Antioxidants May Slow Alzheimer’s
Posted By Clod on January 24, 2011
They’re already being studied for their benefits in cancer and heart disease. Now, a recent study suggests that two specific antioxidants, vitamin E and a drug called selegiline, may slow the progression of important symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease by about seven months.
In a two-year study of 2463 people with moderately severe Alzheimer’s, two groups given either 5 milligrams (mg) of selegiline (brand name Eldepryl, currently being used to treat Parkinson’s disease) or 1,000 international units (IU) of vitamin E daily delayed the loss of the ability to perform daily activities, the progression of severe dementia, and institutionalization.
“We’re excited about these results because there are so few options available for people with more severe cases of Alzheimer’s,” says doctor, MD, associate director of the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center in Chicago, one of the sites for the study trials. “The benefits of these treatments are small but real – and people can ask for them right now.”
Final note: The doses of vitamin E used in this trial were very high – almost 70 times greater than the current RDA of 20 IU. It is essential that doses of this sort be monitored by a physician for side effects, as well as any progress.
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