For decades, the idea that a daily supplement could slow ageing was often dismissed as wellness marketing rather than serious science. But a new clinical study published in the journal Nature Medicine
suggests that multivitamins may slightly slow what scientists call “biological ageing”.
In the study, people who took multivitamins for two years appeared to age about four months less at the cellular level compared with those who took a placebo.
Multivitamins are among the most widely used dietary supplements in the world, and the possibility that they could influence the ageing process has drawn significant scientific interest.
The Study That Sparked The Debate
The new research was part of a large clinical trial involving nearly 1,000 participants in the US. The volunteers, with an average age of around 70, were randomly assigned to take either a daily multivitamin or a placebo for two years.
To measure the effects, researchers did not simply track visible signs of ageing or health outcomes. Instead, they examined changes in DNA markers that scientists use to estimate biological age.
These markers are known as “epigenetic clocks.” They analyse patterns of chemical changes in DNA, specifically DNA methylation, that occur as people age.
When the researchers compared the two groups, they found that participants who took multivitamins showed slightly slower biological ageing. On average, their biological age appeared to advance about four months less than that of those who did not take the supplements.
The difference may sound small, but scientists say even modest changes in biological ageing could have implications for long-term health.
What Is Biological Age?
To understand the significance of the study, it is important to distinguish between chronological age and biological age.
Chronological age is simply the number of years a person has lived. Biological age, however, reflects how quickly the body is ageing at a cellular and molecular level.
Two people who are both 60 years old chronologically may have very different biological ages depending on their genetics, lifestyle, diet, and environmental exposures.
“Biological age is the condition of your cells, tissues, and organs compared to others in the same age range. It is a way for researchers to evaluate an individual’s body for disease and patterns associated with aging overall. Biological age will help scientists look at markers such as level of inflammation in the body, metabolic health, and DNA methylation to better understand risks for diseases and how individuals age overall,” said Dr Ranjeet Singh, Professor & HOD, General Medicine, NIIMS Medical College and Hospital, Greater Noida.
The concept has become increasingly important in ageing research because it helps scientists understand how lifestyle factors, medications and environmental influences affect the body over time.
Why The Findings Are Interesting, But Limited
Despite the excitement around the study, scientists caution that the results should be interpreted carefully.
First, the effect observed in the study was relatively modest. A four-month difference in biological ageing over two years is statistically significant but not dramatic.
Second, the participants in the study were mostly older adults. The average age of the volunteers was around 70, meaning the findings may not necessarily apply to younger populations.
Researchers also stress that the study does not prove that multivitamins extend lifespan or prevent major diseases.
“Multivitamins help maintain general health because they provide essential nutrients that support overall health, according to research. Aging processes are still active, so these methods lack scientific evidence to prove that multivitamins will stop aging. The aging process requires multiple factors for its development because genetics, lifestyle choices, and environment work together to create biological aging changes that supplements cannot reverse,” said Dr Ankush Garg, consultant physician, Kailash Hospital, Greater Noida.
In other words, the results suggest a potential effect on cellular ageing markers, but they do not yet show clear real-world health outcomes such as fewer illnesses or longer life expectancy.
Why Supplements Are Popular In India
Interest in dietary supplements has been growing rapidly in India in recent years.
The country has a large population with micronutrient deficiencies, including Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, and Iron deficiencies. For many people, supplements can help address these gaps in nutrition.
At the same time, rising health awareness and the growth of the wellness industry have led more consumers to use supplements as part of preventive healthcare routines.
Urban professionals, in particular, increasingly view vitamins as tools to support immunity, energy levels, and overall well-being. However, doctors often caution that supplements should not replace a balanced diet.
“Deficiencies of Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, and Iron are very common in India due to dietary habits, limited sun exposure, and lifestyle factors. Supplements are crucial when a deficiency is confirmed through tests. However, they cannot replace a balanced diet. Nutrients obtained from whole foods come with fibre, antioxidants, and other beneficial compounds that supplements alone can never provide,” said Dr Niranjan Singh, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospitals, Jaipur.
How Reliable Are Online Health Trends?
Online health trends promoting multivitamins as “anti-ageing” solutions have gained significant traction in India, particularly on social media platforms where wellness influencers often promote supplements as simple tools to improve energy, boost immunity and slow the ageing process.
It resonates with urban consumers who are increasingly focused on preventive health and lifestyle management. As a result, India’s supplements industry has expanded rapidly in recent years. The country’s nutritional supplements market is estimated to be worth more than $40 billion, with continued growth expected as awareness of fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle diseases rises. However, many of the claims circulating online about multivitamins, especially those suggesting they can slow ageing, are often overstated or not backed by strong scientific evidence.
Health experts caution that relying on social media health trends without proper medical guidance can lead to unnecessary or excessive supplement use. For most people, multivitamins may play a supportive role in nutrition, but they are unlikely to act as a standalone solution for slowing ageing.
“Many online wellness trends simplify how science works when it comes to the ageing process. While certain nutrients like antioxidants, vitamin D, and omega-3’s support cellular health, ageing is a complex biological process influenced by genetics, lifestyle, inflammation, and metabolic health. Reverse ageing is not practically possible with any single vitamin. People should be cautious of marketing claims and focus instead on evidence-based processes such as balanced nutrition, exercise, and preventive healthcare. The slow and long-term approach is much more effective and healthy without any side effects,” said Dr Rohini Patil, Founder & CEO, Nutracy Lifestyle, Pune.
Should You Take A Multivitamin?
Health experts generally agree that multivitamins can be useful in certain situations. People with nutritional deficiencies, restricted diets, pregnancy-related nutrient needs, or certain medical conditions may benefit from supplementation.
Older adults may also need additional vitamins due to changes in nutrient absorption. However, for otherwise healthy individuals with balanced diets, a daily multivitamin is unlikely to dramatically slow ageing or transform health outcomes.
The latest study suggests that multivitamins may play a small role in influencing biological ageing, but they are far from a magic solution.
Lifestyle Changes That Can Prevent Ageing
Doctors say ageing is a natural process, but the pace at which a human body ages is strongly influenced by daily habits. Scientific research increasingly shows that lifestyle choices affect cellular health, metabolism, and inflammation levels. Adopting healthy routines early can help maintain energy, mobility, and overall well-being as we grow older.
“The process of aging is natural. We can delay or prolong aging by making positive lifestyle changes, which include a balanced diet, 7 to 8 hours of sleep, avoiding tobacco products, limiting alcohol, stress management, and visiting a physician for regular health check-ups for any potential health issues. These practices are important for healthy aging and are usually much more effective than relying solely on dietary supplements,” said Dr Singh.
Aside from these, Dr Patil stresses a person should eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, filled with antioxidants and essential nutrients, practise strength training, yoga, and meditation, and apply sunscreen to help slow the process of ageing.
