Can a Daily Pill Turn Back Biological Clock?

A recent study, led by Mass General Brigham in Boston, indicates that daily multivitamin consumption may contribute to slowing biological aging. Over a two-year period, nearly 1,000 healthy older adults who took a daily multivitamin showed their biological aging slowed by about four months, as measured by epigenetic clocks analyzing DNA methylation.

The research, published in Nature Medicine, involved participants averaging 70 years of age and found the most significant benefits in individuals whose biological age was already older than their chronological age. While the exact components responsible are not yet clear, the study highlights the potential for accessible interventions to promote healthier aging.

Further research is planned to explore if these aging effects persist and impact clinical outcomes, such as disease risk or lifespan. The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and focused on older adults of European ancestry, prompting further investigation into broader generalizability.