Daily Multivitamin May Help to Boost Memory

Cognitive acuity declines with age, and a number of previous studies have suggested both individual and combination nutritional approaches as a means of slowing the decline. Helen Macpherson, from Swinburne University (Australia), and colleagues enrolled 56 elderly women, with subjective complaints of memory loss, in a sixteen-week long study.  At both the studies start and end, cognition was assessed using an age-sensitive computerized battery of memory and attention tests. biochemical measures of selected nutrients, homocysteine, markers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and blood safety parameters were collected.  The team observed that a mixture of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and plant extracts significantly improved spatial working memory.  As well, the supplementation decreased levels of homocysteine. No toxicity was reported.  The researchers submit that: “Sixteen weeks of supplementation with a combined multivitamin, mineral and herbal formula may benefit working memory in elderly women at risk of cognitive decline.”