VITAMIN E APPEARS TO SLOW THE PROGRESS OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
In an article published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers who studied military veterans diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease found that those that took high doses of Vitamin E were better able to handle daily tasks such as getting dressed and preparing food for six months longer than veterans not taking vitamin E.
The veterans were taking up to 2,000 international units of vitamin E, 50 times higher than the recommended doses.
People taking vitamin E also needed caregiver assistance for two hours less per day. The vitamin showed no effect on memory or cognitive ability. But this knowledge could give Alzheimer’s patients more independence, longer.
While a 2005 study claimed vitamin E supplementation increases the risk of death, no other studies have found these results. Recall that vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin, so long-term dosing could lead to build-up in the body. As with any other supplement, discuss with your physician for the benefits and the risks.
ANTIOXIDANTS, SUCH AS VITAMIN E, COULD LOWER YOUR RISK OF CATARACTS
A cataract is the clouding of the eye lens. They are strongly linked to aging. More than 50% of Americans 80 years old and older will develop cataracts.
A new study out of Sweden found women who ate a diet high in antioxidants lowered their cataract risk 13%. Similar studies have shown that patients with adequate levels of vitamin C are 39% less likely to develop cataracts.
Vitamin C is just one type of antioxidant. Other antioxidant include vitamin E, beta-carotene, and selenium. Some foods with the highest amounts of antioxidants are blueberries, red wine, broccoli, and tomatoes.
