The effects of an oral multivitamin combination with calcium, magnesium, and zinc on psychological well-being in healthy young male volunteers: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial (original) (raw)
Abstract.
Rationale: Vitamin and mineral supplements may be associated with improved psychological status. Objective: The present study tested the effects of a multivitamin and mineral supplement (Berocca®) on psychological well-being. Methods: In a double-blind randomised-control trial, 80 healthy male volunteers were assigned to either Berocca® or placebo. Questionnaires measuring psychological state were completed and a blood sample taken to determine plasma zinc concentration on day 1 (pre-treatment) and again on day 28 (post-treatment), following 28 days of treatments, which were administered at a dosage of one tablet daily. At the end of the study, the acceptability of the treatment and participants' awareness of treatment condition were assessed, as was habitual dietary behaviour. Results: Relative to placebo, treatment with Berocca® was associated with consistent and statistically significant reductions in anxiety and perceived stress. Participants in the Berocca® group also tended to rate themselves as less tired and better able to concentrate following treatment. In addition, participants registered more somatic symptoms following placebo than following Berocca®. These effects cannot be attributed to differences in the acceptability of the two treatments or to participants guessing what treatment they received. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that Berocca® significantly reduces anxiety and perceived stress.
Access this article
Subscribe and save
- Get 10 units per month
- Download Article/Chapter or eBook
- 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
- Cancel anytime Subscribe now
Buy Now
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.
Instant access to the full article PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
- School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK, , , , ,
Douglas Carroll, Christopher Ring & Gonneke Willemsen - Roche Consumer Health (Worldwide) S.A., 4070 Basel, Switzerland, , , , ,
Martin Suter
Authors
- Douglas Carroll
You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar - Christopher Ring
You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar - Martin Suter
You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar - Gonneke Willemsen
You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
Additional information
Electronic Publication
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Carroll, D., Ring, C., Suter, M. et al. The effects of an oral multivitamin combination with calcium, magnesium, and zinc on psychological well-being in healthy young male volunteers: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial.Psychopharmacology 150, 220–225 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002130000406
- Received: 22 November 1999
- Accepted: 07 February 2000
- Issue Date: June 2000
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002130000406