Enjoy Carefully: The Multifaceted Role of Vitamin E in Neuro-Nutrition

Abstract

Vitamin E is often associated with health benefits, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering effects. These properties make its supplementation a suitable therapeutic approach in neurodegenerative disorders, for example, Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. However, trials evaluating the effects of vitamin E supplementation are inconsistent. In randomized controlled trials, the observed associations often cannot be substantiated. This could be due to the wide variety of study designs regarding the dosage and duration of vitamin E supplementation. Furthermore, genetic variants can influence vitamin E uptake and/or metabolism, thereby distorting its overall effect. Recent studies also show adverse effects of vitamin E supplementation regarding Alzheimer’s disease due to the increased synthesis of amyloid β. These diverse effects may underline the inhomogeneous outcomes associated with its supplementation and argue for a more thoughtful usage of vitamin E. Specifically, the genetic and nutritional profile should be taken into consideration to identify suitable candidates who will benefit from supplementation. In this review, we will provide an overview of the current knowledge of vitamin E supplementation in neurodegenerative disease and give an outlook on individualized, sustainable neuro-nutrition, with a focus on vitamin E supplementation.

Role of ferroptosis pathways in neuroinflammation and neurological disorders: From pathogenesis to treatment

“…Vitamin E shows several important properties including cholesterol-lowering, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties along with anti-ferroptosis activity. It has also been indicated that vitamin E supplementation can be effective in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases including PD and AD [ 202 ]. Antioxidant properties of vitamin E are closely associated with their anti-inflammatory effects, as OS is a part of inflammation [ 203 ].…”

Antioxidant Green Factories: Toward Sustainable Production of Vitamin E in Plant In Vitro Cultures

“…Furthermore, vitamin E plays a key role in gene regulation in brain cells, and its deficiency can lead to a dysfunctional central nervous system. Studies have proven a positive impact on cognitive impairment diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, 30 and epilepsy. 31 Other dysfunctions, such as male 32 and female infertility; 33 osteoporosis; 34 and lifestyle diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, 35 have had a promising positive impact from vitamin E supplementation in some clinical trials.…”

The Potential of Small Molecules to Modulate the Mitochondria–Endoplasmic Reticulum Interplay in Alzheimer’s Disease

“…The efficacy of vitamin E and its derivatives, such as Trolox, as a potential treatment intervention for AD has been tested in several randomized studies (Regner-Nelke et al, 2021). Trolox can also protect against neurotoxicity caused by Aβ and inhibit glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK 3), a protein in neurofibrillary tangle development (Muñoz et al, 2002;Radesäter et al, 2003).…”

“…Despite this, evidence for vitamin E's therapeutic effectiveness in the treatment of AD remains unclear. Despite strong evidence of increased ROS in AD etiology and lower circulating vitamin E levels, clinical trials examining vitamin E as a treatment have yet to show conclusive results (Regner-Nelke et al, 2021). When no clinical studies have been conducted with Trolox specifically for AD, studies have shown that a combination of donepezil and Trolox has been tested as multifunctional agents for AD.…”