Vitamin E beneficial for upper respiratory tract infections in the elderly

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Vitamin E beneficial for upper respiratory tract infections in the elderly

 

Vitamin E provides protection against upper respiratory tract

infections, particularly the common cold, according to a study of

elderly nursing home residents. While vitamin E didn't seem to help

lower respiratory tract problems, such as pneumonia, participants were

found to have a lower incidence of the common cold and fewer upper

respiratory tract infections.

 

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on

451 participants 65 years or older living at one of 33 long-term care

facilities in the Boston area. Vitamin E (200 IU) or a placebo capsule

was administered daily for one year and all participants received a

capsule containing half the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of

essential vitamins and minerals.

 

The incidence of upper and lower respiratory tract infections, number

of persons and number of days with respiratory tract infections, and a

number of new antibiotic prescriptions for respiratory tract

infections were studied.

 

While vitamin E supplementation did not have a significant effect on

decreasing pneumonia in elderly nursing home residents, scientists

observed " a protective effect of vitamin E supplementation on upper

respiratory tract infections, particularly the common cold, that

merits further investigation. "

 

Fewer participants receiving vitamin E acquired one or more

respiratory tract infections (65% versus 74%), or upper respiratory

tract infections (50% versus 62%). When common colds were analyzed in

an analysis, the vitamin E group had a lower incidence of common cold

(66% versus 83% per person, per year) and fewer participants in the

vitamin E group acquired one or more colds (46% versus 57%).

 

JAMA 292(7):828-836, 2004