Daily Multivitamin Linked to Slower Biological Aging, Study Finds

WARREN, NJ – March 09, 2026 – A daily multivitamin, a staple in medicine cabinets worldwide, may do more than fill nutritional gaps—it might also slow the pace of biological aging, according to a landmark study published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Medicine. The findings, which stem from a large-scale randomized clinical trial, suggest that taking a daily Centrum Silver multivitamin is associated with a modest but statistically significant slowing of the body’s internal aging clock.

This new evidence emerges from an ancillary study of the COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS), a major research initiative led by independent academic researchers at Mass General Brigham and Augusta University. The trial offers the first long-term, placebo-controlled data showing that a readily available supplement could influence key biomarkers of aging, a discovery that is already sending ripples through the scientific community and the multi-billion-dollar wellness industry.

Decoding the 'Aging Clock'

The study moves beyond chronological age—the number of years a person has been alive—to focus on biological age, which reflects how well the body is functioning at a cellular and molecular level. To measure this, scientists employed a cutting-edge tool known as an “epigenetic clock.” These clocks analyze chemical marks on DNA, called methylation patterns, which change predictably as we age and can be influenced by lifestyle and environmental factors.

Over a two-year period, researchers followed nearly 1,000 healthy older adults, with men aged 60 and over and women aged 65 and over. Participants were randomly assigned to take either a daily multivitamin (Centrum Silver), a cocoa extract supplement, both, or a placebo. By analyzing blood samples taken at the beginning of the study and again after two years, the team tracked changes in five distinct epigenetic clocks.

The results were striking. Compared to the group taking a placebo, participants who took the daily multivitamin showed a slowing across all five epigenetic clocks. The effect was most pronounced in two specific clocks—known as PCPhenoAge and PCGrimAge—which are considered strong predictors of mortality risk. The study authors calculated that the observed changes equated to approximately four months less biological aging over the course of the two-year study. Notably, the cocoa extract supplement showed no similar effect on these aging markers.

“These findings add to a growing body of evidence around multivitamin use and healthy aging,” said Alpa V. Shah, Senior Director of Medical & Scientific Affairs at Haleon, the company that produces Centrum. “This COSMOS ancillary study provides new insight into how a daily multivitamin like Centrum Silver may relate to biological aging measures.”

A Measured Scientific Response

While the findings are being heralded as a significant step forward, independent experts in the fields of gerontology and nutrition are urging a balanced interpretation. The primary sentiment is one of cautious optimism, emphasizing that while the data is scientifically interesting, its real-world clinical implications remain an open question.

One key point of discussion is the magnitude of the effect. While statistically significant, a reduction of four months in biological age over two years is considered a relatively small change. “It’s a major advance for the supplement field to have a randomized trial show any effect on these biomarkers,” noted one researcher not involved in the study. “However, we must be careful not to overstate the results. It's an important piece of the puzzle, but it is not a fountain of youth.”

Furthermore, scientists stress that epigenetic clocks are still evolving as a research tool. It is not yet definitively known whether small, intervention-driven changes in these biomarkers translate into a tangible reduction in the risk of age-related diseases or an increase in healthy lifespan. “This gives us an epigenetic snapshot of aging in the blood,” explained a specialist in epigenetics. “Whether that reflects systemic aging across all tissues, and whether slowing the clock actually prevents disease down the road, requires much more investigation.”

Other experts have suggested the results may be explained by the multivitamin correcting mild, undiagnosed micronutrient insufficiencies that are common in older adults, rather than a direct impact on the fundamental mechanisms of aging itself.

The Multivitamin Market on Notice

The study’s publication has clear and immediate implications for the consumer health market. For Haleon, the findings provide powerful scientific backing for its Centrum Silver brand, potentially setting it apart in a crowded and competitive supplement aisle. The ability to link a product to “slowing biological aging,” backed by a randomized controlled trial published in a prestigious journal, is a significant marketing advantage.

This development puts the entire supplement industry on notice. Competitors will likely accelerate their own research and development efforts, reformulate products, or re-examine existing data to find similar evidence for their own offerings. The study could trigger a new marketing arms race centered on cellular health and epigenetic aging.

However, this path is fraught with regulatory challenges. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) heavily scrutinize health claims. Companies are prohibited from claiming their supplements can treat, cure, or prevent any disease, including “aging.” Any marketing language will need to be carefully crafted to stay within the bounds of a permissible “structure/function” claim—such as “supports healthy aging at a cellular level”—rather than an explicit anti-aging promise. Any such claim must be accompanied by the standard FDA disclaimer and be substantiated by what the FTC deems “competent and reliable scientific evidence,” a standard this study helps to meet.

Hope, Hype, and Healthy Habits

For the average consumer, particularly older adults, the study raises a tantalizing question: could a simple, inexpensive daily pill help them age healthier? The accessibility of a product like Centrum Silver makes the findings particularly compelling compared to more expensive or complex longevity interventions.

The study also found that the benefits were more pronounced in participants who had an accelerated biological age at the start of the trial, suggesting that those who may need it most could benefit more. Still, experts caution against viewing a multivitamin as a panacea for aging. The foundation of a long and healthy life remains a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and other positive lifestyle choices.

A multivitamin, as this study suggests, may serve as a complementary tool in that larger effort. As research continues to unravel the complex processes that govern how we age, these findings provide a compelling, if preliminary, glimpse into a future where nutrition plays an even more recognized role in shaping our healthspan.