As people grow older, staying healthy is not only about living longer. It is also about being able to walk, climb stairs, get dressed, prepare meals, and enjoy everyday life without feeling weak or unwell.
Even small declines in physical ability can reduce independence and quality of life.
Researchers from the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University have found that taking a daily multivitamin may help older adults maintain these everyday abilities. The findings will be presented at Nutrition 2026, the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition.
The researchers analysed information from more than 16,000 adults aged 60 years and older who took part in the large COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study, also known as COSMOS.
This long-running clinical trial was designed to examine whether common dietary supplements could improve health in older adults.
Participants were randomly assigned to receive a daily multivitamin, a cocoa extract supplement, both supplements together, or placebo tablets with no active ingredients.
This type of study is considered one of the most reliable ways to compare treatments because neither the participants nor the researchers know who is taking which treatment until the study ends.
After three years, the researchers compared how participants were feeling and functioning in daily life. Instead of only measuring major diseases, they focused on functional health, which reflects how well people can perform everyday tasks and manage common symptoms.
People taking a daily multivitamin performed significantly better than those taking a placebo. The biggest improvements were seen in symptom burden and overall clinical health scores. These results suggest participants experienced fewer symptoms that interfered with normal daily activities.
According to lead researcher Dr Bayu Bekele, better functional health may help older adults continue dressing, bathing, walking, climbing stairs, completing household jobs, and remaining physically active. These improvements may be especially valuable for people who often feel tired, short of breath, or have swollen feet.
Scientists believe multivitamins may help by supplying nutrients that some older adults do not get in sufficient amounts from food alone. As people age, changes in appetite, digestion, and medical conditions can increase the risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Correcting these shortages may help support the brain, muscles, heart, and blood circulation.
The study also examined cocoa extract supplements. Unlike multivitamins, cocoa extract did not improve functional health in the overall group. However, it appeared to benefit participants with congestive heart failure, suggesting it may be useful only for certain patients.
The researchers stress that multivitamins should not replace a healthy diet, regular exercise, or medical treatment. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and regular physical activity remain the foundation of healthy ageing. Supplements should be viewed as an addition rather than a replacement.
People should also speak with their doctor before starting any new supplement, particularly if they take prescription medicines or have long-term health conditions. Some supplements may interact with medications or may not be appropriate for everyone.
Publication: Findings presented at Nutrition 2026, the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition.
The study is encouraging because it measured how people actually function in daily life instead of focusing only on disease. Although the findings have not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal, the large number of participants and careful study design make the results promising. Future research will help determine which older adults benefit most from multivitamins and whether the improvements continue over longer periods.
If you care about health, please read studies that vitamin D can help reduce inflammation, and vitamin K could lower your heart disease risk by a third.
For more health information, please see recent studies about new way to halt excessive inflammation, and results showing foods that could cause inflammation.
