Vitamin E May Deter Dementia

A Dutch epidemiological study of more than 5,000 people found that those who consumed food high in vitamin E were also less likely to develop dementia. The study lasted for almost 10 years and analyzed dietary intake for foods rich in vitamin E such as nuts, wheat germ, vegetable oil, and green leafy vegetables. Those with the highest intake of vitamin E were 25 percent less likely to be diagnosed with dementia during the decade than those with the lowest intake. Before anyone goes back to buying vitamin E supplements, however, there needs to be a controlled trial to see whether supplements can actually make a difference. Recent Vitamin E research has not lived to expectations when it comes to cardiovascular health or cancer prevention.

[Archives of Neurology, July 2010]