VITAMIN E FOR ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

The results of a recent study reported in the most recent journal of JAMA shows that 2000 units of Vitamin E can have beneficial effects at retarding the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.  In an older study, 2000 units of Vitamin E was shown to be equally as effective as taking a prescribed medication (10 mg of selegiline) daily at improving activities of daily living (dressing, eating, walking) and delaying placement into a nursing home.  Interestingly, in this study if the patient combined taking both vitamin E and selegiline together the beneficial effect of either substance was lost.  There are additional studies which have shown slowed cognitive decline in the elderly without dementia if they take high doses of Vitamin E.  As mentioned at the start of this paragraph, a new study was performed which enrolled 613 patients with mild to moderate dementia (mean age 79; 97% men).  The patients were broken into four groups: 2,000 units Vitamin E, 20 mg memantine, Vit E + memantine, and placebo.   They were followed for 4 years.  The group taking Vitamin E alone showed a reduction in disease production of 19% per year.  It even did better than the memantine alone (although this was not statistically significant).  Interestingly, similar to the study that used selegiline, when Vitamin E was combined with memantine then the beneficial effect was lost.

Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of taking high doses of Vitamin E.  One major concern is that Vitamin E can thin your blood and for patients already on anticoagulants it may not be wise to add a high dose of Vitamin E as well. 

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that is found in fruit, vegetables and whole grains.  It is best absorbed when taken with food.  It typically is dispensed in 400 IU’s capsules.