Q & A Library

Yes, I have recently revised my antioxidant and multivitamin formula. My baseline daily antioxidant recommendation has been changed to include higher levels of vitamin E as natural mixed tocopherols and palm tocotrienols. As you may know, Vitamin E is made up of eight different compounds (four different tocopherols and four different tocotrienols) all of which have important functions in the body. Initial research on vitamin E focused primarily on tocopherols, confirming their important antioxidant effects.

However, ongoing research has indicated that the tocotrienols also have widespread and critical functions in the body, including protective effects on the nervous system. The recommendations in my Vitamin Advisor and elsewhere have reflected this new knowledge.

In response to the latest findings, I've improved the baseline anti-oxidant formula to include higher levels of vitamin E as natural mixed tocopherols and palm tocotrienols complex. My recommendations for daily vitamin E are to take 400-800 IU of natural mixed tocopherols, or at least 80 mg of natural mixed tocopherols and tocotrienols. People under 40 should take 400 IUs a day; people over 40, 800 IUs.

Another change involves the amounts of lycopenes included in the antioxidant formula. Lycopene is an antioxidant known to promote prostate health. Ongoing research has shown that the optimal amounts needed daily may be higher than previously recognized, so we've increased lycopene levels as well as those for phytoeye and phytofluene, both pro-vitamin carotenoids and essential contributors of lycopene.

I know these changes may seem confusing, but I do feel they're needed to keep up with what we're learning about antioxidants and their powerful effects. As our knowledge continues to expand, no doubt there will be more changes in the future. However, if you have a supply of the previous formula, by all means use it up. There's absolutely nothing wrong with it - you'll still be getting a wide spectrum of the best-studied antioxidants available.

Andrew Weil, M.D.