Daily Multivitamin May Lower Blood Pressure in Older Adults wiht Poor Diets, Study Finds
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A daily multivitamin could offer a modest benefit in reducing blood pressure and teh risk of hypertension, but primarily for older adults who don’t consistently consume a nutrient-rich diet, according to new research published in the American Journal of Hypertension. The findings, stemming from a secondary analysis of a large-scale clinical trial, suggest a nuanced relationship between supplementation and cardiovascular health.
Researchers at Mass General Brigham conducted a detailed review of data from the COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS), a randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving over 8,900 older adults in the United States. While the study did not reveal meaningful benefits for the overall participant group,a closer examination uncovered promising results within specific subgroups.
Targeted Benefits for Specific Populations
The initial analysis of the COSMOS trial did not demonstrate meaningful differences in hypertension risk or blood pressure between those taking a daily multivitamin – specifically Centrum Silver – and those receiving a placebo. However, investigators discovered that multivitamin use was associated with a lower risk of developing hypertension among participants who reported poorer diet quality. This assessment of diet quality was based on scores from the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) and Alternate Mediterranean Diet (aMED).
“Nutrition is one of the cornerstones for controlling blood pressure and hypertension,” explained a senior researcher involved in the study. “We found that a daily multivitamin might be useful for reducing the risk of hypertension in people with poorer nutritional intake.”
Furthermore, participants with normal blood pressure at the start of the study experienced small but statistically significant reductions in blood pressure measurements over a two-year period while taking a daily multivitamin. This suggests a potential preventative effect for those already within a healthy range.
Inside the COSMOS Trial Methodology
the COSMOS trial followed 8,905 older adults who were free of hypertension at the study’s outset. Participants were randomly assigned to recieve either a daily multivitamin or a placebo and were monitored for a median of 3.4 years. Blood pressure measurements were collected over two years from two additional groups, totaling 1,523 participants, both in clinical settings and at home.
The research team emphasized that these improvements were modest,but statistically significant.they also acknowledged the need for further investigation to determine if these findings extend to younger and middle-aged adults,and to diverse populations with varying nutritional statuses.
A nuanced approach to Supplementation
“Our findings suggest that a daily multivitamin may not be a one-size-fits-all solution for controlling blood pressure but could be beneficial for critically important subsets of older adults,” stated a lead author of the study. This highlights the importance of personalized approaches to health and wellness, recognizing that dietary needs and responses to supplementation can vary considerably.
The study underscores the critical role of a healthy diet in maintaining cardiovascular health. While a multivitamin may offer some benefit for those with nutritional gaps,it is indeed not a substitute for a balanced and varied diet rich in fruits,vegetables,and whole grains.
Funding and disclosures
The COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS) received funding from Mars Edge, a segment of Mars Incorporated focused on nutrition research, and Pfizer Consumer Healthcare (now Haleon).Both entities provided infrastructure support and donated study materials. Additional funding was provided by grants from the National Institutes of Health. Researchers also reported investigator-initiated grants from Haleon and Pure Encapsulations,as well as honoraria for lectures from various organizations. Researchers maintain that neither Mars Edge nor Haleon had any influence on the study’s design, execution, or data analysis.
