Low Vit E linked to greater decline in health

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Epidemiological study associated greater physical decline with low

vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) levels among people aged between 70 and

80. Other micronutrients could not be associated with the increased

decline.

Researchers said approximately 15 to 30 mg/d (not IU) of dietary

alpha-tocopherol is needed . . . .this amount can be easily reached

through diet, from sources such as almonds, tomato sauce, and

sunflower seeds among others. They did not recommend supplements.

Dave

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link:

http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/news/ng.asp?n=82719 & m=1NIU123 & c=lqeudkujayvv\

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text:

Low vitamin E levels linked to greater physical decline

By ls

1/23/2008- Low blood levels of vitamin E are linked to greater

physical decline in older people, suggests a new study from Yale

University School of Medicine.

The researchers obtained measures for several micronutrients,

including folate, vitamins B6, B12, D and E, but only the last vitamin

was associated with physical decline for older persons, they report in

the Journal of the American Medical Association.

" 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, " wrote lead author Benedetta Bartali.

" 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, " she added.

Bartali and co-workers recruited 698 community-living people with an

average age of 73.7 in Tuscany, Italy. A baseline examination was

conducted from November 1998 through May 2000, and the subjects

followed for three years. Physical performance was measured using the

Short Physical Performance Battery, which included three objective

tests of physical function.

Over this short time period, the researchers recorded a 1.1 point

decline in physical performance, which exceeded the one point level

needed to show a decline.

The researchers calculated on two determinants of physical decline:

low vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) levels among people aged between 70

and 80, and being older than 81. Levels of other micronutrients were

not associated with declined levels.

" As the major lipid-soluble antioxidant, vitamin E plays a critical

role in the defense from oxidative stress by donating electrons and

neutralizing free radicals, " wrote Bartali. " Low concentrations of

vitamin E may affect this neutralization by creating an imbalance

between oxidants and antioxidants and, consequently, a highly reactive

milieu.

" Because molecular oxygen promptly accepts unpaired electrons to form

reactive oxygen species, this imbalance may lead to excessive

formation of reactive oxygen species and, consequently, to oxidative

stress that may cause lipid peroxidation and DNA, muscle, and neuronal

damage.

" This chain of events may explain, at least in part, our findings on

the association between low concentrations of vitamin E and subsequent

decline in physical function, " she added.

The researchers go on to propose three mechanisms which could explain

the relationship between low vitamin E levels and the decline in

physical function: The increased level of oxidative stress could

result in damage to muscle or DNA; there could be an exacerbation of

atherosclerosis or other pathologic conditions; and an increase in

neurodegenerative disorders.

Bartali and co-workers note that the subjects did not take vitamin

supplements and added that they did not recommend vitamin E

supplements to increase levels.

" 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, " stated the researchers.

" 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, "

they concluded.

There are eight forms of vitamin E: four tocopherols (alpha, beta,

gamma, delta) and four tocotrienols (alpha, beta, gamma, delta).

Alpha-tocopherol (alpha-Toc) is the main source found in supplements

and in the European diet, while gamma-tocopherol (gamma-Toc) is the

most common form in the American diet.

Source: Journal of the American Medical Association

2008, Volume 299, Issue 3, Pages 308-315

" Serum Micronutrient Concentrations and Decline in Physical Function

Among Older Persons "

Authors: B. Bartali, E.A. Frongillo, J.M. Guralnik, M.H. Stipanuk,

H.G. Allore, A. Cherubini, S. Bandinelli, L. Ferrucci, T.M. Gill