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