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Hormones and Supplements: Do They Work?

Micronutrient Supplementation in Later Life: Limited Evidence for Benefit

¹ Nutrition and Public Health Intervention Research Unit
² Non-communicable Disease Epidemiology Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom.

Address correspondence to Dr. Alan D. Dangour, Nutrition and Public Health Intervention Research Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, U.K. E-mail: alan.dangour{at}lshtm.ac.uk

The importance of attaining adequate macronutrient and micronutrient intake throughout the life course is essential for the maintenance of health. Claims have been made for the benefits of micronutrient supplementation in later life, and this review considers the strength of the evidence behind these claims focusing on studies with cardiovascular, cancer, eye health, immune, and cognitive end points. While observational data suggest the presence of a link between dietary micronutrient intake and health outcomes, evidence from large randomized controlled trials does not support the use of antioxidant vitamin or mineral supplements among well-nourished older populations. Moreover, there is evidence of possible adverse affects of micronutrient supplementation. In conclusion, the considerable enthusiasm for the use of micronutrient, especially antioxidant, supplements as anti-aging treatments or as treatments for specific diseases of later life is not supported by the currently available scientific literature.