Measuring Antioxidant Status

If you have been reading this website for a period of time, you already have some idea that our bodies produce free radicals from normal physiology as well as environmental toxins. Free radicals are atoms or groups of atoms with an odd (unpaired) number of electrons and can be formed when oxygen interacts with certain molecules. Free radicals are very unstable and react quickly with other compounds, trying to capture the needed electron to gain stability. Generally, free radicals attack the nearest stable molecule, "stealing" its electron. When the "attacked" molecule loses its electron, it becomes a free radical itself, beginning a chain reaction. Once the process is started, it can cascade, finally resulting in the disruption of a living cell.

Some free radicals arise normally during metabolism. Sometimes the body’s immune system’s cells purposefully create them to neutralize viruses and bacteria. However, environmental factors such as pollution, radiation, cigarette smoke and herbicides can also spawn free radicals.

Normally, the body can handle free radicals, but if antioxidants are unavailable, or if the free-radical production becomes excessive, damage can occur. Of particular importance is that free radical damage accumulates with age.

Their chief danger comes from the damage they can do when they react with important cellular components such as DNA, or the cell membrane. Cells may function poorly or die if this occurs. To prevent free radical damage the body has a defense system of antioxidants. Antioxidants are molecules which can safely interact with free radicals and terminate the chain reaction before vital molecules are damaged and we can obtain a great number of these from our fruits and vegetables. The key is to have enough antioxidants in place to handle the onslaught of constant free radical production.

There is a way to measure our antioxidant status from a test called the FIA 5000 from Spectracell. To run this test, 2 tubes of blood are required and from this blood your white blood cells are extracted.  One type of white blood cell called the lymphocyte is tested in the lab to see if they are dividing properly. Then they expose the lymphocyte to a free radical, hydrogen peroxide. If these white blood cells contain enough antioxidants, they will continue to divide normally. If not, you need more free radical fighters.

An easier way to check if you have adequate anti-oxidant status is a test from a machine called a Bio Photonic scanner. This technology was developed from a company called Pharmanex. In seconds this machine can measure the frequency of the carotenoids on the skin using light. From this information you can infer the body’s total antioxidant status in the cells.  Measuring at the cellular level (i.e. your tissue) is better than a blood read due to the fact that our tissue retains nutrients approximately 8 weeks in arrears.  This way the device can get a more true reading and not be influenced by consuming large quantities of juice, vitamins, etc. Carotenoids by themselves are potent antioxidants. Studies show if you have low carotenoids in your skin you are more susceptible to skin cancer.

The scores are based on a scale of the readings taken from a spectrum of the population.  A score of zero would be seen in a cancer patient (on chemo) or someone suffering from a significant chronic illness.  On the other hand, a person consuming an entirely raw diet may score in the 90,000 range.  The average American scores 20,000 and is based off of little to no supplementation and an average of 2.3 servings of fruit and vegetables per day.  The goal is to get everyone above 40,000 because this number has had a clinical proven correlation to higher levels of cellular protection and lower instances of chronic diseases and illnesses.

Smokers have less carotenoids in their skin. People with inflammation will have lower carotenoids. There is new evidence that the carotenoid skin level is predictive of the antioxidant levels of vitamin C and E and glutathione. This is a great test and Pharmanex guarantees results in 2 months as far as improving the antioxidant status from the scan. The only down side of using their equipment is that you have to use their antioxidant nutrients to improve the oxidative status of your body.

To find a place were you can get tested call with this equipment, call Pharmanex at 1-800-487-1000. To get the FIA test you need a health care provider to run the test which isn’t true with the Bio Photonic scanner. Remember, all major diseases have at their root free radical damage and it’s a good idea to know if you need to supplement with more free radical nutrient fighters like vitamin E,C, glutathione etc. along with an abundance of fruits and vegetables in your diet.