News

A daily multivitamin may slow biological ageing

Taking a daily multivitamin could help to slow biological ageing in older adults, new research suggests. Biological age reflects how quickly the body is ageing at the cellular level, which may differ from a person’s actual age in years.

Researchers from Mass General Brigham in Boston analysed DNA methylation data from blood samples collected from 958 healthy participants whose average chronological age was 70. The researchers used ‘epigenetic clocks,’ which estimate biological ageing by examining small chemical changes in DNA over time.

They compared changes in five separate epigenetic clocks at the beginning of the study and again after one and two years. Compared with participants who received only placebos, those taking a multivitamin showed slower biological ageing across all five measurements. Two of the clocks, which are strongly associated with mortality risk, showed statistically significant slowing.

Overall, the findings suggested that multivitamin use reduced biological ageing by about four months during the two-year period. The strongest effects appeared in participants whose biological age was already ahead of their chronological age when the trial began. The findings were published in Nature Medicine.

Study highlights the gut-brain connection

Gut biopsies could hold the key to predicting Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease and motor neurone disease (MND), around seven years before symptoms present, a new study has revealed.

Scientists and clinicians from the University of Aberdeen, NHS Grampian and NHS Highland analysed gut biopsies from 196 individuals over the age of 60 who had unexplained digestive symptoms but no diagnosed neurological disease at the time. Participants were followed for 13 to 15 years to track the development of neurodegenerative conditions.

The team assessed three key proteins associated with neurodegeneration: TDP-43, tau and .-synuclein. Evidence of protein misfolding in the gut – termed “protein misfolding enteropathy” – was detected in 60% of cases. Those with these protein abnormalities were significantly more likely to develop non-Alzheimer’s dementias or conditions like Parkinson’s disease. The biomarker showed over 80% sensitivity in predicting disease, and the presence of multiple protein markers was linked to poorer survival outcomes.

Crucially, these changes were present an average of nearly seven years before neurological symptoms emerged, suggesting a substantial window for potential early intervention. The team hopes the findings will lead to new screening strategies and support the development of prevention-focused clinical trials. The findings were published in the journal Gastroenterology.

Five minutes in cold water can boost mood, study shows

New research from the University of Chichester has found that as little as five minutes immersed in cold water can have almost the same benefits as much longer stints, helping provide a quick mood-boosting solution for physically fit people with low mood.

A total of 121 students who described themselves as experiencing low mood took part in a controlled trial, which tested the effect of cold-water immersion for 5, 10 and 20 minutes in seawater with a temperature of 13.6°C. All participants in the immersion groups completed a profile of their mood seven days before the trial and repeated this immediately after immersion. Results showed that cold-water immersion effectively improved mood across all durations tested – with a 5-minute dip almost as effective as 20 minutes in the water.

While cold-water immersion is considered safe in healthy, screened individuals under controlled conditions, caution is advised for anyone with pre-existing health conditions. The findings were published in Lifestyle Medicine.

Variety: the secret to a longer life?

Mixing up your exercise routines might be the real secret to a longer life, a new study has found. Researchers from Harvard School of Public Health analysed data from two major long-term studies: the Nurses’ Health Study (121,700 female participants) and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (51,529 male participants). These studies tracked participants for more than 30 years, with regular updates on lifestyle, health history, and exercise habits collected every two years through questionnaires.

The data showed that people who reported higher overall activity levels were generally healthier. They were less likely to smoke or have high blood pressure or high cholesterol. They also tended to have a lower body weight (lower BMI), ate healthier diets, drank less alcohol, maintained stronger social connections and took part in a wider range of activities. Higher levels of physical activity, along with most individual types of exercise except swimming, were linked to a lower risk of death from any cause. Engaging in a wider range of activities was linked to even greater benefits. After accounting for total exercise levels, participants who performed the most diverse set of activities had a 19% lower risk of death from all causes. They also showed a 13-41% lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disease, and other causes compared with those who engaged in fewer types of activity. The findings were published in the open access journal BMJ Medicine.