Vitamin E Supplementation Benefits Alzheimer’s Patients 05/21/10

A 2009 study once again showed that vitamin E supplementation improved outcomes for Alzheimer’s patients.

(Reference: Pavlik VN  et al. Vitamin E Use Is Associated with Improved Survival in an Alzheimer’s Disease Cohort. Journal – Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders 2009, Vol. 28, No. 6)

Study Design

847 Patients with Alzheimer’s disease were recruited into the study:

• One group of patients were given vitamin E supplementation and an Alzheimer’s Drug
• One group of patients received only vitamin E supplementation
• One group of patients received only the Alzheimer’s drug
• The control group did not receive either vitamin E or the Alzheimer’s drug

Results

• The group receiving vitamin E on its own realized a reduced overall mortality by 23% compared to patients receiving no therapy
• The Alzheimer’s drug taken on its own slightly increased mortality compared to patients receiving no treatmen
• The group receiving the vitamin E and the Alzheimer’s drug  showed the best overall results (about 30% reduction in overall mortality and improved overall function)

Conclusion

• Vitamin E supplementation is helpful to Alzheimer’s patient, and the sooner they start the better
• The ideal dosage appears to be 1000 IU, twice per day
• Vitamin E acts as a brain antioxidant, slowing brain damage produced by free radicals. Free radicals have been shown to participate in Alzheimer’s disease
• Alzheimer’s Cooperative Study in previous years also showed that 2000 IU of vitamin E supplementation per day slowed the progression of Alzheimer’s disease
• This recent study (Pavlik VN  et al. 2009) shows that vitamin E supplementation can be taken safely in concert with standard Alzheimer’ medications, and further that vitamin E supplementation enhances the efficacy of Alzheimer’s medications
• No increased risk of cancer or heart disease occurred in the groups given the high doses of vitamin E. The researchers concluded, “The results do not support a concern over increased mortality with high-dose vitamin E supplementation”