Intake of Vitamin C Enhances Mood of Acutely Hospitalised Patients

A new study has revealed that treatment with vitamin C rapidly improves the emotional state of acutely hospitalised patients.

Researchers at the Montreal's Jewish General Hospital (JGH) carried out the study with Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research (LDI).

In a double blind clinical trial, patients admitted to the JGH were randomly assigned to receive either vitamin C or vitamin D supplements for seven to ten days.

Patients administered vitamin C had a rapid and statistically and clinically significant improvement in mood state, but no significant change in mood occurred with vitamin D, the researchers discovered.

"Earlier studies, both in our hospital and in other centres, demonstrated that the majority of acutely hospitalized patients have subnormal levels of vitamins C and D in their blood," said L. John Hoffer of the Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research.

"The lack of any effect of vitamin D on mood is good evidence we are not dealing with a placebo response.

"This looks like a true biological effect. Our finding definitely requires follow up in larger studies in other centres," said Hoffer.

"The treatment is safe, simple and cheap, and could have major clinical practice implications," he added.

The results were published in the journal Nutrition.

Source: ANI