Suggests that it's time to stop thinking about vitamins as
nutritional supplements, and start thinking about them more as drugs.
Citation of reports which tout vitamins A, C, E, as preventives of some
chronic disorders such as heart disease, arthritis, cataracts, even
cancer; Details of research being done at the Salk Institute for
Biological Studies in La Jolla, California.
By
PT Staff, published on May 01, 1993
Vitamin E
IT'S TIME TO STOP thinking about vitamins as nutritional
supplements. And start thinking about them more as drugs.
Report upon report has been touting vitamin E, along with vitamins
A and C, as preventives of such chronic disorders as heart disease,
arthritis, cataracts, even cancer. But a new study suggests that in
amounts larger than daily diets normally supply, it may delay age-related
damage to the brain associated with memory loss.
At the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla,
California, researchers have found that vitamin E prevents the death of
nerve cells exposed to beta amyloid protein. This protein is found in
large quantities in brain lesions that occur as a natural consequence of
aging but that are also especially characteristic of Alzheimer's disease.
They congregate in areas of the brain essential for g and memory
function.
According to Salk's David Schubert, Ph.D., vitamin E may combat the
death of brain cells by scavenging free radicals. These are wildly
reactive oxygen molecules now implicated in many degenerative diseases
and thought to be given off when beta amyloid comes into contact with a
nerve cell. Free radicals kill cells by destroying their outer
membranes.
So far, vitamin E has been tested directly against nerve cells in
test-tube studies. Next come clinical trials to see whether it halts
progressive memory loss.
Alzheimer's disease, which affects 10 to 15 percent of the
population over age 65, may take as long as 20 years to develop. The
initial stage affects memory and skills often related to job performance.
The second stage shows increasing memory loss, added confusion, and
shorter attention span. In the third and final stage, victims lose the
ability to communicate.
Tags:
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