Home / Health / Teen Irritability Eased by Daily Vitamins, Study Finds
Teen Irritability Eased by Daily Vitamins, Study Finds
8 Mar
Summary
- Daily vitamin supplements significantly improved teen mood and reduced irritability.
- Teens with disruptive mood dysregulation disorder showed the strongest positive response.
- The study involved 132 teenagers aged 12-17 over an eight-week period.
A recent study suggests that daily vitamin supplements could be a simple solution for reducing irritability in teenagers.
Scientists at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand conducted an eight-week trial involving 132 adolescents aged 12 to 17 who experienced moderate to severe irritability and were not on medication.
Participants were given either a daily multivitamin containing vitamins A, B, C, D, K, and E, or placebo pills. Those who received the vitamins demonstrated a significant improvement in mood.
The positive effects were most pronounced in teenagers diagnosed with disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, a condition marked by chronic irritability and intense outbursts. Sixty-four percent of this subgroup showed symptom improvement, compared to only 12 percent in the placebo group.
Lead author Dr. Julia Rucklidge stated that the trial provides strong evidence that a nutritional approach can meaningfully improve symptoms, including emotional reactivity and even suicidal ideation. Parents also reported better behavior in children taking the vitamins.
