The December issue (18/12/01) of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences contains a report of Japanese research into the protective role of Vitamin E in Alzheimer’s. The scientists used GM mice which lack a gene essential for Vitamin E metabolism in the body.

The mice had symptoms associated with neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s Disease, including poor coordination and tremors.

Treatment with supplements to increase their brain Vitamin E levels almost eradicated the symptoms.

The UK Alzheimer’s Society is cautious about claims that Vitamin E might be equally protective in humans, but there is now a large number of studies which all support the idea that antioxidants and other supplements can slow or even prevent the disease from developing (Health Defence, pp 280-283).