Vitamin E

[mis37]

Is vitamin E important for PWP?

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/2...

[park_bear]

I am glad you drew my attention to this important research. The study was not just about vitamin E, but about whether a combination of vitamin E plus omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseed oil improves Parkinson's, and it does:

"After 12 weeks' intervention, compared with the placebo, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E co-supplementation led to a significant improve in UPDRS (-3.3 ± 10.0 vs. +4.4 ± 14.9, P = 0.02). Furthermore, co-supplementation decreased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (-0.3 ± 0.6 vs. +0.3 ± 0.3 μg/mL, P < 0.001), and increased total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (+65.2 ± 68.7 vs. +16 ± 52.4 μmol/L, P = 0.003) and glutathione (GSH) concentrations (+41.4 ± 80.6 vs. -19.6 ± 55.9 μmol/L, P = 0.001) compared with the placebo. Additionally, co-supplementation meaningfully decreased insulin (-2.1 ± 4.9 vs. +1.4 ± 6.2 μIU/mL, P = 0.01), homeostasis model of assessment-estimated insulin resistance (-0.7 ± 1.8 vs.+0.3 ± 1.6, P = 0.02)"

If a prescription medication accomplished these stats it would be in all the headlines. The data supporting Azilect slowing progression is not nearly as robust. Also, the amounts used were modest: only 1 g omega-3 fatty acids plus 400 IU vitamin E daily.

I use flaxseed oil in place of butter. Not everybody likes the flavor but it suits me very well. Flaxseed oil is very delicate - it is subject to going rancid if exposed to warm temperatures for any length of time. I keep mine in the freezer door where it remains liquid. I get mine from Swanson's, which has a nice flexible bottle that you can squeeze to get a squirt of oil. The quality is pretty good. There was one shipment that was rancid which they replaced without argument. Also, best to have it shipped to you during cool weather. In springtime I make sure to have enough in stock to last for the summer.

[JAS9 in reply to park_bear]

I get my flax seed oil by grinding up flax seeds and putting them in my oatmeal. The ground flax seeds can be stored in the fridge for 2 weeks, but I grind mine weekly. A coffee grinder works great. Flax seeds are less expensive in bulk, plus when you grind them, you get all of the phytonutrients rather than just the oil.

[M1tz1 in reply to JAS9]

Is so-called Flax flour as good, JAS9? I find it easy to add to my oats and to use as a thickener. How much would you use daily, in that case?

[JAS9 in reply to M1tz1]

Sorry, I don't know much about "flax flour", but if it's just ground flax seed, it needs to be stored in a sealed container in a cold place, otherwise the oil in it will turn rancid. If it hasn't been stored this way before you buy it, there's a chance that it's already going bad.

Whole flax seeds, before they're ground or processed into oil, don't turn bad very quickly at all because they're in that tough outer shell. Unfortunately, it's a little too tough; if you just eat it without grinding, much of it won't be absorbed and will pass right through. That's why I grind my own. I add it to my oatmeal and it can also be used for baking instead of butter.

Here's a short video that tells you more about some of the benefits of flax seeds, including "brain health" towards the end: youtu.be/x3KPBXICrfI(Not working as expected?)

[M1tz1 in reply to JAS9]

Many, many thanks for this JAS9. I've been using flax flour straight out of the bag for years and now realize that it was probably a waste of time. I'm grateful to you for pointing it out. Don't know if I have time right now to grind the seeds (have much on my hands at present) but will try to get the oil instead. Bless you.

[Hidden]

I fully agree with park_bear and I hope this very important study does not get missed by any of the members because these are all very good benefits for PWPs and the general population! It deserves to be pinned, but that is easier said than done on this forum. In any case, I hope a lot of people are able to read your link!

Thank you for posting it!

Art

[Blackfeather]

This is a follow up study of flaxseed oil and vitamin E with results showing additional benefits.

google.com/amp/s/parkinsons...

[dadcor]

Especially for men, may be better this combination Vit E plus omega-3 to include omega 3 from other source, but not from flaxseed oil..

oncologynutrition.org/erfc/...

[PDGal4]

How much fish would you have to eat to get sufficient Omega 3? I take 200 IU Vit E daily. Wondering if upping to 400 IU is better? I also do feel better days I eat an avocado, which I also believe is rich in Omega 3's. Does anyone know what other diet options there are?