Vitamin E and C supplements and Alzheimer's disease

It is well established that antioxidants have a preventative effect on cellular ageing in cell culture and in simple biological systems. The importance of antioxidants in prevention of ageing and memory loss has also been observed in some work with animals.

The evidence has been growing of a link between diet and the intake of vitamins with an antioxidant action and a lower incidence of dementia. However, it is still unclear whether very high doses of specific antioxidants are an effective anti-ageing remedy in humans.

Many vitamins with an antioxidant action have undesirable effects when taken in higher than normally recommended doses. However, the research by Zandi et al is interesting. It builds our knowledge of the influence of diet on how we age and maintain our mental and physical abilities.

Although the researchers have attempted in the statistical analysis to take a number of variables in lifestyle and conditions into account, it cannot be excluded that the reduction in the prevalence and incidence of Alzheimer's among this group was caused by something other than the intake of vitamin E and C. The doses of vitamins Vitamin C and E that made a difference in this study are quite extreme. It may be difficult to find populations outside the US taking equivalent doses on a regular basis to verify this evidence.

At the moment many researchers are interested in antioxidants and the development of dementia. The Alzheimer's Society welcomes further research in this field. With the number of older people increasing in UK and elsewhere, it is important to invest in research on the prevention of dementia.

In the meantime, the Society fully supports the government's 'five a day' campaign to encourage all of us to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day and to include oily fish and nuts in our diet. Increasing research evidence suggests that there are strong links between a good varied diet, a healthy heart and a healthy brain.