Vitamin E Supplementation May Improve Immune Parameters in the Elderly

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Vitamin E Supplementation May Improve Immune Parameters in the Elderly

http://www.vitasearch.com/CP/weeklyupdates/

Reference: " Vitamin E ingestion improves several immune functions in

elderly men and women, " De la Fuente M, Hernanz A, et al, Free Radic

Res, 2008; 42(3): 272-80. (Address: de la Fuente, Department of

Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biological Science, Complutense University

of Madrid, Madrid, Spain).

Summary: In a study involving healthy elderly men and women, various

parameters of immune function were found to be impaired, and

supplementation with vitamin E (200 mg/d) for 3 months was found to

significantly improve these parameters. As compared with non-elderly

healthy adults (controls), the elderly adults (both men and women) were

found to have impaired immunity, characterized by less optimal

functioning of several blood neutrophils, lymphyocytes, and natural

killer cells. After 3 months of supplementation with 200 mg/d vitamin E,

those immune parameters significantly improved, bringing the levels

close to those found in non-elderly healthy adults. Six months after the

supplementation period ended, blood samples were analyzed once again.

Results found that some of the immune functions remained improved while

others did not. The authors conclude, " The present findings suggest that

supplementation with vitamin E can produce an improvement of immune

functions and therefore of health in aged people. "

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