Vitamin C provision improves mood in acutely hospitalized patients.
OBJECTIVE
Hypovitaminosis C and D are highly prevalent in acutely hospitalized patients, but the clinical significance of these biochemical abnormalities is not known. Because deficiencies of vitamin C and D have been linked to psychologic abnormalities, vitamin C or D provision could improve the mood state of acutely hospitalized patients.


METHODS
Double-blind clinical trial of the effect of vitamin C (500 mg twice daily) or vitamin D (1000 IU twice daily) on mood, as assessed with a validated instrument, the Profile of Mood States.


RESULTS
Vitamin C therapy increased plasma (P < 0.0001) and mononuclear leukocyte (P = 0.014) vitamin C concentrations and was associated with a 34% reduction in mood disturbance (P = 0.013). Vitamin D therapy increased plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations (P = 0.0004), but had no significant effect on mood.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment of hypovitaminosis C improves the mood state of acutely hospitalized patients.
Zhang
Michelle
M
Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University, and Jewish General Hospital, 3755 Cote Sainte Catherine, Montreal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada. l.hoffer@mcgill.ca
Robitaille
Line
L
Eintracht
Shaun
S
Hoffer
L John
LJ
D000208:Acute Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001206:Ascorbic Acid Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011581:Psychological Tests; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology
D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D; D001205:Ascorbic Acid