Multivitamin May Slow Biological Aging, Study Finds

Research shows taking a daily multivitamin can decelerate the pace of aging on a cellular level.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 12:39am

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An extreme close-up of the translucent, ghostly internal structure of a multivitamin capsule, conceptually illustrating how the supplement's molecular components may impact cellular aging.An X-ray view of a multivitamin capsule reveals the complex internal structure that may help slow the biological aging process.Boston Today

A new study published in the journal found that regularly taking a multivitamin supplement may help slow down biological aging, or how we age on the inside. The research, which analyzed data from the Cocoa Supplement Multivitamins Outcomes Study (COSMOS), showed that older adults aged 60 and up who took a daily multivitamin experienced a slowing of biological aging equivalent to about four months compared to those who took a placebo.

Why it matters

As people grow older, changes in DNA methylation can accelerate the aging process and increase the risk of age-related diseases like lung cancer and cognitive decline. This study suggests a daily multivitamin may be a simple, low-cost intervention to help slow down this biological aging process.

The details

The study authors analyzed blood samples from 958 healthy participants with an average age of 70, tracking changes in five key epigenetic clocks that measure biological aging. Compared to the placebo group, those who took the daily Centrum Silver multivitamin showed a significant deceleration in the pace of aging across all five clocks, equivalent to about 1.5 to 2 months per year. The benefits were even greater for those who started the study with more accelerated biological aging.

  • The study tracked participants over the course of two years.
  • Blood samples were evaluated at the end of the one- and two-year marks.

The players

Howard D. Sesso, ScD, MPH

The senior study author and associate director of the Division of Preventive Medicine in the Mass General Brigham Department of Medicine in Boston, MA.

Cocoa Supplement Multivitamins Outcomes Study (COSMOS)

A well-established, large-scale randomized trial that examined how taking multivitamin–multimineral vitamin supplements and/or cocoa flavanols may benefit several age-related chronic conditions among older adults.

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What they’re saying

“Our research group tested whether those randomized to take a typical daily multivitamin versus a placebo have improvements in various aging-related outcomes. What we found is taking a daily multivitamin may be a viable intervention option when it comes to slowing down the biological aging process.”

— Howard D. Sesso, Senior Study Author

What’s next

The study authors say more research is still needed to fully understand the exact mechanisms by which a daily multivitamin can slow biological aging, but the current findings are promising. They recommend taking a multivitamin as a low-risk, cost-effective addition to a healthy lifestyle that includes a nutritious diet, good sleep, and regular physical and social activity.

The takeaway

This study provides encouraging evidence that a simple daily multivitamin supplement could be an effective way to help slow the pace of biological aging and potentially reduce the risk of age-related diseases, though it should not replace other essential healthy lifestyle habits.