title: Improved blood biomarkers but no cognitive effects from 16 weeks of multivitamin supplementation in healthy older adults.
abstract: Supplementation with vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients may be beneficial for cognition, especially in older adults. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of multivitamin supplementation in older adults on cognitive function and associated blood biomarkers. In a randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled trial, healthy women (n = 68) and men (n = 48) aged 55-65 years were supplemented daily for 16 weeks with women's and men's formula multivitamin supplements. Assessments at baseline and post-supplementation included computerised cognitive tasks and blood biomarkers relevant to cognitive aging. No cognitive improvements were observed after supplementation with either formula; however, several significant improvements were observed in blood biomarkers including increased levels of vitamins B6 and B12 in women and men; reduced C-reactive protein in women; reduced homocysteine and marginally reduced oxidative stress in men; as well as improvements to the lipid profile in men. In healthy older people, multivitamin supplementation improved a number of blood biomarkers that are relevant to cognition, but these biomarker changes were not accompanied by improved cognitive function.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia. eharris@swin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.affiliation: Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia. helen.macpherson@deakin.edu.au.|Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia. helen.macpherson@deakin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Macpherson
authors.affiliation: Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia. apipingas@swin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pipingas
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000517:prevention & control; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D012016:Reference Values; D012737:Sex Factors; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood; D025101:Vitamin B 6 / Q000097:blood; D014815:Vitamins / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D008055:Lipids; D014815:Vitamins; D006710:Homocysteine; D025101:Vitamin B 6; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D014805:Vitamin B 12
keywords: biomarkers; cognition; multivitamins; vitamins