”Helping consumers cut through the confusion surrounding antioxidant values.”
The ORAC values (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) method has become the international standard for measurement of antioxidant capacity and other chemical substances.
Antioxidants are known to counteract the damage-causing free radicals which cause oxidative stress in the body. This oxidation has been a major factor in the progression of aging and disease.
Knowing the score of a particular food can aid with selecting foods that have higher antioxidant levels and therefore may reduce the risk of certain age-related conditions.
The original work on the ORAC values method was developed by Dr. Guohua Cao of the National Institute of Aging in 1992. He later joined with Dr. Ronald L. Prior’s group at the USDA Human Nutrition Research Centre on Aging where the doctors were instrumental in semi-automating the assay. Scientists at Brunswick Labs have since improved the method for commercial use.
Brunswick Labs is now the leading commercial laboratory specializing in the science of antioxidants and oxidative stress. Brunswick Labs has earned a position of respect and trust in the research and diagnostic services related to antioxidants and oxidative stress.
The Brunswick Labs Certified Program is a consumer-focused quality assurance program to certify products that meet requirements for antioxidant testing and labeling. The program is designed to help consumers cut through the confusion surrounding antioxidant values, as well as to discern which products make questionable claims regarding their values.
Some of the largest and most progressive health, wellness and nutrition companies are using their ORAC values to promote the antioxidant benefits of their products.
The recommended daily consumption of antioxidants is between 4,000 and 5,000 units. Eating seven to 10 servings of any combination of fruits and vegetables is approximately the equivalent of 5,000 units.
Unfortunately most people don’t even come close to this. It is estimated that the average North American gets between 500 and 1,000.
Some people use supplements in pill or powder form to obtain their daily nutrients. In order to receive the best form of nutrients, it is essential to receive them from plant chemicals rather than synthetic chemicals.
Certain types of plants such as cocoa and red grapes have a better antioxidant level than others and the oxygen radical absorbance capacity score can measure these.
However, even the score can vary dramatically for the same food depending on the geographic locations, weather conditions and the varieties of species. According to Brunswick Labs, “not every broccoli is created equally”.
Some companies may list a value per serving, or per gram or per 100 grams, etc. so it is important to be aware when you are evaluating foods, that the measurements used are the same.
Total ORAC-FN
Introduced by Brunswick Labs, this patent-pending test represents a breakthrough in comprehensive antioxidant testing for food and nutrition products. The Total ORAC for Food and Nutrition (FN) will now deliver quantitative analysis to evaluate broad-spectrum antioxidant potential of water soluble and oil soluble ingredients including cosmeceuticals and finished products.
This new test measures antioxidant activity against 5 of the most important free radicals found in humans: hydroxyl, peroxyl, peroxynitrite, singlet oxygen, and superoxide anion. The results of these 5 measurements are combined into one easy to use test result.
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The original test produced an incomplete picture because it measured only one radical. The picture is now complete with this new testing.
The five free radicals noted above have been attributed to contributing to systemic inflammation and causing DNA, protein, and lipid damage. Brunswick Labs president Jim Nichols says “defending against just one of these is like patching just one of five holes in a boat."
Companies will be able to fine tune their product formulations based on actual performance against free radicals using the scientific analysis generated from the new test. This can also help to differentiate their nutrition products from competitors in a very jam-packed field.
In the end, knowing the ORAC values of a particular food, consumers will be better able to compare products, which will aid in their purchasing decisions.
Find superfoods and supplements with high ORAC scores at Amazon.com.
Some of the largest and most progressive health, wellness and nutrition companies are using their ORAC values to promote the antioxidant benefits of their products. 
