SPECTROX™ (Total Antioxidant Function)
The function of antioxidants is to protect biomolecules from oxidative damage. SPECTROX measures the net ability of antioxidant and repair mechanisms of each individual’s own cells, giving a total assessment of antioxidant function.
Oxidative Stress:
Each person’s cells and tissues are constantly subjected to highly reactive and unstable molecules termed “free radicals“, causing oxidative stress. These hostile molecules are a normal byproduct of life and are produced by the metabolism of oxygen, immune system cells, numerous enzyme reactions essential for metabolism, and environmental sources – smoke, ionizing radiation, air pollution, chemicals, toxic heavy metals and oxidized (rancid) fats. Some of the more common free radicals are superoxide, hydroxyl, singlet oxygen, and peroxides. By their chemical nature, free radicals, although short-lived, promote a chain reaction of radical formation, followed by a wake of chemically altered damaged biological molecules. Research is continuing to find that much biological damage and diseases are induced and/or mediated by injury from free radicals.
Cellular Antioxidants:
Protection of delerterious effects from free radicals is found in a diverse range of molecules termed “antioxidants“. Free radicals and their chain reaction by products can be neutralized and converted to less harmful products (quenched) by antioxidants. Antioxidants are enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase), essential nutrients (carotenoids, vitamin C, vitamin E, cysteine, selenium) or a wide variaty of endogenous compounds (glutathione, sulfhydryl groups, thioredoxin, lipoic acid, coenzyme Q10, urate, bilirubin) or dietary compounds (mannitol, bioflavonoids, phenolic acid derivatives, proanthocyanidins). Antioxidants interact in a complex manner with recharging and overlapping, redundant functions. Cells also possess extensive mechanisms to repair damaged biomolecules, which appear protective in a total antioxidant function test.
The clinical correlation of antioxidant status to health remains under investigation. Research evidence in humans has indicated that deficient intakes or levels of nutrient antioxidant are associated with higher risks of arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular disease, cataracts and many other degenerative diseases. Also, higher intakes of nutrient antioxidants are associated with a lower incidence of chronic degenerative diseases. Encouraging studies have also shown that intervention with antioxidant nutrient supplements have therapeutic benefits in humans. Thus, strong scientific evidence illustrates that antioxidants help to prevent chronic degenerative diseases and may help to restore health.
Clinical Updates on Antoxidants
Clinical Updates on Free Radicals
Clinical Updates on Oxidative Stress
