Mother Would’ve Been Pleased by Possible Multivitamin Benefits

If only there were a magic pill that quelled dementia, ending Alzheimer’s disease and restoring the cognitive ability of more than 6 million people in the United States and nearly 55 million globally. Medical science has advanced significantly, and perhaps a pill is on the distant horizon, but there’s no such treatment for Alzheimer’s at this time.

Taking a multivitamin might reduce cognitive decline

While there’s no magic bullet for people diagnosed with dementia, a recent study based on the COSMOS-Mind clinical trial (NCT03035201) indicates that taking a daily multivitamin may slow the progression of cognitive decline.

Almost 20 years ago, my mother was diagnosed with dementia. Her early diagnosis was crucial to how she would proceed with treatment. She was also fortunate to be included in a separate clinical trial in which she and the other participants were prescribed medications, including several vitamins.

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We hoped that taking vitamins would positively affect my mother, slowing the progression of her disease. It’s astonishing to look back at her experience, knowing now what we didn’t know then.

Results from the COSMOS-Mind study, which included more than 2,200 participants, indicate that taking multivitamin-mineral supplements may benefit cognition. My mother’s experience supports the findings, published last week in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Mom closely followed the regimen presented in her clinical trial. She diligently took her meds and multivitamins. Her actions were based on hope, and she acted on faith. I’m glad that she did. She was able to live her best possible life with the disease.

The disease was relentless, and she still suffered from symptoms that robbed her of abilities, but the condition stayed at bay for a long time. We did our best to embrace a new normal as the disease marched onward, but slowly.

Act on faith, proceed with hope

Today, people diagnosed with dementia still act on faith, following their healthcare provider’s instructions, participating in clinical trials, and keeping up with what researchers and scientists believe could improve their chances of staving off the disease or, for those undiagnosed, avoiding it altogether. Sometimes it can seem like we’re all grabbing at straws, but a drowning person will latch onto anything that might float.

The Alzheimer’s Association isn’t making a case for multivitamins or encouraging people with Alzheimer’s disease to take a daily supplement, because more studies are needed. But considering our family’s experience, you might speak with your healthcare provider about adding a daily multivitamin just in case.

Aside from God’s grace, we can’t be sure which path allowed us to keep her with us as long as we did. Taking vitamins was only one aspect of my mother’s care that could’ve influenced the outcome, and early diagnosis was undoubtedly key. She exercised regularly and practiced good nutrition, and our family explored and supported every reasonable, science-based, and medically backed option available. Taking a daily multivitamin was just one of them.

Note: Alzheimer’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Alzheimer’s News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Alzheimer’s disease.