Vitamins C, D, and mood disturbance in hospitalized patients
Low blood levels of vitamins C and D are prevalent in acutely hospitalized patients.
Researchers at McGill University, and Jewish General Hospital, in Montreal, Quebec, looked for a change in mood after raising blood levels of these vitamins.
First, the details.
- 55 patients were assigned to a treatment group.
- Vitamin C 500 mg twice daily
- Vitamin D 1000 IU twice daily
- Changes in mood were assessed using the Profile of Mood States.
- Neither the patients nor researchers knew the treatment given — double blind.
And, the results.
- 32 patients completed the study.
- Vitamin C therapy significantly increased vitamin C levels in blood.
- This was associated with a significant 34% reduction in mood disturbance.
- Vitamin D therapy significantly increased 25-hydroxyvitamin D blood concentrations.
- But this was not accompanied by a significant effect on mood.
The bottom line?
Despite the absence of a placebo control group, the authors concluded, “Treatment of hypovitaminosis C improves the mood state of acutely hospitalized patients.”
10/8/10 20:21 JR