A comprehensive randomized clinical investigation involving a cohort of elderly individuals has revealed that consistent daily intake of multivitamins over a two-year duration resulted in a modest deceleration of epigenetic indicators of aging. This effect was quantified as a reduction in biological age equivalent to approximately four months, in comparison to participants who received a placebo.
The research conducted by Li and colleagues involved an assessment of the two-year impact of daily multivitamin-multimineral supplements alongside cocoa extract (containing 500 mg of cocoa flavanols daily, with 80 mg of epicatechin) on five distinct DNA methylation markers associated with biological aging. This evaluation was performed within the framework of the COSMOS study, encompassing 958 participants, comprising 482 women and 476 men. The imagery is attributed to Ri Butov.
Epigenetic clocks are sophisticated methodologies employed to gauge biological age by analyzing subtle alterations within our deoxyribonucleic acid.
These sophisticated analytical tools focus on specific loci within the genome that play a role in regulating gene expression. These sites undergo natural modifications as individuals advance in age, thereby providing crucial insights into mortality risks and the overall tempo of the aging process.
“The current scientific landscape is marked by a significant pursuit of strategies aimed not merely at extending lifespan, but at enhancing the quality of life during those extended years,” articulated Dr. Howard Sesso, a distinguished researcher affiliated with Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School.
“The observation of benefits derived from multivitamin supplementation, specifically in relation to biomarkers of biological aging, was particularly encouraging.
“This investigative effort has paved the way for further exploration into accessible and safe interventions that can foster healthier and more robust aging experiences.”
For the purpose of their investigation, Dr. Sesso and his research team utilized data meticulously collected from the well-established COcoa Supplement Multivitamins Outcomes Study (COSMOS).
An in-depth analysis was performed on DNA methylation data derived from blood samples drawn from 958 healthy participants who were randomly selected and had an average chronological age of 70 years.
Participants were assigned to one of four treatment arms: daily administration of cocoa extract and a multivitamin; daily administration of cocoa extract and a placebo; daily administration of a placebo and a multivitamin; or the administration of placebos exclusively.
Blood samples were subjected to rigorous analysis to detect variations in the readings from five distinct epigenetic clocks, with measurements taken at the commencement of the trial and at the conclusion of both the first and second years.
When contrasted with the group that received placebos exclusively, individuals within the multivitamin intervention arm exhibited a deceleration across all five epigenetic clocks. Notably, a statistically significant slowing was observed in the two clocks that are recognized as predictive of mortality.
These observed changes translated to an approximate reduction of four months in biological aging over the two-year study period.
Furthermore, it was determined that individuals who displayed a biological age exceeding their chronological age at the outset of the trial experienced the most substantial benefits.
“Our future research endeavors are focused on ascertaining whether the observed retardation of biological aging, as indicated by these five epigenetic clocks and potentially other or novel metrics, continues to manifest beyond the conclusion of the trial,” stated Dr. Yanbin Dong, a researcher at Augusta University.
“Many individuals consume multivitamins without a clear understanding of their specific advantages; therefore, gaining a more comprehensive knowledge of their potential health-promoting effects is highly beneficial,” Dr. Sesso further commented.
“Within the COSMOS study, we are exceptionally fortunate and enthusiastic about leveraging its extensive repository of biomarker data to rigorously evaluate the capacity of two distinct interventions to improve biological aging markers and concurrently reduce the incidence of age-related clinical outcomes.”
A scholarly publication detailing these groundbreaking findings was released this week in the esteemed journal Nature Medicine.
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S. Li et al. Effects of daily multivitamin-multimineral and cocoa extract supplementation on epigenetic aging clocks in the COSMOS randomized clinical trial. Nat Med, published online March 9, 2026; doi: 10.1038/s41591-026-04239-3
