How Vitamin E Works
Vitamin E is a free-radical scavenger that destroys toxic free radicals like “bad’’ oxygen and hydrogen peroxide; these antioxidant properties may benefit patients with Alzheimer’s disease and protect against memory loss due to the aging process.
The anticoagulant properties of vitamin E, which distinguish it from the other antioxidant vitamins A and C, may help protect against stroke.
In laboratory experiments, exposing brain cells to vitamin E limits the number of cells damaged by glutamate, a naturally occurring substance that can act as a destructive neurotransmitter in many brain regions. This may be another method by which vitamin E protects against stroke.
A Tufts University investigation found that a single 200 mg capsule of vitamin E daily significantly improved immune system response.
These broad antiaging effects of vitamin E have led to propositions that it can fight cancer, slow down the formation of cataracts in the eyes, and relieve arthritic symptoms. Some of these claims go way beyond the available evidence, and it remains to be seen if the actions of vitamin E are really that widespread.
Vitamin E for Memory Loss
In the Introduction, I described the story of David Finestone, a forty-nine-year-old man whose memory loss for names was probably caused by a small stroke. His treatment regimen consisted of cutting down on saturated fats, eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, taking an aspirin a day for its anticoagulant effects to prevent further strokes, and ingesting a capsule of 800 IUs of vitamin E daily. At that time, the antioxidant and antiaging properties of vitamin E were well known, but there were no data to indicate that it could directly prevent memory loss. However, recent studies have produced positive results, and vitamin E is now a frontline strategy to prevent memory loss due to the aging process.
Taken From: The Memory Program How to Prevent Memory Loss
and Enhance Memory Power
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