Micronutrients May Ease Severe Irritability in Teens

The Veggie Cure: If you have a teenager or at least remember being one, you’ll know irritability (at least occasionally) comes with the territory. Severe irritability can be disruptive and concerning at home and at school, but recent research suggests broad-spectrum vitamins and minerals can significantly improve it.

The Study: Researchers randomly assigned 132 unmedicated teenagers to two groups for eight weeks. The test group took four micronutrient pills three times a day, and the placebo group received an active placebo (a tiny amount of riboflavin so urine colors of both groups would be the same). Teens in the test group had significant reductions in irritability, suicidal ideation, self-harm, and reactivity. 

The Takeaway: Parents of the test group reported significant improvements in kids’ behavior. Teens who were severely disruptive or came from lower socioeconomic backgrounds had the most significant improvements, but the findings could be applied more broadly and have wider public-health ramifications. 

Keep in Mind: It seems basic, but getting teens to eat well can be challenging, particularly if they don’t have easy access to healthy food. Even so, diet is an effective tool in the fight to improve teen mental health.