Does taking vitamin, mineral and fatty acid supplements prevent cognitive decline? A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Background Observational studies have shown associations between nutritional status and cognition in later life but evidence from intervention studies is unclear. The present study systematically reviewed the evidence on the effect of nutrient supplementation on cognitive function in people aged ≥65 years. Methods Databases including MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched up to 1 September 2006. Randomized controlled trials using at least one kind of vitamin, mineral or omega-3 fatty acid, evaluating standardized neuropsychological test(s), were included. There were no restrictions on participants' baseline nutritional status or cognitive function. Quality assessment and data abstraction were conducted by one author and checked by another. Results Of 4229 articles retrieved, 22 trials (3442 participants) were identified. Many were small, short duration and of poor methodology. Only 16 out of 122 cognitive tests were significantly different between groups. A meta-analysis showed no significant effect of taking B vitamins or antioxidant vitamins on global cognitive function. There was insufficient evidence to evaluate the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on any cognitive domains. Conclusion There was little evidence of a beneficial effect from taking B vitamins or antioxidant supplements on global cognitive function in later life. Larger-scale randomized controlled trials of longer duration in selected age groups are needed.Institute of Applied Health Science, University of Aberdeen; Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health Directorates; Chief Scientist of the Scottish Government Health Directorate

Behavioural Interventions for Obese Adults with Additional Risk Factors for Morbidity : Systematic Review of Effects on Behaviour, Weight and Disease Risk Factors

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Are individual or group interventions more effective for long-term weight loss in adults with obesity? : A systematic review

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Health Services Research Unit is funded by the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Hot topics in parenteral nutrition. Current evidence and ongoing trials on the use of glutamine in critically-ill patients and patients undergoing surgery

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Systematic review and meta-analysis of the sero-epidemiological association between Epstein Barr virus and multiple sclerosis

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Reporting of conflicts of interest in oral presentations at medical conferences : a delegate-based prospective observational study

© Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

How effective are weight-loss interventions for improving fertility in women and men who are overweight or obese? : A systematic review and meta-analysis of the evidence

Acknowledgements Mrs Cynthia Fraser provided useful assistance in the formulation of a search strategy. Authors responding to queries included Gabrielle Turner-McGrievy, Ann Van Oers, Kamilla Karlsen, Kyra Sim, Amany Salama, Rebecca Thomson, Cherrie Galletly and Hanno Pijl. Funding No specific funding was sought. All authors were employed by the University of Aberdeen in a research capacity.Peer reviewedPostprin

Challenges of Systematic Reviews of Economic Evaluations : A Review of Recent Reviews and an Obesity Case Study

Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank the REBALANCE team for commenting on the REBALANCE systematic review used as a case-study. We also wish to thank Karin Gøthe Áslakksdóttir for contributing to the rapid review of reviews. Funding: The authors received no direct funding for this study and/or preparation of this manuscript. However, the REBALANCE study was funded by the National Institute for Health Research HTA programme, project number 15/09/04.Peer reviewedPublisher PD