Antioxidant
in foods, diet, supplements, herbs and vitamins, daily regimen
Benefits:
How much should one take?
Can taking these supplements help you live longer?
April 10 2017
by
Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Low intake of antioxidant vitamins and nutrients can lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer and is a risk factor for several chronic diseases.
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 article will provide you with practical guidelines.
Antioxidant supplement dosage guidelines and recommendations
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 impossible to know for
certain the ideal dosage for each person.
Acetylcysteine
supplement at 100 to 500 mg once or twice a week.
Alpha Lipoic acid 20 to 50 mg
twice a week, in the morning with breakfast. R- alpha lipoic acid is quite
powerful.
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.
Carnosine is quite an
interesting nutrient and potent. I like the benefits when I take it, including
improvement in vision. For most people half of a 500 mg capsule once or twice a
week should be effective. Visit
Carnosine informational site to learn
more about the latest research on this dipeptide.
Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2016. Use of Carnosine for
Oxidative Stress Reduction in Different Pathologies. Data on the effective use
of carnosine in different pathologies are presented. Special attention is paid
to issues of use of carnosine in neurologic and mental diseases, in alcoholism
as well as in physiological states accompanied by activation of free-radical
processes and formation of oxidative stress.
Vitamin C 100 to 500 mg a day unless you have a high intake of fruits and vegetables.
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.
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.
Antioxidants gaining popularity
Natural antioxidants like flavonoids (quercetin, curcumin, luteolin and
catechins), magnolol and honokiol are showing to be efficient inhibitors of
oxidative process and seem to be as good or better therapeutic option than the
traditional ones (vitamins C and E, and beta-carotene).
Acai berry extract.
Ashwagandha has
relaxing properties.
Astaxanthin.
Bacopa enhances mental function.
CoQ10 or coenzyme Q10.
Curcumin extract from
the important spice turmeric
has many health benefits.
Goji berry plant.
Green tea extract has
much research to back its beneficial properties including the compound EGCG.
Lycopene in tomatoes and watermelon.
Milk Thistle is
particularly helpful in liver health
Pomegranate juice or extract.
Resveratrol found in grape skin.
There
are countless herbs that have antioxidant properties, for instance
arjuna,
reishi, thyme, basil, mangosteen,
amla,
pine bark extract, etc. There are
too many to list since most herbs and spices have powerful substances that
act as effective antioxidants.
MultiVit Rx
High Quality daily Vitamins and Minerals, contains a number of important
antioxidants
See
MultiVit Rx for full
details or to order.
Users notice a pleasant mood, vision, and
energy enhancing effect by taking one or two capsules of this multivitamin.
Mind Power Rx
Eyesight Rx with antioxidants to Improve vision
Additional Antioxidant vitamins and supplements
Chlorella supplementation has been studied with positive results.
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 include apigenin, luteolin and 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 include Hesperidin, Naringin,
and 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
are 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.
Understanding how they work
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 those 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 have asked a number of my patients if they really knew what the word
“antioxidant” meant. Although the majority of these patients were taking
such supplements, only a few understood what they were or how they really
worked.
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; and Ferric reducing antioxidant power
(FRAP).
Benefit
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. There is, as of now, no definitive 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.
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 can antioxidants do for you?
As a rule you are not likely to notice any immediate cognitive benefits from
taking antioxidants, 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.
Andrologia. 2014. Carnosine and vitamin E - a promising pair in the combat against testicular oxidative stress in aged rats. Carnosine plus vitamin E treatment appears to stage a powerful performance by attenuating testicular oxidative stress and sparing the antioxidant system.
Exercise and muscle growth
Q. In the June 2014 issue of Bicycling Magazine (Know how
/ Buzz) they reference a study in The Journal of Physiology (no date given) stating that "People who took 1,000 mg of C,
and 235 iu of vitamin E,
were unable to make the same muscular endurance improvements after 11 weeks
of training as those who took dummy pills." The study claims too much C
and E
interferes with natural antioxidant production, which is necessary for
muscle growth.
A. It is still not clear to me whether taking extra antioxidants is
beneficial for endurance training. I will await the results of more studies.
In recent years, antioxidant supplements have become popular to counter the effects of free radicals and muscle damage symptoms, including delayed onset muscle soreness.
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 potency
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.
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. These items ranked higher than
blueberries, red wine, chocolate, coffee and tea -- often touted for their high
antioxidant capacity.
Anti-aging benefit?
There is no definitive proof that taking antioxidant pills will help you live
longer, nor is there good evidence that they will shorten lifespan. In order for
us to know how they influence longevity, several well controlled studies have to
be done on individual ones 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 substances 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 capsule a
day three or four times a week.
Q. 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.
Longevity, lifespan increase
Free Radic Res. 2013. Effect of natural
exogenous antioxidants on aging and on neurodegenerative diseases. Aging
and neurodegenerative diseases share oxidative stress cell damage and
depletion of endogenous antioxidants as mechanisms of injury, phenomena
that are occurring at different rates in each process. Nevertheless, as
the central nervous system (CNS) consists largely of lipids and has a
poor catalase activity, a low amount of superoxide dismutase and is rich
in iron, its cellular components are damaged easily by overproduction of
free radicals in any of these physiological or pathological conditions.
Thus, antioxidants are needed to prevent the formation and to oppose the
free radicals damage to DNA, lipids, proteins, and other biomolecules.
Due to endogenous antioxidant defenses are inadequate to prevent damage
completely, different efforts have been undertaken in order to increase
the use of natural antioxidants and to develop antioxidants that might
ameliorate neural injury by oxidative stress. In this context, natural
antioxidants like flavonoids (quercetin, curcumin, luteolin and
catechins), magnolol and honokiol are showing to be the efficient
inhibitors of the oxidative process and seem to be a better therapeutic
option than the traditional ones (vitamins C and E, and β-carotene) in
various models of aging and injury in vitro and in vivo conditions.
Thus, the goal of the present review is to discuss the molecular basis,
mechanisms of action, functions, and targets of flavonoids, magnolol,
honokiol and traditional antioxidants with the aim of obtaining better
results when they are prescribed on aging and neurodegenerative
diseases.
Brain cells benefit
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.
Cancer
Some studies show low-dose antioxidant supplementation may reduce
the risk of cancer.
Antioxidants protect our DNA
Nutrients. 2013. Daily nutritional dose
supplementation with antioxidant nutrients and phytochemicals improves DNA and
LDL stability: a double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled trial.
Reactive oxygen species are important risk factors for age-related diseases, but
they also act as signaling factors for endogenous antioxidative defense. The
hypothesis that a multi-micronutrient supplement with nutritional doses of
antioxidant nutrients and phytochemicals may provide protection against
oxidative damage and maintain the endogenous antioxidant defense capacity was
assessed in subjects with a habitually low intake of fruits and vegetables. In a
randomized, placebo-controlled, and parallel designed trial, 89 eligible
subjects were assigned to either placebo or MP for eight weeks. Eighty subjects
have completed the protocol and included for the analysis. MP treatment was
superior at increasing serum folate and resistance to DNA damage, and LDL
oxidation compared with the placebo. Moreover, the endogenous
oxidative defense capacity was not weakened after MP supplementation, as
determined by the levels of glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase. The serum folate
level was negatively correlated with DNA damage. These results suggest that MP use in healthy
subjects with habitually low dietary fruit and vegetable intake may be
beneficial in providing resistance to oxidative damage to DNA and LDL without
suppressing the endogenous defense mechanisms.
Hypertension, blood pressure
Cell-damaging substances known as oxygen free radicals may be to blame
for hardening of the arteries that often occurs in people 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 antioxidants, such as vitamin C, reverses that process. Hypertension, 2005.
Infection by prion
Infection by
a
prion can lead to
oxidation and it is not known whether an antioxidant supplement helps.
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.
Semen quality
Antioxidant intake is associated with semen quality in healthy men.
Hum Reprod. 2005.
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.
Summary and review
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 and it is possible that
taking too many such pills can be counterproductive since
free radicals may be needed for
fighting certain germs or infections.
However, there is enough
promising evidence to convince me to make some recommendations. 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-antioxidant 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.
Urinary oxidative
stress test
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.
I do not use such 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?
Sexual improving formula
Sexual Enhancement Pills.
The potent herbal extracts
include ashwagandha,
catuaba, Cnidium, DMAE,
horny goat weed herb,
maca herb,
muira
puama, passion
flower, tribulus
terrestris, tongkat ali
and a version with
yohimbe.
GLUUD
study
Thanks for your comments in the 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.
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:
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!
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.
An antioxidant supplement, called PQQ, is being promoted for improving cognitive function.