Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin that exists in about eight different forms. Vitamin E is important for immune function and helps to repair damaged DNA. But perhaps vitamin E’s most important role is to act as a powerful antioxidant.
Not surprising then that a new study has found that, when you don’t get enough vitamin E in your diet, you have a greater risk of declining mental function as you age.
Numerous studies have found that vitamin E plays a role in preventing and treating Alzheimer’s disease by inhibiting damage caused by free radicals. In one study conducted recently in the Netherlands, participants with the highest level of vitamin E intake, compared to those with the lowest levels, were 25% less likely to develop dementia
And, in a Swedish study, researchers investigated the association between levels of vitamin E and incidence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) among older individuals. The research team evaluated a dementia-free sample of 232 participants aged 80+ years. After six years, the researchers followed up on the participants to study levels of vitamin E. They found that high plasma levels of vitamin E were associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease in advanced age.
Here are some tips on how to take vitamin E:
–Your body needs zinc in order to maintain proper levels of vitamin E in the body.
–When vitamin E oxidizes a free radical, it can be revitalized by vitamin C and continue its fight against these damaging compounds. Try to take vitamin E together with vitamin C.
–Inorganic forms of iron destroy vitamin E. If you are going to take vitamin E and iron supplements, take them at separate times of the day.
–Adding vitamin E to fats and oils prevents them from becoming rancid.
–Generally, we get a maximum of about 50 international units of vitamin E in our diet daily through certain nuts, leafy vegetables, and oils.
–It is recommended that you take 2,000 IU of synthetic vitamin E and 1,340 IU or natural vitamin E if you have Alzheimer’s, but only 200 to 800 IU if you are looking to obtain its antioxidant properties. Always check with your doctor before beginning to take vitamin E.
Note that doses larger than 1,000 milligrams can cause thinning of the blood. If you are taking blood-thinning medications, you should only use vitamin E under the supervision of your doctor as it might increase the risk of bleeding.