Vitamin C provision improves mood in acutely hospitalized patients.

OBJECTIVE: Hypovitaminosis C and D are highly prevalent in acutely hospitalized patients, but the clinical significance of these biochemical abnormalities is not known. Because deficiencies of vitamin C and D have been linked to psychologic abnormalities, vitamin C or D provision could improve the mood state of acutely hospitalized patients. METHODS: Double-blind clinical trial of the effect of vitamin C (500 mg twice daily) or vitamin D (1000 IU twice daily) on mood, as assessed with a validated instrument, the Profile of Mood States. RESULTS: Vitamin C therapy increased plasma (P < 0.0001) and mononuclear leukocyte (P = 0.014) vitamin C concentrations and was associated with a 34% reduction in mood disturbance (P = 0.013). Vitamin D therapy increased plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations (P = 0.0004), but had no significant effect on mood. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of hypovitaminosis C improves the mood state of acutely hospitalized patients.