Macpherson H, Rowsell R, Cox KH, Scholey A, Pipingas A, 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 (Dordr). 2015 Jun;37(3):9782. doi: 10.1007/s11357-015-9782-0. Epub 2015 Apr 24.

Several randomized controlled studies have shown that taking a multivitamin/mineral supplement for four weeks or longer can improve mood and cognition. Until now, no study had examined whether a single multivitamin could benefit mental function in older adults.

The study examined the immediate effects of a multivitamin, mineral and herbal supplement (MVMH), compared with placebo, on self-rated mood and cognitive function in a sample of 76 healthy women aged 50–75.

Mood was assessed using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) and a visual analogue scale (VAS) for anxiety characteristics.

Mood was rated one hour after taking the supplement and again after two hours.

MVMH supplementation improved measures of calmness but did not improve measures of depression or cognition.

The study showed that a multivitamin, mineral and herbal supplement reduces stress several hours after administration in healthy older adults.

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