Researchers at Oregon State University have discovered how vitamin E deficiency may cause neurological damage by interrupting a supply line of specific nutrients and robbing the brain of the “building blocks” it needs to maintain neuronal health.
The findings — in work done with zebrafish — were just published in the Journal of Lipid Research. The work was supported by the National Institutes of Health.
The research showed that zebrafish fed a diet deficient in vitamin E throughout their life had about 30 percent lower levels of DHA-PC, which is a part of the cellular membrane in every brain cell, or neuron. Other recent studies have also concluded that low levels of DHA-PC in the blood plasma of humans is a biomarker than can predict a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Source: Inadequate vitamin E can cause brain damage
Curious about good sources for vitamin E?
- Sunflower seeds
- Almonds
- Spinach (not good for blood thinner)
- Swiss Chard (also not good for blood thinner)
- Bell peppers
- Tomatoes
- Avocado
- Peanuts
Vitamin E is fat soluble – consuming fat soluble vitamins with fat increases their uptake.