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Findings suggest link between Vitamin E and
subsequent decline in physical function for
Older Adults
Newswise — Low serum concentration of vitamin E,
an indication of poor nutrition, is
associated with physical decline for older
persons, according to a study in the January
23 issue of JAMA.
“The decline in physical function that occurs
with aging often represents the early stage
of a continuum leading to disability and
other important adverse outcomes such as
institutionalization,” the authors write.
Understanding the mechanisms associated with
this process has been identified as a
priority.
The potential harmful effect of poor nutrition on
physical function in older persons is not
well understood.
Benedetta Bartali, R.D., Ph.D., of Yale
University School of Medicine, New Haven,
Conn., and colleagues conducted a study to
determine whether a low concentration of
specific micronutrients is associated with
subsequent decline in physical function.
The study included 698 community-living persons
65 years or older who were randomly selected
from a population registry in Tuscany,
Italy.
To measure nutritional status and physical
function, participants completed a baseline
examination, conducted from November 1998
through May 2000, and 3-year follow-up
assessments from November 2001 through March
2003.
Measurements were obtained for several
micronutrients, including serum folate and
vitamins B6, B12, D and E. Decline in
physical function was defined as a loss of
at least 1 point in the Short Physical
Performance Battery during the follow-up,
which included three objective tests of
physical function.
The average decline in physical function score
was 1.1 point. In analyses adjusted for
other factors, only a low concentration of
vitamin E was significantly associated with
subsequent decline in physical function.
Additional analyses indicated that age older
than 81 years and vitamin E (in participants
70-80 years) were the strongest determinants
of decline in physical function.
“The hypothesis that antioxidants [such as
vitamin E] play a role in the etiology of
decline in physical function and disability
is supported by our previous findings and
other studies suggesting that oxidative
stress is involved in muscle fatigue and
that antioxidants play a preventive role in
muscle damage by reducing oxidative injury,”
the authors write.
“Thus, at least 3 different mechanisms may
explain the effect of low concentration of
vitamin E on subsequent decline in physical
function: (1) increased oxidative stress
leading to muscle or DNA damage, (2)
exacerbation of atherosclerosis or other
pathologic conditions, and (3) development
of neurodegenerative disorders.”
Participants in the study did not take vitamin
supplements and the authors do not recommend
vitamin E supplements to increase levels.
They state, “Approximately 15 to 30 mg/d of
dietary alpha-tocopherol [a component of
vitamin E] is needed … this amount can be
easily reached through diet, from sources
such as almonds, tomato sauce, and sunflower
seeds among others.”
“In conclusion, the current study provides
empirical evidence that a low concentration
of vitamin E is associated with subsequent
decline in physical function in a
population-based sample of older persons
living in the community. Although the
findings from this epidemiological study
cannot establish causality, they provide a
solid base that low concentration of vitamin
E contributes to decline in physical
function. Clinical trials may be warranted
to determine whether optimal concentration
of vitamin E reduces functional decline and
the onset of disability in older persons
with a low concentration of vitamin E,” the
researchers write.