Alzheimer's Patients Who Take Vitamin E Live Longer, New Research Reveals

Alzheimer's Patients who take vitamin E seem to live longer according to a study presented here in Chicago at the 2008 American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting (4/12 - 4/19). The study was led by Dr. Valory Pavlik from the Baylor College of Medicine's (Alzheimer's Disease and Memory Disorders Center, Houston, TX).

A 5-year study that enrolled some 850 participants tested the effect of taking vitamin E supplements on Alzheimer's Patients. Around 655 participants took Vitamin E (1000 international Units) two times a day in addition to a regular Alzheimer's drug. The rest of the participants were divided in 2 groups: one taking Vitamin E alone (10%) and the rest did not take vitamin E (15%)

The study found what seems to be a beneficial effect of vitamin E on the life expectancy (survival rate) of patients. In fact participants who took vitamin E, with or without an Alzheimer's drug, were 26% less prone to die when compared to the group of participants who did not take vitamin supplement..

Lead author Valory Pavlik presented the study's results and was very excited about the outcome and implications of this study. As known, it is somehow accepted that Vitamin E has beneficial effects on many vital function of the human body. Also, he mentioned that specifically for Alzheimer's many studies have demonstrated that taking vitamin E is a useful approach to slow the progression of the disease.

Now, said Dr. Pavlik, our study has shown that Vitamin E increases survival time. This is great news for people who have the Alzheimer's disease. The effect seems to be more significant if Vitamin E is taken in conjunction with the cholinesterase inhibitor (a regularly prescribed drug for Alzheimer's patients) that was tested din the study. However, he cautioned about the need of doing more research about this combined effect.

He also cautioned about the dose of vitamin E. He said that the dose tested in this study (1000 IU) is higher than what people are currently taking in the United States. Vitamin E can be found naturally in a variety of plant-based foods such as nuts, leafy green vegetables, and oils (vegetable origin).

Study such as this is certainly welcomed by patients and doctors alike. The Alzheimer's disease is a terrible malady that progressively deteriorates the patients quality of life. There in no cure for the Alzheimer's disease. Only supportive treatments are available for Alzheimer's and currently treatment options are limited.

Source:

Pavlik et al. 2008. Vitamin E Use Is Associated with Improved Survival in an AD Cohort

2008 American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting.(Chicago, Il) Poster Sessions III: Aging and Dementia: Clinical II. # P03.076