Effects of high-dose B vitamin complex with vitamin C and minerals on subjective mood and performance in healthy males

Abstract

Rationale: A significant proportion of the general population report supplementing their diet with one or more vitamins or minerals, with common reasons for doing so being to combat stress and fatigue and to improve mental functioning. Few studies have assessed the relationship between supplementation with vitamins/minerals and psychological functioning in healthy cohorts of non-elderly adults.

Objectives: The present randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel groups trial assessed the cognitive and mood effects of a high-dose B-complex vitamin and mineral supplement (Berocca(R)) in 215 males aged 30 to 55 years, who were in full-time employment.

Methods: Participants attended the laboratory prior to and on the last day of a 33-day treatment period where they completed the Profile of Mood States (POMS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Cognitive performance and task-related modulation of mood/fatigue were assessed with the 60 min cognitive demand battery. On the final day, participants also completed the Stroop task for 40 min whilst engaged in inclined treadmill walking and subsequent executive function was assessed.

Results: Vitamin/mineral supplementation led to significant improvements in ratings on the PSS, GHQ-12 and the 'vigour' subscale of the POMS. The vitamin/mineral group also performed better on the Serial 3s subtractions task and rated themselves as less 'mentally tired' both pre- and post-completion of the cognitive demand battery.

Conclusions: Healthy members of the general population may benefit from augmented levels of vitamins/minerals via direct dietary supplementation. Specifically, supplementation led to improved ratings of stress, mental health and vigour and improved cognitive performance during intense mental processing.

Fig. 1

Timelines for the pre-treatment (day −2) and post-treatment (day 33 ± 2) visits to the laboratory

Fig. 2

Testing schedule during the final laboratory visit (day 33 ± 2 days)

Fig. 3

Significant effects of multi-vitamins/minerals on ratings of general psychological health (GHQ-12), stress (PSS) and mood (POMS). Data shown are adjusted means from one-way ANCOVAS of day 33 data including pre-treatment scores and fruit/vegetable consumption as covariates. Reduced scores on the measures equate to benefits, with the exception of ‘POMS vigour’ (*p < 0.05, t p < 0.1)

Fig. 4

Significant effects of multi-vitamins/minerals on performance of the cognitive demand battery tasks, ratings of ‘mental fatigue’ during the battery and ratings of ‘mental tiredness’ measured before and after the battery. Data shown are adjusted means from two-way ANCOVAS (treatment × repetition) of day 33 data including averaged pre-treatment scores and fruit/vegetable consumption as covariates;*p < 0.05, t p < 0.1)