Alzheimer's and Vitamin E, Part 1

Estimates are that as many as 5.1 million Americans are dealing with Alzheimer’s disease. Difficulties with activities of daily living (e.g., shopping, preparing meals, planning, and traveling) often negatively impact these individuals. An article published in Journal of the American Medical Association in January of 2014 reported that alpha tocepherol (fat-soluble Vitamin E and antioxidant), may slow functional decline in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease and decrease caregiver burden. According to Mary Sano, PhD, trial co-investigator, and professor in the department of psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and director of research at the James J. Peters Veteran’s Administration Medical Center, Bronx, New York: “This trial showed that vitamin E delays progression of functional decline by 19% per year, which translates into 6.2 months benefit over placebo.” Vitamin E use did not show delay of cognitive or memory deterioration in the research.  More tomorrow.