Multivitamin users Biologically Younger

While many individuals feel multivitamins may not be necessary, a new first-of-its-kind study by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, one of the National Institutes of Health, might help change their minds. The researchers used an innovative measurement to determine the "biological age" of multivitamin users and non-users.

Biological age refers to the amount of cell aging an organism has undergone over time. Relative to its chronological age, the organism may be "biologically older" if there are greater signs of aging, or "younger" if there less aging has occurred.

In this study, researchers looked at the DNA to determine an individual's biological age. At the ends of the chromosomes, there are segments of repetitive DNA called telomeres. It is believed that the telomeres protect the chromosomes from damage that occurs as a result of cell replication and oxidative stress. As these telomeres are damaged through these processes, they become shorter until eventually the cells are destroyed through apoptosis. Correspondingly, the shorter the telomeres are, the "older" the cell is.

The study involved 586 women between the ages of 35 and 74 who were a part of the Sister Study. The researchers used a 146-item food-frequency questionnaire to determine nutrient intake and multivitamin use. After adjusting for age and other confounding factors, these findings were then referenced with relative telomere length, which was determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The researchers found that those who took a multivitamin daily, had (on average) 5.1% longer telomeres than non-multivitamin users.

The researchers noted that regular multivitamin users also tend to lead healthier lifestyles than others, which can make epidemiological observations difficult to interpret. Further research will need to be conducted to "understand the role of multivitamin use and telomere length and its implication in the etiology of chronic diseases."

Whole Health offers 7 different multivitamins to choose from. Find the one that is right for you here.

1. Xu, Q., C. G. Parks, et al. (2009). "Multivitamin use and telomere length in women." Am J Clin Nutr 89(6): 1857-63.