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In the news:Lower Vitamin D Linked with NIU; More Evidence that Multis Support Memory

Lower Vitamin D Levels Linked to NIU

Non-infectious uveitis (NIU) is an inflammatory ocular disorder characterized by inflammation of the uvea – the pigmented, middle layer of the eye comprised of the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. NIU can be a sight-threatening disease over time if untreated.

Vitamin D plays a critical role in modulating immune response, and recent publications have linked serum vitamin D levels with the development, inflammatory activity, and remission of NIU. One study reported that individuals with hypovitaminosis D were 2.53 times more likely to develop NIU.

Nevertheless, a vitamin D and NIU relationship is still inconclusive, leading researchers to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis(1) of observational studies to further assess the potential association of low vitamin D levels and NIU.

The meta-analysis included 5 observational studies with a total of 6,082 participants. Three of the studies were conducted in the US, 1 in Germany and 1 in Turkey. The participants either had NIU at baseline or developed the condition during follow-up.

Overall, the investigators found that patients with vitamin D deficiency exhibited an OR of 2.04 (P < 0.00001) for developing NIU compared to controls.

In subgroup analyses of studies that measured vitamin D levels prior to NIU onset, those who developed the condition had lower initial vitamin D levels than those who remained NIU free. Overall, potential sources of bias were low across most studies.

Current evidence supports a significant association between hypovitaminosis D and the development of NIU, according to the study authors. However, the number of studies analyzed was relatively small and further research is necessary to confirm these conclusions.

3rd Major Analysis of COSMOS Suggests Daily Multi Protects the Aging Brain

The results of the first and second Cocoa Supplement and Multivitamins Outcome Study (COSMOS) cognitive trials were discussed in earlier issues of EduFacts (sbh.com, volumes 25 and 27).

First, the COSMOS-Mind trial reported that daily use of a multi was associated with improved memory and slower cognitive decline in older individuals compared to those assigned to placebo. The daily multi group had a 60% slowing of global cognitive aging vs. placebo.

The second major COSMOS study, the COSMOS-Web study, which included 3500 participants 60 or older, looked at performance on a novel web-based assessment of memory and cognition annually over 3 years. The multi group did significantly better than the placebo group on memory tests and word recall – a benefit that was first seen at 1 year and was sustained across the 3- year period.

The current paper(1) describes two sets of data. The first is the COSMOS -Clinic which administered in person cognitive assessments in 573 people. In this data set, significant benefit of a daily multi for episodic memory was seen, but not for executive function or attention.

The second data set is a meta-analysis of three separate studies within COSMOS combined (COSMOS -MIND, -Web and -Clinic) with no patient overlap. Significant benefits were observed in both global cognition and memory in the meta-analysis.

The authors estimate that, overall, the multivitamin-mineral supplementation slowed global aging by the equivalent of 2 years versus placebo.

References

1. Rojas-Carabali W, et al. Vitamin D deficiency and non-infectious uveitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Autoimmun Rev. 23, 103497, 2024.
2. Wyas C, et al. Effect of multivitamin-mineral supplementation versus placebo on cognitive function: results from the clinic subcohort of the COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS) randomized clinical trial and meta-analysis of 3 cognitive studies within COSMOS. Am J Clin Nutr. Published online Jan. 18, 2024.