

No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. About half of all Americans routinely take dietary supplements.

The most common ones are multivitamin and multimineral supplements. Making Sense of Vitamins and Minerals: Choosing the foods and nutrients you need to stay healthy explains the evidence behind the benefits and safety profiles of various vitamins and minerals.

It also includes the recommended minimum and maximum amounts you should consume, as well as good food sources of each. Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift.