Daily Multivitamin May Slow Biological Aging, New Research Finds

Daily Multivitamin May Slow Biological Aging, New Research Finds

Research published in the journal Nature Medicine indicates that taking a daily multivitamin for two years may modestly slow certain biological aging markers — though scientists caution that the practical health implications remain uncertain.

Biological Age vs. Chronological Age

Unlike chronological age, which simply counts how many years a person has been alive, biological age reflects the actual condition and functioning of the body. Scientists often estimate biological age by examining DNA methylation — changes to DNA that accumulate over time and influence how genes are expressed. One prevailing theory holds that slowing these biological aging markers could help delay or reduce the severity of age-related diseases, potentially extending the number of healthy years a person enjoys.

What the Study Found

The US-based study — which received partial funding from confectionery giant Mars — enrolled 958 healthy adults with an average age of approximately 70 years. Participants were divided into four groups and assigned to take either a daily cocoa extract combined with a multivitamin, cocoa extract with a placebo, a multivitamin with a cocoa extract placebo, or two placebos.

Blood samples were collected at the beginning of the trial and again at the one- and two-year marks. Researchers analyzed these samples for changes across five distinct DNA methylation measures, commonly referred to as "epigenetic clocks."

After adjusting for variables such as age, sex, and baseline readings, the team found that participants taking a daily multivitamin demonstrated a slowdown in biological aging across two of the five epigenetic clocks — particularly those associated with estimating mortality risk. In total, the researchers estimated this amounted to roughly four months less biological aging over the two-year period.

Who Benefited Most?

Interestingly, the effects appeared more pronounced in individuals who were aging at a faster biological rate at the outset of the study. Researchers suggested this may be because those participants had greater nutritional deficiencies to begin with.

"Nutritional status may partly explain the results, but these epigenetic clocks may reflect other age-related risk factors," said Dr. Howard Sesso, an epidemiologist at Mass General Brigham and senior author of the study.

The cocoa extract supplement, by comparison, showed no significant effect on any of the five epigenetic clocks and did not appear to interact with the multivitamin in any meaningful way.

Experts Urge Caution

Despite the findings, Sesso was careful not to overstate their significance. "There are no known risks for taking a multivitamin in our two large clinical trials. At the same time, we do not know for sure who benefits, and how," he noted, adding that the results should not be interpreted as a recommendation for all older adults to begin taking multivitamins.

Experts not involved in the study echoed that measured approach. Dr. Marco Di Antonio, a biological aging specialist at Imperial College London, pointed out that the connection between epigenetic clocks and tangible aging outcomes remains poorly understood.

"I do not think that people should start taking multivitamins daily necessarily, but these results demonstrate that having a healthy diet and lifestyle will have an effect on your biological age," Di Antonio said. He further warned that multivitamins would be "pointless" without an accompanying healthy lifestyle, as poor habits can negatively impact aging in ways that supplements cannot reverse.

Noteworthy too is a large study published last year that found daily multivitamin use did not extend lifespan and may even be associated with a slightly elevated risk of early death — findings that stand in contrast to the current research.

A Word From Independent Experts

Dr. Pilar Guallar Castillón, an associate professor at the Autonomous University of Madrid, offered a more direct perspective. She highlighted that the clinical trial associated with this study found no measurable effect of multivitamin use on the primary causes of death and illness.

"My personal advice is to stop taking multivitamins, whether in pill or gummy form," she stated. "Eat a healthy, varied diet rich in fruit and vegetables — the main natural source of vitamins and minerals — and do not waste your money on nutritional supplements. There are huge commercial interests in their consumption and a lack of clinical evidence."

Colleagues from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health similarly stressed that the effects observed in the study were very small and that further research is needed to determine whether these findings translate into genuine, clinically meaningful health benefits.

The Bottom Line

While the idea that a simple daily supplement could slow the hands of biological time is compelling, the science remains far from settled. The modest effects observed in this study, combined with conflicting evidence from other research, suggest that no multivitamin can substitute for a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and a healthy overall lifestyle. For now, experts agree: eat well, live well, and consult your doctor before adding any supplement to your routine.