Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2020 Apr;106(4):331-342.
doi: 10.1007/s00223-019-00641-x. Epub 2019 Dec 7.

Cross-Sectional Associations Between Dietary Antioxidant Vitamins C, E and Carotenoid Intakes and Sarcopenic Indices in Women Aged 18-79 Years

A A Welch  1 , A Jennings  2 , E Kelaiditi  2   3 , J Skinner  2 , C J Steves  4
Affiliations

Cross-Sectional Associations Between Dietary Antioxidant Vitamins C, E and Carotenoid Intakes and Sarcopenic Indices in Women Aged 18-79 Years

A A Welch et al. Calcif Tissue Int. 2020 Apr.

Abstract

The prevalence of sarcopenia is increasing in aging populations, so prevention is critical. Vitamins (A, C, E and carotenoids) modify skeletal muscle via protein and collagen synthesis and anti-inflammatory activities. Previous studies have not investigated intake of these vitamins in relation to sarcopenic indices in both younger and older-aged women. Indices of skeletal muscle mass (as fat-free mass (FFM) relative to body size) were measured using DXA and leg explosive power (LEP) using the Nottingham Power Rig in 2570 women aged 18-79 years. Adjusted measures of skeletal muscle were calculated according to quintiles of vitamin C, E, retinol and carotenoid intake, derived from Food Frequency Questionnaires, after stratification by age. Higher vitamin C intake was associated with significantly higher indices of FFM and LEP, (Q5-Q1 = 2.0-12.8%, P < 0.01-0.02). Intakes of total and individual carotenoids were significantly associated with indices of FFM and LEP (Q5-Q1 = 1.0-7.5%). Vitamin E was significantly associated with FFM% and FFMBMI only. In mutually adjusted analysis with vitamin C, total carotene, vitamin E and protein in the model, the strongest associations were with vitamin C. These associations were stronger in younger women (< 65 years). For the first time, our research shows higher dietary intakes of antioxidant vitamins, particularly vitamin C, is associated with higher skeletal muscle mass and power in free-living women. These findings have relevance for the treatment and prevention of frailty and sarcopenia throughout adulthood.

Keywords: Carotenes; Diet; Grip strength; Sarcopenia; Skeletal muscle; Vitamin A; Vitamin C; Vitamin E.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Ailsa Welch, Amy Jennings, Eirini Kelaiditi, Jane Skinner and Claire Steves declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The relative associations of vitamin C, vitamin E, retinol, carotene and protein with percentage fat-free mass in 2570 females aged 18–79 years, stratified by age1. Values represent the difference in standardised values of percentage fat-free mass between participants in Q5 vs Q1 of intake (T3-T1 for > 65 years sub-group) with all nutrients included in the model. Values were also adjusted for age, physical activity, smoking status, energy intake and underreporting. * P-trend < 0.05
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The relative associations of vitamin C, vitamin E, retinol, carotene and protein with leg explosive power in 1914 females aged 18–79 years, stratified by age1. Values represent the difference in standardised values of leg explosive power between participants in Q5 vs Q1 (T3-T1 for > 65 years sub-group) of intake with all nutrients included in the model. Values were also adjusted for age, physical activity, smoking status, energy intake, underreporting, height, menopausal status and use of hormone replacement therapy. * P-trend < 0.05
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Foods that contributed to at least 10% of vitamin C, vitamin E, carotene and retinol intakes in 2570 females aged 18–79 years1. Values are the percentage contribution of individual foods to total nutrient intake. The main contributors to vegetable intakes were peppers, Brussels sprouts and broccoli for Vitamin C, avocado, mushrooms and spinach for Vitamin E and carrots and spinach for carotene. For Vitamin C the main contributors to fruit intakes were strawberries, oranges and grapefruit
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Cruz-Jentoft AJ, Bahat G, Bauer J, Boirie Y, Bruyere O, Cederholm T, Cooper C, Landi F, Rolland Y, Sayer AA, Schneider SM, Sieber CC, Topinkova E, Vandewoude M, Visser M, Zamboni M, Writing Group for the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older P, the Extended Group for E Sarcopenia: revised European consensus on definition and diagnosis. Age Ageing. 2019;48(1):16–31. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afy169. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Landi F, Camprubi-Robles M, Bear DE, Cederholm T, Malafarina V, Welch AA, Cruz-Jentoft AJ. Muscle loss: the new malnutrition challenge in clinical practice. Clin Nutr. 2018 doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2018.11.021. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Bunn D, Hooper L, Welch A. Dehydration and malnutrition in residential care: recommendations for strategies for improving practice derived from a scoping review of existing policies and guidelines. Geriatrics. 2018;3(4):77. doi: 10.3390/geriatrics3040077. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Cesari M, Araujo de Carvalho I, Amuthavalli Thiyagarajan J, Cooper C, Martin FC, Reginster JY, Vellas B, Beard JR. Evidence for the domains supporting the construct of intrinsic capacity. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2018;73(12):1653–1660. doi: 10.1093/gerona/gly011. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Dalle S, Rossmeislova L, Koppo K. The role of inflammation in age-related sarcopenia. Front Physiol. 2017;8:1045. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2017.01045. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources