Abstract
BackgroundVitamins and minerals play an essential role within many cellular processes including energy production and metabolism. Previously, supplementation with a multivitamin/mineral (MVM) for ≥28 days resulted in improvements to cognition and subjective state. We have also demonstrated shifts in metabolism during cognitively demanding tasks following MVM in females, both acutely and following 8-week supplementation. The current study aimed to assess these effects further in males and females using metabolically challenging exercise and cognitive tasks.MethodsThe current randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel groups study investigated the effects of a MVM complex in 82 healthy young (18-35y) exercisers. Subjective ratings and substrate metabolism were assessed during 30 min each of increasingly effortful incremental exercise and demanding cognitive tasks. Assessments took place on acute study days following a single dose (Day 1) of MVM, containing 3 times recommended daily allowance of water-soluble vitamins plus CoQ10, and following 4-week supplementation (Day 28).ResultsEnergy expenditure (EE) was increased during cognitive tasks following MVM across Day 1 and Day 28, with greater effects in males. In males, MVM also increased carbohydrate oxidation and energy expenditure during exercise across Day 1 and Day 28. In females, mental tiredness was lower during exercise; increases in physical tiredness following 30 min of exercise were attenuated; and stress ratings following cognitive tasks were reduced following MVM. In males, MVM only lowered mental tiredness following 10 min of exercise. These effects were apparent irrespective of day, but effects on mental tiredness were greater on Day 28. Ferritin levels were also higher on Day 28 in those receiving MVM.ConclusionThese findings extend on existing knowledge, demonstrating increased carbohydrate oxidation and increased energy expenditure in males following MVM supplementation for the first time. Importantly, they show modulation of energy expenditure and subjective tiredness following a single dose, providing further evidence for acute effects of MVM. Differential effects in men and women suggest that sex may play an important role in the effects of MVM on energy metabolism and should be considered in future research.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03003442. Registered 22nd November 2016 – retrospectively registered
Highlights
Vitamins and minerals play an essential role within many cellular processes including energy production and metabolism
We have recently demonstrated that cognitive tasks are capable of engendering increases in whole-body metabolism and shifts in carbohydrate/fat metabolism similar to those seen during exercise, as measured through indirect calorimetry, alongside increased cerebral blood flow
Pairwise comparisons revealed significantly higher energy expenditure following MVM compared to PLA during each repetition of the Cognitive Demand Battery’ (CDB) irrespective of task (10 mins, p = 0.036; 20 mins: p = 0.044; 30 mins: p = 0.035); during the rapid visual information processing (RVIP) task irrespective of repetition (p = 0.009); and in males irrespective of task or repetition (p = 0.011)
Summary
Vitamins and minerals play an essential role within many cellular processes including energy production and metabolism. Vitamins and minerals play an essential role within many cellular processes including energy production and anabolic metabolism, which are necessary for normal physical and mental functioning [1, 2] Deficiencies in both the B vitamins and CoQ10 are associated with fatigue and a number of conditions related to mitochondrial dysfunction [3,4,5,6]. It has been proposed that omitting food in this way may increase the risk of experiencing the marginal deficiency of one or more vitamins or minerals observed in the general population of developed countries [11,12,13] This is further exacerbated by higher excretion of micronutrients through waste products, such as sweat and urine, during and after strenuous exercise [14]. Biochemical changes and heightened metabolic demands that occur during exercise lead to increases in the requirement for certain micronutrients
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
