Antioxidant in foods, diet, supplements, herbs and vitamins by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Benefits of Antioxidants: How much should one take? Can taking these supplements help you live longer?

What You Will Find On This Page:
Information on natural antioxidants
Eyesight Rx - Vision enhancement formula - works within days to improve reading and distant vision
 Mind Power Rx - Mind and Mood enhancement formula

Just about everybody has heard the word “antioxidant.” Over the past few years, articles touting the benefits of natural antioxidant vitamins — such as vitamins C and E and antioxidants in green tea — have been mentioned in countless magazine and newspaper articles. Yet, even with all this press, most people don’t have a good understanding of the concept of oxidation and anti-oxidation. I recently asked a number of my patients if they really knew what the word “antioxidant” meant. Although the majority of these patients were taking antioxidant supplements, only a few understood what they were or how they really worked. A few paragraphs below I explain in simple terms what antioxidants are.

Antioxidant anti-aging benefit?
There is no proof at this time that taking antioxidants will help you live longer, nor is there good evidence that they will shorten lifespan. In order for us to know how antioxidants influence longevity, several well controlled studies have to be done on individual antioxidants in varying dosages for at least a 20 to 30 year period while keeping dietary intake similar in all the study participants. This is not practical and not likely to be done. For the time being if you do plan to take antioxidant supplements, take products that have a wide range of nutrients in low amounts as opposed to just 2 or 3 antioxidant supplements in high dosages. I am not convinced that taking megadoses of a single form of synthetic vitamin E or single carotenoid is a good option. One good daily formula with lots of different nutrients and antioxidants in small amounts is MultiVit Rx which can be taken at one, two, three, or four capsules a day depending on your preference.

Natural Antioxidant Dosage Guidelines:
The following is an antioxidant dosage recommendation for the average person who has no major medical problems. Please discuss with your health care practitioner the appropriateness of these dosages for your particular condition. Each person is unique and each doctor has a different set of guidelines since it is almost impossible to know for sure the ideal dosage for each person. With the thousands of antioxidants available in our foodstuffs and the dozens available as supplements, which ones should you take, and in what dosages? This web page will provide you with practical guidelines.

Vitamin E — 20 to 200 units a few times a week of the mixed natural tocopherols and tocotrienols. It is not necessary to take vitamin E daily since it is stored in fat tissue. Doses higher than 200 units a day are not necessary. Avoid synthetic vitamin E.

Vitamin C — 100 to 500 mg a day.

R- Alpha Lipoic acid — 20 to 50 mg twice a week, in the morning with breakfast. R- alpha lipoic acid is quite a powerful antioxidant.

Acetyl-l-carnitine --- 100 to 300 mg twice a week in the morning a few minutes before breakfast if you wish to also notice mind boosting effects.


 

Antioxidants gaining popularity
 Ashwagandha has relaxing properties
Bacopa enhances mental function
Carnosine is quite an interesting nutrient and potent antioxidant.
Curcumin or Turmeric has powerful antioxidants
Green tea extract has much research to back its beneficial properties
Milk Thistle is particularly helpful in liver health

MultiVit Rx High Quality Daily Vitamins and Minerals
Physician Formulas - Developed by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
See MultiVit Rx for full details or to order. Users actually do notice a pleasant mood, vision, and energy enhancing effect by taking one or two capsules of this multivitamin.
 

 


Mind Power Rx with Ginkgo Biloba, formulated by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Mind Power Rx is a sophisticated cognitive formula containing a dozen herbs and nutrients. It combines a delicate balance of brain circulation agents and neurotransmitter precursors with powerful natural brain chemicals that support healthy:

Memory and Mood
Mental clarity
Concentration 
Alertness and Focus

Why buy all the individual herbs and nutrients separately -- at great expense -- when you can buy this excellent combination?

 The herbs in Mind Power Rx include: Ashwagandha, Bacopa, Fo-Ti, Ginkgo biloba, Ginseng, Mucuna pruriens, Rhodiola, and Reishi.  The nutrients and vitamins in Mind Power Rx include Acetyl-l-carnitine, Carnitine, Carnosine, Choline, DMAE, Inositol, Methylcobalamin, Pantothenic acid, Trimethylglycine, Tyrosine, and Vinpocetine.
 
 Subscribe to a FREE Supplement Research Update newsletter. Twice a month you will receive an email with a review of several new studies on various supplements and natural medicine topics and their practical interpretation by Ray Sahelian, M.D. We will mention research updates on Antioxidants.

 

 

Eyesight Rx with Antioxidants
Improves Vision
Developed by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Supplement Facts:
Vitamin C - Ascorbic acid
Citrus bioflavonoids (eriocitrin, hesperidin, flavonols, flavones, flavonoids, naringenin, and quercetin)
Mixed carotenoids (astaxanthin, beta carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein, Lycopene, Zeaxanthin)
Bilberry extract (Vaccinium myrtillus)
Eyebright extract (Euphrasia officianales)
Jujube extract (Zizyphus jujube)
Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo biloba)
Suma extract (Pfaffia paniculata)
Mucuna pruriens extract (Cowhage)
 Cinnamon extract (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)
Lycium berry extract (Lycium Barbarum)
Alpha Lipoic Acid antioxidant

 Additional Antioxidant vitamins and supplements
 Selenium — 20 to 100 mcg a few days a week.

Carotenoids may be obtained through fruits and vegetables, however supplements are sometimes helpful if you don't eat enough vegetables. Use a combination of carotenoids as opposed to just one.

Flavonoids may be obtained through fruits and vegetables, however supplements are sometimes helpful if you don't eat enough vegetables. Flavonoid supplements are available, for instance Chrysin supplement.
         Anthocyanins  and anthocyanidins are a large water-soluble pigment group found in a large number of fruits, vegetables and flowers. particularly grapes, pomegranate and berries. Bilberry and other berries have a high concentration of anthocyanins.
         Catechins or Flavanols -- are found found in tea. Grape seeds including have the monomeric flavan-3-ols catechin, epicatechin, gallocatechin, epigallocatechin, and epicatechin 3-O-gallate. Research shows that the cocoa bean is rich in specific antioxidants, with the basic structure of catechins and epicatechin, and especially the polymers procyanidins,
         Flavones -- Apigenin, Luteolin hispidulin. Luteolin is found in broccoli and greet chili. Apigenin is found in Chinese cabbage and bell pepper. Apigenin and other flavonoids may be helpful in reducing the formation of uric acid in gout.
         Flavonols --  are found at high concentrations in onions, apples, red wine, broccoli, tea, and Ginkgo biloba. The most common in the American diet are Quercetin (70%), Kaempferol (16%), and Myricetin (6%); fisetin. These flavonols are found in high amounts in kale, onions, hot peppers, and rutabagos.
         Flavanones -- Hesperidin, Naringin, eriodyctyol
         Isoflavones -- Genistein isoflavone and Daidzein are found in soy and have an influence on bone health among postmenopausal women, together with some weak hormonal effects. Isoflavones are selectively incorporated in certain tissues like the breast and ovaries. They are able to bind to the estrogen receptors alpha (ER-alpha) and beta (ER-beta). However, the binding affinity for genistein to ER-alpha is only 4%, the affinity to ER-beta is 87% compared to 17beta-estradiol. Thus, depending on the estradiol concentration, they exhibit weak estrogenic or antiestrogenic activity. Isoflavones can influence transcription and cell proliferation. They modulate enzyme activities as well as signal transduction, and have antioxidant properties. Epidemiological studies have shown that the prevalence of hot flashes is lower in women from countries with high dietary isoflavone intake such as Japan than in Western nations with low isoflavone intake.
         Lignins found in nuts and whole grain cereals. 
         Proanthocyanidins --  found in grapes, red wine, pine bark. Grape seed extract provides a concentrated source of polyphenols, many of which are proanthocyanidins. Red wine is rich in the complex polyphenols, the proanthocyanidins. Proanthocyanidins share common properties with other polyphenols, in particular their reducing capacity and ability to chelate metal ions. However, their polymeric nature clearly makes them different. They have a high affinity for proteins and their absorption through the gut barrier is likely limited to the molecules of low polymerization degree and to the metabolites formed by the colonic microflora, as suggested by in vitro experiments. The nutritional significance of proanthocyanidins is discussed in relation to their physico-chemical properties and bioavailability.
         Procyanidins (oligomeric catechins found at high concentrations in red wine, grapes and grape seeds, cocoa, cranberries, apples, and some supplements such as Pycnogenol) have pronounced effects on the vascular system. Apples contain many kinds of polyphenols, and the main components are oligomeric procyanidins. Applephenon is apple polyphenol extract produced commercially from unripe apples, and has been used as food additive in order to prevent oxidation of components in foods.

There are also countless herbs that have antioxidant properties, for instance Arjuna, Reishi, Thyme, Basil, Mangosteen, goji, acai, pine bark extract, etc. There are too many to list since most herbs and spices have powerful antioxidants.

Protandim
ABC Prime Time had an episode in June, 2005 heavily promoting the five herbs listed above as excellent antioxidants. We had a recent email about this:
Q. What do you think about this pill Protandim that they say may slow the aging process by increasing antioxidant enzymes that fight free radicals? Do you plan on carrying the pills? I saw it on Primetime the other night!
     A. Protandim is basically 5 common herbal extracts: Ashwagandha, bacopa, curcumin, green tea, and milk thistle. They are selling Protandim for 49 dollars a bottle, whereas someone can buy all of these products individually for the same price but have several times the dosage they have in their product. So, it's a good product but expensive. Furthermore, there are countless herbs that have potent antioxidant properties, not just these five.

Understanding Antioxidants
A common way used to describe oxidation is a piece of metal in the process of rusting. The process that occurs in the body is obviously different since we are made of living tissue. During the normal metabolism (or breakdown) of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins for energy production, certain molecules are generated that can damage the contents within cells. These destructive molecules often contain an unstable oxygen atom missing an electron. You may recall from high school or college chemistry that atoms, such as hydrogen and oxygen, have a pair of electrons spinning around them. An atom with only one electron in its orbit is very unstable. Chemists call this atom a free radical. This free radical can then steal an electron from a neighboring molecule and hence cause it to be damaged. The process of this damage is called oxidation. Cigarette smoke, fried foods, ozone, excessive sun exposure, car exhaust, certain drugs, radiation, and air pollution are common causes of oxidation. The body had developed ways to counteract these oxidants by producing antioxidants. An antioxidant is any chemical, natural or synthetic, that has the ability to neutralize oxidants (toxins or free radicals), thus protecting our cells from being damaged. There’s often a good balance between oxidation and anti-oxidation. A certain amount of oxidation in the body is necessary in order to fight infections or do repair work within cells. However, when a shift occurs leading to a preponderance of oxidation, without adequate antioxidant support, the body undergoes what’s called “oxidative stress.” The body normally produces powerful natural antioxidants—such as superoxide dismutase enzyme, glutathione enzyme, and catalase — to help fight these oxidants. Many antioxidants are also consumed through the diet, particularly fresh fruits and vegetables.

Antioxidant tests
Several tests of antioxidant potency are commercially available These include: Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC); Total oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC Value); Free radical scavenging capacity by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH); and Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP).

Benefit of Antioxidant
When excessive oxidation occurs for prolonged periods, it can take a toll on the system. Changes occur in cells which include damage to fatty acids, inactivation of enzymes, deterioration of cell membranes, breakdown of proteins, and damage to the DNA. For instance, if oxidants damage DNA, the eventual consequence could be a higher likelihood of cancer. If the damage occurs in arteries that supply blood to the heart, it could lead to hardening of the arteries and a heart attack. All these changes lead to disease and premature aging. Over the past few years, scientific evidence has slowly accumulated indicating that taking antioxidant supplements could potentially reduce the risk of certain illnesses and maintain brain health. There is, as of now, no proof that ingesting antioxidants prolongs life span in humans, but enough evidence has accumulated on the benefits of antioxidants that one should not casually dismiss their potential in improving quality of life and slowing the progression of certain chronic degenerative disorders.

Benefit of Antioxidant - What Can Antioxidants Do for You?
As a rule, you are not likely to notice any immediate cognitive benefits from taking the antioxidants discussed in this chapter, except perhaps alpha lipoic acid which can help with eyesight or vision. Therefore, do not expect any dramatic changes in mood, energy, alertness, and memory. Antioxidants can be compared to health insurance. You pay your monthly fee but don’t often get the benefits until years later when you need a hospital bill paid. Antioxidants serve to protect your brain cells, proteins, and DNA from the gradual damage that occurs with the aging process.

What Conditions Do Antioxidants Benefit?
It’s quite likely that, over the long run, antioxidants could slow the progression of heart disease, cancer, age related cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, macular degeneration, and perhaps other conditions, though there is no definite proof yet.

What Are Some Examples of Oxidants?
There are quite a number of damaging oxidants that we are exposed to on a daily basis. The most common are hydroxyl (OH), superoxide (O2), hydrogen peroxide (H202), and ozone (03).

Foods high in Antioxidant
Many foods are high in antioxidant properties including most fruits and vegetables, spices, herbs, and teas. It's a good idea to have a wide variety as opposed to eating too much of one or two foods. Berries have high antioxidant content. Coffee is the number one source of antioxidants in the U.S. diet.
     Large variations in the content of antioxidants are observed in different foods and food categories. The food groups spices and herbs, nuts and seeds, berries, and fruit and vegetables all contain foods with very high antioxidant contents. Most food categories also contain products almost devoid of antioxidants. Of the 50 food products highest in antioxidant concentrations, 13 were spices, 8 were in the fruit and vegetables category, 5 were berries, 5 were chocolate-based, 5 were breakfast cereals, and 4 were nuts or seeds. On the basis of typical serving sizes, blackberries, walnuts, strawberries, artichokes, cranberries, brewed coffee, raspberries, pecans, blueberries, ground cloves, grape juice, and unsweetened baking chocolate were at the top of the ranked list.

Foods High in Antioxidant - 2006
A study provides a listing of the total concentration of antioxidants for more than 1,000 foods and beverages commonly consumed in the U.S. Ranking the items by antioxidant concentration per serving size, the five foods and beverages with highest antioxidant levels were blackberries (1 cup), Welch's 100% Grape Juice (8 ounces), Ocean Mist artichoke hearts (1 cup), walnuts (1 ounce) and strawberries (1 cup sliced). These items ranked higher than blueberries, red wine, chocolate, coffee and tea -- often touted for their high antioxidant capacity.
     Researchers from the University of Oslo, Norway, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and the University of Minnesota used the FRAP (ferric reducing ability of plasma) assay method to measure and compile this expanded listing of foods high in antioxidants for 1113 foods and beverages. The study, which appears in the July issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, was conducted independently of any industry sponsors. Food samples were obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program.

Halvorsen, B.L., Carlsen, M.H., Phillips, K.M., et al., "Content of redox-active compounds (ie, antioxidants) in foods consumed in the United States," American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2006; 84:95-135.

Brain Cells need Antioxidants
The cell membrane of neurons is made mostly of phospholipids, which contain fatty acids. Nerve fibers that travel from the brain to the spinal cord, and from the spinal cord to the rest of the body, are also insulated with a white-colored fatty substance called myelin. With time, these fats can become oxidized, interfering with proper nerve activity. The process of fats becoming oxidized is called lipid peroxidation. The oxidation of fats contributes to brain aging and can accelerate degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. You may recall from chapter 7 that the brain contains a great deal of polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as DHA and arachidonic acid, which are particularly susceptible to oxidation. As we age, many of these fatty acids in the brain become damaged due to oxidation and they lose some of their double bonds, thus becoming more saturated. Neurons in the brain become less efficient the more the fatty acids become saturated. Antioxidants can thus play a protective role in keeping the fatty acids in the brain healthy. After all, about 60 percent of the brain is made of fat.

Antioxidants and Memory
Although many antioxidant pills do not immediately influence cognition and memory, they very well could have a positive effect in the long run. Researchers at the University of Bern, in Switzerland, evaluated a total of three hundred male and one hundred thirty female volunteers, aged sixty-five to ninety-four, over twenty-two years. In 1971, they measured blood levels of three antioxidants: vitamin E, vitamin C, and beta-carotene. They also performed extensive memory testing. They found that higher levels of antioxidants, particularly vitamin C and beta-carotene, were associated with better performance in memory testing. The researchers state, "These results indicate the important role played by antioxidants in brain aging and may have implications for prevention of progressive cognitive impairments."

The researchers only tested blood levels of three antioxidants. It is quite likely that a number of other antioxidants play a role in helping us preserve memory and mental capacities in our later years. For instance, an eight-month study in rats showed administration of extracts from strawberries and spinach, either alone or with vitamin E, was able to slow damage to brain cells due to the aging process (Joseph 1998). natural antioxidant benefit of antioxidant.

It’s More than the ACES
For many years I heard doctors recommend the ACES — vitamins A (as beta-carotene), C, E, and the mineral selenium — as if they were the only important antioxidants. We now know there are thousands of substances that can act as free radical scavengers. Dozens of antioxidant products are available over the counter. Please keep in mind that many foods, plants, herbal extracts, and other edible substances such as mushrooms, royal jelly, seaweed, and others, contain beneficial antioxidants and nutrients.

Vitamin C
Also known as ascorbic acid, vitamin C was isolated in 1928. This vitamin serves as an excellent antioxidant and could protect brain cells, including cells in the eye. The eye is highly susceptible to damage by sunlight, oxygen, various chemicals, and pollutants. Because of an aging Western world population and a continued depletion of ozone, having adequate antioxidants in the eye is very important. But how much vitamin C is enough to protect our cells?

Ever since Nobel Prize winner Linus Pauling extolled the benefits of megadosing with vitamin C, the medical community has been debating the optimal dosage intake of this vitamin. Although many doctors stood firm for a long time asserting that the RDA of 60 mg for this vitamin was adequate, more and more doctors are now realizing that higher dosages can confer additional antioxidant benefits. However, the optimal daily intake of vitamin C has not yet been determined, nor is it likely to be determined soon. Nevertheless, we now suspect that excessive intake of vitamin C, expect perhaps in the therapy of a particular medical condition, may not be necessary.

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition points that large doses of ingested vitamin C may be excreted without being utilized (Blanchard 1997). When the dosage of vitamin C given to a group of healthy men was increased from 200 mg a day to 2,500 mg a day, blood levels increased only negligibly. James Blanchard, Ph.D., a professor of pharmacological sciences at the University of Arizona in Tucson, reports that the blood levels of vitamin C generally reflect the levels found in the rest of the body.

Recommendations
Most people should have adequate antioxidant protection with vitamin C at a dose of 100 to 500 mg per day. The majority of our intake of vitamin C should be obtained from fruits and vegetables, which additionally provide hundreds of beneficial carotenoids and flavonoids that often work synergistically with vitamin C. Many people take more than one antioxidant on a daily basis. Since antioxidants help protect each other from being destroyed, the amount required for each one would be lessened when taken together.

Summary
Pick up any health magazine and you are likely to see ads promoting dozens of different antioxidants. Many of them have a scientific basis to support their antioxidant properties. However, you can’t just take all of them. What should you do? First, keep in mind that as of yet there is no definite proof that antioxidant supplements will keep your brain young. However, there is enough promising evidence to convince me to recommend the antioxidants mentioned in the sidebar. Second, make sure you obtain the bulk of your antioxidants through fresh foods. Carotenoids and flavonoids can be easily obtained through fruits, vegetables, herbs and whole foods. If you do wish to take additional supplements, I recommend a multi-oxidant pill that contains small amounts of many antioxidants as opposed to large amounts of just one or two. You could even have two or three different products on your kitchen counter and alternate their use so you don’t get the same antioxidants in the same dosages all the time. Remember that the body needs some oxidation in order to fight certain germs and possibly fight some cancer cells.

Antioxidant Research studies
 A Canadian government study that measured the levels of antioxidants in eight varieties of apples found that Red Delicious contain the highest concentrations of the health enhancing chemicals. The skin of Red Delicious apples — the most common variety grown in the United States — contains over six times more antioxidant activity than the flesh. Though antioxidants are believed to help ward off certain diseases, more research is needed to determine whether quantity alone counts. The study did not consider whether antioxidants in some apples may be better absorbed than others. Red Delicious, which account for 27 percent of U.S. apple production, has more than six times the antioxidants as the bottom-ranked Empire variety. Northern Spy was No. 2, followed by Cortland, Ida Red, Golden Delicious, McIntosh and Mutsu. And in every variety tested, the skins of the apples contained substantially higher levels of antioxidants than the flesh. Though apples have significantly lower concentrations of antioxidants than other fruits, especially many berries, year-round availability and greater popularity might make them a better source for many people. In the United States, apples are second only to bananas among popular fruits.

A current theory holds that oxidative stress, ie, an imbalance between maternal prooxidants and antioxidants, is a component of preeclampsia.

Low-dose antioxidant supplementation may reduce the risk of cancer among men, but not in women, according to an article in the November 22, 2004 issue of The Archives of Internal Medicine. According to the article, antioxidants including beta carotene, ascorbic acid, vitamin E, selenium, and zinc may prevent some of the harmful effects caused by free radicals - reactive molecules produced by metabolism in the body. It has also been suggested that a low dietary intake of antioxidants increases the incidence of cancer and cardiovascular disease.
     French researchers tested the efficacy of dietary supplementation with a combination of antioxidant vitamins and minerals in reducing the incidence of cancer and cardiovascular disease among 13,017 French adults. There were 7,876 women aged 35 to 60 years old, and 5,141 men ages 45 to 60 years old included in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to take either a daily capsule containing 120 milligrams of ascorbic acid, 30 milligrams of vitamin E, six milligrams of beta carotene, 100 micrograms of selenium, and 20 milligrams of zinc; or a placebo capsule. Participants were followed-up for a median of 7.5 years. The researchers found no differences between the antioxidant and placebo group in terms of cancer incidence (4.1 percent of the antioxidant group vs. 4.5 percent of the placebo group), or in cardiovascular disease incidence (2.1 percent for the antioxidant group vs. 2.1 percent for the placebo group) or all-cause death (1.2 percent for the antioxidant group vs. 1.5 percent for the placebo group).
     However, when the researchers looked at cancer incidence according to sex, they found a significant protective effect of the antioxidants in men, who were 31 percent less likely to develop cancer than women. A similar trend was seen in men for death rates. "After 7.5 years, low-dose antioxidant supplementation lowered total cancer incidence and all-cause mortality in men but not in women. Supplementation may be effective in men only because of their lower baseline status of certain antioxidants, especially of beta carotene," the researchers write. The authors conclude: "... our results suggest that an adequate and well-balanced supplementation of antioxidant nutrients, at doses that might be reached with a healthy diet that includes a high consumption of fruits and vegetables, had protective effects against cancer in men."

 Antioxidant intake is associated with semen quality in healthy men.
 Hum Reprod. 2005 Apr;20(4):1006-1012. Epub 2005 Jan 21.
Eskenazi B, Kidd SA, Marks AR, Sloter E, Block G, Wyrobek AJ. School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA.  Biology and Biotechnology Research Program, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA Genetics and Developmental Biology Program, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV  oxidant supplement natural antioxidant pharmaceutical antioxidant antioxidant antiaging
We seek to determine whether dietary and supplement intake of specific micronutrients (zinc and folate) and antioxidants (vitamins C, E and beta-carotene) is associated with semen quality. Ninety-seven healthy, non-smoking men provided semen and were interviewed. Average daily nutrient intake from food and supplements was derived from a self-administered food frequency questionnaire. Intake levels were summarized as low, moderate and high. Semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, motility, progressive motility and total progressively motile sperm count (TPMS) were measured. RESULTS: After controlling for covariates, a high intake of antioxidants was associated with better semen quality but, in almost all cases, there was no clear dose relationship in that moderate intake groups had the poorest semen quality. For example, positive associations were observed between vitamin C intake and sperm number as reflected in the higher mean count, concentration and TPMS; between vitamin E intake and progressive motility and TPMS; and between beta-carotene intake and sperm concentration  and progressive motility. Folate and zinc intake were not associated with improved semen quality.  In a convenience sample of healthy non-smoking men from a non-clinical setting, higher antioxidant intake was associated with higher sperm numbers and motility.

Passion Rx -- Sexual Enhancement Pills. The potent herbal extracts in Passion Rx include Ashwagandha, Catuaba, Cnidium, DMAE, Horny goat weed , Maca, Muira puama, Passion flower, Tribulus terrestris, Tongkat ali. Passion Rx is available with or without Yohimbe. 

 Effects of 6-month multivitamin supplementation on serum concentrations of alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, and vitamin C in healthy elderly women.
Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2004 Mar;74(2):161-8. antioxidant supplement natural antioxidant pharmaceutical antioxidant antioxidant antiaging
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation with nutritional doses of antioxidant nutrients on the serum concentrations of ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol, and beta-carotene in healthy elderly women. The study was performed as a randomized placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. Two hundred forty-one free-living, healthy women aged 60 years and older were recruited by newspaper advertisement in Hanover, Germany and its environs. As 21 women dropped out, data of 220 women (aged 60-91 years median 63 years) were included in this evaluation. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either a multivitamin/mineral or placebo capsule with identical appearance for six months containing 36 mg 36mg vitamin E, 150 mg vitamin C, and 9 mg beta-carotene. Serum concentrations of vitamin C, alpha-tocopherol, and beta-carotene were measured initially and after six months of supplementation. Data were analyzed with the SPSS 10.0 program. Median serum concentrations of alpha-carotene and vitamin E increased significantly in the supplemented group, whereas no significant modifications were observed in the placebo group. Median vitamin C concentration of the supplemented group did not differ from baseline after intervention, but that of the placebo group was significantly decreased after six months. In comparison to estimated desirable serum concentrations of > 30 micromol/L vitamin E, 50 micromol/L vitamin C, and > 0.4 micromol/l beta-carotene at baseline, lower concentrations were found in 21%, 7%, and 1% of all subjects, respectively. After supplementation none of the members of the supplemented group had tocopherol concentrations below 30 micromol/L and only one woman of the supplemented group had a serum beta-carotene concentration below 0.4 micromol/L. The change in serum concentrations of vitamin C and E in the supplemented group depended on the status at baseline. A six-month supplementation with physiological doses of antioxidant vitamins improves the blood concentration of these nutrients even in relatively well-nourished elderly women or, as seen for vitamin C, prevents reduction of serum concentrations. Prevalence of suboptimal serum concentrations can be reduced.

Cell-damaging substances known as oxygen free radicals may be to blame for hardening of the arteries that often occurs in women later in life. Moreover, this oxidative damage appears to be strongly linked to increases in abdominal fat and levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol. Free radicals are a normal byproduct of metabolism, and we have natural mechanisms to protect us from free radicals. One such mechanism is estrogen, which acts as an antioxidant. When women lose estrogen after menopause, their bodies are no longer capable of fending off the damage free radicals can inflict on their arteries, causing them to stiffen. Giving postmenopausal women a high dose of antioxidant reverses that process. Arterial stiffness can be dangerous if it prevents the arteries near the heart from expanding when the heart pumps out blood, If the arteries cannot expand, the heart has to pump harder to get enough blood around the body; over time, this will weaken the heart, leading to high blood pressure and even heart failure. Postmenopausal women's arteries are stiffer than the arteries of premenopausal women. A high dose of vitamin C -- a potent antioxidant -- makes postmenopausal women's arteries became more elastic. However, the vitamin C had no effect on the arteries of premenopausal women.
The greatest effect of the vitamin C was seen in women who had relatively high levels of LDL cholesterol, and if they had extra fat stored in their abdomen. This suggests that these women may produce extra amounts of free radicals, which can be neutralized by vitamin C. For now, Moreau recommended that women try exercise to keep their blood vessels in good shape, since research has shown that women who exercise experience less arterial stiffness than women who don't. Hypertension, 2005.

Infection by prion can lead to oxidation and it is not known whether an antioxidant supplement helps.

Antioxidant supplement emails
Q. Can a person take too many antioxidants? Is there a possibility that our bodies need some free radicals?
   A. Yes, it is possible to take too many antioxidants. Free radicals may be needed for certain functions, such as fighting certain germs or infections.

Q. Hello Dr. Sahelian, I have been intrigued by anti-oxidant research since my graduate schools days. recall sitting tired in a exercise physiology seminar when the professor talked of antioxidant research at UCSD saying "the results are inconclusive but this is what folks on the research team are taking." I since went on to read research by Dr. Kenneth Cooper and others. Now I have a friend who's telling me about a Dr. Seidman and a company called Visalus (they're an MLM company, which has me skeptical, but they are making some pretty big claims about patented formulas that are superior). I hate the word "anti-aging" but my research tells me antioxidants may be helpful in combating free radical damage: especially for an endurance athlete (masters swimmer now). I realize you must be very busy but could you provide me with insight or places to seek the latest research on how to determine proper
antioxidant supplementation.
   A. Long term human research with antioxidants and anti-aging is not available, hence it is anyone's guess at this time whether taking antioxidant supplements extend lifespan. There is a chance that they they will, however we have little idea which ones to take, in what combination, and in what dosages. If you choose to take antioxidant supplements, take small amounts, use a variety or alternate different ones, and keep in mind that more is not necessarily better. These are general guidelines but the limited research does not allow us to be more specific at this time. Do get most of your antioxidants from foods such as fresh produce and herbs. We are not familiar with Dr. Seidman and Visalus MLM company.

Q. Thanks for your timely comments in the March 2007 newsletter re the invalid conclusions reached by the Gluud antioxidant study published by the JAMA. My additional concern is, how could a peer reviewed journal of the JAMA's supposed stature even allow such a poorly conceived study to be published under its aegis? What were the editors and reviewers thinking!!
   A. I am not sure, but I think there is a bias against vitamins by JAMA and other medical journals. When drug companies start taking ads in these journals promoting their vitamin supplements, the editorial bias is likely to shift.

Q. Can you tell me exactly what a urinary oxidative stress test reveals, and what does a score of 4/4 mean. Thank you and keep up the great work.
   A. I do not use urinary oxidative stress testing in my practice and do not know if it has any practical uses. Would the test results change daily based on one's diet?