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BOSTON, MA — September 3, 2004 — Vitamin E may help prevent elderly nursing home residents from developing colds and other upper respiratory tract infections, according to a new study (JAMA. 2004 Aug 18; 292(7): 828–36).
Researchers observed the health of seniors at 33 nursing homes in the Boston area from April 1998 through August 2001. Vitamin E (200 IU dosage) was administered to one group; fake pills or placebos were given to the other group. All participants received another capsule containing half the recommended daily allotment of vitamins and minerals.
Among the 451 participants who completed the study, fewer elderly residents receiving vitamin E acquired respiratory tract infections than did those receiving placebos (65% for the Vitamin E group vs. 74% for the placebo group). In the case of upper respiratory tract infections, only 50% of the group taking Vitamin E became ill compared with 62% of those who received placebos. Vitamin E’s effect on lower respiratory tract infections alone was minimal.
The researchers also considered statistics concerning the common cold. Again, fewer participants in the Vitamin E group developed colds than did those who did not take Vitamin E (46% in the Vitamin E group vs. 57% in the placebo group).
A major cause of sickness and death among the elderly, respiratory tract infections are more common among seniors who are residents of nursing homes. The study authors felt that administering Vitamin E to elderly nursing home residents was a promising and efficient way to reduce the risk of upper respiratory tract infections in this vulnerable population.
“In general, vitamin E is a very safe vitamin and there are not very many known side effects,” said Dr. Simin Nikbin Meydani, the lead author of the study (HealthDayNews, August 17, 2004). She suggested that more research be done on Vitamin E supplementation for seniors, including whether there are any differences between Vitamin E’s effects on bacterial infections versus viral infections.
At Brayton Purcell, we are concerned about the health and safety of nursing home residents. If you have questions about the legal rights of an elderly loved one, please feel free to contact us. We are experienced in all areas of elder abuse law, including neglect and inadequate pain management issues.
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