Vitamin E protects against Parkinson's disease

Eating a vitamin E rich diet might help protect people against Parkinson's disease. Researchers from the Royal Victoria Hospital in Quebec, Canada found that diets rich in vitamin E protect against the development of Parkinson's disease. They reviewed eight studies and analysed whether vitamins C, E and beta carotene had an impact on developing the progressive brain disease. The analysis showed that a moderate intake of vitamin E lowered the risk. Neither vitamin C nor beta carotene seemed to have a protective effect against the illness. The researchers did not know whether vitamin E supplements would have any benefits. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects cells from damage. Foods rich in the vitamin include nuts, seeds, wheat germ, spinach and other green leafy vegetables.

Parkinson's is a chronic, irreversible neurodegenerative disease that affects 1 percent of people over the age of 65 worldwide. In the United States alone at least 500,000 people suffer from the illness. The illness occurs when brain cells that produce a chemical called dopamine malfunction and die. Symptoms include tremors, stiffness, slow movement and poor coordination & balance. The scientists said that more research is needed to confirm their findings.