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new study of more than 6,000 persons ages 65 and older showed
that a high intake of vitamin E from foods and/or dietary supplements
was associated with reduced memory loss and other cognitive
decline.
Martha Clare
Morris, ScD, principal author of the study and assistant professor
in the department of internal medicine at Rush-Presbyterian-St.
Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, will present details of her
study in Washington at the World Alzheimer's Congress 2000 on
Tuesday, July 11.
"We were
interested in evaluating whether antioxidant nutrients, such
as vitamin E and C, reduced cognitive decline associated with
aging," said Morris. "While a number of studies have
suggested that antioxidant nutrients offer protection against
diseases related to aging, there are few studies that have specifically
examined whether antioxidant nutrients protect against decline
of cognitive function among aging Americans."
The study,
which began in 1993, measured change in the cognitive function
of individuals in an entire residential community of older persons.
The study, conducted over a three-year period, surveyed participants
about their usual diet including their use of vitamin supplements.
Participants' cognitive function was measured through a series
of performance exams including the testing of recollection of
details from a lengthy story, and the ability to associate pairs
of symbols and numbers after studying the set groupings for
a short period of time.
"This
study is important because most of the previous research has
focused on antioxidant nutrients as treatment therapy in persons
who already have neurologic diseases, such as Alzheimer's or
Parkinson's disease. There is limited study on whether dietary
intake of antioxidant nutrients can protect against the disease
from ever occurring," said Morris.
Morris and
researchers at the Rush Institute for Health Aging and the Rush
Alzheimer's Disease Center are currently evaluating the effects
of vitamin C and E intake on the incidence of Alzheimer's disease
in the same population, and will have results later in the year.
This study
underscores the importance of supplementation.
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