Vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acid supplements do not help much in preventing aging
Multivitamins can block the rate of cognitive decline by 60%
“Regular exercise and a Mediterranean diet are the best strategies to prevent aging”
▲ Multivitamin prevents cognitive decline in the elderly
Courtesy of Wake Forest University
Since the spread of COVID-19, more and more people are paying attention to their health. An increasing number of people are taking health supplements to boost their immunity. In fact, the number of people taking vitamin D has increased because of recent research findings that vitamin D prevents COVID-19 or lowers the severe conversion rate.
However, research on health supplements or nutritional supplements yields different results depending on the researcher and the purpose of the study, so it is necessary to select and take the appropriate product according to your situation. In fact, contrary to what is known regarding vitamin D, research results have shown that multivitamins, known as multivitamins, can prevent cognitive decline.
A joint research team from Boston Veterans’ Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard University Medical School, and Massachusetts General Hospital said on the 1st that vitamin D3 and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation did not significantly help in preventing aging. The study was published in ‘JAMA Network Open’, an international medical journal.
Aging is revealed as a decrease in the ability to respond to acute stress along with a decrease in physical and physiological abilities. Many people take supplements, according to some studies showing that vitamin D3 and omega-3 fatty acid intake slows and slows aging.
Accordingly, the research team analyzed the effects on aging through blood tests and physical examinations following taking vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acid supplements for a certain period of time in regarding 25,000 American men and women. To this end, the research team conducted regular physical and mental tests, such as physical function, cognitive function, and mood, before taking the supplement, 6 months following ingestion, and 5 years following ingestion.
As a result, it was found that intake of vitamin D3 and omega-3 fatty acids was not helpful in preventing aging or slowing the aging process. The research team advised that healthy elderly people do not need to take vitamin D3 and omega-3 fatty acid supplements.
Airilla Okerby, professor of medicine at Harvard University, said, “The results of this study show that it is more important to have a healthy lifestyle than to take unnecessary drugs or supplements. However, regular exercise and the Mediterranean diet, which have been found through several studies, are the most proven strategies for preventing aging.”
However, on the other hand, research results showed that multivitamins might prevent cognitive decline.
A joint research team from the Department of Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, Biostatistics, Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Harvard University School of Medicine, Wake Forest University College of Medicine, USA, found that a multivitamin containing various nutrients prevents cognitive decline due to aging. He said today that it will help. On the other hand, it was found that taking cocoa extract supplements did not prevent cognitive decline, contrary to what is known. The results of this study were published in ‘Alzheimer’s and Dementia’, an international medical journal published by the American Alzheimer’s Association.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association of America, more than 6.5 million Americans will have Alzheimer’s by 2021, and one in three older adults will die from Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. For this reason, the intake of various health supplements to prevent cognitive decline is increasing.
Accordingly, the research team randomly selected 21,442 adult men and women over the age of 65 years and followed them up for more than 3 years to see if they reduced the risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer and other diseases following taking cocoa extract supplements and multivitamins. Cocoa extract supplements are rich in compounds called flavanols, which are known to help improve cognitive function.
As a result, it was confirmed that the cognitive decline of the participants who took the multivitamin was 1.8 years, or regarding 60% slower, compared to the other subjects. On the other hand, those who took the cocoa extract supplement did not show a statistically significant cognitive decline effect, contrary to what is known.
Laura Baker, professor of gerontology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, said, “This study is the first large-scale long-term study of multivitamins in older adults to show cognitive benefits. It is not necessary to start taking it too early to prevent decline.”
Reporter Yoo Yong-ha
