Among Americans 65 years and older, cancer is the second leading cause of death each year, affecting 982 out of every 100,000 people. Leading a healthy lifestyle is one of the best ways to ensure you stay healthy as you age, but researchers are exploring additional venues that may prevent a future diagnosis.
Although many studies have researched the effects of single supplements on mortality and disease prevention, including some by VA Boston Healthcare System researcher J. Michael Gaziano, none had explored the use of a daily multivitamin over a significant number of years. Gaziano, who also serves as the chief of the division of aging at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, tracked nearly 15,000 male doctors over the age of 50 for up to 13 years who took a daily dose of Centrum Silver multivitamins.
He found that:
• Total risk of cancer reduced by 8%
• Risk for site specific cancer reduced by 12% (excluding prostate cancer)
All of these doctors were on average healthy males, good at sports, excellent patients and less than four percent smoked. Gaziano either delivered a pack of daily supplements (including the Centrum Silver multivitamins) or daily dummy pills between July 1997 and June 2011.
Additional research will be necessary to see if the same results could be replicated in less healthy adults and in women, but Gaziano told NBC News he believes the results indicate you may need a variety of different vitamins in your diet, not just high doses of a select few. In the U.S., about half of adults invest in their health with the use of dietary supplements, most commonly daily vitamins, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Multivitamins, like any part of a healthy lifestyle, should be a part of a comprehensive plan to stay active, eat healthy, seek out preventative care and live a happy, healthy life.
Photo credit: Flickr user stevendepolo. Used with permission through Creative Commons.