Lipophilic Antioxidants and Cognitive Function in the Elderly

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between blood serum lipophilic antioxidant levels and cognitive function (CF) in older adults aged 60 and above guided by the oxidative stress theory of aging. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (n = 291) for older adults aged 60 and above were examined using Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression to determine whether blood serum antioxidant status predicted CF while controlling for age, sex, race, hypertension, smoking status, and body mass index. RESULTS: Alpha-tocopherol, retinyl palmitate, trans-lycopene, and retinyl stearate were all significantly correlated with CF. After controlling for covariates, α-tocopherol and retinyl palmitate were associated with CF. Age, sex, and current smoking status were significant predictors of CF. CONCLUSIONS: The benefits of antioxidants in CF may be a part of nutritional recommendations which include α-tocopherol and retinyl palmitate for delay of CI, and subsequently a better quality of life.