Acute mood but not cognitive improvements following administration of a single multivitamin and mineral supplement in healthy women aged 50 and above: a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

A number of randomised controlled trials have indicated that multivitamin/mineral supplementation for a period of 4 weeks or greater can enhance mood and cognition. To date, no studies have investigated whether a single multivitamin dose can benefit mental function in older adults. This study investigated the acute effects of a single multivitamin and mineral and herbal (MVMH) supplement versus placebo on self ratings of mood and the performance of an effortful computerised cognitive battery in a sample of 76 healthy women aged 50-75 years. Mood was assessed using the depression anxiety stress scale (DASS), state trait anxiety inventory-state anxiety scale and visual analogue scales (VAS). Mood was rated at 1 h post supplementation and again after the competition of the cognitive assessments at 2 h post supplementation. It was demonstrated that the MVMH supplement improved overall DASS mood ratings; however, the most prominent effects appeared to be a reduction in ratings of perceived mental stress. These findings were confirmed using visual analogue scales, with these measures also demonstrating MVMH-related increased ratings of calmness. There were no benefits of the MVMH to mood ratings of depression and performance was not enhanced on the cognitive battery. Supplementation with a single multivitamin, mineral and herbal supplement reduces stress several hours after intake in healthy older people.

The Effects of Four‐Week Multivitamin Supplementation on Mood in Healthy Older Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…This investigation extends our examination of acute effects of multivitamin supplements in older women [16] and reports the results of a longer four-week supplementation period in the same participant sample, using the same MVMH preparation. Our analysis from the acute time point identified immediate mood improvements, particularly improvements to stress, one to two hours after MVMH intake [16].…”

“…Details of medication use have been reported elsewhere [16]. Independent t -tests indicated there were no significant group differences in participant age or body mass index (kg/m 2 ); however participants assigned the MVMH treatment had completed significantly more years of education ( t (74) = 2.19, p < .05).…”

“…Those who fulfilled the eligibility criteria were invited to attend the first session where additional screening and baseline and acute data (published elsewhere, [16]) were collected.…”

“…This may be due to effects of micronutrients on neurotransmitters, as neurotransmitter and hormonal influences have more direct associations with immediate mood responses compared to delayed reflections on mood based on a longer time period [14, 15]. Our recent examination of acute effects of multivitamin supplementation conducted in women aged 50–75 years demonstrated benefits to general mood and perceived stress one to two hours after MVMH supplementation [16]. These findings indicate that, in older people, mood improvements can arise in the hours following multivitamin supplementation.…”

“…Our analysis from the acute time point identified immediate mood improvements, particularly improvements to stress, one to two hours after MVMH intake [16]. In the current study mood was assessed in the laboratory using standard mood measures which rated retrospective experiences of mood over the past week or longer, as well as using assessments which rated current experiences of mood.…”