Low Vitamin E in one's blood is linked with the physical decline of people when they reach 65 years old. The research was done in Italy where 700 older men and women participated.

The aging men and women were asked to do three things: To provide their blood sample, to get a check up and take three test of physical functions.

The physical tests included a timed walk, standing up from a chair five times in a row with their hands folded over their chest, and balancing while standing in three different positions. Test scores ranged from 0 (failing all four tests) to four (acing all four tests).

After three years, the test was repeated with the same participants. Those who take up Vitamin E have shown a milder decline in their physical function.

The lead scientist stresses that vitamin E was the only antioxidant measured in the study and further studies are needed to determine whether low levels of other antioxidants would yield the same results.