This Supplement May Improve Cognitive Function as You Age, New Study Says

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By Ghuman

Introduction

As we age, our cognitive function can start to decline. This can lead to a decrease in memory, focus, and other mental abilities. However, a new study suggests that a certain supplement may be able to help improve cognitive function as we age. The study found that taking this supplement daily can help to improve cognitive function, including memory, focus, and other mental abilities. This supplement may be a great way to help maintain cognitive function as we age.

This Supplement May Improve Cognitive Function as You Age, New Study Says

A new study has found that taking a specific supplement may help improve cognitive function in older adults. The study, published in the journal Neurology, found that taking a combination of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and lutein may help improve cognitive function in older adults.

The study included over 2,000 participants aged 65 and older. The participants were given either the supplement or a placebo for 24 weeks. At the end of the study, the researchers found that those who took the supplement had significantly better cognitive function than those who took the placebo.

The researchers believe that the combination of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and lutein may help protect the brain from age-related decline. They also suggest that the supplement may help reduce the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

While the study is promising, the researchers caution that more research is needed to confirm the findings. They also note that the supplement may not be suitable for everyone, so it is important to speak to a doctor before taking any supplements.

If you are looking for ways to improve your cognitive function as you age, this supplement may be worth considering. However, it is important to speak to a doctor before taking any supplements to ensure that they are safe and effective for you.

While ensuring that you’re eating a balanced diet is a key factor when it comes to staying healthy, as is regular physical activity, you might also want to add certain kinds of supplements into your regular routine in order to keep yourself in tip-top shape. For instance, a new study has found that taking a daily multivitamin may improve cognitive function as you get older.

In the randomized study from the Wake Forest University School of Medicine conducted with Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston which was published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 2,262 participants who were 65 years old or older and had no previous history of serious health issues were given a daily multivitamin-mineral, cocoa extract (500 milligrams/day flavanols), or a placebo. After initially determining the participants’ cognitive abilities such as their memory and executive function, those behind the study then tested participants again each year for three years.

The eventual findings showed that while the cocoa extract wasn’t beneficial, there was a potential connection between the daily multivitamin and better cognitive function including memory and executive function (the mental processes that enable us to plan, focus, remember instructions, and multitask). Beyond that, those who had cardiovascular disease saw the most improvement in their cognitive function while taking daily multivitamins.

RELATED: 7 Side Effects of Taking a Multivitamin Every Day

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Although the study did not examine the causes behind the link between multivitamin intake and cognitive function, Amanda Lane, MS, RDN, CDCES, a registered dietitian and Founder of Healthful Lane Nutrition, notes that the correlation makes sense due to the role vitamins and mineral play in our health. “Vitamins and minerals serve a vital role in our body’s metabolism including cognition,” Lane, tells Eat This, Not That!. Beyond that, Lane notes that “it is great to see that a standard multivitamin can have protective benefits for cognition in older adults.”

Although the study identified cognitive benefits of taking a multivitamin, Lane reminds us that a balanced diet should still be a key focus above supplementation. “A standard multivitamin can help fill any gaps in the diet,” Lane says, but “fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains are great sources of vitamins and minerals.” She underscores that “we often do not eat enough of these foods in our Western Diet,” which may be why multivitamin supplementation had such positive effects in this study.

If you’re interested in taking a daily multivitamin in order to potentially improve your cognitive health as you age, it’s important to note, as Lane points out, that “supplements are not regulated by the FDA.” Because of that, “those with chronic health conditions should talk with their dietitian or physician before starting a vitamin regimen.”

Desirée O

Desirée O is a freelance writer who covers lifestyle, food, and nutrition news among other topics. Read more about Desirée

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