Effects of B vitamins and magnesium on fatigue, disease activity and quality of life in inflammatory bowel disease.

2026-04-21
Scientific reports 16(1)
- Elmira Ramezani
- Palle Bager
- Kimia Torabinasab
- Nasser Ebrahimi Daryani
- Mehdi Azizmohammad Looha
- Mohammad Masoumvand
- Mohammad Taher
- Masoud Ashadzadeh
- Mohammadreza Vafa

PubMed: 42010310
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-49880-7

Study Design

Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size: n = 98
Population: 98 adults with IBD in remission
Methods: randomized (1:1) to receive daily supplementation with vitamins B1, B6, B12, and magnesium or a matching placebo for 4 weeks
Blinding: Double-blind
Duration: 4 weeks
Funding: Unclear

Rigorous Journal

This study investigated the efficacy of supplementation with B vitamins and magnesium in alleviating fatigue, improving disease activity, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) based on patient-reported outcomes. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 98 adults with IBD in remission were randomized (1:1) to receive daily supplementation with vitamins B₁, B₆, B₁₂, and magnesium or a matching placebo for 4 weeks. Outcomes were assessed using validated instruments, including the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Fatigue Scale (IBD-F), Patient-reported Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index (P-SCCAI), Simplified Crohn's Disease Activity Index (SCDAI), and the Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ-9). Compared with placebo, the intervention produced greater reductions in ulcerative colitis (UC) activity measured by P-SCCAI (β = -1.32; p = 0.006) and fatigue assessed by IBD-F Section 1 (β = -1.98; p < 0.001) and Section 2 (β = - 5.19; p < 0.001). No significant between-group differences were observed for Crohn's disease activity (SCDAI; β = -3.93; p = 0.301) or HRQoL measured by IBDQ-9 (β = 1.21; p = 0.114). Supplementation with B vitamins and magnesium improved fatigue and symptom-based disease activity scores in UC; however, effects on underlying inflammatory activity remain uncertain.

Research Insights

Magnesium→Improved Health-related Quality of Life
or HRQoL measured by IBDQ-9 (β = 1.21; p = 0.114)
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Magnesium→Reduced Crohn Disease Activity
No significant between-group differences were observed for Crohn's disease activity (SCDAI; β = -3.93; p = 0.301)
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Magnesium→Reduced Fatigue
and Section 2 (β = - 5.19; p < 0.001)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Magnesium→Reduced Ulcerative Colitis Activity
the intervention produced greater reductions in ulcerative colitis (UC) activity measured by P-SCCAI (β = -1.32; p = 0.006)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Vitamin B1→Improved Health-related Quality of Life
or HRQoL measured by IBDQ-9 (β = 1.21; p = 0.114)
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Vitamin B1→Reduced Crohn Disease Activity
No significant between-group differences were observed for Crohn's disease activity (SCDAI; β = -3.93; p = 0.301)
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Vitamin B1→Reduced Fatigue
and Section 2 (β = - 5.19; p < 0.001)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Vitamin B1→Reduced Ulcerative Colitis Activity
the intervention produced greater reductions in ulcerative colitis (UC) activity measured by P-SCCAI (β = -1.32; p = 0.006)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Vitamin B12→Improved Health-related Quality of Life
or HRQoL measured by IBDQ-9 (β = 1.21; p = 0.114)
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Vitamin B12→Reduced Crohn Disease Activity
No significant between-group differences were observed for Crohn's disease activity (SCDAI; β = -3.93; p = 0.301)
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Vitamin B12→Reduced Fatigue
and Section 2 (β = - 5.19; p < 0.001)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Vitamin B12→Reduced Ulcerative Colitis Activity
the intervention produced greater reductions in ulcerative colitis (UC) activity measured by P-SCCAI (β = -1.32; p = 0.006)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Vitamin B6→Improved Health-related Quality of Life
or HRQoL measured by IBDQ-9 (β = 1.21; p = 0.114)
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Vitamin B6→Reduced Crohn Disease Activity
No significant between-group differences were observed for Crohn's disease activity (SCDAI; β = -3.93; p = 0.301)
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Vitamin B6→Reduced Fatigue
and Section 2 (β = - 5.19; p < 0.001)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Vitamin B6→Reduced Ulcerative Colitis Activity
the intervention produced greater reductions in ulcerative colitis (UC) activity measured by P-SCCAI (β = -1.32; p = 0.006)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small