Recently there have been some questions here re vitamin E, so I'm copying a short article I wrote and posted to "Ask the Dietitian" on the NPF website; the RDA for vitamin E in the USA has increased, which I think is of interest in itself. Best, Kathrynne ------- Vitamin E is an antioxidant, and antioxidants help to prevent damage from free radicals. This damage is thought to be implicated in the death of brain cells found in Parkinson's disease (PD). Researchers have long thought that large amounts of vitamin E could help slow down the progression of PD. However, a large study found no difference in rate of progression of PD between PD patients who used supplements of vitamin E and those who did not. Nevertheless, it is still possible that people with PD could benefit from extra vitamin E. As an example, let's look at LDL cholesterol — the "bad" cholesterol. Free radicals can oxidize LDL, turning it into the artery-clogging form that leads to heart disease. Vitamin E destroys those free radicals before they can damage the LDL cholesterol. A study found that vitamin E boosted the immune systems of older adults. Our body's immune system is the first line of defense against disease. Keeping it the immune system healthy is our best insurance against illness and aging. There is also evidence that vitamin E may help fight cancer and rheumatoid arthritis, ward off the effects of aging, protect against ischemic stroke, and provide some protection against Alzheimer's disease. Further, stress leads to formation of free radicals – and Parkinson's can be a very stressful condition. People with PD may need extra vitamin E to help fight the damaging effects of stress. The best source of E is from foods. Foods contain all the various forms of this vitamin, and some forms of E work together as a team. Good food sources of vitamin E are: nuts and seeds, avocados, mayonnaise, wheat germ, peanut butter, dark green leafy vegetables, and asparagus. How much vitamin E? The new recommendation for vitamin E is 15 mg or 22 IUs (International Units), with an upper safe level of 1000 mg. Many of the research studies have used 200, 400, even 800 IUs (about 60 to 260 mg) per day, to achieve benefits. It would be very difficult to get this much vitamin E from food each day. VITAMIN E IN SOME FOODS Food // Vitamin E (mg) Sunflower seeds, 1 TB // 4.5 mg Raw almonds, 2 TB // 4.0 mg Cabbage, 1 cup shredded // 3.4 mg Canola oil, 1 TB // 3.0 mg Margarine, soft, 1 TB // 3.0 mg Turnip greens, cooked, 1/2 cup // 2.3 mg Asparagus, 4 spears // 2.0 mg Mixed raw nuts (Brazils, almonds, filberts, pecans, walnuts), 2 TB // 2.0 mg Peaches, canned, juice pack, 1/2 cup // 2.0 mg Peanut butter, 1 TB // 1.6 mg Broccoli, cooked, 1/2 cup // 1.5 mg Wheat germ, toasted, 1 TB // 1.0 mg Kraft Real Mayonnaise, 1 TB // 1.7 mg Kraft Light Mayonnaise, 1 TB // 1.0 mg Avocado, 1/4 cup // 1.0 mg Most experts now agree that a supplement of 100 to 200 IUs of vitamin E is safe for most people, and may improve health. Some neurologists prescribe amounts of 2000 or even 3000 IUs of vitamin E for people with Parkinson's. But don't take such a large amount until you have discussed it with your doctor, to be sure it will be safe for you. Could it be dangerous to take supplements of vitamin E? Persons who use certain medications, such as aspirin, warfarin, or ticlopidine, should discuss vitamin E supplements with their doctor. Large amounts of vitamin E (over 100-200 IUs) can interfere with blood clotting, making these medications too effective, so that their dose may need to be adjusted. Too much E could also increase risk for hemorrhagic stroke. Also, persons who suffer from macular degeneration should be cautious with use of vitamin E supplements. There is evidence that large amounts of vitamin E may increase progression of this disease. As a dietitian, my best advice is to get as much vitamin E as possible from foods whether you use supplements or not. This is because the natural form of vitamin E is two to three times as potent as the synthetic form, contains all the tocopherols (different forms of vit. E) and is better absorbed by the body. A combination of the natural vitamin found in foods, along with a moderate supplement of the natural form (d-alpha tocopherol plus mixed tocopherols), is the ideal choice for most people who use supplements. So discuss vitamin E supplements with your doctor, and be sure to include some E-rich foods in each day's menu. Just so you know, a slice of pumpkin pie has 5 mg of vitamin E; so does a blueberry muffin or a serving of peach crisp. Nice to know that even desserts have a healthy side, don't you think? Here's a recipe that's easy to make and has 5 mg of vitamin E. It also has 5 grams of fiber (we need at least 25 grams per day, more if frequently constipated), along with vitamin A and beta-carotene. CARROT-PEANUT-RAISIN SALAD 1 cup grated raw carrot 1/4 cup raisins 1/4 cup light mayonnaise (such as Kraft) 2 TB chopped roasted peanuts 1 apple, sliced into eight wedges Lettuce leaves (optional) Combine carrot, raisins, and mayonnaise. Chill one hour to allow flavors to blend. Sprinkle peanuts on top just before serving. Garnish each serving with four apple wedges. You may wish to serve piled on a large lettuce leaf before garnishing (plain lettuce is high in vitamin K, a bone-strengthening vitamin). Makes two portions, about ½ cup each. -- Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD Author: "Eat well, stay well with Parkinson's disease" "Constipation and Parkinson's" -- audiocassette & guidebook "Guidelines for Medical Nutrition Therapy for Parkinson's disease" & Risk Assessment Tools "Risk for malnutrition and bone fracture in Parkinson's disease," J Nutr Elderly. V18:3;1999. http://www.nutritionucanlivewith.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn