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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

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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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Australia

    H. Macpherson, R. Rowsell, K. H. M. Cox, A. Scholey & A. Pipingas

  2. Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia

    H. Macpherson

Authors
  1. H. Macpherson
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  2. R. Rowsell
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  3. K. H. M. Cox
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  4. A. Scholey
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  5. A. Pipingas
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Correspondence to H. Macpherson.

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Macpherson, H., Rowsell, R., Cox, K.H.M. et al. 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. AGE 37, 38 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-015-9782-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-015-9782-0

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