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Effects of vitamin C and vitamin D on mood and distress in acutely hospitalized patients
Author(s) -
Wang Yifan,
Liu Xing Jian,
Robitaille Line,
Eintracht Shaun,
MacNamara Elizabeth,
Hoffer L John
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.225.2
Subject(s) - mood , medicine , distress , hypovitaminosis , vitamin d and neurology , vitamin , vitamin c , profile of mood states , randomized controlled trial , gastroenterology , endocrinology , vitamin d deficiency , psychiatry , clinical psychology
Hypovitaminosis C and D are highly prevalent in acute‐care hospitals, but their clinical implications have not been investigated. Because deficiencies of these vitamins can adversely affect mood, we conducted a double‐blind randomized clinical trial to determine the effect of vitamin C (500 mg twice daily) or D (5000 IU daily) supplementation on psychological status, as assessed using two different validated instruments. At baseline, 73% of patients had a subnormal plasma vitamin C concentration (< 28.4 μM) and 79% had a subnormal plasma 25OHD concentration (< 75 nM). Vitamin C provision for a mean of 8.2 days (n = 26) normalized plasma vitamin C concentrations (P < 0.0001) and resulted in a 71% reduction in Profile of Mood States R total mood disturbance score (from 24.0 ± 18.2 to 6.9 ± 14.4, mean ± SD; P = 0.0002) and a 51% reduction in psychological distress as measured using the Distress Thermometer (from 4.5 ± 2.9 to 2.2 ± 2.2; P = 0.0002). By contrast, high‐dose vitamin D provision for a mean of 8.1 days (n = 26) increased plasma 25OHD concentrations (P < 0.0001), but not into the normal range, and had statistically insignificant effects on mood (21.7 ± 17.3 to 14.6 ± 17.7; P = 0.067) and distress (3.7 ± 2.6 to 3.4 ± 2.8; P = 0.45). Conclusion Hypovitaminosis C and D are highly prevalent in acutely hospitalized patients. Vitamin C supplementation improves mood and reduces distress in these patients. Supported by the Lotte and John Hecht Foundation and a Faculty of Medicine student research bursary. Grant Funding Source : Lotte and John Hecht Foundation