Daily multivitamin may help older adults stay independent

Maintaining the ability to handle everyday tasks without severe or limiting symptoms is an important part of quality of life in older age. New research suggests that taking a daily multivitamin may help support that independence.

After 3 years, adults who received a daily multivitamin had significantly better functional health scores than participants who took a placebo. Researchers say the results indicate that multivitamins may help older adults preserve their ability to function from day to day, potentially through benefits involving cognitive health, circulation, and physical endurance.

"What makes this work unique is our focus on functional health, how people actually feel and function in their daily lives -- rather than just the prevention of major diseases," said Bayu B. Bekele, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow at the Georgia Prevention Institute of the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. "For older adults, these findings suggest that a daily multivitamin could be a helpful, low-risk addition to a healthy lifestyle to support physical well-being as they age, although it is not a substitute for a good diet or exercise."

A Large Study of Adults Over 60

Bekele presented the results at NUTRITION 2026, the flagship annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition. He conducted the research with Yanbin Dong, MD, PhD, Regents' Professor of Medicine and Director of the Georgia Prevention Institute of the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University.

The analysis included data from more than 16,000 adults aged 60 years and older who participated in the COcoa Supplement Multivitamins Outcomes Study (COSMOS).

As part of COSMOS, participants were randomly assigned to receive a daily multivitamin, a cocoa extract supplement, both supplements, or neither. Placebos were given to the control group and to participants who received only one of the two supplements.

Multivitamins Linked to Better Daily Function

Following 3 years of supplementation, participants assigned to the multivitamin group reported significantly better functional health than those assigned to a placebo. The findings were based on responses to the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire.

The strongest differences appeared in symptom burden and the clinical summary score. That summary score combines measurements of symptom burden and physical ability.

These results may have practical importance because functional health reflects whether people can continue performing routine activities without being held back by fatigue or other symptoms.

"Multivitamin use supporting heart health and overall physical function may help maintain the ability to perform everyday activities such as dressing, bathing, walking, climbing stairs, jogging or hurrying, and completing household chores. These benefits may be particularly relevant for individuals experiencing fatigue, shortness of breath or swelling in the feet, which can limit daily functioning," said Bekele.

Cocoa Extract Results

Cocoa extract did not produce a significant improvement in functional health scores across the study population as a whole. However, it was associated with a significant benefit among participants with congestive heart failure.

Although the multivitamin findings are encouraging, researchers emphasize that supplements should not be viewed as replacements for a balanced diet or regular physical activity. People should also speak with a doctor before beginning any new supplement.

Preliminary Findings Require Further Review

Bekele presented the research on Monday, July 27, during the Vitamins and Minerals Oral Session in the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center (abstract).

The study was supported by grant HL157665 from the National Institutes of Health.

Abstracts presented at NUTRITION 2026 were reviewed and selected by a committee of experts. However, they generally have not completed the same peer review process required before research is published in a scientific journal. The results should therefore be considered preliminary until they appear in a peer-reviewed publication.