Vit E protects against neuropathy in chemotherapy patients

　　New Greek research suggests that vitamin E supplements protect against chemotherapy-induced neuropathy in cancer patients.

　　A study published in the current issue of Neurology examined the effects of vitamin E on chemotherapy-induced peripheral nerve damage in 40 patients who underwent six courses of cumulative cisplatin, paclitaxel, or a combination regimen.

　　The subjects were randomized to oral vitamin E (600 mg/day) during chemotherapy and for 3 months after treatment ended, or to no supplementation.

　　Neurotoxicity occurred in 4 of 16 patients in the supplement group and in 11 of 15 patients in the control group.

　　'The relative risk of developing neurotoxicity was significantly higher in the control group than in the treatment group,' say the authors.