Matching Items (17)
Description
Among its many roles in the body, ascorbic acid functions as a cofactor in carnitine and catecholamine synthesis, metabolites involved in fat oxidation and mood regulation, respectively. Given that fat oxidation and mood affect one's feelings of vigor, I hypothesized that those with lower levels of plasma ascorbic acid would be less likely to exercise at high levels than individuals with adequate or high levels of vitamin C. To test this, I conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention. A group of healthy, non-smoking males between the ages of 18 and 40 were put on a vitamin C-restricted diet for two weeks and then randomized to a control group that received placebo capsules for six weeks or an intervention group that received 500 mg of vitamin C daily for six weeks. The men were restricted from eating foods high in vitamin C, instructed to wear a pedometer daily and to record their step counts, and to take a pill daily (either the placebo or vitamin C supplement). Unexpectedly, the subjects receiving the intervention had lower step counts than the control group; the control group, rather than the vitamin C group, significantly (p=0.017) increased their steps at week 8 compared to week 2. However, I also estimated daily Metabolic Equivalent Tasks (METs), and subjects receiving the placebo had lower MET outputs than subjects receiving vitamin C at the end of the trial, in spite of having higher step counts. This means the intensity of their activity was higher, based on METs expenditure. Additionally, depression scores (POMS-D) as measured by the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire were significantly higher (p=0.041) among subjects receiving the placebo at the end of the study. These latter results are consistent with my expectations that subjects with higher levels of plasma vitamin C would have improved mood and higher energy output than subjects with low levels of vitamin C.
ContributorsNetland, Heidi (Author) / Johnston, Carol S (Thesis advisor) / Swan, Pamela D (Committee member) / Hampl, Jeffery S (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2011
Description
The various health benefits of vinegar ingestion have been studied extensively in the<br/>literature. Moreover, emerging research suggests vinegar may also have an effect on mental<br/>health. Beneficial effects of certain diets on mood have been reported, however, the mechanisms<br/>are unknown. The current study aimed to determine if vinegar ingestion positively affects mood<br/>state in healthy young adults. This was a randomized, single blinded controlled trial consisting of<br/>25 subjects. Participants were randomly assigned to either the vinegar group (consumed 2<br/>tablespoons of liquid vinegar diluted in one cup water twice daily with meals) or the control<br/>group (consumed one vinegar pill daily with a meal), and the intervention lasted 4 weeks.<br/>Subjects completed mood questionnaires pre- and post-intervention. Results showed a significant<br/>improvement in CES-D and POMS-Depression scores for the vinegar group compared to the<br/>control. This study suggests that vinegar ingestion may improve depressive symptoms in healthy<br/>young adults.
ContributorsWilliams, Susanna (Author) / Johnston, Carol (Thesis director) / Whisner, Corrie (Committee member) / College of Health Solutions (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2021-05
Description
Mood disorders are prevalent within the college student population, increasing the potential for poor academic performance among those students. Intermittent fasting, particularly time-restricted feeding (TRF) regimens, have shown promising results associated with improvements in health outcomes related to weight loss, cardiovascular health, glucose and insulin regulation, and breast cancer; however, very limited research exits for the impact on mood states. The objective of this eight-week randomized, controlled trial was to examine the effects of a daily fasting regimen of 18 hours (six hour feeding window), compared to a daily fasting regimen of eight hours (16 hour feeding window), on the mood state of healthy college students attending Arizona State University or University of Arizona. Twenty nine students were recruited and randomized into the TRF group (n = 16) following a 16-hour fast or the control (CON) group (n = 13) following an eight-hour fast. Participants in each group were instructed to consume their first meal within an hour of waking, which would then begin their assigned feeding window. Participants were also allowed one ‘cheat day’ per week in which they were not required to follow their assigned fasting protocol, otherwise no additional dietary instructions were given; participants were permitted to consume food and beverages ad libitum throughout their feeding window. Mood state was assessed at baseline, week four, and week eight using the Profile of Mood States questionnaire and the GAD-7, specific to generalized anxiety. Of the initial 29 participants recruited, 18 completed the trial (TRF group n = 8; CON group n = 10). Data were reported through week four only, due to inconsistencies with week eight data as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The mood state measures did not show any statistically significant changes after four weeks. The results of this study suggest that a TRF regimen of 18 hours does not significantly impact overall or individual mood states among college students.
ContributorsChondropoulos, Kelly Nicole (Author) / Johnston, Carol (Thesis advisor) / Shepard, Tina (Committee member) / Alexon, Christy (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2021
The Effects of Vitamin B6 Supplementation on Mood States in College Women Taking Oral Contraceptives
Description
Oral contraceptives are one of the most frequently used forms of birth control among young women. However, research has shown that this type of medication can contribute to negative changes in mood and diminished vitamin status. In particular, women taking oral contraceptives are at an increased risk of vitamin B6 deficiency due to changes in enzyme activity with estrogen intake. Depressed mood is one of the known symptoms of vitamin B6 deficiency as this vitamin acts as an essential cofactor in converting tryptophan to the neurotransmitter, serotonin. Lack of adequate levels of vitamin B6 therefore contribute to decreased production of serotonin and subsequent changes in mood, including symptoms of depression. With vitamin B6 being the most common nutrient deficiency, and the ever increasing prevalence of depression in the United States, especially among young adults, it is crucial that researchers investigate ways to mitigate both of these undesirable side effects. Current research on the topic fails to directly connect supplementation of vitamin B6 to positive changes in mood in oral contraceptive users.
This 12-week long double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover trial examined the effects of daily supplementation of vitamin B6 as 100 mg of pyridoxine hydrochloride, on mood states in 8 healthy college women (18-25 y) that use combined oral contraceptives. Vitamin status was assessed via plasma pyridoxal 5’-phosphate (PLP). Plasma PLP levels significantly increased by >193% (p=0.003) with daily supplementation of 100 mg B6 over a four week period. Mood changes with supplementation were assessed using the Profile of Mood States (POMS). Although a small improvement in the POMS depression sub score was observed after 4 weeks of vitamin B6 supplementation (14.7%), the changes were insignificant (p>0.05). Furthermore, total mood disturbance scores did not significantly change with either the placebo or supplement periods. While mood states were not improved, a significant decrease in the presence of depressive symptoms as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory was observed after vitamin B6 supplementation, compared to placebo (p=0.047). The results of this study necessitate further investigation into the use of B6 supplementation as a means of reducing negative mood changes in oral contraceptive users.
This 12-week long double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover trial examined the effects of daily supplementation of vitamin B6 as 100 mg of pyridoxine hydrochloride, on mood states in 8 healthy college women (18-25 y) that use combined oral contraceptives. Vitamin status was assessed via plasma pyridoxal 5’-phosphate (PLP). Plasma PLP levels significantly increased by >193% (p=0.003) with daily supplementation of 100 mg B6 over a four week period. Mood changes with supplementation were assessed using the Profile of Mood States (POMS). Although a small improvement in the POMS depression sub score was observed after 4 weeks of vitamin B6 supplementation (14.7%), the changes were insignificant (p>0.05). Furthermore, total mood disturbance scores did not significantly change with either the placebo or supplement periods. While mood states were not improved, a significant decrease in the presence of depressive symptoms as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory was observed after vitamin B6 supplementation, compared to placebo (p=0.047). The results of this study necessitate further investigation into the use of B6 supplementation as a means of reducing negative mood changes in oral contraceptive users.
ContributorsCurtin, Anne Clare (Author) / Johnston, Carol S (Thesis advisor) / Whisner, Corrie M (Committee member) / Grant, Shauna C (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2020
Description
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of improved hydration on endurance performance and mood in physically active adults. Participants (n = 72; age, 21.0 ± 3.0; 22.2% female) completed two two-mile run trials separated by exactly a week. Before each trial, participants provided a urine sample from the day before the run and a sample from the morning of the run. These samples were analyzed for urine osmolality (UOsm), urine specific gravity (USG), and urine color (Ucol). UOsm and USG levels determined if the participants were placed in either the euhydrated or underhydrated group after the first trial. Those assigned to the euhydrated group were instructed to maintain their current fluid intake levels and those in the underhydrated group were instructed to increase fluid intake levels before the second trial. However, results were grouped by if they improved or maintained their hydration or not. The subjects also completed a Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire before and after each trial to determine mood. Based on conditioning requirements for group assignment, 38% of subjects were classified as underhydrated. There were significant differences between the two trials for both subjects that improved and worsened their hydration in UOsm, USG, Ucol, and thirst (P < 0.05). The group with improved hydration ran -15 ± 67 sec faster in the second trial, while the group that worsened hydration ran 4 ± 26 sec slower in the second trial. When these differences were compared between the two groups with a t-test, there was a trend for statistical differences with a one-way t-test analysis (P = 0.06). When results were split by sex no statistically significant differences were observed (male: -10.8 ± 63.6 sec; female: -29.4 ± 94.8 sec; P > 0.05). Improved hydration did not result in statistically significant difference in TMD or any of the individual mood sub-scales for either group for both males and females (P > 0.05). In conclusion, increased fluid intake to optimize hydration status may affect endurance exercise in young, healthy adults in a two-mile run, but no effect was seen on mood.
ContributorsDoyle, Amanda Ann (Author) / Kavouras, Stavros (Thesis advisor) / Alexon, Christy (Committee member) / Wardenaar, Floris (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2022
Description
The promulgation of the thin-ideal is associated with bulimia, dieting, supplement use, negative affect, and body dissatisfaction. “Fitspiration” was created as an “antidote” to the thin-ideal through the promotion of healthy eating and exercise; however, research indicates Fitspiration continues to promote the thin-ideal with similarly detrimental outcomes. Recently, research has shifted from a focus on body disturbance to concepts of positive body image (Halliwell, 2015), often researched through the concept of body appreciation. While the research is limited, a few studies have shown increases in body appreciation and mood after viewing body positive images. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to experimentally examine the impact of exposure to body positive and Fitspiration Instagram images on the body satisfaction, body appreciation, and mood of undergraduate women. Participants were 98 female undergraduate students (18-29 years old) currently attending Arizona State University. Participants were randomly assigned to view Fitspiration, Body Positive, or appearance neutral Instagram images. Dependent variables of state body appreciation, state body dissatisfaction, and state mood were measured using Visual Analogue Scales. Trait thin-ideal internalization, trait social comparison, and body mass index (BMI) were included as covariates. Qualitative short-answer questions were included as an exploratory aim. A one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to examine group differences in post-test scores followed by post-hoc analyses using the Bonferroni correction when significant. After controlling for baseline score, trait thin-ideal internalization, trait social comparison, and BMI, post-test body appreciation scores within Fitspiration condition were significantly lower than the control (MD= 9.818, SE=3.743, p=.031) and Body Positive condition (MD=9.372, SE=3.492, p=0.26). After controlling for baseline score, trait thin-ideal internalization, trait social comparison, and BMI, the Body Positive condition demonstrated significantly higher post-test body satisfaction scores than the control (MD= 11.134, SE=3.093, p=.002) and Fitspiration condition (MD=17.312, SE=3.092, p=<.001). After controlling for baseline scores, mean post-test positive mood scores within the Fitspiration group were significantly lower than the Body Positive condition (MD=-0.378, SE=.135, p=.019). There were no differences in post-test negative mood across conditions. Findings suggest short-term exposure to body positive images may improve body appreciation, Body Positivity, and positive mood among undergraduate females.
ContributorsSerlin, Danielle Nicole (Author) / Der Ananian, Cheryl (Thesis advisor) / Chisum, Jack (Committee member) / Sebren, Ann (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2020
Description
Intermittent Fasting (IF) is defined as a cyclical eating pattern where an individual will fast for a specific increment of time, followed by caloric intake periods. Fasting is a crucial part of our ancestors’ adaptation to the stresses of famine in order to maintain mental acuity and physical abilities during food deprivation. IF influences physiological changes such as: triggers protective metabolic pathways, increases metabolic flexibility and resilience, promotes DNA repair and autophagy, increases microbiome diversity and restores the natural cyclical fluctuations of the gut, increases BDNF expression in mood regulating neuronal circuits, and enhances synaptic plasticity of the brain. Research on the underlying causes of mood disorders has linked impairments in neuroplasticity and cellular resilience to this pathophysiology, which fasting could mitigate. Depression and anxiety are reported as the top impediments to academic performance. Thus, an easily implemented treatment such as intermittent fasting may be an option for combating impaired mental health in college students. This research study tested time restricted feeding (TRF) and its impact on mood states. It was hypothesized that: if college students follow a time restricted feeding pattern, then they will be less moody due to TRF’s effects on the metabolism, brain, and gut. The study consisted of 11 college students: 5 following a four-week adherence to TRF (8am-4pm eating window) and 6 in the control group. The POMS questionnaire was used to measure mood states. The participants height, weight, BMI, body fat %, and POMS scores were tested at the beginning and end of the 4 week intervention. The results were as follows: weight p=0.112 (statistical trend), BMI p=0.058 (nearly significant), body fat % p=0.114 (statistical trend), POMS p=0.014 (statistically significant). The data suggests that following a TRF eating pattern can decrease moodiness and improve mood states.
ContributorsFoley, Sadie Jean (Author) / Johnston, Carol (Thesis director) / Shepard, Christina (Committee member) / Department of Management and Entrepreneurship (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05