| Brad Bahr | | | | electron that they can give away without |
| | | | turning into free radicals. In order to |
| Studies support the benefits of eating a diet | | | | protect us, the enzymes need help from |
| rich in fruits and vegetables. This is due to | | | | certain substances known as antioxidants. |
| their high antioxidant value. Why are | | | | |
| antioxidants so important? Because they have | | | | The antioxidant value of any food or |
| a proven track record of fighting free | | | | supplement can be determined by it's ORAC |
| radicals. | | | | rating. ORAC means Oxygen Radical Absorbance |
| | | | Capacity. According to the University of |
| | | | Michigan, Comprehensive Cancer Center, the |
| | | | measurement of ORAC is a way to measure how |
| Free radicals are highly unstable molecules | | | | many oxygen radicals a specific food can |
| that are naturally formed inside our bodies | | | | absorb. The more oxygen radicals a food can |
| by the process of oxidation. They are normal | | | | absorb, the higher its ORAC score. The higher |
| by products of everyday functions like | | | | its score... the more that food or supplement |
| digestion and physical activity. Free | | | | will help you fight diseases like cancer and |
| radicals also come from outside sources, such | | | | heart disease. |
| as smoking, environmental pollution, and | | | | |
| synthetic chemicals that are added to our | | | | Most experts agree that we should consume |
| water and food. | | | | 5,000 ORAC units per day to effectively fight |
| | | | free radicals in the body. Sadly, most of us |
| We are also all exposed daily to polluted | | | | average around 1,200 units per day. Not |
| air, ingest oxidized or partially rancid | | | | nearly enough to protect us from the common |
| foods, and oxidizing radiations from the sun | | | | ciseases of aging. |
| and various electrical appliances. | | | | |
| | | | One of the best sources of antioxidants are |
| Free radicals lack one electron making them | | | | berries and fruits. Most of us would have a |
| chemically unstable. To stabilize themselves, | | | | very hard time eating the large amounts |
| they attack any other substance within reach | | | | necessary to reach 5,000 ORAC units per day. |
| and steel an electron from it. This process | | | | For this reason, high ORAC supplements have |
| creates a new free radical, which repeats the | | | | been created. They contain berry and fruit |
| process, producing a "domino effect." When | | | | extracts with a known ORAC rating. These |
| this reaction is uncontrolled, it can | | | | supplements are inexpensive and provide many |
| generate millions of free radicals within | | | | health benefits to your entire body and |
| seconds. | | | | brain. Many people use these supplements as |
| | | | part of an anti-aging program. Keeping your |
| Fortunately our bodies come equipped with a | | | | cells from being destroyed goes a long way to |
| free radical fighting mechanism. It consists | | | | staying healthy and young. |
| of specialized enzymes that have a "spare" | | | | |