Vitamin E is “useful” in treating dementia
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that a daily dose of vitamin E can help people with dementia.
The study indicated that people who suffer from mild or moderate symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, their condition declines more slowly if they take doses of vitamin E compared to people who receive placebo pills.
American researchers said that patients who took doses of vitamin E were able to carry out their daily routines for a longer period, and they also became less in need of the help of others.
The Alzheimer’s Association said the dose was too large and may not be safe.
The study, according to what was published by the BBC Electronic Service, was conducted on 613 people suffering from mild to moderate symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
These people were given a daily dose of vitamin E, a dementia treatment drug called memantine, a combination of vitamin E and memantine, or a placebo.
Changes in these patients’ ability to carry out everyday tasks – such as bathing or dressing – were measured over a period of about two years.
The study found that people who took vitamin E declined more slowly than patients who took placebo, as the annual rate of decline decreased by 19 percent.
As for people who received doses of vitamin E (also known as alpha-tocopherol), they needed less help from caregivers, according to the study.
