title: The effect of multivitamin supplementation on mood and stress in healthy older men.
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.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, National Institute of Complementary Medicine (NICM) Collaborative Centre for Neurocognition, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Joni
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kirk
authors.forename: Renee
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rowsell
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vitetta
authors.forename: Avni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sali
authors.forename: Andrew B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Scholey
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pipingas
mesh_terms: D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D028321:Plant Preparations; D014815:Vitamins