Protect Against Parkinson’s Disease: Get Your Vitamin E
By Maureen Williams, ND
Moderate amounts of vitamin E in the diet can protect against
Parkinson’s disease, according to a study in the Lancet
Neurology (2005;4:362–5).
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive neurological
disease characterized by resting tremors, increasing muscle
rigidity, and eventual paralysis. The cause is unknown, but a
number of factors, including age, genetics, and environmental
influences are believed to affect risk. Drugs can help relieve
the symptoms and might slow the progress of the disease, but
cannot cure it.
Highly reactive free radicals appear to play an important role
in the nerve damage that occurs in people with Parkinson’s
disease. Antioxidants—such as vitamins A, C, and E,
beta-carotene and other carotenoids, zinc, and plant chemicals
known as bioflavonoids—are nutrients that prevent free radicals
from injuring cells. Several studies have looked at the effects
of dietary antioxidants on the risk of Parkinson’s disease.
The current report analyzed the research on the possible link
between the risk of Parkinson’s disease and dietary intake of
three antioxidants: vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene.
Eight studies were found to meet the criteria of this analysis,
and of these, seven looked at the effect of vitamin E on the
risk of Parkinson’s disease, seven looked at vitamin C, and four
looked at beta-carotene. The studies used questionnaires to
approximate the amounts of these antioxidants in the
participants’ diets and supplements. For this analysis, intake
was categorized as high if it was within the top 20 to 25% of
people’s diets and moderate if it was in the middle 50 to 60%.
Moderate and high dietary intake of vitamin E were associated
with a 19% reduction in the risk of developing Parkinson’s
disease, but no protective effects of either vitamin C or
beta-carotene were seen. High intake of vitamin E was slightly
more protective than moderate intake, but this difference was
not statistically significant.
The findings of this analysis show that eating a diet rich in
vitamin E can reduce the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
Foods with high amounts of vitamin E include nuts, seeds,
olives, olive oil, other vegetable oils, and avocados. Despite
their high fat content, it’s important for people to understand
that these foods are an important part of a healthful diet. It
is important to note that at least one study suggested that
synthetic vitamin E (the most common and least expensive form
used in supplements) is unlikely to provide the same benefit as
vitamin E in its natural form because of its reduced activity
and possible reduced ability to reach the brain tissue.
About the Author: Maureen Williams, ND, received her bachelor’s
degree from the University of Pennsylvania and her Doctorate of
Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University in Seattle, WA. She
has a private practice in Quechee, VT, and does extensive work
with traditional herbal medicine. For more information about
Vitamin E, visit http://www.VitaminHerbUniversity.com.
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link:
http://www.isnare.com/?aid=8758&ca=Medicines+and+Remedies
By Maureen Williams, ND
Moderate amounts of vitamin E in the diet can protect against
Parkinson’s disease, according to a study in the Lancet
Neurology (2005;4:362–5).
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive neurological
disease characterized by resting tremors, increasing muscle
rigidity, and eventual paralysis. The cause is unknown, but a
number of factors, including age, genetics, and environmental
influences are believed to affect risk. Drugs can help relieve
the symptoms and might slow the progress of the disease, but
cannot cure it.
Highly reactive free radicals appear to play an important role
in the nerve damage that occurs in people with Parkinson’s
disease. Antioxidants—such as vitamins A, C, and E,
beta-carotene and other carotenoids, zinc, and plant chemicals
known as bioflavonoids—are nutrients that prevent free radicals
from injuring cells. Several studies have looked at the effects
of dietary antioxidants on the risk of Parkinson’s disease.
The current report analyzed the research on the possible link
between the risk of Parkinson’s disease and dietary intake of
three antioxidants: vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene.
Eight studies were found to meet the criteria of this analysis,
and of these, seven looked at the effect of vitamin E on the
risk of Parkinson’s disease, seven looked at vitamin C, and four
looked at beta-carotene. The studies used questionnaires to
approximate the amounts of these antioxidants in the
participants’ diets and supplements. For this analysis, intake
was categorized as high if it was within the top 20 to 25% of
people’s diets and moderate if it was in the middle 50 to 60%.
Moderate and high dietary intake of vitamin E were associated
with a 19% reduction in the risk of developing Parkinson’s
disease, but no protective effects of either vitamin C or
beta-carotene were seen. High intake of vitamin E was slightly
more protective than moderate intake, but this difference was
not statistically significant.
The findings of this analysis show that eating a diet rich in
vitamin E can reduce the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
Foods with high amounts of vitamin E include nuts, seeds,
olives, olive oil, other vegetable oils, and avocados. Despite
their high fat content, it’s important for people to understand
that these foods are an important part of a healthful diet. It
is important to note that at least one study suggested that
synthetic vitamin E (the most common and least expensive form
used in supplements) is unlikely to provide the same benefit as
vitamin E in its natural form because of its reduced activity
and possible reduced ability to reach the brain tissue.
About the Author: Maureen Williams, ND, received her bachelor’s
degree from the University of Pennsylvania and her Doctorate of
Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University in Seattle, WA. She
has a private practice in Quechee, VT, and does extensive work
with traditional herbal medicine. For more information about
Vitamin E, visit http://www.VitaminHerbUniversity.com.
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link:
http://www.isnare.com/?aid=8758&ca=Medicines+and+Remedies
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