A daily dose of vitamin E can significantly reduce the progression of Alzheimer's, according to a new study reported by the Star Tribune.

Researchers found that the vitamin could slow down the "life-altering" symptoms during the mild to moderate stages of the illness, which could, in turn, lead to a saving of millions of dollars in caregiving costs.

"It's not going to be a wonder drug by any means, but it gives us another option for people who are symptomatic with the disease," Dr. Ronald Peterson told the Star Tribune. "If people stay more functional for a longer period of time, that's positive."

In their five-year study, researchers found that Alzheimer's patients given a "pharmacological" dose of vitamin E experienced slower declines in thinking and memory and required less caregiver time than those taking a placebo, Maurice Dysken, lead author of the study told HealthDay.

However, researchers stressed that vitamin E does not seem to fight the underlying cause of the disease and "is in no way" a cure.

The study, published Dec. 31 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, involved more than 600 patients with mild to moderate stages of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers split the group into quarters, with each receiving a different therapy.

One group took a drug called memantine, which is approved for use in moderately severe cases. Another group took 2,000 International Units of vitamin E a day. Another took both. And another got a placebo, the Star Tribune reported.

They saw that people who took vitamin E alone had a more than six-month delay in the progression of Alzheimer's, the researchers said.

Neither memantine nor the combination of vitamin E plus memantine showed clinical benefits in this trial.

Heather Snyder, director of medical and scientific operations for the Alzheimer's Association, told HealthDay, people should keep in mind that large doses of vitamin E can have an effect on other medications.

"We know there might be some interactions with other medications that people might be taking, including blood thinners or cholesterol medications," Snyder said.

Researchers stress that people who want to take vitamin E to treat Alzheimer's should do so under the supervision of their doctor.