There appears to be an important interaction between vitamin E and vitamin C in the brain and spinal cord. Studies published in the journal Pharmacological Research found that giving ascorbate plus vitamin E to aged mice improved performance in certain memory tests.
In another study of guinea pigs made deficient in vitamin E alone, the animals appeared to be perfectly normal. But when researchers also removed vitamin C from the animals’ diets, they developed a progressive ascending paralysis and died within 24 hours. (My special report "Key Vitamins that Save Your Heart, Prevent Cancer and Keep You Living Long" will give you details of the many ways vitamins protect your health.)

It appears that even modest decreases in nervous system vitamin C could accelerate vitamin E deficiency with significant damage to the spinal cord and brain stem. Of particular importance is the finding that vitamin C compensates for a loss of glutathione and other components of the antioxidant network within brain cells.
Patients with Alzheimer’s disease have lower ascorbate levels in their blood plasma and spinal fluid, despite adequate dietary intake. Two studies — published in Alzheimer’s Disease & Associated Disorders and the Journal of the American Medical Association — found a reduced incidence of Alzheimer’s disease with a higher intake of ascorbate, but was not confirmed by others. (Find more details on how you can keep your brain from the ravages of dementia by reading my report "Save Your Brain.")

A final study, the findings of which were published in the Journal of Pineal Research, found that, in animals, oral vitamin C protects the part of the brain most damaged in Alzheimer’s disease from damage by beta amyloid.
For more of Dr. Blaylock’s weekly tips, go here to view the archive.