Multivitamins affect mood
March 5, 2013
MULTIVITAMINS may improve
mood and energy levels of those
who take them, according to a new
study by researchers at the
Swinburne University of Technology.
Published in Nutrition Journal,
and funded by Swisse, the research
saw 116 participants answer semistructured
and open ended written
questions which were incorporated
into a 16-week double-blind,
randomised, placebo-controlled,
parallel groups trial of once-daily
multivitamin administration.
At week 16, three open-ended
questions were posed to elucidate
any positive, negative or unusual
experiences from taking either the
multivitamin or matched placebo.
In addition, qualitative thematic
analysis was undertaken by
researchers who were blind as to the
treatment condition of participants,
and independent analysis from
three researchers was employed to
ensure methodological rigour.
According to the results, the
researchers noted significant
increases in the energy levels of
those taking the multivitamin over
the placebo.
Significant positive effects were also
noted with regards to enhanced mood
of those taking the multivitamin.
Of note, the researchers found
that the beneficial effect on energy
levels was particularly evident
among female participants, whilst
participants taking the multivitamin
also reported better sleep.
Interestingly, the researchers did
note that the multivitamin and
placebo groups did not significantly
differ in perceived positive or
negative effects in areas relating to
other aspects of mental function or
physical health.
“This represents the first
documented qualitative
investigation of participants’
experience of chronic
administration of a multivitamin,”
the paper said.
“Results uncovered a range of
subjective beneficial effects that
are consistent with quantitative
data from previously published
randomised controlled trials
examining the effects of
multivitamins and B vitamin
complexes on mood and well-being,”
the paper added.
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