Aging is More Than a Number: What New Research Says About Daily Multivitamins and Biological Aging

What Is Biological Aging?

Biological aging refers to how well your cells and systems are functioning over time, which may differ from your chronological age (the number of years you’ve lived). Two people who are the same chronological age may have different biological ages due to differences in genetics, lifestyle, and overall health.

For older adults, this concept can feel especially meaningful. Healthy aging isn’t just about adding years, it’s about maintaining vitality and overall well-being.

To better understand biological aging, scientists use advanced DNA-based tools – called “epigenetic clocks” – that help estimate how quickly the body is aging on a cellular level. These tools are still evolving, but they help researchers better understand how everyday habits, including nutrition, may influence how we age.

What is The Latest Research?

New findings come from an analysis of the large-scale COSMOS (COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study) clinical trial, led by researchers at Mass General Brigham and Augusta University. In this analysis of nearly 1,000 adults in their 60s and 70s followed for two years, participants who took a daily multivitamin (Centrum Silver was used in the study) had statistically significantly slower increases in two epigenetic clocks compared to those taking a placebo. Researchers estimate the difference equated to about four months less biological aging over two years.

Researchers also observed that the effects were strongest in participants who were aging faster biologically at the start of the study.

Importantly, researchers described these changes as modest and noted that further research is needed to understand long-term clinical implications.

What Does This Mean for Healthy Aging?

While the findings do not suggest that multivitamins stop or reverse aging, they offer encouraging early evidence into how a daily multivitamin like Centrum Silver may help support healthier aging at a cellular level.

Because Centrum Silver is a once-daily multivitamin that is widely available and affordable, this research highlights a simple, accessible step older adults can consider as part of their overall healthy aging routine.

Aging is influenced by many factors, including nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and overall lifestyle habits. Research like the COSMOS trials adds to a growing body of science exploring how daily nutrition support may help the body as it changes over time.

As the most clinically studied multivitamin brands in the world, Centrum continues to support high-quality research that helps people make informed decisions about their health.

Supporting Your Next Chapter

While we can’t control the passage of time, science is giving us more insight into how daily choices may support healthier aging over time.

If you’re looking for a daily multivitamin designed specifically for older adults, Centrum Silver is an easy, once-daily supplement that’s widely available and affordable, with age-adjusted formulas backed by decades of research. Explore Centrum products to find an option that fits your needs and supports your approach to healthy aging.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is biological aging?

Biological aging refers to how your cells and systems function over time, which may differ from your chronological age.

What did the new COSMOS ancillary study find about Centrum Silver?

In nearly 1,000 older men aged ≥60 years and women aged ≥65, those taking the Centrum Silver formulation studied in COSMOS showed slower increases in measures of biological aging compared to placebo over two years.