According to a recent study conducted by Oregon State University, incorporating daily multivitamin/multimineral supplementation into the routine of healthy older men resulted in enhanced nutrition biomarkers and preserved cellular function. The participants who received the supplement exhibited improvements in biomarkers, whereas those who received a placebo experienced no changes and a decrease in cellular oxygen consumption. These findings suggest that multivitamins can play a significant role in promoting overall health as individuals age. The study was conducted by a team of researchers from Oregon State University, including Tory Hagen and Alexander Michels, and the results were published in the journal Nutrients. These promising results indicate that supplementation may serve as a valuable tool in maintaining health as people progress in age.
The six-month study focused on a group of healthy older men and demonstrated that daily multivitamin/multimineral supplementation yielded positive effects on crucial nutrition biomarkers. The research team, consisting of scientists from Oregon State University, including members from the Linus Pauling Institute, examined the relationship between changes in nutritional status and cellular function by measuring the oxygen consumption of blood cells in the study participants. The outcomes of the study, which were published in Nutrients, suggest that supplementation could be a key strategy for preserving well-being as individuals age.
Alexander Michels, a research associate at Oregon State University’s Linus Pauling Institute, noted the prevalence of older adults taking multivitamins with the belief that it would contribute to their overall health. However, previous studies have yielded mixed results regarding the impact of multivitamins on disease risk. Therefore, the researchers aimed to investigate the reason behind the uncertainty surrounding multivitamins’ effectiveness in altering nutrition biomarkers in older adults.
For the double-blind study, the research group, consisting of eight scientists from Oregon State University, recruited 35 healthy men aged 68 or above. Half of the participants received a Centrum Silver supplement, while the other half received a placebo, with both groups unaware of their allocation. Throughout the study, participants were not allowed to take any additional supplements, except for vitamin D if it had been prescribed by their physician.
Hagen, the principal investigator and Helen P. Rumbel Professor for Healthy Aging Research at the Linus Pauling Institute, stated that initial tests revealed suboptimal levels of various vitamins in many of the older men at the beginning of the study, indicating room for improvement.
At the conclusion of the six-month trial, noticeable differences emerged between the supplement and placebo groups. The multivitamin recipients demonstrated improved biomarkers of nutrition, while those in the placebo group did not exhibit such improvements.
Hagen, who is also a professor of biochemistry and biophysics at Oregon State University, mentioned that some participants assigned to the placebo group experienced a decline in blood nutrition biomarkers throughout the study. This suggests that relying solely on food intake may not suffice to maintain adequate vitamin and carotenoid levels.
Carotenoids, synthesized by plants and responsible for their yellow, orange, and red pigmentation, serve multiple functions in human health. Certain carotenoids, such as beta-carotene, can provide the body with an additional source of vitamin A.
While the study did not directly measure disease risk, it did evaluate white blood cells, an essential component of the immune system. Hagen noted that the researchers were astounded to observe a reduction in cellular oxygen consumption in the men who received the placebo, as this indicates a decline in cell function. In contrast, such a decline was not observed in the men who took the multivitamin, suggesting a potential link between vitamin status and white blood cell function that warrants further exploration.
The research team believes that this study marks the beginning of a new phase in multivitamin research. Michels emphasized that although their evidence suggests that many older men can benefit from a daily multivitamin, the response may vary among individuals. Identifying those who benefit the most and understanding the underlying reasons will be crucial for future multivitamin trials that assess disease risk.
The study involved researchers from the Linus Pauling Institute, including Judy Butler, Sandra Uesugi, Ken Lee, Balz Frei, Gerd Bobe, and Kathy Magnusson. Additionally, scientists from Oregon State University’s colleges of Science and Agricultural Sciences and Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine were part of the research team.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about nutrition biomarkers
What did the study conducted by Oregon State University reveal?
The study conducted by Oregon State University revealed that daily multivitamin/multimineral supplementation improved key nutrition biomarkers and maintained cellular function in healthy older men.
What were the findings of the study regarding the effects of supplementation?
The study found that participants who took the multivitamin supplement showed improvements in nutrition biomarkers, while those who took the placebo showed no change and a reduction in cellular oxygen consumption.
What is the suggested role of multivitamins in promoting health as people age?
The research suggests that multivitamins can play a significant role in promoting health as individuals age, particularly in maintaining nutrition biomarkers and cellular function.
How was the study conducted?
The study involved a six-month double-blind trial with 35 healthy men aged 68 or older. Half of the participants received a multivitamin supplement, while the other half received a placebo. Both groups were unaware of their allocation.
Were any other supplements allowed during the study?
Participants were not allowed to take any additional supplements during the study, except for vitamin D if prescribed by their doctor.
Did the study measure disease risk?
Although the study did not directly measure disease risk, it evaluated white blood cells, which are important for the immune system. The researchers observed a reduction in cellular oxygen consumption in the placebo group, indicating a potential decline in cell function.
What is the significance of the study?
The study provides evidence that daily multivitamin/multimineral supplementation can improve nutrition biomarkers and potentially contribute to better health outcomes in older men. However, individual responses to supplementation may vary, and further research is needed to determine who benefits the most and why.
More about nutrition biomarkers
- Oregon State University: Website
- Nutrients Journal: Study Publication
4 comments
just read about the oregon state univ study – multivitamins r legit! older men who took them had bettr nutrition biomarkrs & cell function. supps ftw!
omg, a study by oregon state univ showed that daily multivitamin/multimineral supp improved nutrition biomarkers & cell function in older men. yay for multivitamins! gonna get my grndpa on this asap!
oregon state univsty conducted a study & found that daily multivitamin/mineral supplemnt improves nutrition biomarkrs & maintain cellular function in older men. this is gr8 news for aging ppl, as they cn stay healthier with this. wow!
oregon state univ did a six-month study on old dudes & found that multivitamin supp improved nutrition & cell function. this is important 4 aging ppl. more research needed tho!