VITAMIN E STATUS OF THE ELDERLY IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY

A survey of 106 adult volunteers, between 60 and 90 years of age, was conducted to determine their vitamin E status, and to investigate possible relationships between plasma vitamin E level, the participant's age, and their plasma cholesterol level. The mean ± SD of vitamin E levels was 1.90 ± 0.56 mg/100 ml. When the participants' vitamin E levels were compared by age groups (60-70, 71-80, 81-90), sex, and by whether they were institutionalized or not, no significant difference was found. There was a significant, positive correlation (P < 0.001) between the measured plasma vitamin E and cholesterol levels. Significant, negative correlations were found when the plasma vitamin E level (P < 0.05) or cholesterol level (P < 0.001) was compared against age. There was no vitamin E deficiency observed in the elderly populations studied.

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