{"id":966477,"date":"2026-07-29T09:25:22","date_gmt":"2026-07-29T09:25:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/966477\/"},"modified":"2026-07-29T09:25:22","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T09:25:22","slug":"common-supplement-linked-to-better-health-in-study-of-16000-older-adults","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/966477\/","title":{"rendered":"Common Supplement Linked to Better Health in Study of 16,000 Older Adults"},"content":{"rendered":"

A new study suggests that a popular everyday vitamin may do more than fill nutritional gaps\u2014it could also help older adults maintain their ability to carry out everyday tasks as they age.<\/p>\n

Researchers at Augusta University found that adults aged 60 and older who took a daily multivitamin reported better functional health after three years compared with those who took a placebo. The findings will be presented at NUTRITION 2026, the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition.<\/p>\n

Multivitamin-mineral supplements are the most commonly used dietary supplements across all age groups and may help fill nutritional gaps while supporting energy metabolism and immune function, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Read More on Life<\/p>\n

“The effects were strongest among participants with existing cardiovascular conditions, particularly carotid stenosis, where improvements reached levels considered clinically meaningful,” Bayu B. Bekele, a postdoctoral fellow at the Georgia Prevention Institute of the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, told Newsweek.<\/p>\n

\"AWhat the Study Found<\/p>\n

The researchers analyzed data from more than 16,000 participants aged 60 and older who took part in the COcoa Supplement Multivitamins Outcomes Study (COSMOS).<\/p>\n

Participants were randomly assigned to receive either a daily multivitamin,<\/a> a cocoa extract supplement, both supplements, or neither. Placebos were used for the control group and for those taking only one supplement.<\/p>\n

After three years, those taking a multivitamin had significantly better functional health scores than those taking a placebo. The biggest differences were seen in symptom burden and the clinical summary score, which combines symptom burden and physical ability measures.<\/p>\n

“Importantly, the multivitamin group was not suddenly able to do activities that the placebo group could not do,” Bekele told Newsweek. “The overall benefit was modest.”<\/p>\n

He explained participants taking a daily multivitamin reported slightly fewer cardiovascular symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath and a modestly better overall functional health status over time compared with those taking a placebo. <\/p>\n

Bekele said in a statement that maintaining heart health and physical function may help senior people continue performing daily activities such as dressing, bathing, walking, climbing stairs,<\/a> jogging, hurrying and completing household chores.<\/p>\n

“For older adults, these findings suggest that a daily multivitamin could be a helpful, low-risk addition to a healthy lifestyle to support physical well-being as they age, although it is not a substitute for a good diet or exercise,” Bekele said in a statement.<\/p>\n

“These benefits may be particularly relevant for individuals experiencing fatigue, shortness of breath or swelling in the feet, which can limit daily functioning.”<\/p>\n

Cocoa extract did not significantly improve functional health scores across the overall study population, though researchers found a significant benefit among participants with congestive heart failure.<\/a><\/p>\n

Choosing the Right Supplements After 60<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pankti Shah, a doctor of pharmacy at U.K.-based PharmaLink Academy, shared four key tips for older adults choosing supplements:<\/p>\n