Vitamin E supplements reduce the risk of ALS

A study published online in advance of the January 2005 issue of Annals of Neurology has found an association between the use of vitamin E supplements and a lower incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Researchers from Harvard School of Public Health followed 957,740 participants in the American Cancer Society's Cancer Prevention Study II for ten years. A follow-up of 170,000 subjects in 1992 showed that people who used vitamin E supplements for over ten years experienced less than half the risk of dying of ALS than those who did not report using vitamin E supplements.

Although vitamin E was the only nutrient examined that was associated with a lower risk of ALS, it isn't possible to rule out interactions with other nutrients or factors, since people who use vitamin E also tend to use other supplements.

The researchers speculate that the lower ALS death rate among long-term vitamin E users was likely due to a reduced incidence of the disease, not necessarily to a better prognosis among those already diagnosed with ALS.

Vitamin C supplements linked to lower heart disease risk

Previous studies suggest that a diet high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains may reduce the risk of developing coronary heart disease. It is still unclear however, whether it is the antioxidants in these foods that are responsible for the protection, or if it is due to other factors.

A recent study published in the December issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has found that people who supplement with high doses of vitamin C could be reducing their risk of developing coronary heart disease. The research involved pooled data from 9 prospective antioxidant studies involving over 293,000 subjects. During a ten-year follow-up, researchers investigated the incidence of major coronary heart disease events in subjects who were without the disease when the study began. Dietary intake of antioxidant vitamins was only weakly related to a reduced coronary heart disease risk. However, subjects who took more than 700 mg of vitamin C daily in supplement form, reduced their risk of heart disease events by 25 percent over those who did not take supplements.

Carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin help prevent cataracts

The carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin have been shown to offer protection from age-related macular degeneration, a disease of the eye that can lead to blindness. New research now reveals that these nutrients may also help prevent cataracts.

In a recent study, reported in the December 2004 issue of the Journal of Nutrition, human eye cells were treated with several concentrations of lutein, zeaxanthin or vitamin E, and exposed to ten seconds of ultraviolet-beta radiation (UVB). UVB radiation is a wavelength of sunlight that is believed to be responsible for cataract formation. Pretreatment of the eye cells with lutein and zeaxanthin inhibited markers of UVB damage by 50-60%. Although vitamin E had a protective effect in this study, lutein and zeaxanthin were nearly ten times more powerful.

Along with the many environmental, lifestyle and genetic risk factors associated with cataracts, exposure to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight and oxidative stress appear to be a significant risk factor in cataract development. In addition to protective enzymes and compounds like vitamins C and E, it appears that low concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin in the eye lens may help shield the eye from harmful effects of UVB radiation, reducing the risk of cataract development.

Cardiovascular benefits of magnesium are similar to statin pharmaceuticals

A review published in the October 2004 issue of the Journal of the American College of Nutrition has found that many cardiovascular benefits of magnesium parallel those of statin drugs. Statins are a class of drugs commonly prescribed for individuals with elevated cholesterol levels, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

The researchers discuss the fact that both statin drugs and magnesium can inactivate the enzyme responsible for the first step in cholesterol formation and improve the function of blood vessels, reduce inflammation, and provide other cardiovascular benefits. Magnesium, however, is also involved in the activity of another enzyme known as LCAT, which helps elevate beneficial HDL cholesterol levels while reducing unhealthy LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. In addition, magnesium is necessary for the enzyme that converts linoleic acid and linolenic acid into compounds that reduce inflammation. Furthermore, optimal levels of magnesium within the cell are a natural calcium channel blocker, which helps dilate the blood vessels.

Because of its many cardiovascular benefits, relatively low cost, and good safety profile, the researchers suggest that increasing magnesium could be a viable alternative for those who cannot or choose not to take statin drugs.

Note: If you are currently taking a statin drug to lower cholesterol, do not discontinue its use except on the advice of your physician. This information is not meant to imply that magnesium supplements should replace all statin drugs. However, adequate magnesium is very important for cardiovascular health, especially for those at risk for coronary artery disease.