Daily supplement linked to lower teen irritability in trial

A New Zealand randomized trial of 132 adolescents aged 12–17 found that an eight-week, high-dose micronutrient supplement produced larger reductions in irritability than placebo, with the strongest changes seen in teens with more severe diagnoses and those from lower-income families.

A clinical trial in New Zealand tested whether a high-dose micronutrient supplement could reduce severe irritability in adolescents. The study was led by Julia Rucklidge of the University of Canterbury and enrolled 132 young people aged 12 to 17 who presented with moderate to severe irritability, sometimes associated with Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder. Participants who were taking psychiatric medications were not included. The intervention compared an eight-week course of a high-dose micronutrient formula with a placebo, with weekly check-ins from a psychologist. Key study facts: - The trial involved 132 teens, aged 12–17, recruited across New Zealand and included nearly 30% Māori participants. - Participants taking antidepressants, stimulants, or antipsychotics were excluded from enrollment. - The active group received a high-dose micronutrient product (Daily Essential Nutrients) taken three times daily for eight weeks; the dose exceeded New Zealand recommended dietary allowances for micronutrients. - Both micronutrient and placebo groups showed mood improvements during the trial, and many participants in both groups reported reduced suicidal ideation; about one quarter of participants had reported suicidal thoughts at the start. - The largest reductions in irritability were observed in the micronutrient group, particularly among those with more severe mental health diagnoses and those from lower-income families. Summary: The trial’s results indicate that high-dose micronutrient supplementation was associated with greater short-term reductions in irritability compared with placebo in this sample of adolescents, and that benefits were most evident for more severely affected and lower-income participants. The study’s authors note that supplements are not a universal solution and that further research is needed to evaluate long-term effectiveness and potential side effects.