A recently published study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that the cells of multivitamin users are “younger” in biological age than cells from non-users. Dr. Honglei Chen looked at certain physical characteristics of cells that determine cell aging, especially telomere length.
Dr. Chen and his team of scientists believe that multivitamins may affect cells by modulating oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. Oxidative stress and inflammation are recurring themes in many chronic diseases, aging and overall wear and tear (osteoarthritis, pain, tendonitis). How do multivitamins work? Most contain a variety of antioxidants that can mitigate damage from free radicals that we are exposed to on a daily basis.
This team found that vitamins C and E in particular are associated with longer telomeres and therefore younger cells. Even after adjusting for multivitamin intake, C & E stood out.
What does this mean for you? Take a multivitamin daily. Even if you eat over 2,000 calories per day, it is tough to meet your daily needs for all vitamins and minerals unless you are choosing nutrient-dense food nearly 100% of the time. I am not a big proponent of a separate vitamin E supplement but if you do choose one, pick one with mixed tocopherols versus just alpha-tocopherol (there are 8 chemical forms of vitamin E and possibly a 9th according to a recent study out of Italy).