Studies

Effects of nutritional supplements on aggression, rule breaking, and psychopathology among young adult prisoners. Abstract: In an earlier study, improvement of dietary status with food supplements led to a reduction in antisocial behavior among prisoners. Based on these earlier findings, a study of the effects of food supplements on aggression, rule-breaking, and psychopathology was conducted […]

Multivitamin use and telomere length in women. Abstract: “BACKGROUND: Telomere length may be a marker of biological aging. Multivitamin supplements represent a major source of micronutrients, which may affect telomere length by modulating oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to examine whether multivitamin use is associated with longer telomeres in women. DESIGN: […]

Efficacy of vitamin B-6 in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: systematic review. Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of vitamin B-6 in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome. DESIGN: Systematic review of published and unpublished randomised placebo controlled trials of the effectiveness of vitamin B-6 in the management of premenstrual syndrome. SUBJECTS: Nine published trials representing […]

Magnesium supplementation alleviates premenstrual symptoms of fluid retention. Abstract: We investigated the effect of a daily supplement of 200 mg of magnesium (as MgO) for two menstrual cycles on the severity of premenstrual symptoms in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. A daily supplement of 200 mg of Mg (as MgO) or placebo was administered […]

A randomized double-blind comparison of fluoxetine augmentation by high and low dosage folic acid in patients with depressive episodes. Abstract: BACKGROUND: Though encouraging evidence exists for the use of folic acid as an augmenting agent to antidepressants, evidence regarding its optimal dosage is lacking. METHODS: Forty-two female out-patients with moderate (with or without somatic syndrome) […]

Community Nutrition Mapping Project. Accessed January 1, 2017 Abstract: The Community Nutrition Mapping Project (CNMap) is an application that combines and aggregates food and nutrition indicators at geographic levels.  CNMap was created to provide a snapshot of these indicators at the state and national level. CNMap is divided into five major categories:  nutrient intakes, healthy […]

A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial investigating the behavioral effects of vitamin, mineral and n-3 fatty acid supplementation in typically developing adolescent schoolchildren. Abstract: Nutrient deficiencies have been implicated in anti-social behaviour in schoolchildren; hence, correcting them may improve sociability. We therefore tested the effects of vitamin, mineral and n-3 supplementation on behaviour in a 12-week […]

Vitamin B12 supplementation in treating major depressive disorder: a randomized controlled trial. “BACKGROUND/ OBJECTIVE: Recent literature has identified links between vitamin B12 deficiency and depression. We compared the clinical response of SSRI-monotherapy with that of B12-augmentation in a sample of depressed patients with low normal B12 levels who responded inadequately to the first trial with […]

Influence of thiamin supplementation on the health and general well-being of an elderly Irish population with marginal thiamine deficiency. Abstract: The effect of thiamin supplementation on the health and general well-being of 80 randomly selected healthy elderly Irish women, from a population with marginal thiamin deficiency, was studied. Key variables affecting thiamin status were controlled. […]

Serum zinc level in depressed patients during zinc supplementation of imipramine treatment. Abstract: BACKGROUND: Recurrent major depression is associated with decreased blood zinc concentrations that may be increased by effective antidepressant therapy. Some clinical investigations point to alterations of the zinc level in blood as a potential marker of depression. METHODS: A placebo-controlled, double-blind study […]

Zinc Supplementation augments efficacy of imipramine in treatment resistant patients: a double blind, placebo-controlled study. Abstract: “BACKGROUND: One of the main problems in the therapy of depression is the limited efficacy of antidepressants and the limited utility of augmentation strategies. Zinc, a non competitive NMDA receptor antagonist exhibits preclinical antidepressant efficacy. Moreover, a preliminary clinical […]

Systematic review of safety and tolerability of a complex micronutrient formula used in mental health. Abstract: BACKGROUND: Theoretically, consumption of complex, multinutrient formulations of vitamins and minerals should be safe, as most preparations contain primarily the nutrients that have been in the human diet for millennia, and at safe levels as defined by the Dietary […]

Psychological burden in the era of HAART: impact of selenium therapy. Abstract: Several different vitamins and minerals appear to be effective augmenting agents for mood-modifying drugs, but are not potent monotherapies in themselves for treating psychiatric disorders. In contrast, broad-spectrum micronutrient interventions appear in early trials to be as effective as psychiatric medications with fewer […]

Oxidative damage and mitochondrial decay in aging. Abstract: We argue for the critical role of oxidative damage in causing the mitochondrial dysfunction of aging. Oxidants generated by mitochondria appear to be the major source of the oxidative lesions that accumulate with age. Several mitochondrial functions decline with age. The contributing factors include the intrinsic rate […]

Association of obesity and inflammatory marker levels on treatment outcome: results from a double-blind, randomized study of adjunctive L-methylfolate calcium in patients with MDD who are inadequate responders to SSRIs. Abstract: “OBJECTIVE: Adjunctive treatment with L-methylfolate calcium significantly improved treatment outcomes in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and an inadequate response to antidepressants. This […]

Folic acid supplementation for prevention of mood disorders in young people at familial risk: a randomised, double blind placebo controlled trial. Abstract: “BACKGROUND: Clinical mood disorders often become clinically manifest in the later teenage years and early twenties and can be associated with a poor long-term prognosis. The primary prevention of these disorders would therefore […]

The effect of randomized vitamin-mineral supplementation on violent and non-violent antisocial behavior among incarcerated juveniles. Abstract: In a randomized controlled double-blind trial, the effects of vitamin±mineral supplementation on violence and other serious antisocial behavior were studied for 3 months on 62 con®ned delinquents aged 13 to 17 years. A signi®cant difference between 32 active and […]

The effect of vitamin-mineral supplementation on juvenile delinquency among American schoolchildren: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Abstract: CONTEXT: Numerous studies conducted in juvenile correctional institutions have reported that violence and serious antisocial behavior have been cut almost in half after implementing nutrient- dense diets that are consistent with the World Health Organization’s guidelines for fats, […]

Effect of zinc supplementation on mood states in young women: a pilot study. Abstract: The relation of zinc (Zn) nutriture to brain development and function has been elucidated. The purpose of this study is to examine whether Zn supplementation improves mood states in young women. The study used a double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled procedure. The […]

Adjunctive nutraceuticals for depression: a systematic review and meta-analyses. Abstract: OBJECTIVE: There is burgeoning interest in augmentation strategies for improving inadequate response to antidepressants. The adjunctive use of standardized pharmaceutical-grade nutrients, known as nutraceuticals, has the potential to modulate several neurochemical pathways implicated in depression. While many studies have been conducted in this area, to […]

Nutritional medicine as mainstream in psychiatry. Abstract: Psychiatry is at an important juncture, with the current pharmacologically focused model having achieved modest benefits in addressing the burden of poor mental health worldwide. Although the determinants of mental health are complex, the emerging and compelling evidence for nutrition as a crucial factor in the high prevalence […]

Fast-food and commercial baked goods consumption and the risk of depression. Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Whereas the relationship between some components of diet, such as n-3 fatty acids and B-vitamins, and depression risk has been extensively studied, the role of fast-food or processed pastries consumption has received little attention. DESIGN: Consumption of fast food (hamburgers, sausages, pizza) […]

Association of the Mediterranean dietary pattern with the incidence of depression: the Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra/ University of Navarra follow-up (SUN) cohort. Abstract: CONTEXT: Adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern (MDP) is thought to reduce inflammatory, vascular, and metabolic processes that may be involved in the risk of clinical depression. OBJECTIVE: To assess the association […]

Vitamin D insufficiency in psychiatric inpatients Abstract: “OBJECTIVE: The extraskeletal effects of vitamin D have gained increasing attention with the discovery of receptors in a variety of organ systems. Previous work has identified associations between vitamin D insufficiency and a variety of mental illnesses, including affective, cognitive, and psychotic spectrum disorders. We attempted to determine […]

Vitamin-mineral treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults: double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. Abstract: BACKGROUND: The role of nutrition in the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is gaining international attention; however, treatments have generally focused only on diet restriction or supplementing with one nutrient at a time. AIMS: To investigate the efficacy and safety of […]

Shaken but unstirred? Effects of Micronutrients on stress and trauma after an earthquake: RCT evidence comparing formulas and doses. Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To compare two micronutrient (vitamins and minerals) formulas (Berocca™ and CNE™) and assess their impact on emotions and stress related to the 6.3 earthquake on February 22(nd) 2011 in Christchurch, New Zealand. METHODS: 91 […]

Database analysis of children and adolescents with bipolar disorder consuming a micronutrient formula. Abstract: BACKGROUND: Eleven previous reports have shown potential benefit of a 36-ingredient micronutrient formula (known as EMPowerplus) for the treatment of psychiatric symptoms. The current study asked whether children (7-18 years) with pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD) benefited from this same micronutrient formula; […]

Broad-spectrum micronutrient formulas for the treatment fo psychiatric symptoms: a systematic review. Abstract: Ingesting minerals and vitamins in combination makes physiological sense, and research on the use of broad-spectrum formulations for psychiatric symptoms is increasing rapidly. This review covers formulas consisting of at least four vitamins and/or minerals and includes four experimental designs: randomized controlled […]

Efficacy and cost of micronutrient treatment of childhood psychosis. Abstract: Psychosis is difficult to treat effectively with conventional pharmaceuticals, many of which have adverse long-term health consequences. In contrast, there are promising reports from several research groups of micronutrient treatment (vitamins, minerals, amino acids and essential fatty acids) of mood, anxiety and psychosis symptoms using […]

Antioxidants prevent health-promoting effects of physical exercise in humans. Abstract: Exercise promotes longevity and ameliorates type 2 diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance. However, exercise also increases mitochondrial formation of presumably harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS). Antioxidants are widely used as supplements but whether they affect the health-promoting effects of exercise is unknown. We evaluated the […]

Effect of folic acid combined with fluoxetine in patients with major depression on plasma homocysteine and vitamin B12, and serotonin levels in lymphocytes. Abstract: OBJECTIVE(S): Folic acid, a micronutrient supporting the natural defense system, may elevate antidepressant responses, although the lymphocyte serotonergic system has not been explored in folate-supplemented depressed patients. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients were […]

Impact of selenium on mood and quality of life: a randomized, controlled trial. Abstract: BACKGROUND: Selenium is known to be important to the brain. Three small, published studies have suggested an effect of selenium supplementation or deprivation on mood in healthy volunteers. We investigated these findings on a much larger scale. METHODS: In this double-blind, […]

Mood disorders and complementary and alternative medicine: a literature review. Abstract: Mood disorders are a major public health problem and are associated with considerable burden of disease, suicides, physical comorbidities, high economic costs, and poor quality of life. Approximately 30%-40% of patients with major depression have only a partial response to available pharmacological and psychotherapeutic […]

Single-micronutrient and broad-spectrum micronutrient approaches for treating mood disorders in youth and adults Abstract: Several different vitamins and minerals appear to be effective augmenting agents for mood-modifying drugs, but are not potent monotherapies in themselves for treating psychiatric disorders. In contrast, broad-spectrum micronutrient interventions appear in early trials to be as effective as psychiatric medications […]

Efficacy of vitamin B6 and magnesium in the treatment of autism: a methodology review and summary of outcomes Abstract: Pauling’s orthomolecular hypothesis appeared in 1968, stating that some forms of mental illness and disease are related to biochemical errors in the body. Vitamin therapy is believed to be a means of compensating for such errors. […]

Orthomolecular Psychiatry: Varying the concentrations of substances normally present in the human body may control mental disease Abstract: The functioning of the brain is affected by the molecular concentrations of many substances that are normally present in the brain. The optimum concentrations of these substances for a person may differ greatly from the concentrations provided […]

A controlled trial of syanocobalamin (vitamin B12) in the treatment of winter seasonal affective disorder Abstract: To test the hypothesis that cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) is an effective treatment for winter seasonal affective disorder (SAD). 2 weeks of double-blind placebo washout, followed by random assignment to parallel treatments for 2 weeks with cyanocobalamin vs. placebo. Observations […]

In 2017, the American Psychiatric Association published a comprehensive textbook designed to be used as a handbook and reference guide for psychiatrists worldwide. Entitled Complementary and Integrative Treatments in Psychiatric Practice, the text contains cumulative resources highlighting research on integrative therapies with a focus on psychiatry.  For many years, accepted first-line psychiatric treatments have been […]

Effect of supplementation with selenium on postpartum depression Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Postpartum depression is a common complication of childbirth, and its prevention is an important public-health issue because of its negative effects on mother, infant, and family. The present randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to examine the effect of prenatal selenium supplementation on the postpartum […]

Effects of vitamin and mineral supplementation on stress, mild psychiatric symptoms, and mood in nonclinical samples Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Biochemical processes in the brain affect mood. Minor dietary inadequacies, which are responsible for a small decline in an enzyme’s efficiency, could cumulatively influence mood states. When diet does not provide an optimal intake of micronutrients, supplementation […]

Multivitamin use and risk of prostate cancer in the national institutes of health Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of vitamin-mineral supplement on young males with physical overtraining. METHODS: Two hundred and forty male Chinese field artillery personnel who undertook large scale and endurance military training and were on ordinary Chinese diet were randomized to […]

Therapeutic effects of vitamin D as adjunctive therapy to fluoxetine in patients with major depressive disorder Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effects of vitamin D3 plus fluoxetine and fluoxetine alone in patients with major depressive disorder. METHODS: In the present double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 42 patients with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder based […]

French adults’ cognitive performance after daily supplementation with antioxidant vitamins and minerals at nutritional doses Abstract: BACKGROUND: Antioxidant properties of some vitamins and trace elements may help to prevent cognitive decline. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study was to estimate the long-term effects of antioxidant nutrient supplementation on the cognitive performance of participants in […]

Hospitalization cost of conventional psychiatric care compared to broad-spectrum micronutrient treatment Abstract: BACKGROUND: Healthcare costs are skyrocketing, with mental health treatment amongst the most expensive, especially when hospitalization is involved. According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada, one in five Canadians is living with a mental disorder in any given year, at an annual […]

A randomised trial of nutrient supplements to minimise psychological stress after a natural disaster. Abstract: After devastating flooding in southern Alberta in June 2013, we attempted to replicate a New Zealand randomised trial that showed that micronutrient (minerals, vitamins) consumption after the earthquakes of 2010-11 resulted in improved mental health. Residents of southern Alberta were […]

The emerging field of nutritional mental health inflammation, the microbiome, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial function. Abstract: We live in a transformational moment for understanding the etiology of mental disorders. The previous leap in understanding occurred 60 years ago, which led us to incorporate psychopharmacology into our curricula to address the chemical basis of neurotransmitter function, […]

Successful treatment of pill-swallowing difficulties with head posture practice Abstract: BACKGROUND: Clinics often encounter neurologically intact patients who are unable to swallow pills. All of the interventions published previously have used traditional behavioural techniques, which are time consuming and often not helpful. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether children who had never been able to swallow a […]

Vitamins, Minerals, and Mood. Abstract: In this article, the authors explore the breadth and depth of published research linking dietary vitamins and minerals (micronutrients) to mood. Since the 1920s, there have been many studies on individual vitamins (especially B vitamins and Vitamins C, D, and E), minerals (calcium, chromium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and selenium), and […]

Improved mood and behavior during treatment with a mineral-vitamin supplement Abstract: Several studies have demonstrated that psychiatric symptoms such as depression, mood swings, and aggression may be ameliorated by supplementation with broad-based nutrient formulas containing vitamins, minerals, and sometimes essential fatty acids. These findings have been reported in young criminal offenders as well as in […]

A randomized controlled trial of dietary improvement for adults with major depression(the ‘SMILES’ trial). Abstract: BACKGROUND: The possible therapeutic impact of dietary changes on existing mental illness is largely unknown. Using a randomised controlled trial design, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of a dietary improvement program for the treatment of major depressive episodes. METHODS: […]

Moving towards a population health approach to the primary prevention of common mental disorders Abstract: There is a need for the development of effective universal preventive approaches to the common mental disorders, depression and anxiety, at a population level. Poor diet, physical inactivity and smoking have long been recognized as key contributors to the high prevalence noncommunicable […]

Dietary Reference Intakes: The Essential Guide to Nutrient Requirements Abstract: Widely regarded as the classic reference work for the nutrition, dietetic, and allied health professions since its introduction in 1943, Recommended Dietary Allowances has been the accepted source in nutrient allowances for healthy people. Responding to the expansion of scientific knowledge about the roles of […]

No effects of vitamin B-12 treatment on cognitive function and depression Abstract: Background: Associations between vitamin B-12 deficiency and impaired cognitive function and depression have been reported. Methods: A randomized placebo controlled study including 140 individuals with an increased plasma methylmalonic acid (0.40–2.00 μmol/l) not previously treated with vitamin B-12. Cognitive function was assessed by […]

Effects of dietary selenium on mood in healthy men living in a metabolic research unit Abstract: Eleven healthy men were confined in a metabolic research unit for 120 days in a double-blind study of the effects of dietary selenium on mood as assessed by the Profile of Mood States-Bipolar Form. At an intake of 2800 […]

Nutritional supplements and cancer: Potential benefits and proven harms Abstract: Nutritional supplements are widely used among patients with cancer who perceive them to be anticancer and antitoxicity agents. Large-scale, randomized cancer prevention trials have mainly been negative, with some notable adverse and beneficial effects. For example, these trials showed that beta-carotene increases the risk of […]

Factors influencing frontal cortex development and recovery from early frontal injury Abstract: BACKGROUND: The etiology of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is not exactly known and its etiology is multifactorial. The usual treatment for these children is based on pharmacotherapy treatment, although the pharmacotherapy has a high effectiveness in ADHD treatment, it often causes different […]

Factors influencing frontal cortex development and recovery from early frontal injury Abstract: BACKGROUND: Neocortical development represents more than a simple unfolding of a genetic blueprint but rather represents a complex dance of genetic and environmental events that interact to adapt the brain to fit a particular environmental context. Although most cortical regions are sensitive to […]

The effects of multivitamins on cognitive performance Abstract: Complementary medicine use is becoming increasingly popular with multivitamins being the most commonly used vitamin supplement. Although adequate vitamin and nutrient concentrations are necessary for optimal health and cognitive functioning, there is no scientific consensus as to whether multivitamin use prevents cognitive decline or improves mental functioning. […]

Clinically Significant Symptom reduction in children with attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder treated with micronutrients Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical effect and safety of a broad spectrum, 36 ingredient micronutrient (vitamins and minerals) in treating children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHODS: This open-label, on-off-on-off (reversal design) study followed 14 […]

Enhancement of recovery from psychiatric illness by methylfolate Abstract: 41 (33%) of 123 patients with acute psychiatric disorders (DSM III diagnosis of major depression or schizophrenia) had borderline or definite folate deficiency (red-cell folate below 200 micrograms/l) and took part in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of methylfolate, 15 mg daily, for 6 months in addition […]

Magnesium oxide augmentation of verapamil maintenance therapy in mania Abstract: The authors compared the antimanic effects of a verapamil-magnesium oxide (V-M) combination with a verapamil-placebo combination (V-P) in patients pretreated with verapamil. BPRS scores and serum magnesium levels were compared. The V-M combination was found to be significantly more effective than V-P in reducing manic […]

Adjuvant thiamine improved standard treatment in patients with major depressive disorder Abstract: Given that antidepressants (ADs) work slowly, there is interest in means to accelerate their therapeutic effect and to reduce side effects. In this regard, thiamine (vitamin B1) is attracting growing interest. Thiamine is an essential nutrient, while thiamine deficiency leads to a broad […]

Influence of supplementary vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids on the antisocial behavior of young adult prisoners Abstract: BACKGROUND: There is evidence that offenders consume diets lacking in essential nutrients and this could adversely affect their behavior. AIMS: To test empirically if physiologically adequate intakes of vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids cause a reduction […]

Database analysis of adults with bipolar disorder consuming a micronutrient formula Abstract: BACKGROUND: Eleven previous reports have shown potential benefit of a 36-ingredient micronutrient formula (known as EMPowerplus) for the treatment of psychiatric symptoms. The current study asked whether children (7-18 years) with pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD) benefited from this same micronutrient formula; the impact […]

Nutritional and safety outcomes from an open-label micronutrient intervention for pediatric bipolar spectrum disorders Abstract: The purpose of this study was to report the safety, tolerability, and serum micronutrient concentrations and their correlations with mood changes from an 8-week pilot feasibility study of a 36 ingredient multinutrient supplement, EMPowerplus (EMP+), for pediatric bipolar spectrum disorders […]

Multinutrient supplement as treatment: literature review and case report of a 12-year-old boy with bipolar disorder. Abstract: Early-onset bipolar disorder has significant morbidity and mortality. Development of safe, effective treatments to which patients will adhere is critical. Pharmacologic interventions for childhood bipolar spectrum disorders are limited and are associated with significant risk for adverse events. […]

Effects of nutrients, dietary supplements and vitamins on cognition Abstract: BACKGROUND: Observational studies have suggested that various nutrients, dietary supplements, and vitamins may delay the onset of age-associated cognitive decline and dementia. We systematically reviewed recent randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of nutritional interventions on cognitive performance in older non-demented adults. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, […]

Adequacy or deprivation of dietary selenium in healthy men Abstract: Thirty healthy young men were fed diets that provided either 32.6 or 226.5 μg of selenium (Se)/d for 105 d. The high Se diet significantly elevated plasma Se and platelet glutathione peroxidase activity. Selenium balance of subjects consuming the high Se diet was >100 μg/d, […]

High-dose pyridoxine and magnesium administration in children with autistic disorder: An absence of salutary effects Abstract: Several reports have described salutary effects such as decreased physical aggression and improved social responsiveness being associated with the administration of high doses of pyridoxine and magnesium (HDPM) in open-labeled and controlled studies of patients with autism. Despite this […]

Oral Magnesium successfully relieves premenstrual mood changes Abstract: Reduced magnesium (Mg) levels have been reported in women affected by premenstrual syndrome (PMS). To evaluate the effects of an oral Mg preparation on premenstrual symptoms, we studied, by a double-blind, randomized design, 32 women (24-39 years old) with PMS confirmed by the Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire. […]

Multiple micronutrient supplementation for improving cognitive performance in children Abstract: BACKGROUND: Although multiple micronutrient interventions have been shown to benefit children’s intellectual development, a thorough evaluation of the totality of evidence is currently lacking to direct public health policy. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to systematically review the present literature and to quantify the effect of […]

A double-blind, placebo-controlled, exploratory trial of chromium picolinate in atypical depression: effect on carbohydrate craving Abstract: BACKGROUND: In a small pilot trial, patients with atypical depression demonstrated significant positive therapeutic response to chromium picolinate. This finding is of interest because of the demonstrated link between depression, decreased insulin sensitivity, and subsequent diabetes and chromium picolinate’s […]

A synergistic effect of a daily supplement for 1 month of 200 mg magnesium plus 50 mg vitamin B6 for the relief of anxiety-related premenstrual symptoms Abstract: To investigate single and combined effects of daily dietary supplementation with 50 mg of vitamin B6 and 200 mg magnesium (as MgO) for one cycle for the relief […]

Effectiveness of chromium in atypical depression Abstract: BACKGROUND: Chromium picolinate (CP) has been reported to benefit patients with symptoms of atypical depression. METHODS: A placebo-controlled, double-blind, pilot study of CP was conducted in 15 patients with DSM-IV major depressive disorder, atypical type. Patients received 600 μg of CP or matching placebo (PBO) for 8 weeks. […]

Enhancement of the antidepressant action of fluoxetine by folic acid Abstract: BACKGROUND: A consistent finding in major depression has been a low plasma and red cell folate which has also been linked to poor response to antidepressants. The present investigation was designed to investigate whether the co-administration of folic acid would enhance the antidepressant action […]

Recent developments in multivitamin/ mineral research Abstract: The 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee was charged with the task of investigating the effects of multivitamin/mineral supplements on healthy populations and also on those with chronic disease. The evidence from which the committee prepared its conclusions was graded on 5 fundamental criteria: quality, consistency, quantity, clinical impact, […]

Second National Report on Biochemical Indicators of Diet and Nutrition in the US Population 2012, Executive Summary Abstract: The CDC’s National Report on Biochemical Indicators of Diet and Nutrition in the U.S. Population (Nutrition Report) is a serial publication that provides ongoing assessment of the population’s nutritional status. The Nutrition Report presents data on blood and urine […]

A double-blind, Randomized pilot trial of chromium picolinate for binge eating disorder: Results of the Binge Eating and Chromium (BEACh) study Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Chromium treatment has been shown to improve mood, appetite, and glucose regulation in various psychiatric and medical patient populations. The authors propose that chromium may be useful in the treatment of binge […]

Thiamine supplementation mood and cognitive functioning Abstract: One hundred and twenty young adult females took either a placebo or 50 mg thiamine, each day for 2 months. Before and after taking the tablets, mood, memory and reaction times were monitored. An improvement in thiamine status was associated with reports of being more clearheaded, composed and […]

The impact of selenium supplementation on mood Abstract: The possibility that a subclinical deficiency of the trace element selenium might exist in a sample of the British population was examined by giving a selenium supplement for 5 weeks. Using a double-blind cross-over design, 50 subjects received either a placebo or 100 mcg selenium on a […]

Selenium supplementation improves mood Abstract: The possibility that a sub-clinical deficiency of the trace element selenium might exist in a sample of the British population was examined by giving a selenium supplemented for 5 weeks. Using a double-blind crossover design 50 subjects received either a placebo or 100 micrograms selenium on a daily basis. On […]

The potential for dietary supplements to reduce premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms Abstract: Many types of dietary supplements have been advocated for the reduction of certain symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). However, only one supplement-calcium-has been demonstrated to be of significant benefit in a large, rigorous, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Limited evidence suggests that magnesium, vitamin E […]

Folic acid efficacy as an alternative drug added to sodium valproate in the treatment of acute phase of mania in bipolar disorder Abstract: Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of adding folic acid to sodium valproate in the acute phase of mania. Method: Following a double-blind randomized controlled trial, 88 […]

Folate Augmentation of Treatment — Evaluation for Depression (FolATED) Abstract: BACKGROUND: Folate deficiency is associated with depression. Despite the biological plausibility of a causal link, the evidence that adding folate enhances antidepressant treatment is weak. OBJECTIVES: (1) Estimate the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of folic acid as adjunct to antidepressant medication (ADM). (2) Explore whether […]

High-dose vitamin therapy stimulates variant enzymes with decreased coenzyme binding affinity (increased K(m)): relevance to genetic disease and polymorphisms. Abstract: As many as one-third of mutations in a gene result in the corresponding enzyme having an increased Michaelis constant, or K(m), (decreased binding affinity) for a coenzyme, resulting in a lower rate of reaction. About […]

Optimal micronutrients delay mitochondrial decay and age-associated diseases Abstract: Three of our research efforts are reviewed, which suggest that optimizing metabolism will delay aging and the diseases of aging in humans. (1) Research on delay of the mitochondrial decay of aging by supplementing rats with lipoic acid and acetyl carnitine. (2) The triage theory, which […]

A role for supplements in optimizing health: The Metabolic Tune-Up Abstract: An optimum intake of micronutrients and metabolites, which varies with age and genetic constitution, would tune up metabolism and give a marked increase in health, particularly for the poor, young, obese, and elderly, at little cost. (1) DNA damage. Deficiency of vitamins B-12, folic […]

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition. Abstract: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) marks the first significant revision of the publication since the DSM-IV in 1994. Changes to the DSM were largely informed by advancements in neuroscience, clinical and public health need, and identified problems with the […]