Parkinson: The Essential Benefits of Vitamin E for Your Health

Vitamin E: An Underrated Yet Essential Vitamin

Nature is incredibly generous, and Vicia faba, the remarkable plant that forms the basis of AtremoPlus, is a treasure trove of benefits. It contains not only naturally L-Dopa and Carbidopa but also nearly all vitamins, a wide variety of minerals, and valuable active compounds such as polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, and important amino acids.

Among these precious elements, Vitamin E holds a special place. In fact, it is the only vitamin in AtremoPlus included at the recommended daily dose, while others, though significant, are present in trace amounts.

Too often overlooked, Vitamin E plays a fundamental role in combating oxidative stress, a process widely recognized as one of the primary drivers of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s.

The scientific community agrees that Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant, and even the European Commission officially acknowledges its role in fighting the harmful and destructive effects of free radicals and oxidative stress.

What Do the Scientific Community and Regulatory Authorities Say About Vitamin E?

The scientific community agrees that Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant, and this view is reflected in the authorized claims regarding Vitamin E.

In 2012, European health authorities, namely the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) and the European Commission, evaluated certain health claims related to foods and dietary supplements containing Vitamin E.

After analyzing the available scientific data, they concluded that Vitamin E-based dietary supplements can legitimately claim a role in protecting cells from free radicals due to their antioxidant effect. Specifically, experts stated that “a cause-and-effect relationship has been established between dietary intake of Vitamin E and the protection of DNA, proteins, and lipids from oxidative damage.”

The National Institute of Health (NIH) in the United States goes even further by hypothesizing a link with degenerative diseases and states:

“Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that halts the production of ROS (reactive oxygen species) formed when fats undergo oxidation. Scientists are investigating whether, by limiting free radical production and possibly through other mechanisms, Vitamin E might help prevent or delay chronic diseases associated with free radicals.
In addition to its activities as an antioxidant, Vitamin E is involved in immune function and, as shown primarily in in vitro cell studies, in cell signaling, gene expression regulation, and other metabolic processes.”

Oxidative Stress and Parkinson’s: A Story of Oxidation and Inflammation

As you may know, the exact causes of Parkinson’s are still debated among scientists. However, there is one point on which experts generally agree: the destructive role of oxidative stress.

Free radicals, molecules naturally produced by our bodies, cause cellular damage when present in excess. Their instability drives them to “steal” electrons from healthy tissues, including nerve cells, resulting in cellular damage. As we age, our body’s ability to neutralize these radicals decreases, leading to an imbalance.
The result? This oxidative stress not only accelerates the aging process but also plays a role in the neuronal degeneration observed in diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and other neurodegenerative conditions.

But that’s not all. In response to these assaults, the body, attempting to defend itself, triggers inflammation. While this inflammatory response is beneficial in the short term, it becomes problematic when it turns chronic. This duo—oxidative stress and chronic inflammation—is now considered a key factor in the development of Parkinson’s disease.

If you haven’t yet watched our video on Vitamin E, “Vitamin E: A Powerful Antioxidant Against Oxidative Stress,” we highly recommend it. The video provides a clear and accessible explanation of this neutralization mechanism.

A Historical Perspective on Solutions and Strategies to Address Dopamine Deficiency

Since the initial observations of James Parkinson in the 19th century, which led to the naming of this pathology linked to the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons, treatment strategies have primarily focused on one goal: compensating for the decreased production of dopamine by stimulating its production.

Imagine your brain as a factory producing dopamine. In this factory, certain essential machines gradually break down due to leaks in the roof. These infiltrations cause rust to set in slowly, disrupting the mechanisms, gradually jamming them, and eventually damaging them beyond repair. The result? The factory produces less and less dopamine, leading to a dopamin shortage.

Rather than protecting or repairing the malfunctioning machines, or even understanding and sealing the leaks in the roof, a different strategy was adopted. The approach focused on adding more “raw material” (what biology refers to as “precursors”) to the still-functional machines to compensate for the losses. In the case of Parkinson’s disease, this raw material is L-dopa, a precursor capable of stimulating dopamine production.

Fortunately, scientists found this solution by supplying additional raw material to compensate for the shortage. Later efforts focused on improving the transport of this raw material to the brain, particularly through the addition of carbidopa. However, in keeping with our analogy, the issue of the leaky roof remains unresolved. Over time, more and more machines slow down, break, and eventually deteriorate completely, corroded by rust.

It’s also worth noting that the progressive loss of these neurons is not limited to Parkinson’s disease. As we age, everyone experiences a gradual reduction in dopamine production capacity, leading to reduced agility, lower energy levels, and diminished cognitive abilities. This phenomenon, often regarded as a sign of aging, is in fact partly due to the slow and continuous loss of dopaminergic neurons, long before this degradation becomes severe enough to result in a Parkinson’s diagnosis.

Indeed, by the time Parkinson’s disease is diagnosed, it is estimated that between 60% and 80% of dopaminergic neurons are already destroyed.

A Closer Look at 5 Recent Studies on Vitamin E and Parkinson’s Disease

While much of medical research continues to focus on symptom management, there is a growing interest in approaches aimed at altering the course of degeneration with disease-modifying measures, addressing its underlying causes. However, finding patentable molecules capable of sustainably modifying the progression of Parkinson’s remains a challenge.

This is where nature takes center stage: it already offers us an abundance of non-patentable yet incredibly intriguing elements like Vitamin E. Below, you’ll find a brief selection of studies examining the relationship between Vitamin E and Parkinson’s disease.

Study 1: Published in the prestigious journal Neurology:
Hantikainen, Essi, et al. “Dietary antioxidants and the risk of Parkinson disease: the Swedish National March Cohort.”Neurology 96.6 (2021): e895-e903.

Summary:
This study stands out for its extensive dataset, offering exceptional statistical relevance, as well as its remarkable duration. Researchers observed the dietary habits of 43,865 men and women in Sweden, aged between 18 and 94 years. With an average follow-up of 17.6 years, 465 new cases of Parkinson’s were identified. The results show that participants with the highest Vitamin E intake had a 32% lower risk of developing the disease. While uncertainties remain, these findings are quite compelling.

Study 2: “Dietary Vitamin E Intake and Risk of Parkinson’s Disease” explores the association between dietary Vitamin E intake and the risk of developing Parkinson’s in adults over 40 in the United States, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2009 to 2018.

Summary:
Based on a large sample of 13,340 participants, the results suggest that higher dietary Vitamin E intake is associated with a reduced risk of Parkinson’s disease in adults over 40. These findings reinforce the idea that Vitamin E supplementation could be a preventive strategy against Parkinson’s. The study also highlights the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Vitamin E.

Study 3: “Inhibition of Oxidative Stress and the NF-κB Pathway by a Vitamin E Derivative: Pharmacological Approach against Parkinson’s Disease” investigates the effects of a Vitamin E derivative (Toco-D) in an animal model of Parkinson’s disease.

Summary:
The Vitamin E derivative Toco-D may improve motor symptoms, reduce oxidative stress, alleviate inflammation, and address neurotransmitter dysfunction in Parkinson’s.

Study 4: “An Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews with Meta-Analysis on the Role of Vitamins in Parkinson’s Disease” provides a comprehensive examination of existing literature on the relationship between various vitamins and the risk of Parkinson’s.

Summary:
Regarding Vitamin E, individuals with high Vitamin E intake had a 27% lower risk of developing Parkinson’s compared to those with low intake.

Study 5: Icer et al. “Effects of Vitamin E on Neurodegenerative Diseases: An Update.” Acta Neurobiologiae Experimentalis 81 (2021).

Summary:
According to Icer et al. (2021), Vitamin E may slow Parkinson’s progression through several mechanisms. It reduces oxidative stress by neutralizing toxic radicals and protects membrane lipids from oxidation, particularly in the substantia nigra, where dopaminergic neurons are located. It also regulates methylation, reducing plaque formation in the brain, stabilizes mitochondrial membranes to limit oxidative damage, and supports neuronal energy metabolism. Additionally, its anti-inflammatory properties protect dopaminergic neurons.

These studies collectively highlight the positive effects of Vitamin E and shed light on some of the potential mechanisms behind these benefits. However, continued research is essential to deepen our understanding of Vitamin E’s precise mechanisms on neuronal degeneration and to confirm these encouraging findings.

It’s also worth noting that the results seem even more significant when dealing with the natural form of Vitamin E.

Gaining Ground on Parkinson’s Through Challenges

Let’s return to our analogy of the dopamine factory: antioxidants, such as Vitamin E, can play a dual role—they repair leaks in the roof while acting as an anti-rust treatment. By sealing these leaks, Vitamin E helps slow the destruction of the remaining functional machinery. This represents a crucial step in protecting the factory and preventing further equipment breakdowns.

Once these leaks are better controlled, a new phase can begin: repairing the still-functional machines and installing new ones.This process parallels the repair of damaged neurons and the creation of new neurons and neural connections (synapses), a phenomenon known in science as brain plasticity. We explored this topic in our Newsletter No. 9, titled “Regaining Ground Through Brain Plasticity” (January 6, 2024), which you can still read by clicking below. We’ll revisit this subject soon, particularly to delve into the exciting field of stem cells.

Brain plasticity is a critical factor, not only for maintaining optimal brain health throughout life but also for better managing Parkinson’s disease. This potential, which is drawing increasing attention within the scientific community, remains largely underutilized. Yet, scientists tell us that this area of neuroscience represents a valuable opportunity to “regain ground” against the progression of the disease.

Conclusion: Making an Informed Decision About Vitamin E

Of course, as you may have understood, our intention is not to claim to treat or prevent Parkinson’s disease—or any other condition, for that matter.

Our goal is instead to share with you some independent scientific studies that highlight the benefits of Vitamin E, recognized as a powerful antioxidant. These studies also underline its potential role in reducing chronic inflammation, which is often associated with various forms of pain. Over time, many of our clients have reported a noticeable reduction in their pain levels. We have explored these themes in greater detail in some of our previous newsletters (see issues 5 and 6 below).

The studies about Vitamin E mentioned above seem particularly insightful, as they help us better understand harmful processes such as oxidation, which can spiral out of control, and how Vitamin E may help regulate them.

It is precisely because of its powerful antioxidant properties that Vitamin E was naturally included in the formulation of AtremoPlus, integrated at the recommended daily dose.

Thank you for your continued readership, and we look forward to seeing you in our next newsletter!

With care,
The AtremoPlus Team