Vitamin E May Keep Brain Young

A new study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society suggests that vitamin E may play a role in preventing the decline of cognitive abilities that is a normal part of aging. CBS News Correspondent Dr. Emily Senay reports.

Researchers examined nearly 1,800 adults aged 50 to 75, and found that those with higher levels of vitamin E in their systems tested higher for cognitive skills. The subjects of the study were not taking vitamin E supplements, so researchers were not certain why some people's levels of the vitamin were higher than others.

The results of the research support previous studies showing that vitamin E seems to affect the brain's aging process in a positive way. Scientists have documented that taking a daily 2,000 milligrams vitamin E supplement can slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

How vitamin E might work to prevent the brain from aging is not known conclusively from this study, and more research must be done before doctors can say that vitamin E protects against intellectual decline or can possibly help prevent Alzheimer's.

Good sources of vitamin E include wheat germ and egg yolks. However, doctors say that the level of vitamin E a person retains in their system may be due to genetic factors.

Reported By Dr. Emily Senay