The Antioxidant Miracle: Put Lipoic Acid, Pycnogenol, and Vitamins E and C to Work for You [Paperback]

A pill that strengthens your heart, sharpens your mind, keeps your body young, extends your life, prevents cancer, andkeeps your skin wrinkle-free? Sounds like a joke or a dream, doesn't it? According to molecular cell biologist Lester Packer, these pills exist--they are antioxidants. "Literally thousands of studies have confirmed that antioxidants can help prevent numerous diseases and will not only enhance life, but in all probability extend life," he writes. In The Antioxidant Miracle, he describes breakthroughs in antioxidant research and prescribes the Packer Plan: his "state-of-the-art antioxidant supplement, diet, and skin-care regimen."
 According to Packer, five antioxidants "network" in our bodies with "special powers" that slow aging and fight disease: Vitamins C and E, glutathione, lipoic acid, and Coenzyme Q10. The first two are obtained through food, the others are produced by the body, but these levels decline as we age, so we need to supplement. Packer describes the benefits and actions of these special antioxidants and also recommends flavonoids such as ginkgo biloba and pycnogenol (made from the bark of pine trees), a number of carotenoids, selenium, and a variety of foods high in antioxidants. He spells out exactly what supplements you need and how much, with special modifications for smokers, diabetics, menopausal women, athletes, and people at high risk of cancer or cardiovascular disease. The book is not easy reading: lots of scientific explanations and study descriptions. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.


Dr. Lester Packer, is the world’s foremost antioxidant research scientist.

He is a senior scientist at the prestigious Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory and Head of the Packer Lab at the University of California, where he has been a professor for 35 years. 

The Packer Lab’s discovery of the antioxidant network has major implications for the prevention and treatment of heart disease, diabetes, and brain disorders such as stroke or Alzheimers. Dr. Packer has published over 700 scientific papers and 70 books on every aspect of antioxidants and health.

When Scientific American needed a widely recognized authority to write an article on vitamin E for their inaugural Scientific American Science and Medicine issue, they chose Dr. Packer. Recently he has been interviewed by Time, Newsweek , The New York Times, and ABC News.

Dr. Packer has an unmatched scientific record on antioxidants, now considered key components in achieving healthy aging and extending human life.

 Review
"For those of us seeking to combat the debility and diseases of aging, The Antioxidant Miracle is an essential tool." -- William Regelson, M.D.coauthor of the New York Times bestseller, The Melatonin Miracle Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 49 of 49 people found the following review helpful:4.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting if it's your first look at antioxidants, October 12, 1999By Spiff (Europe) - See all my reviewsThis review is from: The Antioxidant Miracle: Put Lipoic Acid, Pycnogenol, and Vitamins E and C to Work for You (Hardcover)I liked Packer's book. He managed to leave the subject interesting enough for people who are not experienced with antioxidants. I honestly had little clue about it and the book explains things quite well.

Of course only an expert can point any serious mistakes in this book and maybe other flaws, but the public in general will like it.

After reading the book, I thought it was amazing how people were not taking those antioxidant cocktails, it makes no sense, why not?

Of course, after visiting a few health shops (locally and on the internet) my doubts were cleared. THE PRICE. Buying all supplements separately is outrageously expensive (At least for 24 year old unemployed student like me). Buying the whole pack from Lester will be cheaper, but we're still talking about some considerable $.

Of course, the first move is to change your diet and start eating better, then choose the supplements better for you (in all a$pects).

Packer does repeat himself a bit, but it makes sense repeating some info in different areas of the book.

Overall I liked it...


 40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting & current book on antioxidents, February 4, 2000By Jeff Reese (Honolulu, HI) - See all my reviewsThis review is from: The Antioxidant Miracle: Put Lipoic Acid, Pycnogenol, and Vitamins E and C to Work for You (Hardcover)This is the book I recommend to my intelligent friends who have been skeptical about the many claims being made for antioxidents, who are confused by the great array of conflicting nutritional viewpoints, or who have been resistant to the idea of taking nutritional supplements . Although having the word "miracle" in the title may be a "turn-off" for some of the more skeptical readers, it is not a reflection on the integrity of the scientific information Dr. Packer provides and I suspect it was probably chosen to make the book more "marketable" to the general public. In my experience, some of the best books on health are written by senior scientists who are secure enough in their careers that they can say what they really think and know, motivated by humanitarian concerns rather than catering to the agendas of tenure review committees, peers, and corporate sponsors and who are not out to promote their own products or books. Dr. Packer fills the bill as a trustworthy, extremely knowledgeable expert who is in a position to give us an accurate analysis of the state-of-the-art knowledge and the future promise of antioxidents in human health. I figured I already knew a lot about antioxidents, but I was surprised by new information on almost every page. I especially enjoyed reading about how the antioxidents interact in a "network" and the important role of the little known antioxident, Lipoic Acid. Dr. Packer strikes a nice balance either between being too technical or being too simplistic for the educated lay reader. Although I think you will really learn a great deal from reading the whole book, if you do nothing else, get this book and skip to the back and follow the suggestions in the "Packer Plan" which can be very easily accomplished. My hat's off to you, Dr. Packer, for writing this fine book which is bound to positively effect the health of just about everyone who follows your suggestions.Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you?   Report this | PermalinkComment Comment

 27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:5.0 out of 5 stars New research and info on antioxidants' health benefits., March 2, 1999By A Customer
This review is from: The Antioxidant Miracle: Put Lipoic Acid, Pycnogenol, and Vitamins E and C to Work for You (Hardcover)Much of what we know about antioxidant nutrients we first learn from molecular biologists, who are on the front lines of research into the health benefits of these vitamins. For 40 years Dr. Packer has been a leading researcher fueling the antioxidant revolution. His latest book puts the power of antioxidants in easily understandable terms for the general public. Many people are now enthusiastically consuming vitamins C and E. Dr. Packer's research has discovered a network of five antioxidant nutrients--C and E along with coenzyme Q10, lipoic acid and glutathione--that do more than simply neutralize free radicals. The network also apparently has profound influences on genetic behavior--the foundation of our bodies and our health. The fascinating and quite reader-friendly book details compelling research into the myriad health benefits of the nutrients that comprise the antioxidant network. A must-read!Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you?   Report this | PermalinkComment Comment

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Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Antioxidant-Miracle-Lipoic-Pycnogenol-Vitamins/dp/0471353116 Online store :  http://www.elixirbotanica.com/about-network-antioxidants.html Components of The Antioxidant Network

The primary components of the
antioxidant network are:

Vitamin C
The "hub" of the network.

Vitamin E
Essential protection for your heart.

Coenzyme Q-10
For a healthy heart and cardiovascular system.

Glutathione
Your body's primary water-soluble antioxidant.

Lipoic acid
Both fat- and water-soluble.


These are by no means the only antioxidants that play a significant role in your health. Working with this network are certain plant phytochemicals: the bioflavonoids and carotenoids, and the trace mineral selenium.

In addition to these, there are many other specialized antioxidants that you'll want to know about. You'll find them all here, throughout this website.


"More than 70 percent
of Americans will die prematurely
from diseases caused by or
compounded by deficiencies of
the antioxidant network…
these conditions can be
prevented, controlled, and in
some cases, even cured."

Dr. Lester Packer, PhD