While all women hope to deliver a healthy baby, approximately 3-5% babies are affected by birth defects. Birth defects can occur naturally or be induced by teratogens. Alcohol is a known teratogen that causes fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), the most commonly known cause of neurobehavioural and neurodevelopmental deficits. Individuals affected with FASD are likely to be involved with or require additional assistance from healthcare, education, social services, and justice sectors. Due to this immense burden, effective prevention of FASD can have a major public impact. Prevention of FASD can occur at different levels: primary prevention (preventing alcohol-induced birth defects from occurring in the first place); secondary prevention (preventing alcohol-induced birth defects from developing or progressing); tertiary prevention (improving the outcome of individuals affected with FASD); and quaternary prevention (preventing another child from being affected with FASD). The objective of this thesis was to explore a multilevel birth defect and FASD prevention strategy. Primary prevention by was investigated by maternal multivitamin supplementation to optimize fetal growing conditions, as alcoholics are commonly deficient in nutrients. A meta-analysis of maternal multivitamin supplementation demonstrated a decreased risk for certain congenital anomalies and pediatric cancers. Secondary prevention was investigated by a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled evaluating the ability of high doses of antioxidants (vitamin C and vitamin E) to mitigate the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure. The study was ceased due to safety concerns regarding high doses of vitamin C and vitamin E in preeclamptic studies. Tertiary prevention was investigated by anonymous meconium screening of babies of Grey-Bruce, Ontario residents delivering at or transferred to St. Joseph’s Health Care in London, Ontario. A 30% prevalence of fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) positive meconium was observed at this high-risk unit. Meconium screening is also a means of quaternary prevention since positive screens also identify mothers who were unable to stop consuming alcohol after 13 weeks of pregnancy, and therefore are at risk of delivering another child who is prenatally exposed to alcohol. The identification and engagement of these mothers into treatment programs constitutes primary prevention of FASD in subsequent pregnancies.

The purpose of this study was to increase understanding of factors associated with nonmedical anabolic steroid use among males ages 18-30 who do not participate in intercollegiate athletics. The Behavioral Intentions and Ergogenic Aid/Performance Enhancer use among non-intercollegiate athlete males survey instrument was developed, reviewed for content validity by a jury of experts, and pilot tested. The pilot testing results (n=25) demonstrated acceptable reliability (Cronbach’s alpha= 0.74). The final version of the Behavioral Intentions and Ergogenic Aid/Performance Enhancer use among non-intercollegiate athlete males survey instrument was administered at two distribution sites which included Ford’s Fitness Center in Lexington, Kentucky and the Johnson Center on the University of Kentucky’s campus to non-intercollegiate athlete men between the ages of 18-30 (n=121). The final version of the survey instrument was also found to be reliable (Cronbach’s alpha= 0.86).Of the 121 respondents, 7 (5.9%) reported using nonmedical anabolic steroids at least 1-2 days a week or more. A total of 9 (7.4%) men reported intending to use nonmedical anabolic steroids within the next year. Age was found to have a statistically significant association with intention to use nonmedical anabolic steroids (p=.037).Perceived behavioral control (p=.029) was found to be the strongest predictor variable of study participants’ intention to use nonmedical anabolic steroids. Muscle mass builder use (p=.011) and muscle mass builder use in combination with multivitamin use (p=.000) were found to be significant predictors of actual nonmedical anabolic steroid use. Study participants were more likely to use nonmedical anabolic steroids if they were currently using a muscle mass builder or using a muscle mass builder in combination with a multivitamin. No decision about the effectiveness of the components of perceived behavioral control (self-efficacy and control) as a one or two part construct was possible because of the small number of study participants. Two additional demographic predictor variables were found to be statistically significant with predicting the intention to use nonmedical anabolic steroids. Being a competitive bodybuilder (p=.001) was positively correlated and being satisfied with body image (p=.025) was negatively correlated with the intention to use nonmedical anabolic steroids.

Nas áreas médica e odontológica existem situações clínicas e cirúrgicas que podem ter, como consequência, um dano ao tecido conjuntivo nervoso, chamado de neuropatia. O objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar terapias para tratamento das neuropatias causadas por manipulação do feixe nervoso periférico, minimizando ou eliminando sintomas causados pela lesão. O estudo foi feito em 60 ratos machos Wistar, com a avaliação morfológica da degeneração Walleriana e da regeneração do tecido nervoso no 15º e 30º dia após o trauma. A lesão consistiu na exposição e compressão do nervo isquiático da pata direita do animal, através de três nós consecutivos com fio de sutura e distância entre eles de ~ 2mm. Três tratamentos sobre a lesão foram comparados: o uso do biomaterial 3-NERVE®, a laserterapia de baixa potência e a associação dos dois. Os resultados histológicos revelaram que o biomaterial aumentou o processo inflamatório, mas modulou a degeneração inicial, através do surgimento de células de neoformação, favorecendo a regeneração nervosa no decorrer dos trinta dias. A laserterapia foi um tratamento favorável para a parestesia porque modulou os danos do processo de degeneração inicial e estimulou o reparo do tecido desde os 15 primeiros dias. Ao atingir os 30 dias o tecido se apresentou organizado e com uma quantidade menor de tecido neoformado quando comparado com o uso do biomaterial. A associação das terapias associou as propriedades das duas terapias, pois modulou a inflamação inicial, propiciou o aumento do número de células de neoformação do tecido nervoso e favoreceu a regeneração dos feixes nervosos nas amostras de 15 e 30 dias. Conclui-se que o não tratamento dificulta ou impede a regeneração nervosa, pois qualquer uma das terapias citadas modula os eventos desencadeados pela lesão. A associação do uso da laserterapia com o 3-NERVE® mostrou melhores resultados. / In medical and dental areas are clinical and surgical situations that may have, as a result, damage to the nervous tissue. This is called a neuropathy. The objective is to support therapies for treatment of neuropathies caused by manipulation of the peripheral nervous bundle, minimizing or eliminating symptoms caused by injury. The study was conducted in 60 male Wistar rats by morphological analysis of Wallerian degeneration and regeneration of nerve tissue in the 15th and 30th day after the trauma. The lesion consisted of exposure and sciatic nerve compression of the right paw of the animal through three consecutive nodes with suture and the distance between them of ~ 2mm. Three treatments on the injury were compared: the use of -NERVE® biomaterial, the low level laser therapy and their association. Histological findings revealed in samples 15 and 30 days the biomaterial increased inflammation and degeneration of the initial modulated through the cell neogenesis emergence favored nerve regeneration in the course of 30 days. Laser therapy was a favorable treatment for paresthesia because modulates the damage of the initial degeneration process and stimulates tissue repair since the first 15 days. When reaching the 30 days the tissue was organized and presented with a smaller amount of neoformed tissue when compared with the use of the biomaterial. The combination therapies of the modulated the initial inflammation, led to an increase in the number of cells neogenesis and promoted nerve tissue regeneration of nerve bundles in the samples 15 and 30 days. We conclude that no treatment hinders or prevents nerve regeneration, for any of the therapies mentioned modulate the events triggered by the injury. The association between the use of laser therapy with Nerve® proved with better results.

<p>U okviru ove doktorske disertacije razvijene su elektroanalitičke metode za određivanje pojedinih vitamina B grupe. Za određivanje vitamina B₁ i B₃ primenjena je adsorpciona hronopotenciometrijska striping analiza (AdHSA) na tankoslojnoj živinoj elektrodi kao radnoj elektrodi, dok je za određivanje vitamina B2 primenjena hronopotenciometrijska analiza (HA) na dvema geometrijski različitim elektrodama od staklastog ugljenika: planarnoj disk elektrodi i elektrodi u vidu procesne posude. U cilju optimizacije metoda ispitan je uticaj najznačajnijih eksperimentalnih faktora. Optimalni eksperimentalni uslovi za određivanje vitamina B₁ su podrazumevali primenu 0,2 mol/l citratnog pufera vrednosti pH 6 kao pomoćnog elektrolita, potencijala i vremena akumulacije od -1,313 V i 50 s, redom, i struje rastvaranja depozita od 1,9 &ndash; 6,1 &mu;A. Odgovarajući eksperimentalni faktori za određivanje vitamina B₂ su bili: 0,025 mol/l HCl kao pomoćni elektrolit, inicijalni potencijal od 0,023 V i struja redukcije od 0,8 &ndash; 4,2 &mu;A, dok su optimalni radni uslovi za određivanje vitamina B₃ obuhvatali primenu 0,05 mol/l citratnog pufera pH 6, potencijala akumulacije od -1,405 V pri vremenu akumulacije od 15 s, i struji rastvaranja u intervalu od 1,4 &ndash; 15,1 &mu;A. U slučaju određivanja vitamina B₂ primenom radne elektrode u vidu procesne posude ispitan je i uticaj aktivne povr&scaron;ine radne elektrode na analitički signal vitamina B₂. Optimalna vrednost aktivne povr&scaron;ine radne elektrode iznosila je 13,4 cm². Pod optimalnim eksperimentalnim uslovima, dolazilo je do elektrooksidacije molekula vitamina B₁ i B₃ na tankoslojnoj živinoj elektrodi u analitičkom koraku, dok se vitamin B₂ redukovao na elektrodama od staklastog ugljenika. U okviru validacije metoda definisani su opsezi linearnosti, određene su vrednosti granice detekcije i granice kvantitativnog određivanja, ocenjena je preciznost i ispitane su interferencije. Uz odgovarajuće uslove rada, dobijena je dobra linearnost analitičkog signala od sadržaja za sva tri ispitivana vitamina. Ostvarene su granice detekcije od 1,64 mg/l za vitamin B₁, 0,076 mg/l za vitamin B₂ uz primenu planarne disk elektrode i 0,018 mg/l (vitamin B₂) uz primenu procesne posude od staklastog ugljenika kao radne elektrode. Ostvarena granica detekcije za vitamin B₃ je iznosila 2,20 mg/l. Nakon optimizacije i validacije, razvijene metode HA i AdHSA primenjene su za određivanje vitamina B₁, B₂ i B₃ u komercijalnim multivitaminskim dodacima ishrani i multivitaminskim instant napicima. Tačnost razvijenih metoda je potvrđena paralelnim analizama izvedenim primenom visokopritisne tečne hromatografije.</p> / <p>Within the scope of this doctoral dissertation, electroanalytical methods for the determination of several vitamins of the B-complex are developed. For the determination of vitamin B1 and B3 adsorptive chronopotentiometric stripping analysis was applied, with mercury film electrode as the working electrode. For vitamin B2 determination, the chronopotentiometric analysis was performed on two geometrically different glassy carbon working electrodes: the planar disc electrode and the process vessel electrode. The most important experimental parameters of the analysis were investigated and optimized. For vitamin B₁ determination, the optimized experimental conditions were: 0,2 mol/l citrate buffer pH 6 as the supporting electrolyte, accumulation potential of -1,313 V, accumulation time of 15 s and the oxidation current between 1,9 &mu;A and 6,1 &mu;A. The appropriate experimental factors for vitamin B₂ determination included 0,025 mol/l HCl solution (supporting electrolyte), initial potential of 0,023 V and reduction current in the range from 0,8 &ndash; 4,2 &mu;A, whereas the optimal working parameters for vitamin B3 determination were as follows:0,05 mol/l citrate buffer pH 6, accumulation potential of -1,405 V, accumulation time of 15 s and dissolution current from 1.4 &ndash; 15.1 &mu;A. When the process vessel was used as the working electrode, the optimal volume of the analyzed solution i.e. the active surface area of the electrode was optimized. The optimal value of the active surface area was 13,4 cm2. As well, under the optimal experimental conditions, vitamin B₁ and vitamin B3 underwent electrooxidation process in the analytical step, whereas vitamin B₂ was electrochemically reduced on glassy carbon electrodes. A validation procedure of the optimized methods was performed by evaluation of the following parameters: linearity, the limit of detection (LOD), the limit of quantitation (LOQ), precision, selectivity, and accuracy. Under optimal working conditions, the linearity of the proposed methods was very good. The achieved limits of detection were 1.64 mg/l for vitamin B₁, 0,076 mg/l for vitamin B₂ (planar disc electrode) and 0,018 mg/l (process vessel electrode) and 2,2 mg/l for vitamin B₃.<br />After optimization and validation procedures, the developed methods were applied for vitamin B₁, B₂, and vitamin B₃ determination in commercially available multivitamin supplements and instant multivitamin beverages. The accuracy of the proposed methods was tested by parallel HPLC analyses of the same samples.</p>

<p>The aims of this study were to document the levels of cobalamin, folate, methylmalonic acid (MMA) and total homocysteine (tHcy) in serum and their relations to symptoms, clinical findings, and other factors in order to improve the possibilities of detecting early deficiency of vitamin B12 or folate, and to study the effects of cobalamin and folic acid treatment over a three-year period.</p><p>The study population consisted of a 20% random sample of persons 70 years or older living in Älvkarleby in mid-Sweden. They were invited to a survey and 224 (88.4%) persons responded. Data were obtained by questionnaire, laboratory investigations and physical examination for the period 1993 – 1999.</p><p>In a multivariate analysis performed at baseline, serum MMA and tHcy were significantly and independently correlated to age, serum cobalamin, and creatinine levels, and tHcy also to sex and serum folate. Neither serum cobalamin, folate, MMA nor tHcy had any significant correlation to haemoglobin or mean red cell volume. Almost half of the study population had signs of low tissue levels of vitamin B12 or folate. Among those who took multivitamin preparations, the proportion was much lower, 25%.</p><p>Among traditional symptoms and clinical findings that have been linked to vitamin B12 or folate tissue deficiency, only changes in the tongue mucosa and mouth angle stomatitis were significantly associated with abnormal serum folate and tHcy levels. Traditional symptoms of vitamin deficiency may appear later in the course.</p><p>69 persons who had laboratory indications of early or overt tissue deficiency of vitamin B12 or folate and who had no ongoing vitamin treatment were given cobalamin for six months. Those whose MMA or tHcy levels did not normalise were given folic acid in addition to cobalamin. After further treatment for three months, all persons but one had normal levels. The laboratory effect still remained after three years of treatment. There was a tendency towards improvement of vibration sense, especially in the long nerve paths, and improvement of neurological symptoms and oral mucosa findings.</p><p><b>Conclusion:</b> A substantial proportion of elderly persons have laboratory signs of incipient tissue deficiency of vitamin B12 and folate. Treatment normalises lab parameters and some symptoms.</p>

The aims of this study were to document the levels of cobalamin, folate, methylmalonic acid (MMA) and total homocysteine (tHcy) in serum and their relations to symptoms, clinical findings, and other factors in order to improve the possibilities of detecting early deficiency of vitamin B12 or folate, and to study the effects of cobalamin and folic acid treatment over a three-year period. The study population consisted of a 20% random sample of persons 70 years or older living in Älvkarleby in mid-Sweden. They were invited to a survey and 224 (88.4%) persons responded. Data were obtained by questionnaire, laboratory investigations and physical examination for the period 1993 – 1999. In a multivariate analysis performed at baseline, serum MMA and tHcy were significantly and independently correlated to age, serum cobalamin, and creatinine levels, and tHcy also to sex and serum folate. Neither serum cobalamin, folate, MMA nor tHcy had any significant correlation to haemoglobin or mean red cell volume. Almost half of the study population had signs of low tissue levels of vitamin B12 or folate. Among those who took multivitamin preparations, the proportion was much lower, 25%. Among traditional symptoms and clinical findings that have been linked to vitamin B12 or folate tissue deficiency, only changes in the tongue mucosa and mouth angle stomatitis were significantly associated with abnormal serum folate and tHcy levels. Traditional symptoms of vitamin deficiency may appear later in the course. 69 persons who had laboratory indications of early or overt tissue deficiency of vitamin B12 or folate and who had no ongoing vitamin treatment were given cobalamin for six months. Those whose MMA or tHcy levels did not normalise were given folic acid in addition to cobalamin. After further treatment for three months, all persons but one had normal levels. The laboratory effect still remained after three years of treatment. There was a tendency towards improvement of vibration sense, especially in the long nerve paths, and improvement of neurological symptoms and oral mucosa findings. Conclusion: A substantial proportion of elderly persons have laboratory signs of incipient tissue deficiency of vitamin B12 and folate. Treatment normalises lab parameters and some symptoms.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Esta dissertação apresenta o desenvolvimento de métodos voltamétricos para a determinação de zinco em amostras comerciais de polivitamínicos, talco e materiais artísticos para pintura (giz pastel) combinando uma extração alcalina com solução aquosa de NaOH 1,0 mol L-1 e eletrodos quimicamente modificados com bismuto. Foram utilizados dois eletrodos para a quantificação de zinco nas amostras, eletrodo de filme de bismuto (BiFE) crescidos in situ sobre carbono vítreo e eletrodo de pasta de carbono quimicamente modificado com a resina de troca iônica fortemente ácida Amberlite® IR 120 e nanoestruturas de bismuto (EPCAmbBi). Verificou-se que a melhor concentração de Bi3+ para o crescimento do filme de Bi sobre carbono vítreo foi 4,0 μmol L-1 utilizando uma solução aquosa de tampão acetato 0,1 mol L-1 (pH = 4,5) como eletrólito de suporte. A melhor condição para a formação das nanoestruturas de Bi no EPC modificado com 10% de Amberlite® IR 120 foi a utilização de 30 s de pré-concentração (circuito aberto) em uma solução aquosa de Bi3+ 0,5 mmol L-1 (pH = 5,5) preparada com a solução do eletrólito de suporte. A curva analítica obtida para o Zn2+ utilizando o BiFE apresentou uma região linear de 0,5 a 5,0 μmol L-1 o valor de Limite de Detecção (LD) foi de 41 nmol L-1. Para o EPCAmbBi foi observado um único intervalo linear na curva analítica construída variando a concentração do Zn2+ de 0,05 a 8,2 μmol L-1, o LD obtido nesta curva foi igual a 10 nmol L-1. O EPCAmbBi apresentou picos de redissolução anódica para Zn2+ mais intensos e estreitos e, portanto, com melhor perfil voltamétrico, com uma sensibilidade superior à obtida com o BiFE. Além disso, o EPCAmbBi apresentou um LD menor do que o obtido com o BiFE. A extração alcalina foi um procedimento de pré-tratamento de amostra eficiente para extrair o Zn2+ da matriz de amostras sólidas, além disso, este método de extração é menos susceptível à interferências do Cu2+, uma vez que este permanece insolúvel como Cu(OH)2 durante a extração. A combinação da extração alcalina com o EPCAmbBi mostrou-se uma forma simples, rápida, eficiente e de baixo custo para a determinação de zinco em amostras de formulações farmacêuticas e de materiais artísticos para pintura (giz pastel), podendo ser empregada como um método alternativo e de menor custo em relação à espectroscopia de absorção atômica. / This dissertation presents the development of voltammetric methods to zinc determination in multivitamin commercial samples, talc, and art materials for painting (soft pastel) combining an alkaline extraction with 1.0 mol L-1 NaOH aqueous solution and bismuth modified electrodes. Two electrodes were used to zinc quantification in the samples, bismuth film electrode (BiFE) plated in situ onto glassy carbon and carbon paste electrode chemically modified with strongly acidic ion exchange resin Amberlite® IR 120 and bismuth nanostructures (EPCAmbBi). It was verified that the best concentration of Bi3+ for Bi film deposition onto glassy carbon was 4.0 μmol L-1 using an 0.1 mol L-1 acetate buffer aqueous solution (pH = 4.5) as supporting electrolyte. The best condition to formation of Bi nanostructures in the EPC modified with 10 % Amberlite® IR 120 was the use of 30 s to pre-concentration (open circuit) in 0.5 mmol L-1 Bi3+ aqueous solution (pH 5.5) prepared with supporting electrolyte solution. The obtained analytical curve for Zn2+ using BiFE presented linear range from 0.5 to 5.0 μmol L-1, the limit of detection (LD) was 41 nmol L-1. For EPCAmbBi only one linear range was observed for the analytical curve varying the Zn2+ concentration from 0.05 to 8.2 μmol L-1, LD obtained in this curve it was equal to 10 nmol L-1. The EPCAmbBi presented the most intense and sharp anodic stripping peaks for Zn2+ presenting, therefore, a better voltammetric profile, with sensitivity higher than obtained with the BiFE. Moreover, the EPCAmbBi presented a LD lower than that obtained with the BiFE. Alkaline extraction was an efficient sample pretreatment to extract Zn2+ from solid samples, besides that, this procedure was less susceptible to interferences from Cu2+, since it remains at extracting vessel as insoluble Cu(OH)2. The combination of alkaline extraction with the EPCAmbBi is a simple, fast, efficient and low cost for the zinc determination in pharmaceutical formulations and art materials for painting (soft pastel) samples, which can be employed as a low-cost alternative method to the atomic absorption spectroscopy. / Dissertação (Mestrado)

Nas áreas médica e odontológica existem situações clínicas e cirúrgicas que podem ter, como consequência, um dano ao tecido conjuntivo nervoso, chamado de neuropatia. O objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar terapias para tratamento das neuropatias causadas por manipulação do feixe nervoso periférico, minimizando ou eliminando sintomas causados pela lesão. O estudo foi feito em 60 ratos machos Wistar, com a avaliação morfológica da degeneração Walleriana e da regeneração do tecido nervoso no 15º e 30º dia após o trauma. A lesão consistiu na exposição e compressão do nervo isquiático da pata direita do animal, através de três nós consecutivos com fio de sutura e distância entre eles de ~ 2mm. Três tratamentos sobre a lesão foram comparados: o uso do biomaterial 3-NERVE®, a laserterapia de baixa potência e a associação dos dois. Os resultados histológicos revelaram que o biomaterial aumentou o processo inflamatório, mas modulou a degeneração inicial, através do surgimento de células de neoformação, favorecendo a regeneração nervosa no decorrer dos trinta dias. A laserterapia foi um tratamento favorável para a parestesia porque modulou os danos do processo de degeneração inicial e estimulou o reparo do tecido desde os 15 primeiros dias. Ao atingir os 30 dias o tecido se apresentou organizado e com uma quantidade menor de tecido neoformado quando comparado com o uso do biomaterial. A associação das terapias associou as propriedades das duas terapias, pois modulou a inflamação inicial, propiciou o aumento do número de células de neoformação do tecido nervoso e favoreceu a regeneração dos feixes nervosos nas amostras de 15 e 30 dias. Conclui-se que o não tratamento dificulta ou impede a regeneração nervosa, pois qualquer uma das terapias citadas modula os eventos desencadeados pela lesão. A associação do uso da laserterapia com o 3-NERVE® mostrou melhores resultados. / In medical and dental areas are clinical and surgical situations that may have, as a result, damage to the nervous tissue. This is called a neuropathy. The objective is to support therapies for treatment of neuropathies caused by manipulation of the peripheral nervous bundle, minimizing or eliminating symptoms caused by injury. The study was conducted in 60 male Wistar rats by morphological analysis of Wallerian degeneration and regeneration of nerve tissue in the 15th and 30th day after the trauma. The lesion consisted of exposure and sciatic nerve compression of the right paw of the animal through three consecutive nodes with suture and the distance between them of ~ 2mm. Three treatments on the injury were compared: the use of -NERVE® biomaterial, the low level laser therapy and their association. Histological findings revealed in samples 15 and 30 days the biomaterial increased inflammation and degeneration of the initial modulated through the cell neogenesis emergence favored nerve regeneration in the course of 30 days. Laser therapy was a favorable treatment for paresthesia because modulates the damage of the initial degeneration process and stimulates tissue repair since the first 15 days. When reaching the 30 days the tissue was organized and presented with a smaller amount of neoformed tissue when compared with the use of the biomaterial. The combination therapies of the modulated the initial inflammation, led to an increase in the number of cells neogenesis and promoted nerve tissue regeneration of nerve bundles in the samples 15 and 30 days. We conclude that no treatment hinders or prevents nerve regeneration, for any of the therapies mentioned modulate the events triggered by the injury. The association between the use of laser therapy with Nerve® proved with better results.

This study was undertaken with the objective of assessing whether the ingestion of a Multivitamin Complex with Calcium and Magnesium would be efficacious in reducing stress. Tlrree hundred subjects who were suffering from stress were selected in Gauteng and Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. The selection was based on a stress questionnaire. The subjects took a battery of tests and questionnaires to assess the level ofthe stress they were experiencing. A 30 day supply of effeiVescent tablets was given to all subjects - half placebos and half the vitamin supplement. These were randomly allocated. At the end of30 days a further battery oftests were administered. The results were statistically analysed. It was found that both the placebo and the vitamin supplement proved beneficial but the Multivitamin Complex with Calcium and Magnesium had a greater effect in reducing and helping to manage stress. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

This study was undertaken with the objective of assessing whether the ingestion of a Multivitamin Complex with Calcium and Magnesium would be efficacious in reducing stress. Tlrree hundred subjects who were suffering from stress were selected in Gauteng and Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. The selection was based on a stress questionnaire. The subjects took a battery of tests and questionnaires to assess the level ofthe stress they were experiencing. A 30 day supply of effeiVescent tablets was given to all subjects - half placebos and half the vitamin supplement. These were randomly allocated. At the end of30 days a further battery oftests were administered. The results were statistically analysed. It was found that both the placebo and the vitamin supplement proved beneficial but the Multivitamin Complex with Calcium and Magnesium had a greater effect in reducing and helping to manage stress. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)