Vitamin and mineral supplementation for maintaining cognitive function in cognitively healthy people in mid and late life
Rutjes AWS, et al.
Published in Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Methodology
Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials lasting at least 12 months of vitamin or mineral supplements in cognitively healthy adults aged 40+, with GRADE assessment of cognitive outcomes.
Key Findings
Cochrane review of 28 trials (about 83,000 cognitively healthy adults) found no evidence that vitamin or mineral supplementation - including B vitamins, antioxidant vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, selenium, zinc or multivitamins - preserves cognitive function in mid or late life; the only weak signals (beta-carotene and selenium after many years) were of doubtful clinical significance.
Conclusions
There is no good evidence that vitamin or mineral supplements protect cognition in well-nourished healthy adults; they should not be recommended for dementia prevention.
Limitations
Trials were mainly in well-nourished Western populations, so results may not apply to deficient groups; cognitive outcomes measured with varied instruments and often as secondary endpoints; long latency of cognitive decline may exceed trial durations; certainty of evidence low to moderate.
Supplements Studied
giving B vitamin supplements to cognitively healthy adults... probably has little or no effect on global cognitive function at any time point up to 5 years
Cochrane review of 28 trials (about 83,000 cognitively healthy adults) found no evidence that vitamin or mineral supplementation - including B vitamins, antioxidant vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, selenium, zinc or multivitamins - preserves cognitive function in mid or late life; the only weak signals (beta-carotene and selenium after many years) were of doubtful clinical significance.
Cochrane review of 28 trials (about 83,000 cognitively healthy adults) found no evidence that vitamin or mineral supplementation - including B vitamins, antioxidant vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, selenium, zinc or multivitamins - preserves cognitive function in mid or late life; the only weak signals (beta-carotene and selenium after many years) were of doubtful clinical significance.
Outcomes Measured
Cochrane review of 28 trials (about 83,000 cognitively healthy adults) found no evidence that vitamin or mineral supplementation - including B vitamins, antioxidant vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, selenium, zinc or multivitamins - preserves cognitive function in mid or late life; the only weak signals (beta-carotene and selenium after many years) were of doubtful clinical significance.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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Disclosures
Funding
UK National Institute for Health Research / Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group
This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen.