HEALTH NEWS

Study Title:

Multivitamin Boosts Mood of Men

Study Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
There is a demonstrated association between poor mood and deficiency in several micronutrients. Multivitamin supplements contain a wide range of nutrients, suggesting that they may be effective in improving mood; however, few studies have investigated this potential in randomized, controlled trials. This study investigates the effects of a multivitamin, mineral, and herbal supplement on mood and stress in a group of healthy, older male volunteers.

METHODS:
In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, fifty men, aged 50-69 years, supplemented for a period of 8 weeks with a multivitamin formulation that contained vitamins (at levels above recommended daily intakes), minerals, antioxidants, and herbal extracts, or a placebo. They completed a series of mood and stress questionnaires at baseline and post-supplementation.

RESULTS:
Compared with placebo, there was a significant reduction in the overall score on a depression anxiety and stress scale and an improvement in alertness and general daily functioning in the multivitamin group.

CONCLUSIONS:
Supplementation with a multivitamin, mineral and herbal formulation may be useful in improving alertness and reducing negative mood symptoms and may also improve feelings of general day-to-day well-being.

Study Information

Harris E, Kirk J, Rowsell R, Vitetta L, Sali A, Scholey AB, Pipingas A
The effect of multivitamin supplementation on mood and stress in healthy older men.
Hum Psychopharmacol
2011 December
Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, National Institute of Complementary Medicine (NICM) Collaborative Centre for Neurocognition, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia