Vitamin and mineral supplementation for maintaining cognitive function in cognitively healthy people in mid and late life.

Study answer

What this study found

Overall, vitamin and mineral supplementation did not improve global cognitive function or clearly prevent dementia in cognitively healthy midlife and older adults. The evidence does not support recommending supplementation to maintain cognition. In the largest reported B-vitamin comparison, cognitive impairment occurred in 50/908 versus 49/895 participants (RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.69 to 1.48; moderate-certainty). Some long-term antioxidant trials suggested small possible benefits on select cognitive outcomes, but the findings were inconsistent and uncertain.

Study & population

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials in cognitively healthy adults aged 40 years or older, mostly community-dwelling older adults in their 60s and 70s.

Intervention

The review evaluated vitamin and mineral supplementation for preserving cognition in cognitively healthy adults aged 40 years and older.

Key limitation

The evidence base was clinically and methodologically heterogeneous, with different vitamins, minerals, combinations, doses, durations, and cognitive outcomes.

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Original abstract