HealthBeat

Vitamin E said to protect seniors from common cold: study
AFP - Tue Aug 17, 5:06 PM ET
A daily dose of Vitamin E may be able to help the elderly ward off the common cold, a study said. Full Coverage

Vitamin E Wards Off Colds in Elderly, Study Says
Reuters - Tue Aug 17, 4:01 PM ET

Vitamin E Thwarts Colds in the Elderly
HealthDay - Tue Aug 17,11:48 PM ET

I have been bombarded over the last couple of days with news articles covering a recent study that shows that vitamin E supplementation, taken regularly, can be protective to seniors in nursing home - it seems that those persons taking the Vitamin E supplements (even in the very minimal 200 iu dose used in this study) suffered 20% fewer upper respiratory tract infections (ie: head colds or simple "bronchitis" ). This is important, because Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTI's to those of us "in the biz"...) can easily develop from simple viral colds - a nuisance - to much more serious, even life-threatening Lower Respiratory Tract infections such as bronchiolitis and even pneumonia. The reports, like most from mainstream medicine, are very careful to avoid any suggestion that any other vitamins might be helpful, or that extra vitamin E might be helpful for anyone else but those in nursing homes, but the conclusions are pretty obvious - taking optimal doses of all vitamins and minerals and other micronutrients gives anybody an extra edge - allowing them to have a strong immune system that can defend them against colds and flu.

We know that "hospital food" is often really some of the least nutritious fare you'll find anywhere - and nursing home food is often not much better. Anyone in either of these circumstances is at risk for malnutrition. Not the "ribs sticking out" kind of malnutrition, but the malnutrition of vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, phytonutrients, and other micronutrients that we need to keep our bodies (and immune systems) strong. If you have a loved one in a nursing home, are you making sure that they are getting an optimal dose multiple vitamin every day? A full daily dose of Dr. Myatt's Maxi-Multi contains 400 iu of Vitamin E and a full complement of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and bioflavonoids with highly concentrated plant enzymes for optimal assimilation. Compare that to the other so-called "daily vitamins" that offer minimum daily values! We at Dr. Myatt's Wellness Club are adamant that everyone - elders, adults, young people, children - should be taking a complete daily multi-vitamin as the cornerstone of their health maintenance program. We do it, and you should too. Life is too precious to take chances with - give your body what it needs, and it will look after you well.

Cheers,
Nurse Mark