Alternative Health Blog

In a study involving 4,447 French subjects between the ages of 45 and 60 years, who had previously participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (1994-2002) in which they received daily supplementation with vitamin C (120 mg), beta-carotene (6 mg), vitamin E (30 mg), selenium (100 microg), and zinc (20 mg), or a placebo, cognitive performance assessments performed in 2007-2009 revealed that subjects who received antioxidant supplementation had better episodic memory scores (mean difference: 0.61), specifically verbal memory and executive functioning. Verbal memory improved only in those taking antioxidants who were nonsmokers or had low vitamin C at baseline. The authors state, "This study supports the role of an adequate antioxidant nutrient status in the preservation of verbal memory under certain conditions."