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Antioxidant Nutrition
by author Jordan S. Rubin, NMD, CNC

Our antioxidant needs become ever greater as we age. By 40, our antioxidant needs are so much higher than ever before, and we need powerful whole foods in our diet, as well as nutritional supplements that enable us to meet our body’s essential requirements. Clinical studies suggest that increasing the antioxidant status of our blood serum will result in reduced risk of many chronic degenerative diseases.
Educating health-conscious consumers on the vital contribution antioxidant-rich foods and nutritional supplements can make to their health and longevity is of great importance in today’s world. Dietary and lifestyle recommendations, along with the use of nutritional supplements (particularly those with the highest antioxidant potencies), will significantly aid in improving health and reaching the maximum life span, which is generally thought to be 120 years.

ORAC–the Antioxidant Potency "Gold Standard"

ORAC (short for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) developed by scientists at Brunswick Laboratories in collaboration with Tufts University, is an in vitro analysis that measures the antioxidant potencies of foods and other nutritional or chemical substances.

Foods that score high in the ORAC antioxidant analysis help protect cells from oxidative damage, according to the chief scientific agency of the US Department of Agriculture. Studies of animal and human blood at the USDA Research Service’s Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging indicate that eating plenty of high ORAC fruits and vegetables (such as blueberries and spinach), may help slow the processes associated with aging in the body and brain.

"If these findings are borne out in further research, young and middle-aged people may be able to reduce their risk of such age-related diseases as senility, simply by adding high ORAC foods to their diets," says one scientist involved with the program.

In the studies, eating plenty of high ORAC foods:

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Dr. Rubinâ€™s health programs are explained in his new book Patient Heal Thyself, available by calling 1-800-797-9026 or visiting gardenoflifeusa.com. Jordan S. Rubin is a doctor of naturopathic medicine, certified nutritional consultant, member of the National Academy of Sports Medicine and certified fitness specialist. A regular television and radio guest, he is the author of Patient Heal Thyself, and his newly released Restoring Your Digestive Health: How the guts and glory program can transform your life.

Source: alive #251, September 2003

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