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Dear Listfriends, Steve and I had a most excellent trip to the east coast. We were in time to view the lovely fall foliage and thoroughly enjoyed it. I also got to meet Capitol Chapter members, and Hilary Blue and Michel Margosis treated me to a scenic tour of the area. In Massachusetts George Lussier stuffed us with lobster (my dream come true!) and Ivan Suzman gave me some invaluable thoughts on PD and endocrinology which I hope to follow up on with a colleague in the coming months. Listmembers are the greatest!! While in Atlanta at the American Dietetic Association convention, I took the opportunity to discuss vitamin E needs with a professor who specializes in vitamin E research. He has studies to show that the natural form of vitamin E is preferentially utilized by the body, and he recommends its use over the synthetic form. I believe that the natural vitamin E could be helpful to people with PD; whether it can affect oxidative damage in the brain is not known definitely, however I think it's likely that the stress of PD creates a need for more antioxidants than can be found in a normal day's diet. I suggest discussing this with your physicians, and asking if it would be advisable to use a vitamin E supplement. I am told, but have not yet verified, that at least two companies produce high-quality natural vitamin E supplements: Twin Labs Nature's Way I hope this information may be helpful. I also took the opportunity to discuss PD with colleagues, researchers, and food companies, whenever possible. I found much more awareness and interest this year than last year, which I find very hopeful. Additionally, the PD nutrition manual which I wrote under grant for ADA was launched, and this may bring greater interest among health professionals. My thanks to all the wonderful listserv members who made our vacation such a joy. We've just gotta get back to the east coast!!! I will be leaving here for Miami in a couple of days, so I may have to leave the list again temporarily. But it's good to be back!! Best regards, Kathrynne -- Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD Medical nutrition therapy Author: "Eat well, stay well with Parkinson's disease" "Parkinson's disease: assessing and managing unique nutrition needs" http://www.nutritionucanlivewith.com/