Orac Score And Antioxidants Explained
100% Hardcore Truth
By Chris Walker Fitness Expert
What is ORAC? ORAC stands for Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity. It is an analysis that measures the antioxidant power of a substance. Specifically, it quantifies the amount of time it takes a substance to neutralize an oxidizing agent. And antioxidants are what neutralize these agents. Oxidizing agents, called Oxygen Radicals and Free Radicals are explained thoroughly in the article, Stop Free Radical Damage and Slow Your Aging. In short, they are terrorists to the body, damaging and destroying your body’s cells.
The usual substances that are assessed include fruits, vegetables, beverages, and supplements. The ORAC analysis is an automated procedure carried out on COBAS FARA II spectrofluorometric centrifugal analyzer with fluorescent filters. This analyzer uses robotics to measure and transfer samples into reagent wells. These reagent wells are like test pools where the sample is then rotated at high speed, separating the materials of different densities, and incubated. (See Chart)
This procedure measures the protection ability of the sample against free radical attacks. The test uses a free radical source, producing the peroxl radical (most common in the body). B-PE (B-phycoerythrin) is employ as a target for the free radical attack. AAPH (2,2’-azobis-2-amidinopropane-dihydrochloride) is the free radical generator, and Trolox (a water-soluble vitamin E analogue) is the control standard.
Results are expressed in ORAC units, where 1 unit equals the net protection produced in 1 micron of the control standard, Trolox. The analyzer records the free radical target (B-PE) every 2 minutes after a release of free radicals from the free radical generator (AAPH).
As noted above, the ultimate value of an ORAC score measures the antioxidant capacity (and free radical neutralizing power) of a substance. This value represents the fast, medium, and slow acting antioxidants in the substance. Fast Antioxidants include ascorbate, thiols, uric acid, bioflavonoids and polyphenols. Medium Antioxidants include albumin and lipids. Over half the total ORAC value is from the protein and aqueous antioxidants, the other part is from lipid soluble antioxidants.
See the following chart showing various fruits and vegetables and their ORAC score.
FRUITS & VEGETABLES ORAC SCORE per 1 oz
Prunes
1649
1649Raisins 809
809Blueberries 686
686Blackberries 582
582Kale 506
506Strawberries 440
440Spinach 350
350Raspberries 349
349Brussels Sprouts 280
280Plums 271
271Alfalfa 266
266Broccoli 254
254Beets 240
240Oranges 214
214Red Grapes 211
211Red Bell Peppers 203
203Cherries 191
191Onions 129
129Corn 114
114Eggplant 111
111Chris Walker is the founder of fitnesstrainingformenandwomen.com located in Kitchener, Ontario. Chris is a certified fitness trainer, (CFT) and actively works with medical doctors and health care professionals in helping their patients to reduce bodyfat restore musculoskeletal strength and gain control over their blood sugar readings, good and bad blood fats and blood pressure readings, among other critical fitness issues. Chris is a member of International Sports Sciences Association, (ISSA) and Canfitpro Organization. Chris has made TV appearances on Global Television and is a published author. Chris produces a book that he gives to all readers titled, "New Body", everything you need to transform your body.
Thanks for reading.
ORAC Score And Antioxidants Explained
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