Written by Jessica Patella, ND. Patients with high blood levels of vitamin E had 45% reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
An increasing number of research studies are pointing to oxidative damage as part of the cause of Alzheimer’s disease (1). Regions of the brain from those with mild dementia and Alzheimer’s disease show more oxidative damage than the brains of healthy mental functioning adults (2). This is just one of the many reasons why antioxidants have received more attention for preventive health (3).
Vitamin E is a major anti-oxidant in the body and is essential for normal brain functioning (4). There are eight different forms of vitamin E and a recent study was the first to evaluate all eight forms of vitamin E in relation to Alzheimer’s disease (5).
The research included 232 participants, at least 80 years of age, without any form of dementia. The participants were then followed up yearly for up to 6 years to detect dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Follow-up included a mini-mental status exam to determine cognitive function and the Katz index of activities of daily living to determine basic functional status (5).
Of the 232 participants, 57 cases of probable Alzheimer’s disease were detected. Of the 57, 6 died and were confirmed to have a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
Participants with higher total vitamin E blood levels (greater than 8.81 micromol/mmol) had a 45% reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease compared to participants with the lowest levels (less than 6.87 micromol/mmol). When examining different forms of vitamin E, beta-tocopherol was the only form by itself that reduced the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (HR: 0.62, 95% CI 0.39-0.99). (5) All other forms showed no statistically significant changes. Information on the best sources of d alpha tocopherol are listed on the NHRI site but these are not all good sources of beta tocopherol. Wheat germ oil is the best food source of beta tocopherol and many vitamin E supplements contain larger amounts.
In conclusion, low blood levels of vitamin E late in life may increase the risk for or the expression of Alzheimer’s disease. The protective effect of vitamin E seems to be best in a mixed form, of all types of vitamin E, although beta-tocopherol did show some improvement on its own. Further research to determine if it is actually a reduction in vitamin E in the diet that is the cause, or if Alzheimer’s disease reduces vitamin E levels due to increased metabolism, still need to be conducted (5). Yet, the researchers still felt vitamin E plays an important role in Alzheimer’s disease prevention (5).
Source: Mangialasche, Francesca, et al. “High plasma levels of vitamin E forms and reduced Alzheimer’s disease risk in advanced age.” Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease 20.4 (2010): 1029-1037.
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Posted January 28, 2013.
Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a holistic approach to health. She earned her ND from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ, and is a member of the North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Visit her website at www.awarenesswellness.com
References:
- Sayre LM, et al. (2008) Oxidative stress and neurotoxicity. Chem Res Toxicol 21, 172-188.
Mangialasche F, et al. (2009) Biomarkers of oxida-tive and nitrosative damage in Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment. Ageing Res Rev 8, 285-305. - Kamat CD, et al. (2008) Antioxidants in central nervous system diseases: preclinical promise and translational challenges. J Alzheimers Dis 15, 473-493.
- Muller DP, Goss-Sampson MA (1990) Neurochemical, neu- rophysiological, and neuropathological studies in vitamin E deficiency. Crit Rev Neurobiol 5, 239-263.
- Mangialasche F, et al. (2010) High Plasma Levels of Vitamin E Forms and Reduced Alzheimer’s Disease Risk in Advanced Age. J Alzheimer’s Dis 20 1029-37.
