Vitamin C Significantly Improves Physical Performance in the Elderly
Italian Study of Antioxidants; Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Beta-carotene, and Retinol
February 16, 2004 - Chianti, Italy - It is important for people to be as physically fit as possible, and exercise programs are getting more popular. It may seem like a losing battle - especially when, the results are not as good as they could be. One possible factor may be the age-related damage to our skeletal muscles created by the free radical's oxidative damage.
Oxidative damage may be responsible for the changes found with age in the brain, retina, and other vital organs. Italian researchers have investigated whether it's responsible for the reduction in muscle strength and physical performance that occurs in old age. Reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
The subjects of the study were 986 Italian men and women over 65 who were taking part in the Invecchiare in Chianti Study. People who took vitamin supplements were excluded, along with those who could not provide detailed nutritional information or participate in the tests of physical function.
Knee extension strength in each leg was measured using a dynamometer. Physical performance was gauged on the basis of walking speed, standing up and sitting down unaided repeated five times, and balance while standing with various positions of the feet. The ability to perform these activities within a given period was summarized using a scoring system that's been shown to be a good predictor of mortality, hospitalization, and disability.
Blood levels of vitamin E (measured as alpha- and gamma-tocopherol) were determined to provide a measure of antioxidant status in the body. And all participants completed dietary questionnaires about different food categories and beverages, to supply the necessary information on their antioxidant intake - specifically vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and retinol(vitamin A).
Conclusion:
The average age of the participants was 75 years, and just over half of them were women. The most common health problems they had were high blood pressure (44%), diabetes (12%), cancer (10%), and coronary heart disease (7.5%).
Blood levels of alpha-tocopherol were correlated with the daily dietary intake of vitamin E -- i.e. individuals with high levels of one had high levels of the other, and vice-versa. Blood alpha-tocopherol was correlated with knee extension strength and the summary physical performance score, while gamma-tocopherol was only correlated with the results of the knee strength test.
Dietary intakes were examined, it was found that vitamin C and beta-carotene intake were correlated with knee extension strength, and vitamin C intake with physical activity.
This showed that higher plasma levels of antioxidants are linked to improved physical performance and strength in the elderly. Similarly, a higher intake of vitamin C and beta-carotene is associated with greater muscle strength.
Remember this study was done in Italy, where olive oil consumption, here in the USA vitamin E, is considerably lower.
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