If you’ve ever wondered whether your daily multivitamin is actually doing anything, new research suggests it may have a small effect.
A study published in Nature Medicine has found that taking a multivitamin every day for two years could slightly slow biological ageing.
What the research found
The study followed 958 generally healthy adults, with an average age of 70, over a two-year period. Participants were divided into four groups: one took a multivitamin, another a cocoa extract supplement, a third took both, and the fourth took neither.
To track changes, researchers analysed blood samples using “epigenetic clocks” – tools that measure subtle changes in DNA to estimate biological age.
People taking a daily multivitamin showed a small slowdown in biological ageing across two of the five markers, both associated with overall health and lifespan.
Basically, that worked out to around four months less biological ageing over two years compared to those who didn’t take one.
The benefit also seemed a little more noticeable in people who were already ageing faster.
So, should you be taking a multivitamin?
While the findings are promising, experts say they’re not a reason for everyone to start taking supplements.
Dr Howard Sesso, senior author of the study, said there are still unanswered questions.
“There are no known risks for taking a multivitamin in our two large clinical trials. At the same time, we do not know for sure who benefits, and how,” he said.
In an analysis of the study in Nature Medicine, experts from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health also emphasised the effects were small, noting whether supplementation “can increase healthspan remains an open question.”
In other words, a multivitamin isn’t a shortcut to better health.
For most of us, the basics still matter most: eating well, moving regularly and getting enough sleep. If your diet is already varied, you may not need a supplement.
If you’re unsure, it’s a good idea to check in with your GP before adding anything new.
