 A relatively new lab test called ORAC or “oxygen radical
absorbance capacity” has been developed to rate how well a
phytonutrient (plant derived nutrient) fights degenerative
conditions such as heart disease and cancer which are aggravated
and sometimes initiated by oxidative stress caused by free
oxygen radicals. ORAC is a way to measure how many oxygen
radicals a specific phytonturient can absorb. The more oxygen
radicals it can absorb, the higher the ORAC value.
According
to Dr. Ronald Prior of the U.S. Dept of Agriculture Research
Service at Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts, “a
significant increase in antioxidants of 15% to 20% is possible
by increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables, particularly
those high in ORAC value.” Dr. Prior goes on to say that
“in order to have a significant impact on plasma and tissue
antioxidant capacity, one can only meaningfully increase one’s
daily intake by 3,000 to 5,000 ORAC units. Any greater amount is
probably redundant. That is because the antioxidant capacity of
the blood is tightly regulated.” The excess is simply
excreted by the kidneys.
Each serving of
FruiterraTM
typically provides 3,070
ORAC units per serving (assays provided by Brunswick
Laboratories, the premier, third party testing
facility). This is roughly ½ of the daily requirement
for optimum antioxidant protection as stated by Dr.
Prior.
Do not be misled by companies misrepresenting ORAC value
to enhance their claims regarding equivalent “fresh
serving” amounts. Many companies are using outdated ORAC
values which are half of the present standard of 800-900
ORAC units per one fresh serving of fruits and
vegetablesThese statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not meant to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. |
