An interventional study of Multivitamin/mineral study product in Glucose Control, Mental Health and Musculoskeletal Health, sponsored by Institute for Human Development and Potential (IHDP), Singapore. Recruiting at 1 site in Singapore. Open to female participants aged 40 Years to 60 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-02-25.
Sponsored by Institute for Human Development and Potential (IHDP), Singapore · Not applicable, Interventional, and Prevention
This study investigates the role of multivitamin and multimineral (MVM) supplementation in improving metabolic, musculoskeletal, and mental health among midlife Asian women aged 40-60 years, a critical period marked by hormonal and physiological transitions from pre- to post-menopause. Evidence from the GUSTO cohort in Singapore has shown that higher plasma levels of vitamins B6, B9, B12, and D are associated with better metabolic profiles, insulin sensitivity, and mental wellbeing, while deficiencies are linked to increased metabolic and psychological risks. Given that vitamin insufficiency and central obesity are highly prevalent among Asian women even at lower BMI, this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial will evaluate whether 12 months of daily MVM supplementation can reduce MetaboAge and improve metabolic, mental, and muscle health outcomes compared with placebo. Findings will inform preventive strategies for extending health span and mitigating chronic disease risks among midlife women in Asia.
Vitamins are essential micronutrients that regulate key metabolic pathways involved in energy metabolism, immune function, and neuronal integrity. Adequate vitamin status is critical during midlife (ages 40-60 years), a period marked by hormonal fluctuations and physiological transitions from pre- to peri- and post-menopause. These transitions profoundly affect women's metabolic, musculoskeletal, and mental health trajectories, often predisposing them to metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, central adiposity, dyslipidaemia, and hypertension. Concurrently, declines in muscle strength, bone mineral density, and mood are frequently observed, heightening the risk of sarcopenia, osteopenia, and depressive symptoms in later life.
Emerging evidence indicates that suboptimal dietary intake or deficiency of vitamins contributes to these adverse outcomes. Vitamin D insufficiency, highly prevalent in Asia, has been linked to metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and mood disturbances in postmenopausal women. Similarly, low levels of B-vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, and folate have been associated with impaired glucose regulation, higher inflammatory burden, and poorer muscle function. While several studies in Western populations have reported positive correlations between these micronutrients and musculoskeletal or psychological health, corresponding data in Asian women remain limited despite their higher susceptibility to central obesity and metabolic dysfunction at lower BMI thresholds compared to Western populations.
Findings from the Growing Up in Singapore Towards Healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) cohort provide novel insights into the role of vitamin status in Asian women. Plasma concentrations of vitamins B6, B9, B12, and D were associated with favorable metabolic profiles, including lower metabolic syndrome severity, improved insulin sensitivity, reduced HbA1c, and higher HDL-cholesterol. Furthermore, higher thiamine monophosphate (vitamin B1) levels correlated with greater handgrip strength, while elevated folate was inversely related to depressive symptoms and perceived stress. Importantly, these associations were more pronounced among women with a BMI ≥ 23 kg/m², emphasizing the compounded metabolic vulnerability of overweight Asian phenotypes. Collectively, these findings highlight the potential of multivitamin/multimineral (MVM) supplementation as a preventive strategy to mitigate age-related metabolic, musculoskeletal, and psychological decline during midlife.
Building on these observational findings, this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial aims to determine whether 12 months of daily MVM supplementation can improve metabolic and overall health in relatively healthy middle-aged Asian women. The trial will recruit women aged 40-60 years, a critical window for metabolic and hormonal adaptation, who are at increased risk of vitamin insufficiency, insulin resistance, and low-grade chronic inflammation. Participants will be randomized to receive either a daily MVM supplement or placebo for one year, with comprehensive assessments at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months.
The investigators hypothesize that daily MVM supplementation for 12 months will reduce MetaboAge, a composite biomarker of metabolic aging and enhance metabolic, musculoskeletal, and mental health outcomes in midlife women compared with placebo.
Primary Objective is to examine the effect of 12-month MVM supplementation on MetaboAge among relatively healthy middle-aged Asian women.
Secondary Objectives are to;
Scientific and Public Health Significance This trial is among the first in Asia to integrate multivitamin supplementation with multidimensional health outcomes; metabolic, musculoskeletal, and psychological, within the context of midlife transition. Asians are metabolically predisposed to visceral adiposity and insulin resistance even at lower BMI, placing midlife women at particularly high risk for metabolic syndrome and its sequelae. By addressing micronutrient insufficiency through a low-cost, scalable nutritional approach, this study aims to establish evidence for early preventive strategies that can extend functional health span and reduce the burden of chronic diseases among Asian women.
If proven effective, findings from this trial will support the incorporation of multivitamin supplementation or vitamin status screening into midlife health programs and community-based preventive frameworks, aligning with regional and national goals for promoting healthy longevity and metabolic resilience across the lifespan.
967 studies on the registry are indexed under Psychological Well-Being; 501 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 400 is above the median of 116 across 827 interventional studies indexed under Psychological Well-Being.
Browse Psychological Well-Being studies →Institute for Human Development and Potential (IHDP), Singapore is the lead sponsor of 23 studies on the registry; 7 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Exclusion Criteria:
One MVM study product to be taken once a day for 52 weeks
Dietary Supplement: Multivitamin/mineral study product
One placebo study product to be taken once a day for 52 weeks
Dietary Supplement: Multivitamin/mineral study product
Participants will be randomised into one of the two study treatment arms
Changes in MetaboAge
MetaboAge is a composite biomarker of metabolic aging derived from proton nuclear magnetic resonance (\^1H-NMR) metabolomics profiling of serum samples. It reflects overall metabolic health and correlates with cardiometabolic risk and insulin sensitivity. The expected outcome is that daily multivitamin/multimineral (MVM) supplementation for 12 months will result in a reduction in MetaboAge compared with placebo, indicating improved metabolic profile and slower metabolic aging. The change in MetaboAge will be calculated as the difference between post-intervention and baseline values. A negative change in MetaboAge represents metabolic rejuvenation or improvement in metabolic health status.
Time frame: Changes in MetaboAge over one year, including: Week 0 (Baseline), Week 26 (Midpoint) and Week 52 (Endpoint)
Anthropometric Measurements
Participants will be measured for their height in m and weight in kg. Height and weight will be combined to report BMI in kg/m\^2.
Time frame: Week 0 (Baseline), Week 26 (Midpoint), Week 52 (Endpoint)
Blood Pressure Measurements
Blood pressure will be measured using an automated blood pressure monitor.
Time frame: Week 0 (Baseline), Week 26 (Midpoint), Week 52 (Endpoint)
Body Composition Assessment
Body composition will be assessed using multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) with the InBody 970 (InBody Co., Seoul, Korea). Participants will be measured in a standing position using an 8-point tactile electrode system (hands and feet), and impedance will be recorded across multiple frequencies to estimate total and segmental lean mass, fat mass, and body fat percentage.
Time frame: Week 0 (Baseline), Week 26 (Midpoint), Week 52 (Endpoint)
36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36)
Health-related quality of life will be assessed using the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36), a validated instrument measuring eight domains of physical and mental wellbeing: physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health, bodily pain, general health perceptions, vitality, social functioning, role limitations due to emotional problems, and mental health. Each domain score and the overall physical and mental component summary scores will be calculated according to standardized scoring procedures. The expected outcome is that 12 months of daily multivitamin/multimineral (MVM) supplementation will lead to improvement in SF-36 scores compared with placebo, reflecting better perceived physical and mental wellbeing during the midlife transition. The change from baseline (ΔSF-36) will be computed for total and domain-specific scores, with higher positive values indicating improved quality of life.
Time frame: Week 0 (Baseline), Week 26 (Midpoint), Week 52 (Endpoint)
Menopausal Status
Menopausal Rating Scale (MRS)
Time frame: Week 0 (Baseline), Week 26 (Midpoint), Week 52 (Endpoint)
Anxiety
State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)
Time frame: Week 0 (Baseline), Week 26 (Midpoint), Week 52 (Endpoint)
Depression
Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
Time frame: Week 0 (Baseline), Week 26 (Midpoint), Week 52 (Endpoint)
Stress
Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)
Time frame: Week 0 (Baseline), Week 26 (Midpoint), Week 52 (Endpoint)
Sleep Quality
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
Time frame: Week 0 (Baseline), Week 26 (Midpoint), Week 52 (Endpoint)
Physical Activity
International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)
Time frame: Week 0 (Baseline), Week 26 (Midpoint), Week 52 (Endpoint)
Dietary Intake
Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ)
Time frame: Week 0 (Baseline), Week 52 (Endpoint)
Musculoskeletal assessment by peripheral quantitative CT (pQCT)
Bone mineral density and muscle quality of lower limb (Tibia) will be measured using pQCT and measurement of the non-dominant tibia will be performed using Stratec XCT-3000. Single axial scans will be acquired at 4% and 66% of tibial length, expressed as a percentage from the distal reference line, to assess bone and lower-limb muscle. Bone parameters are derived using manufacturer software with standard contouring and density thresholds to segment total and trabecular compartments at 4% and cortical bone at 66%, generating measures such as total/trabecular volumetric BMD (vBMD), cortical vBMD, cortical thickness, cross-sectional area, and strength indices. At the 66% site, soft-tissue segmentation is additionally performed to quantify calf muscle cross-sectional area (CSA), muscle density, and subcutaneous/intermuscular fat CSA, using predefined attenuation thresholds to separate muscle from adipose tissue.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of 12 months multi-vitamin supplementation.
Physical performance assessment
Physical performance will be assessed using a standardized physical performance battery that includes tests of handgrip strength, gait speed (4-meter walk test), chair stand test, and balance test. Composite physical performance scores will be derived according to established protocols, with higher scores reflecting better functional capacity and musculoskeletal health. The expected outcome is that 12 months of daily multivitamin/multimineral (MVM) supplementation will lead to improvements or maintenance of physical performance scores compared with placebo, indicating enhanced muscle strength, endurance, and coordination during the midlife transition. The change from baseline will be calculated for each test and the composite score, with positive values representing improved physical function.
Time frame: From enrollment to end of 12 months multi-vitamin supplementation
Plan to share: No
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Eligibility is decided by the study team. Share this record with your doctor or contact the team directly.
Contact study teamGet an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.
Sign in to followQuestions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.
Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.
Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.
Institute for Human Development and Potential (IHDP), Singapore