Larger studies 'frankly overdue': Daily multivitamin linked to less-severe illness
Vitamin deficiencies are common and may contribute to age-related decline of the immune system. Although many nutrients play vital roles in the immune system, numerous studies highlight the importance of vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc specifically.
Thus, researchers from Oregon State University (OSU) hypothesised that daily multi-vitamin and mineral (MVM) supplements containing immune essential micronutrients including vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc could improve immune cell function in an older population.
The research, published in Nutrients. involved 42 healthy people aged 55 to 75 and was designed to measure the supplement's effects on certain immune system indicators. It also looked at bloodstream levels of zinc and vitamins C and D while taking the supplement, as these micronutrients are important for proper immune function.
The immune indicators, including white blood cells' ability to kill incoming pathogens, were unaltered in the group receiving the supplement.
The multivitamin group showed improved vitamin C and zinc status in the blood. Most intriguingly, illness symptoms reported by this group were less severe and went away faster than those experienced by the placebo group.
The same percentage of participants in each group reported symptoms, but days of sickness in the supplement group averaged fewer than three, compared to more than six for the placebo group.
"The observed illness differences were striking," said corresponding author Adrian Gombart, professor of biochemistry and biophysics in the OSU College of Science and a principal investigator at the Linus Pauling Institute. "While the study was limited to self-reported illness data and we did not design the study to answer this question, the observed differences suggest that additional larger studies designed for these outcomes are warranted - and, frankly, overdue."
Vitamin deficiencies and immunity
As people get older, the risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies that contribute to age-related immune system deficiencies rises. Across the United States, Canada and Europe, research suggests more than one-third of older adults are deficient in at least one micronutrient, often more than one.
"That likely contributes to a decline in the immune system, most often characterised by increased levels of inflammation, reduced innate immune function and reduced T-cell function," Gombart said. "Since multiple nutrients support immune function, older adults often benefit from multivitamin and mineral supplements. These are readily available, inexpensive and generally regarded as safe."
The multivitamin supplement used in the study focused on vitamins and minerals typically thought to help immunity. It contained 700 micrograms of vitamin A; 400 international units of vitamin D; 45 milligrams of vitamin E; 6.6 milligrams of vitamin B6; 400 micrograms of folate; 9.6 micrograms of vitamin B12; 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C; 5 milligrams of iron; 0.9 milligrams of copper; 10 milligrams of zinc; and 110 micrograms of selenium.
Source: Nutrients
Gombart. A. F., et al
"The Effect of a Multivitamin and Mineral Supplement on Immune Function in Healthy Older Adults: A Double-Blind, Randomised, Controlled Trial"
