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ORACWhat is ORAC? ORAC stands for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity. This is the scientific way of saying, “How well does this food help my body?” It is the standard by which scientists measure antioxidant activity in foods and supplements and even, skin care products. Foods and supplements that score high in Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity may protect cells and their components from oxidative damage, which can contribute to the onset of disease and cause pre-mature aging. This is according to studies of animals and human blood at the USDA Agricultural Research Service’s Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston. ARS is the chief scientific agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Free radicals are unstable molecules that constantly attack the body from the outside (caused by sunlight, pollution, electromagnetic radiation, etc.) and from the inside due to normal metabolism and living. These unstable molecules, through a self-perpetuating chain reaction, generate millions of new free radicals that damage proteins, cells, tissues, and organs. Antioxidants help maintain health, prevent, and/or minimize damage by supporting the very proteins, cells, tissues, and organs that are targeted by free radicals. Foods high in these values are anti-aging for the body and mind. ORAC, topically applied in anti-aging skin care products, can now utilize the benefits of antioxidants in skin care. How do I get ORAC into my body?Research suggests that the consumption of fruits and vegetables with a high Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity value – 1,600 to 5,000 units per 100 grams (3.5 ounces) – may support anti-aging in both the body and the brain, and may have a significant impact on plasma and tissue antioxidant capacity. Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity scores are used by nutritionists to identify which of these foods offer a higher capacity to absorb free radicals; the higher the score, the greater number of antioxidants present, and the more oxygen a food can absorb. The use of these antioxidant scores easily identifies which foods are better at maintaining our health. The values of different foods vary so widely that selecting the right foods is vitally important. For example, choosing six foods with lower values could provide less units than a single food with a high score. High Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity diets have been linked to the fortification of nerve cells within the brain against the effects of aging. Researchers have concluded that these foods help manage and support motor skills and memory function. The link between antioxidants and skin care is finally being recognized, as scientists have learned that our skin cells can literally absorb nourishment. will help nourish and protect our skins cells against skin diseases as well as being beneficial for anti-aging. The current recommendation of 5 to 10 servings of fruit and vegetables a day translates to approximately 4,000 to 7,000 units/day. Studies show that world wide, the average person now consumes less than 2,000 units a day. Therefore it is clear that supplements high in ORAC value are necessary. For recommendations on how to ensure you’re supplying your body with an adequate daily amounts of Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity food items...click here.
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