For Alzheimer’s Disease:
Daily doses of 1,000 IU of vitamin E were effective in slowing down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in the participants who were studied.
Vitamin E is a strong, fat-soluble antioxidant that helps protect cell membranes against damage caused by free radicals and it helps prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. The term vitamin E actually refers to a group of eight compounds referred to as tocopherols and tocotrienols, making up the vitamin complex as found in nature.
Vitamin E is needed for both the structural and functional maintenance of skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle. In addition, it assists in the formation of red blood cells and helps to maintain stores of vitamin A and K, iron and selenium. It may also have a positive effect on immune health, not to mention protect against the oxidative damage that can lead to heart disease, have preventive effects against cancer, help relieve symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, and may help prevent some diabetes-related damage, especially to the eyes.
For Huntington’s Disease:
Vitamin E is essential and is a recommended treatment for Huntington’s disease. Increasing your intake can help stimulate neurological connections and patterns, which makes the slow decline of the mind even slower, providing a normal level of functioning and life for many patients.
Vitamin E has been studied in the management of tardive dyskinesia (abnormal movements that can happen after long-term usage of some older antipsychotic drugs) and Parkinson’s disease, although the results of existing studies aren’t conclusive enough to form a clear recommendation. More research is needed though.
Avoid vitamin E intake if you’re allergic or hypersensitive to it, or if you’re diagnosed with retinities pigmentosa (loss of peripheral vision). Use cautiously with bleeding disorders or if taking blood thinners. Avoid doses greater than the recommended daily level in pregnant women and breastfeeding women.
