A daily pill containing multivitamins and cocoa extract may slow down the aging process by up to four months, according to a groundbreaking study led by Mass General Brigham in Boston.
The Study
The research, published in Nature Medicine, involved a large randomized clinical trial of nearly 1,000 participants, averaging 70 years of age. The participants were divided into four groups, each taking different combinations of a multivitamin-multimineral supplement, cocoa extract, and placebos.
Researchers analyzed blood samples taken from the participants at three points during the study, focusing on five biomarkers known as "epigenetic clocks," which measure age-related changes in DNA methylation.
Results
The study found that those who took multivitamins showed a biological aging slowdown across all biomarkers, including the two that are most strongly associated with age.
The biggest benefit was seen in those who already had a biological age that was older than their chronological age.
"It was exciting to see the benefits of a multivitamin linked with markers of biological aging," said senior author Howard Sesso, associate director of the Division of Preventive Medicine in the Mass General Brigham Department of Medicine.
Limitations
While the results are promising, there were some limitations to the research. The aging effects were small, and it's not yet known how they might affect actual lifespan.
The study population was also limited to mostly white and those of European ancestry, which could mean it wouldn't be generalized to larger groups.
Additionally, the research did not explore the relationship between epigenetic clock changes and actual health outcomes, such as lower disease risk or greater lifespan.
Future Research
The researchers are now planning to explore whether the slowdown of biological aging continued after the trial, as well as the impact these improvements may have on clinical outcomes.
Further studies will also look at other potential benefits of daily multivitamins, such as cognitive function and cardiovascular health.
"A lot of people take a multivitamin without necessarily knowing any benefits from taking it, so the more we can learn about its potential health benefits, the better," said Sesso.