28
August
2008
So What Are Free Radicals Anyway?
Free radicals are atoms, molecules or ions that are usually highly reactive and can be produced within the body by natural
biological processes or introduced from outside via tobacco smoke, toxins, pollutants and sub-optimal eating habits. Oxidation
is a phenomenon that occurs when free radicals ricochet wildly throughout the body and damage cells. Many forms of cancer are
thought to be the result of reactions between free radicals and DNA, resulting in mutations that can adversely affect the cell cycle
and potentially lead to malignancy. They are also believed to accelerate the progression of cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid
arthritis, chronic fatigue, and age-related diseases.
Why Do You Need Antioxidants?
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of slowing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules. ORAC, short for Oxygen Radical
Absorbance Capacity, is a standardised measurement of the total antioxidant power of a substance. Antioxidant power is the
ability to neutralize oxygen free radicals. The more free radicals a substance can absorb, the higher it’s ORAC score. Radically
Tested! Berry Radical is PROVEN to be rich in antioxidants by Brunswick Laboratories, a world leader in research and diagnostic
services related to antioxidants and oxidative stress. The ORAC score of 1 gram of Berry Radical is 1448. So, one 5g sachet of
Berry Radical contains over 7000 ORAC units! One 150g box contains over 217,000 ORAC units. ONEgroup Organics Catalogue
Update: The test results from Brunswick Laboratories are not reflected in the current 2008 catalogue edition which displays
4,000 ORAC units. These new test results represent an increase of over 75% to 7,000+ ORAC units per serving.
What Are ORAC Units And How Many Do We Need?
ORAC, short for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, is a standardised measurement of the total antioxidant power of a
substance. Antioxidant power is the ability to neutralize oxygen free radicals. The more free radicals a substance can absorb,
the higher it’s ORAC score. Nutritionists recommend that we consume around 5000 ORAC units per day to significantly impact
antioxidant activity in the body and reduce free radical damage. One serving (half a cup) of fruits or vegetables provides
approximately 500 ORAC units. If you’re not eating at least 10 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, you’re not getting the
recommended amount of ORAC units to mop-up the damage caused by free radicals in your body every day. The ORAC (total)
score of 1 gram of Berry Radical is 1448. So, one 5g sachet of Berry Radical contains over 7000 ORAC units! One 150g of
Berry Radical box contains over 217,000 ORAC units.
The US Department or Agriculture provides further reading about ORAC units here:
http://www.ars.usda.gov/Services/docs.htm?docid=15866
The Berry Radical Fact Sheet - Update
For more information, check out the recently updated Berry Radical Fact Sheet available in
the members area:
http://www.onegrp.com/docs/members/Marketing/FactSheets/BerryRadicalFactSheet.pdf
www.love.berryradical.com
Posted: Is it really organic ?, Antioxidants
28
August
2008
What makes the difference between average health and optimal health? The answer lies not in the genetic blueprint of your family
tree, but in our body’s ability to be well nourished and ‘rustproofed’.
Our three top killers in the developed world are cardiovascular disease (encompassing heart attack and stroke), cancer, and Type
2 Diabetes. Your risk of developing any of these diseases has been proven to be directly related to the amount of antioxidants
your diet provides.
Antioxidants found in food protect our cells against the damage done by free radicals, known as oxidative stress.
Damage is particularly intense in the powerhouse of our cells known as the mitochondria. Free radicals are unbound oxygen
molecules that bombard and damage our cells and capillaries. Recent research indicates that poorly nourished cells are more
vulnerable to oxidative stress and have a higher requirement for antioxidant-rich food and supplements. This creates a double
insult, with poor nutrition leading to micro-malnourished, vulnerable cells and an increased need for antioxidant protection in the
presence of a diet inadequate for optimal health.
Most natural therapists will be aware of the importance of antioxidants for skin health, rejuvenation, collagen production and the
prevention of skin cancers. More importantly antioxidants forge a resilient barrier of protection to cells undergoing renewal. It is at
this time of cell division that the mistakes in genetic messages may lead to uncontrolled growth which we call cancer.
Incredibly, medical research has only recently confirmed what natural therapists and vets have known for decades: that over 70
percent of the Australian population are micronutrient-malnourished. Regardless of body weight the average Australian on an
average Australian diet (the traditional meat and three veggies for dinner) is lacking in at least one or more essential nutrients, in
particular the antioxidant group of nutrients.
The cause for this is clear. In 1992 a World Health Organisation survey reported that Australian soils are the most mineral and
vitamin deficient of all the soils of the world’s continents. It makes commonsense that the fruit, vegetables and grains cultivated
on these soils are also lacking in the nutrients required for optimal human health. Our vets regularly provide supplements for cattle,
sheep and horses to prevent and treat nutritional deficiencies, but the medical profession has been kept in the dark about these
facts for years.
How to Assess your Risk of Oxidative Stress
Live blood analysis is a useful health practitioner tool. This can instantly confirm the cellular consequences of poor diet, oxidative
stress, by examining a droplet of fresh blood under a microscope. These damaged cells look somewhat like a dried up sultana on
live blood analysis. Compare this to a healthy hydrated cell, full of antioxidants, which looks like a luscious, full-bodied grape.
The most important defence we have against unfavourable environmental chemicals and our major health challenges is a well
nourished body. Sensible supplementation is essential for optimal health when deficiencies are suspected. Plant extracted
organic supplements, with high ORAC scores and phenolic content are preferred, together with a balanced organic diet and
a healthy bowel.
Dr Karen Coates August 2008
to see the video presentation click here
Posted: Is it really organic ?, Antioxidants
15
August
2008
What Are ORAC Units And How Many Do We Need?
ORAC, short for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, is a standardised measurement of the total antioxidant power of a substance. Antioxidant power is the ability to neutralize oxygen free radicals. The more free radicals a substance can absorb, the higher it’s ORAC score. Nutritionists recommend that we consume around 5000 ORAC units per day to significantly impact antioxidant activity in the body and reduce free radical damage. One serving (half a cup) of fruits or vegetables provides approximately 500 ORAC units. If you’re not eating at least 10 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, you’re not getting the recommended amount of ORAC units to mop-up the damage caused by free radicals in your body every day.
The ORAC (total) score one sachet of Berry Radical contains over 7000 ORAC units!
One box of Berry Radical contains over 217,000 ORAC units.
for more info go to http://www.love.berryradical.com
Posted: Is it really organic ?, Antioxidants
13
August
2008
when you cut open an apple and let it stand for awhile, it soon starts to go brown in color.This is what is happening in our bodies every day, as free radicals run rampant. It is a process similar to rusting, our bodies age, and we need to slow that corosion down. We need to slow the aging process down, and we can do this by taking in sufficient antioxidants and by exersizing everyday. Although exersize, also produces free radicals, it has other benefits like keeping us physically vibrant. So when we eat right, excercise lightly, and take our antixidants daily, we will most likely live healthier, longer and happier lives.
for more info on antioxidants click here
Posted: Is it really organic ?, Antioxidants
11
August
2008
What Are Free Radicals And Why Do We Need Antioxidants?
Oxidation occurs when free radicals (highly reactive, high-energy particles) ricochet wildly throughout the body and damage cells. Free radicals can be produced within the body by natural biological processes or introduced from outside via tobacco smoke, toxins, pollutants and sub-optimal eating habits. Free radicals are believed to accelerate the progression of cancer,
cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue, and age-related diseases. Antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables help to neutralise free radicals in our bodies.
Australian’s are encouraged to eat 7 serves of fruit and vegetables a day. Specifically, 2 serves of fruit and 5 serves of vegetables each day. Many people struggle to eat the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables each day. Within Australia, only 14% of men and 21% of women report eating the recommended four or more servings of vegetables daily.
Why Do Plants Contain Antioxidants?
Photosynthesis is the process whereby plants convert light energy from the sun into stored physical energy. Photosynthesis exposes plants to a massive number of free radicals. Plants produce antioxidants to protect themselves from damage by these free radicals. Antioxidant plant pigments, primarily carotenoids and polyphenols that are responsible for the bright
colours of many orange, red, blue and purple fruits, berries and algae, provide most of this protection. Research has shown that human ingestion of these plant-based antioxidants result in similar protection. Research also shows that antioxidants
work synergistically (where the combined effect is greater than the sum of the individual effects) and are far more effective when a spectrum of antioxidants are ingested, rather that individual isolated compounds.
for more info click here
Posted: Is it really organic ?, Antioxidants
31
July
2008
The Bluecrop variety of highbush blueberries were grown on five organic and conventional farms in New Jersey. The farms shared
comparable soils and weather conditions, and the berries were harvested in precisely the same way. The scientists carrying
out the study are based at the USDA’s Genetic Improvement of Fruits and Vegetables Laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland, and at
Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
The team found consistent and significant differences in nutrient content. The organic blueberries contained 46 ORAC units, a
measure of total antioxidant capacity, while the conventional berries contained 31 ORAC units.
Accordingly, the organic berries had over 50% more total antioxidant activity. They also contained about 50% higher levels of total
anthocyanins, the natural plant phytochemicals that give blueberries their dark colour.
The organic blueberries also had 67% more total phenolics. The authors’ concluding sentence reads:
“Blueberries produced from organic culture contained significantly higher amounts of phytonutrients than those produced from
conventional culture.”
Source: S.H. Wang et al., “Fruit Quality, Antioxidant Capacity, and Flavonoid Content of Organically and Conventionally Grown
Blueberries,” Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, published on web July 1, 2008.
Read the full story: http://www.organic-center.org/news_archive/thescoop_july08.htm
Posted: Is it really organic ?, Antioxidants
22
June
2008
New Guest Speaker Announced:
Dr Karen Coates
Dr Karen Coates has been a practising doctor over 20 years, with degrees in Medicine and Surgery, post graduate qualifications
in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nutritional and Environmental Medicine. Her unique style seamlessly integrates natural therapies
and alternative health practices with conventional pathways to health.
An advocate for self-responsibility in health, she has a passion for teaching and a gift for explaining complex health concepts
in easy to understand terminology. Karen continually updates her knowledge base as scientific
research becomes available. Living on the Gold Coast for the past ten years, she is also coauthor
of Embracing the Warrior.
Embracing The Warrior provides clarity around many of the complex issues faced by
women, issues that have had me baffled up until now. The book empowers and motivates
us towards embracing the warrior within and ultimately, embracing more of life.
Dr Karen Coates and Vincent Perry have created a masterpiece
with this easy-to-read, innovative approach to health based on
current and proven scientific research.
Together, they have expertly woven the threads of conventional,
nutritional and environmental medicine, natural therapy and
physical movement to create a dynamic tapestry of wellbeing
for the modern woman.
Dr Coates will examine the connection between these five major
health issues and oxidative stress. High anti-oxidant intake is
essential for optimal wellbeing and Narelle & Alf will demonstrate
just how easy it is for Berry Radical to rapidly expand your
business.
Posted: Is it really organic ?, Antioxidants
7
June
2008
Our whirlwind USA tour included stopovers in LA (Pasadena), New York City, Washington D.C. and Miami. I’m happy to say the
quality of the time we spent with the reps that came and met with us was certainly valued by us - we really enjoyed the more
personal discussions and felt honoured to get to know some lovely people on a level that can’t usually be achieved in a public
forum setting.
We got some great ideas from our talks with representatives, including improvements we can make to the website (which have
already been passed on to IT) Of course, I received plenty of requests for new products, many of which are already on our to-do
list and a few on our soon-to-be-released list!
Washington DC was great. We were expecting a small dinner gathering and, instead, hosted a friendly and raucous 18 people!
One couple drove 4 hours to meet with us, which we really appreciated. Apart from enjoying the beautiful scenery as we were
taking off and landing on the plane, we didn’t get to see many other sights along the way. New York was the exception…we’d
never seen a Broadway show, so we jumped at the opportunity. We have 3 kids, so the Lion King held a special place in our
hearts (after seeing the movie at least 600 times!) The Lion King on Broadway was absolutely awe-inspiring… I burst into tears
from the first scene… the music, the costumes, the singing and the scale of the production was overwhelming!
We attended the Natural Beauty Summit in New York City and this certainly confirmed that we are not only on the right track,
that we are leading the pack! So many industry folks we met there wished they could meet Organic Food Standards… it is
perceived as the “Gold Standard” for organic skin care. One of the industry professionals I had the opportunity to meet was the
Senior Research Scientist from Aveda (who is a lovely man!) and I was humbled and inspired when he told me it was an honour
to meet me! Sometimes I feel I’m really out on a limb with what I’m trying to achieve for the industry, and it was very heartening
to be acknowledged as a leader from such a well respected industry player. In fact, at this conference, and the other cosmetic
industry conferences, it is apparent that our products are held in very high esteem by industry professionals. My vision is that we
can create that same recognition in the marketplace.
A large part of the discussion at the summit was the plethora of widely varying options for ‘certification’ for cosmetics. They vary from
totally pathetic certification (Ecocert, which only requires 10% total organic content to be certified), to the stringent food standards,
and everything in-between. There was heated debate as to which way the industry should go, and no consensus was reached.
There were vocal accusations to the representatives of the various standards on offer with claims that they were contributing to
the fragmentation of the certification process and consumer confusion. Commercial
factors will drive the uptake on the different standards, and consumers will have the
final say…. our challenge is to educate consumers as to the difference between the
standards, and let them decide who they wish to support. Rest assured that we
will be maintaining the highest possible standards for our products, and any future
development. Only Organic Food Standards provide a guarantee of absolutely
pure, beneficial, vital, health-promoting products. We use the same pure and
beneficial ingredients across all our brands… all products, whether they be applied
to the skin, ingested, or used in our home environment are developed with the same
intention.. to be pure, vital, health-promoting, beautiful products.
Watch this space for an expose on all the different ‘organic’ standards (or substandards
;-) being developed… which will be a great tool for answering questions
about the differences between the standards.
Posted: Climate Change, Is it really organic ?, Probiotics, Skin Care, Antioxidants, Cosmetics, Probiotic House Cleaner
19
May
2008
The best piece of advice I have been given was not given directly to me. It sort of came to me in the form of the song “Better Than”
by the John Butler Trio. The entire song is full of inspiration but the best line was “Life’s not about what’s better” and it’s not, it’s
about what you have right now and who you have around you and that is all that matters.
Allie Jones-One Group
Posted: Climate Change, Is it really organic ?, Probiotics, Skin Care, Antioxidants, Cosmetics, Probiotic House Cleaner
16
May
2008
We are starting to see ads on tv and in magazines for products claiming to be full of antioxidants. this is a good thing. Finally the mainstream toxic companies are starting to see what we in the alternative health and healthy life style world are talking about.
the only problem is the ads are not talking about organic or certified organic products or ingredients. which means that while people are getting their antioxidants, they are still getting their toxic dose!
So, i recommend everyone to make sure of what is in their antioxidant product. we can suggest you try the Berry Radical Certified Organic Antioxidant SuperFood from One Group.
to read the fact sheet on the Berry Radical Antixidant Click Here
Posted: Is it really organic ?, Antioxidants
