Daily dose of vitamin E slows ravages of dementia

by Jo Willey for Express:A DAILY dose of vitamin E could slow the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s disease by almost 20 per cent, research has claimed.The “anti-ageing” vitamin found in nuts, seeds and olive oil is said to help people with dementia carry out everyday tasks for longer.Experts in the US found the annual rate of functional decline among dementia sufferers was reduced by 19 per cent thanks to a daily vitamin E supplement, compared to those patients who received only a placebo. The “anti-ageing” vitamin found in nuts, seeds and olive oil is said to help people with dementia carry out everyday tasks for longer.Experts in the US found the annual rate of functional decline among dementia sufferers was reduced by 19 per cent thanks to a daily vitamin E supplement, compared to those patients who received only a placebo. It meant those who benefited were able to cope better with activities such as shopping, preparing meals, planning and travelling.The finding comes after previous research showed that older people with high amounts of vitamin E in their blood were far less likely to develop the brain disease.It suggests that a daily vitamin E pill or a diet rich in nuts and oils could be a cheap and effective way of keeping the mind healthy for years after a diagnosis of dementia.The latest research was by scientists at the Icahn School of Medicine at New York’s Mount Sinai Hospital and the Veterans’ Administration Medical Centres in Minneapolis.It meant those who benefited were able to cope better with activities such as shopping, preparing meals, planning and travelling.The finding comes after previous research showed that older people with high amounts of vitamin E in their blood were far less likely to develop the brain disease.It suggests that a daily vitamin E pill or a diet rich in nuts and oils could be a cheap and effective way of keeping the mind healthy for years after a diagnosis of dementia.The latest research was by scientists at the Icahn School of Medicine at New York’s Mount Sinai Hospital and the Veterans’ Administration Medical Centres in Minneapolis.Mount Sinai chief executive Dr Kenneth Davis said: “This study is the first to show an added benefit from vitamin E in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease.“Now that we have a strong clinical trial showing that vitamin E slows functional decline and reduces the burdens on care-givers, vitamin E should be offered to patients with mild-to-moderate symptoms.”The patients in the US trial, published in the journal JAMA, were given 2,000 IU (international units) a day of vitamin E. In the UK, the recommended daily intake is between 3-4mg or 4.5-6 IU. Previous studies led to a drop in prescribing vitamin E after high doses were claimed to be harmful. Critics say people should be able to get all they need from a ­balanced diet.Dr Doug Brown, for the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “Treatments which can help people with dementia carry out everyday tasks are key to enabling those with the condition to live well for as long as ­possible.“However, it is vitally important that people always seek advice from their doctor.“In this instance, the dosage of vitamin E taken by participants was much higher than the recommended daily allowance and was at a level that could be significantly harmful for some.“More research is needed to see if vitamin E really does have benefits for people with dementia, and whether it would be safe to be taking such a high dose on a daily basis.”Picture: Alamy