CoachLT and I were talking at the Bash about pops69 method of eliminating free radicals so I thought I would write a little column here about just such a thing.
Our bodies produce free radicals that if left unchecked will oxidize causing cell damage and disease. Rust is an example of oxidation. When a substance has extra electrons oxygen binds to those electrons weakening the substance. Antioxidants protect by bonding with free radicals and preventing them from bonding with oxygen and thus oxidizing.
One good way of getting anti-oxidants is to eat foods with bright colors. Those would include oranges, berries, carrots, dark-colored juices, dark green leafy vegetables, wine and even dark chocolate among others. I drink white tea every day as it has the highest anti-oxidant count of any tea (including green or black tea which are also high in anti-oxidants). I also take 2 capsules of cranberry supplements per day..
Anti-oxidants have been claimed to help with things such as Alzheimers, cancer and may prevent aging.
I decided to do some of my own research and found that anti-oxidants are measured in ORAC units (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity). So why not just find foods that are high in ORAC units? Well I thought it might be easier to take supplements that are high in ORAC units.
Finding supplements with high ORAC units has been a challenge as some claims are misleading. Some are fruit juices with claims of high ORAC units yet when scrutinized these high ORAC units are for doses that are higher than the daily suggested intake.
I'll continue to do some research and will report back here. If any of you have any information it would be greatly appreciated.
http://www.cranberryinstitute.org/health/antiaging.htm
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]USDA scientists at the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University have been finding promising results associated with diets high in antioxidants and other phytonutrients. Preliminary studies suggest that diets containing fruit and vegetables with high-ORAC^ values may provide protection against chronic age-related afflictions like loss of coordination and memory. Cranberries score high on the antioxidant scale at 1750 ORAC units per 100 g (about 3.5 oz.) of fresh fruit.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Using an animal model James Joseph, Ph.D. and Barbara Shukitt-Hale Ph.D. have been experimenting with cranberries and their ability to protect brain cells from free radical damage and subsequent motor and cognitive function losses. Rats fed diets supplemented with cranberries are put through a series of tests to evaluate their neural function compared to a control group. Preliminary results indicate that there will be compelling evidence that cranberry can help protect the brain from neurological damage (unpublished results).[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]^ Note: ORAC, or oxygen radical absorbance capacity, measures the ability of a substance to subdue oxygen free radicals in vitro.[/font]
Our bodies produce free radicals that if left unchecked will oxidize causing cell damage and disease. Rust is an example of oxidation. When a substance has extra electrons oxygen binds to those electrons weakening the substance. Antioxidants protect by bonding with free radicals and preventing them from bonding with oxygen and thus oxidizing.
One good way of getting anti-oxidants is to eat foods with bright colors. Those would include oranges, berries, carrots, dark-colored juices, dark green leafy vegetables, wine and even dark chocolate among others. I drink white tea every day as it has the highest anti-oxidant count of any tea (including green or black tea which are also high in anti-oxidants). I also take 2 capsules of cranberry supplements per day..
Anti-oxidants have been claimed to help with things such as Alzheimers, cancer and may prevent aging.
I decided to do some of my own research and found that anti-oxidants are measured in ORAC units (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity). So why not just find foods that are high in ORAC units? Well I thought it might be easier to take supplements that are high in ORAC units.
Finding supplements with high ORAC units has been a challenge as some claims are misleading. Some are fruit juices with claims of high ORAC units yet when scrutinized these high ORAC units are for doses that are higher than the daily suggested intake.
I'll continue to do some research and will report back here. If any of you have any information it would be greatly appreciated.
http://www.cranberryinstitute.org/health/antiaging.htm
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]USDA scientists at the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University have been finding promising results associated with diets high in antioxidants and other phytonutrients. Preliminary studies suggest that diets containing fruit and vegetables with high-ORAC^ values may provide protection against chronic age-related afflictions like loss of coordination and memory. Cranberries score high on the antioxidant scale at 1750 ORAC units per 100 g (about 3.5 oz.) of fresh fruit.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Using an animal model James Joseph, Ph.D. and Barbara Shukitt-Hale Ph.D. have been experimenting with cranberries and their ability to protect brain cells from free radical damage and subsequent motor and cognitive function losses. Rats fed diets supplemented with cranberries are put through a series of tests to evaluate their neural function compared to a control group. Preliminary results indicate that there will be compelling evidence that cranberry can help protect the brain from neurological damage (unpublished results).[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]^ Note: ORAC, or oxygen radical absorbance capacity, measures the ability of a substance to subdue oxygen free radicals in vitro.[/font]
