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Research: ETMINAN and colleagues,
Listed in Issue 117
Abstract
ETMINAN and colleagues, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Royal Victoria Hospital and McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, metminan@shaw.ca, have analyzed the relationship between antioxidant vitamin intakes and the risk of Parkinson's Disease.
Background
The aim of the study was to study the effect of vitamins C and E and beta-carotene on the risk for Parkinson's Disease.
Methodology
In this systematic review and meta-analysis, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched for observational studies published between 1966 and March 2005.
Results
8 studies were identified. Dietary intake of vitamin E was found to protect against Parkinson's. This protective influence was seen with both moderate intake (relative risk 0.81) and high intake (0.78) of vitamin E, although the possible benefit associated with high intake of vitamin E was not significant. None of the studies suggested any protective effect of vitamin C or beta-carotene.
Conclusion
Vitamin E may have a neuroprotective effect that attenuates the risk of Parkinson's Disease.
References
Etminan M, Gill SS, Samii A. Intake of vitamin E, vitamin C, and carotenoids and the risk of Parkinson's disease: a meta-analysis. Lancet Neurology 4 (6): 362-365, Jun 2005.