Just like drinking an antioxidant-rich glass of wine daily helps female breast cancer patients, consuming a diet chock full of vitamins C and E may protect your muscles as you age.
Scientists surveyed more than 2,000 patients in their 70s about their eating habits over the long haul, in addition to measuring the strength of their grip at the beginning of the study and two years later. The latter measurement was important, researchers say, because muscle strength begins to wane for folks in their 40s and dramatically declines after age 60.
Seniors who consumed higher amounts of vitamins C and E in their diets over the course of the study enjoyed improved muscle strength, despite a patient's initial strength measurements.
Interestingly, among those who participated in the study, a patient's average intake of vitamin E (11 milligrams) was lower than the average RDA, prompting experts to urge folks to include more vitamin E-rich foods in their diets.
Sutter Health November 24, 2009