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| Vitamin E 'may ward off decline' | Vitamin E 'may ward off decline' |
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| Vitamin E may ward off physical decline in elderly people, research suggests. | Vitamin E may ward off physical decline in elderly people, research suggests. |
| Researchers found people aged over 65 who had lower levels of vitamin E performed worse on tests of basic physical ability. | Researchers found people aged over 65 who had lower levels of vitamin E performed worse on tests of basic physical ability. |
| The key may be that vitamin E is an antioxidant, protecting the body's tissues from damage caused by charged particles called free radicals. | |
| The Yale University School of Medicine study appears in the Journal of the American Medical Association. | The Yale University School of Medicine study appears in the Journal of the American Medical Association. |
| The researchers measured levels of vitamins in the blood of 698 volunteers from areas around the Italian city of Florence. | The researchers measured levels of vitamins in the blood of 698 volunteers from areas around the Italian city of Florence. |
| The volunteers' performance on three physical tests - a short walk, balance and standing up from a seated position - were monitored over a three-year period. | The volunteers' performance on three physical tests - a short walk, balance and standing up from a seated position - were monitored over a three-year period. |
| While the researchers found an association between vitamin E and performance, their work suggested no such link with other essential vitamins, such as folate, B6, B12 and D. | While the researchers found an association between vitamin E and performance, their work suggested no such link with other essential vitamins, such as folate, B6, B12 and D. |
| Diet key | Diet key |
| Lead researcher Dr Benedetta Bartali said: "The odds of declining in physical function was 1.62 times greater in persons with low levels of vitamin E compared with persons with higher levels. | Lead researcher Dr Benedetta Bartali said: "The odds of declining in physical function was 1.62 times greater in persons with low levels of vitamin E compared with persons with higher levels. |
| "Our results suggest that an appropriate dietary intake of vitamin E may help to reduce the decline in physical function among older persons. | "Our results suggest that an appropriate dietary intake of vitamin E may help to reduce the decline in physical function among older persons. |
| "Since only one person in our study used vitamin E supplements, it is unknown whether the use of vitamin E supplements would have the same beneficial effect." | "Since only one person in our study used vitamin E supplements, it is unknown whether the use of vitamin E supplements would have the same beneficial effect." |
| Dr Bartali said it was unlikely that vitamin E is simply a marker for poor nutrition because the results were independent of energy intake. | Dr Bartali said it was unlikely that vitamin E is simply a marker for poor nutrition because the results were independent of energy intake. |
| The researchers said they did not set out to identify exactly why vitamin E might help keep the body healthy. | The researchers said they did not set out to identify exactly why vitamin E might help keep the body healthy. |
| But they point out that as well as its antioxidant effect, the vitamin is involved in the formation of red blood cells. | But they point out that as well as its antioxidant effect, the vitamin is involved in the formation of red blood cells. |
| Vitamin E can be found in foods including wheat germ, soya, nuts, seeds, olives, and green leafy vegetables such as spinach and asparagus. | Vitamin E can be found in foods including wheat germ, soya, nuts, seeds, olives, and green leafy vegetables such as spinach and asparagus. |
| Scientists have been examining the role vitamin E may play in preventing or treating certain health conditions including cancer and heart disease. | Scientists have been examining the role vitamin E may play in preventing or treating certain health conditions including cancer and heart disease. |
| But some research has indicated very high amounts of vitamin E can be harmful, raising one's overall risk of death. | But some research has indicated very high amounts of vitamin E can be harmful, raising one's overall risk of death. |
| The UK's Food Standards Agency recommends that men should eat a healthy, balanced diet containing 4mg of vitamin E a day. For women the figure is 3mg a day. | The UK's Food Standards Agency recommends that men should eat a healthy, balanced diet containing 4mg of vitamin E a day. For women the figure is 3mg a day. |
| Claire Williamson, a nutrition scientist at the British Nutrition Foundation, said further research would be needed to confirm the findings. | Claire Williamson, a nutrition scientist at the British Nutrition Foundation, said further research would be needed to confirm the findings. |
| She also stressed that vitamin E deficiency was rare. | She also stressed that vitamin E deficiency was rare. |
| However, she said: "We know from dietary surveys that many older people have an inadequate intake of vitamins and minerals and dietary improvements are needed. | However, she said: "We know from dietary surveys that many older people have an inadequate intake of vitamins and minerals and dietary improvements are needed. |
| "Good nutrition can have a profound impact on healthy life expectancy and a good diet can help improve the quality of life in older adults." | "Good nutrition can have a profound impact on healthy life expectancy and a good diet can help improve the quality of life in older adults." |