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Vitamood+
By Louise Wilkinson (Senior Reviewer)
Published Nov 30, 2017. No comments
Depression or anxiety affects millions of people around the world, with both representing the kinds of tricky conditions with few accepted treatments. Many of those who suffer with depression or other mental health problems do not feel comfortable treating their malady with antidepressant drugs (which have sometimes been known to make the issue worse), and many may also lack the funds necessary to receive therapy. With difficulties like these, some sufferers choose to explore other routes such as supplements, which may offer a milder form of relief at a lower cost.
Below we take an in-depth look at Vitamood+, to see whether this mild mood-boosting supplement offers a useful supplement alternative to controlled drug treatements.
Vitamood+ Pros
Contains ingredients which should work in theory
Unique product that may offer a useful alternative to prescription drugs
Vitamood+ Cons
Virtually no customer reviews available to confirm whether product works
Vitamin and mineral quantities suggests that the product is poorly formulated
May cause extremely serious side effects
Most ingredient quantities not listed and dosing instructions unclear
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What You Need To Know About Vitamood+
Vitamood+ is a mood enhancer that promises to support a "positive mood and outlook". Although it offers an interesting idea, the product is somewhat let down by the unprofessional way in which it's presented online; at the moment, there is no clear indication of whether one bottle is supposed to act as one-month or two-month supply.
This nootropic is produced and sold by Phenom Health, a US-based manufacturer of health and sporting supplements.
What Are The Side Effects Of Vitamood+?
Vitamood+ contains shockingly high quantities of certain vitamins and minerals (for seemingly no reason). As mentioned above, we are unsure of whether customers are expected to take 1 or 2 capsules per day. Even if customers take just 1 per day, the quantities of vitamins and minerals in this product are still up to 2500% of your Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA), which could cause serious health complaints!
1 capsule of Vitamood+ has 2500% of your RDA of folic acid, which could cause skin problems, psychological/behavioural problems, seizures, sleep disorders, nausea, confusion, rashes, and more. One capsule of this product also contains 200% of your RDA for zinc, which could cause anaemia, organ damage, fever, coughing, and many other problems. A capsule of Vitamood+ also contains 250% of your RDA for Vitamin D3, which could cause weakness, headaches, loss of appetite, vomiting, and an unusual metallic taste in the mouth.
Other potential side effects that sometimes come about due to some of the other ingredients in the mix include itching, symptoms of psychosis, a pounding heartbeat, gas, sexual problems, drowsiness, dry mouth, involuntary muscle action, and inflamed blood vessels. Customers should avoid driving or operating heavy machinery whilst using this product.
How Much Does Vitamood+ Cost?
It's hard to really say whether Vitamood+ is really expensive, because we are unsure whether one bottle is supposed to contain a one-month supply or a two-month supply. On both the Phenom Health website and on Amazon, it costs the same; a 60-capsule bottle costs $63.45 with free shipping.
Our Verdict On Vitamood+
Although Vitamood+ has a few promising ingredients, the devil is often in the detail – it's impossible to really tell whether a product like this works well without seeing the ingredient quantities. A complex supplement like this is more than just a set of ingredients, and it needs to be balanced and mixed well in order to prove the intended results. With almost no ingredient quantities listed and no customer reviews, it's hard for anyone to say whether this product is well-made.
Unfortunately, what we DO know about the ingredients balance used by Vitamood+ paints a very worrying picture. The only ingredient quantities listed are for 4 vitamins and minerals, and for seemingly no reason, the product uses doses that are far too high. These vitamins and minerals should do nothing beneficial in the mix; in fact, the high doses will probably do little other than make customers very sick.
We worry that this product will cause serious side effects. The manufacturer, Phenom Health, do not even make it clear whether customers are expected to take one or two capsules per day, which could potentially raise the risk of adverse effects. It's all very unprofessional, and we advise that customers stick to solutions that inspire a bit more confidence.
If you think you may be suffering with depression, we advise speaking to your doctor first of all rather than going straight to supplements – a doctor will be in a far better position to offer advice that will really help!
We do not recommend Vitamood+ to our readers.
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Vitamood+ Review
Vitamood+ is a nootropic supplement that claims to boost mood and induce relaxation. It seems to be intended for use as a substitute for antidepressants, particularly for customers with only light symptoms. The manufacturers claim that the product boosts serotonin levels via natural and herbal ingredients.
Vitamood+ Facts
Manufactured by Phenom Health
Contains 60 capsules per bottle
Mood-boosting nootropic supplement
This nootropic is produced and sold by Phenom Health. Although the American branch of this supplement company is generally unremarkable, the British section has received considerable criticism for its role in the infamous raspberry ketone scam. Essentially, Phenom Health promised free samples of raspberry ketones to customers, before signing them up to auto-ship programs that automatically deducted significant amounts of money from their credit cards and bank accounts. The company can be contacted via the contact details supplied on their official website.
How to Take Vitamood+
There is conflicting information online about how many capsules customers are supposed to take daily. On the Amazon page (the only page with any significant amount of information on Vitamood+), customers are told to take 1 capsule per day in one section, then told to take 2 capsules per day in another section. The packaging does not seem to have any instructions printed on it!
Vitamood+ Concerns:
Most ingredient quantities not listed
Virtually no customer reviews available to check online
Extremely important dosing information is unclear, which could lead to dangerous effects
What Does Vitamood+ Claim To Do?
Vitamood+ is primarily advertised as mood-booster. The product supposedly balances the body's brain chemistry to help customers to enjoy a more positive emotional outlook and mood. This process takes place due to the ingredients' reported ability to boost serotonin levels.
Does Vitamood+ Work?
Many of the ingredients found within Vitamood+ should work in theory, meaning that our first instinct is to suggest that this product should work as advertised. However, products like these need to be balanced properly in order to work, and it is far from clear whether Vitamood+ has been formulated professionally.
The information simply isn't there. There are no ingredient quantities published on the label, and there are virtually no customer reviews available to check online. The little bits of information we do have (such as the lack of dosing instructions, and the unsafe quantities of vitamins and minerals included) suggest that the manufacturer is incompetent. Because of this, we cannot confirm whether Vitamood+ works as it is supposed to.
What Are The Ingredients of Vitamood+?
The ingredients found in Vitamood+ are detailed below. For most ingredients, the quantities are not listed; this can make it hard for customers to judge whether the overall mix is effective. The few quantities that are listed are correct for 1 capsule of Vitamood+.
Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) 1200IU: Vitamin D helps to regulate the way that the body uses key minerals, helping to keep bones and teeth healthy. Source
Folic Acid 10mg: Otherwise known as Vitamin B9, folic acid is a vital component in the process of making DNA and speeding cell growth. This product contains a bizarrely high dose of folic acid. If the labelling is correct, this quantity is probably unsafe. Source
Zinc (oxide) 30mg: Zinc is linked with a range of beneficial effects, none of which have anything to do with mood. It is normally only useful as a supplement when the person taking it already has a zinc deficiency. Once again, this product uses a dangerously high dosage of zinc.
Chromium (polynicotinate) 120ug: This is used primarily to lower fasting blood sugar levels and to lower insulin levels in people who have type 2 diabetes. Source
Vitamood+ Proprietary Blend 1174mg
GABA (y-aminobutyric acid): A chemical that is produced in the brain naturally and acts as a neurotransmitter, it is also available in supplement form. It is thought to reduce anxiety, improve mood, and could also reduce symptoms of PMS. It is sometimes used as a non-prescription treatment of ADHD, as it is thought to induce calm and aid mental focus. However, research shows that GABA supplements cannot cross the blood-brain barrier, and so it is possible that any mental benefits are the result of a placebo effect. Source
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis root) extract: This mild sedative can be used to treat insomnia and is backed by clinical research. Not all studies have found it to be effective, with some claiming that valerian is as effective a cure for sleeplessness as a placebo. Source
L-Dopa [Velvet Bean (Mucuna Pruriens seed) extract]: Mucuna Pruriens contains L-Dopa, a precursor to dopamine (which is the pleasure hormone that's released in the brain). Most L-Dopa is broken down by the body before it ever reaches the brain. Source
L-Tryptophan USP: An essential amino acid, it is used by the body to make niacin and serotonin. It can be found naturally in many foods; the best sources include nuts, soy products, cheese, and meat. Source
Full-Spectrum Flavonoids [Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata aerial) extract]: Used as a herbal treatment for anxiety and may also aid relaxation and sleep, acting as a very mild sedative. Source
5-HTP [5-Hydroxy-tryptophan (Griffonia simplicifolia seed) extract]: More commonly referred to as 5HTP. 5HTP is used by the body to make serotonin, which primarily plays a role in regulating mood. Some studies, primarily in animals, have shown that 5HTP reduces the appetite, as well as boosting mood. Source
SAMe (S-Adenosyl methionine tosylate disulfate): Low levels of this molecule in the body is a strong indicator of depression, and several studies indicate that supplementation may help to alleviate the condition. Source
Piperine [Long Pepper (Piper longum fruit) extract]: This black pepper extract is used for increasing the bioavailability of nutritional compounds. In other words, it increases the amounts of nutrients that are absorbed into the body in the digestive tract. It may also increase the absorption of various drugs, which may lead to potential side effects. Source
Huperzine A (Huperzia Serrata whole plant) extract: Huperzine-A is found in Huperzia serrata. Huperzine-A is thought to be a cognitive enhancer. Because of the relatively long half-life of this compound, its use should be cycled, with breaks in usage every few weeks. Source
Does Vitamood+ Have Any Side Effects?
Vitamood+ contains a long list of ingredients that could cause serious side effects. It also contains a bizarre mixture of vitamins and minerals that have been included in needlessly high dosages. This offers no benefits to customers but could cause very serious negative effects.
In large doses like the one in Vitamood+, folic acid can cause behavioural changes, skin reactions, seizures, gas, confusion, nausea, irritability, sleep disorders, rashes, and diarrhoea. Some research also suggests it could raise the risk of heart attacks, lung cancer or prostate cancer over time. High doses of zinc are also a big problem, potentially causing anaemia, kidney and stomach damage, fever, coughing, fatigue, and many other problems.
The extremely high dose of Vitamin D3 could also cause unusual problems, including weakness, headaches, a loss of appetite, vomiting, a metallic taste in the mouth, and other issues. Although the chromium included in this mixture has been included in more sensible levels, it could still cause issues after repeated use, leading to itching, headaches, dizziness, nausea, and impaired thinking.
Mucuna Pruriens can sometimes cause nausea, bloating, vomiting, insomnia, and on rare occasions has caused more serious headaches, a pounding heartbeat, and symptoms of psychosis.
The use of valerian may lead to headaches, bipolar moods, and even insomnia in some people. L-tryptophan can cause a range of side effects including heartburn, stomach pain, belching and gas, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and loss of appetite. It can also cause headache, lightheadedness, drowsiness, dry mouth, muscle weakness, and sexual problems.
Effective doses of passionflower can cause issues for some people, leading to dizziness, confusion, irregular and involuntary muscle action, altered consciousness, and inflamed blood vessels. SAMe can sometimes cause a manic psychotic reaction.
If Vitamood+ is effective, customers should avoid driving or operating heavy machinery whilst using it.
Do not exceed recommended serving size. Use only as directed. Not intended for use by persons under 18 or by those with a serious medical condition. Do not use if pregnant or nursing. Please consult your physician before using this product.
Are There Any Customer Reviews For Vitamood+?
Unfortunately, there are virtually no customer reviews available to check online. There is one comment available to view on the official Phenom Health website, which may not be truly representative of customer opinions (many companies only allow positive comments to show up on their official sales pages).
This works well for me – I was reluctant to go on an antidepressant or other similar product. While this is not the same thing, it definitely helps. It's all natural, so no worries about dependencies or anything else.
Does Vitamood+ Offer a Money-Back Guarantee?
The manufacturers offer a 30-day refund policy. This policy does appear to cover opened products, but they do not specifically mention this. They state that:
"All returns must be within 30 days of original purchase. Shipping and handling charges are non-refundable. Return shipping charges are the responsibility of the customer.
If you need to return an item, please first contact our customer care to obtain an RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization). It's important to write this number on your return package."
Where Can I Buy Vitamood+?
Vitamood+ can be purchased on the official Phenom Health website and on Amazon. On both websites, it costs the same; a 60-capsule bottle costs $63.45 with free shipping. It is not clear whether 60 capsules represents a month's supply or a 2-month supply.
Vitamood+ Rating
The Nootropic Watchdog does not recommend Vitamood+.
Price / Guarantee
About the Author: Louise Wilkinson
After a long stint in journalism covering all manner of topics involving science and health, Louise is now putting her knowledge to use, sorting the good supplements from the bad.
Travelling is a huge passion of Lou's, and her goal is to visit her 100th country within the next five years.
Disclaimer: Our reviews and investigations are based on extensive research from the information publicly available to us and consumers at the time of first publishing the post. Information is based on our personal opinion and whilst we endeavour to ensure information is up-to-date, manufacturers do from time to time change their products and future research may disagree with our findings. If you feel any of the information is inaccurate, please contact us and we will review the information provided.
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