Q: I'm a third-year medical student, and I have a lot of interest in your work. You mention that excess antioxidants may reduce inflammatory eicosanoids, thereby reducing free-radical defense (so excess antioxidants would be immunosuppressive). Have you written about this anywhere in greater length/detail? Specifically, do you recommend avoiding certain mg quantities of certain nutritional supplements?
Paul
Dear Paul,
A: High levels of typical anti-oxidants such as Vitamin E can inhibit eicosanoid formation. I suggest keeping the total Vitamin E content to under 400 I.U. per day. I discussed this in greater detail in my book “The Anti-Aging Zone.”