Are Multivitamins a Good Medicine?

We’ve been told since we were children that multivitamins are good for us and that they help us get all the daily vitamins we need. But is that true?

Until recently, the expert advice on supplements has been: If you don’t have a documented vitamin deficiency, don’t waste your money.

But when it comes to brain health, the tide may be turning for one type of supplement — multivitamins.

Evidence is mounting in favor of a role for multivitamins in brain health, thanks in large part to a randomized controlled clinical trial called COSMOS (COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study). More than 21,000 adults 60 and older took either cocoa extract supplements, multivitamins or a placebo. In separate studies, researchers examined the supplements’ effects on risk for heart disease, stroke and cancer, as well as cognitive decline. Three separate COSMOS studies have supported the benefits of a multivitamin for brain health.

To learn more about the research on multivitamins, read this article on Staying Sharp.

_{This content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide any expert, professional or specialty advice or recommendations. Readers are urged to consult with their medical providers for all questions.}