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Health February 2014

Aid for Age

Decline in Moderate Alzheimer’s Shown with Intake of Vitamin E

By Tait Trussell

In the study, the veterans were placed in groups that took either vitamin E, or other Alzheimer’s medications, or dummy pills. After two years, those on Vitamin E had a 19 percent lower rate of decline in daily living skills compared to the other groups.

For untold years, medical scientists have come up with findings and theories about causes and possible cures for what is probably the most feared condition troubling seniors of advanced age — Alzheimer’s disease.

Now, for the first time, a therapy has been announced by researchers that can possibly slow mild to moderate progression of Alzheimer’s. The important finding has some “ifs,” “ands,” and “buts.” Researchers said, however, that the familiar vitamin E might slow the progression of mild Alzheimer’s.

Some 600 older veterans under the VA health care system were given high doses of vitamin E. It was said to be the first time mild to moderate Alzheimer’s course had been altered at that stage of the disease.

The treatment delayed the decline in life skills, such as getting dressed, making meals, andy maintaining a conversation. The delay in Alzheimer’s effects lasted six months “over a two-year period.”

“It’s not a miracle, or obviously a cure,” said Dr. Maurice Dysken, the study leader at the VA facility. “The best we can do at this point is slow down the rate of progression.”

The VA-sponsored study was published by the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Several doctors familiar with the study said that no seniors should suddenly rush out and buy huge supplies of vitamin E. It did not prevent healthy people from developing dementia or help those with mild pre-Alzheimer’s in other studies.

Many Alzheimer’s experts, however, praised the new findings. For example, Dr. Sam Gandy of Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York said, “This is truly a breakthrough paper and constitutes what we have been working toward for nearly three decades, the first truly disease-modifying intervention for Alzheimer’s. I am very enthusiastic about the results.”

The new study involved 613 veterans, nearly all men. The average age was 79 with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s at 14 VA facilities. All of the subjects were taking Aricept, Razadyne or Exelon, similar Alzheimer’s medicines.

More than 5 million people in the U. S have Alzheimer’s, for which there currently is no cure. Around 35 million people worldwide have dementia.

Researchers don’t comprehend exactly how vitamin E works on Alzheimer’s patients. We do know that vitamin E is an antioxidant, and antioxidants help to protect cells from damage that can lead to other diseases.

In the study, the veterans were placed in groups that took either vitamin E, or other Alzheimer’s medications, or dummy pills. After two years, those on Vitamin E had a 19 percent lower rate of decline in daily living skills compared to the other groups.

“It’s a subtle effect, but it’s probably real,” commented Dr. Ron Petersen, head of Mayo Clinic’s Alzheimer’s research.

Heather Snyder, director of medical operations for the Alzheimer’s Association, said, “No one should take a vitamin for Alzheimer’s or other memory conditions except under the guidance of a physician.”

Some folks take vitamin E for a variety of illnesses. It is required for the proper function of several organs. It is found in many foods, including cereals, poultry, vegetables, and as a supplement bought over the counter.

Vitamin E supplement skeptics point to the story of vitamin E, which was once considered a promising tool for cancer prevention. The National Cancer Institute was so hopeful that vitamin E supplements would decrease rates of prostate cancer that in 2001 it funded a study designed to test the theory. Instead, the findings revealed that the men who took vitamin E were 17 percent more likely — not less — to develop the disease.

Now vitamin E may have become a hero in the battle against Alzheimer’s.

 

Tait Trussell is an old guy and fourth-generation professional journalist who writes extensively about aging issues among a myriad of diverse topics.

Meet Tait