Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)
For the health condition: Dementia
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Vitamin E (specifically alpha-tocopherol) has been studied as a potential treatment or supportive therapy for dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease, due to its antioxidant properties. The rationale is that oxidative stress may contribute to neurodegeneration, so antioxidants like vitamin E could theoretically protect neuronal cells. Several randomized controlled trials have investigated vitamin E supplementation in people with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Notably, the 1997 Sano et al. study (NEJM) found that high-dose vitamin E (2,000 IU/day) modestly delayed functional decline compared to placebo. However, subsequent research has produced mixed results. Some studies found no significant cognitive benefit, while others raised concerns about potential harm at high doses, including increased all-cause mortality in some meta-analyses. Systematic reviews and clinical guidelines generally conclude that vitamin E may have a small effect in slowing functional decline in Alzheimer's, but not in improving cognition or preventing dementia. Major organizations such as the American Academy of Neurology and the Alzheimer's Association do not recommend vitamin E as a routine therapy for dementia, due to limited efficacy and potential safety concerns. In summary, there is some scientific evidence for vitamin E in dementia, but it is weak and inconsistent, resulting in only modest support for its use.
Other ingredients used for Dementia
acetyl l-carnitinealgal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
amino acids
anthocyanins
astaxanthin
bilberry
blueberry
Chinese salvia root
citicoline
turmeric
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
fish oil
folate
ginger
ginkgo biloba
grape
green tea
huperzine A
l-carnosine
lion's mane
luteolin
marine lipid
melatonin
omega-3 fatty acids
phosphatidylserine
phospholipids
phytocannabinoids
polygala root
pomegranate
quercetin
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
selenium
Urolithin A
vinpocetine
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
royal jelly
Anserine
Alpha glyceryl
Acetylcholine
Aniracetam
Butylphthalide
Beta-hydroxybutyrate
Basidiomycota
Brahmi
Bacopa
bacoside
Centrophenoxine
Curcuminoid
Convolvulus prostratus
Folic Acid
Fo-Ti
Fatty acids
Flavanols
Flavones
Ketone Salts
Other health conditions supported by Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)
Age SpotsAging (prevention)
Alzheimer's Disease
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Cardiovascular Disease
Cataracts
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Dementia
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Eczema
Eye Problems
Eyesight (poor)
Free Radical Damage
Hair (loss or thinning)
Heart (weakness)
Hepatitis
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Macular Degeneration
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Migraine