Wednesday May 7, 2014 (foodconsumer.org) -- A study report in Neurology suggests that taking vitamin E and vitamin C supplements can help prevent certain dementia and improve cognitive function in later life in men.

The study led by Dr. Kamal H. Masaki affiliated with The Honolulu Heart Program in Honolulu, HI and colleagues shows that taking vitamin E and vitamin C dietary supplements reduced the risk of vascular dementia by almost 80% and mixed dementia by about 70%.

The study did not find a protective effect of vitamin E and vitamin C dietary supplements on Alzheimer's disease.  It is possible that many Alzheimer's disease patients took vitamin E and vitamin C supplements but did not experience a therapeutic effect even though these supplements may be preventive against Alzheimer's disease.

In any case, among men without dementia, use of either vitamin E or vitamin C supplement or both in 1988 was correlated with significantly better cognitive test performance at the 1991 to 1993 examination.

The researchers concluded "vitamin E and C supplements may protect against vascular dementia and may improve cognitive function in late life."

Another study reported in Alzheimer's disease & Associated Disorders suggests that taking vitamin D and vitamin C dietary supplements may help prevent Alzheimer's disease.

None of the 27 vitamin E supplement users were diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease while 3.9 were expected. Similarly, none of 23 vitamin C supplement users were diagnosed with the disease while more than 3 were expected.

The study led by Martha Clare Morris and colleagues involved 633 men and women aged 65 years or older who were followed up for 4.3 years.  Among the participants, 91 were diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

No association was observed between Alzheimer's disease and use of multivitamins.

The researchers concluded "These data suggest that use of the higher-dose vitamin E and vitamin C supplements may lower the risk of Alzheimer disease." (David Liu)

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