Almost 40% of people ages 60 and older take a multivitamin/multimineral. As I have always said, they’re doing themselves a world of good, especially if they take half in the morning and half in the evening (that keeps nutrient levels steadier throughout the day).

A study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition now reaffirms one of the most important benefits of taking a multi: It helps keep your brain young.

People who took a multivitamin/mineral were studied for two years and found to have better recall of day-to-day memories as well as improved global cognition, which helps with focus, attention, and the ability to plan ahead.

Research has also shown that taking a multi can help lower systolic blood pressure in people who are at risk, and observational studies indicate an association with reduced risks of colorectal cancer, coronary artery disease, cataracts, dementia, and hip fractures.

But it's important that you don't super-dose yourself.

Choose a multi that delivers doses around the recommended daily allowance, especially for the fat-soluble vitamins K, A, E, and D, and minerals iron, calcium, zinc, selenium, magnesium, iodine, and copper.

It's also essential to get a mix of vitamins and minerals from unprocessed food sources such as vegetables, fruits, 100% whole grains, lean proteins, and the healthy fats in salmon and extra-virgin olive oil (they play well together).

For more benefit, get rid of bad-acting proteins and microplastics in your system with therapeutic plasma exchange.