Irritability is one of the most common and distressing problems teenagers and their families face.

Its main symptom is an excessive reaction to negative emotional stimuli, resulting in temper outbursts and severe irritable mood.

While current treatment options such as psychotherapy and medications are helpful for some, they can be inaccessible or poorly tolerated.

Our new research, based on a double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial, shows broad-spectrum micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) can significantly reduce severe irritability in teenagers. Teens with severely disruptive behaviour experienced especially large improvements.