Micronutrient Analysis
Healthy Aging starts with Antioxidants
Free radicals are responsible for chemical changes and reactions, both in our bodies and in the environment. Externally, we can observe free radicals in action by seeing a cut apple turn brown or paint fading. Typical signs of aging, such as wrinkles and lackluster skin tone are also attributed to free radicals damage.
Internally, free radicals are naturally produced during metabolism and can also be effective tools for the immune system to ward off bacteria and viruses. However, excess levels of free radicals can lead to health problems such as heart attacks, skin damage, strokes, and a variety of cancers.
What’s A Carotenoid? & How Do They Help?
Naturally-produced antioxidants are the body’s first line of defense, but as our bodies age they’re likely to accumulate more free radicals into their system, thus requiring higher levels of antioxidants to maintain a healthy balance.
Antioxidant molecules are able to safely interact with free radicals and prevent damage before vital body cells are impaired. They are also known to prevent signs of premature aging and disease. Carotenoids are a type of antioxidant that is primarily responsible for the deep colors found in fresh fruits and vegetables.
These little molecules are very powerful and can be spawned from environmental pollution, herbicides, cigarette smoke, and radiation. Unbalanced diets, preservatives and additives in foods, mental stress, and excessive body fat from inactivity also elevate the body’s levels of free radicals.
A high level of carotenoids implies high levels of other micronutrient antioxidants present in the body’s free radical defense network. However, the body does not naturally produce these micronutrients, so they must be supplied through your diet.
Carotenoids are specialized antioxidants that assist principle micronutrients, including Vitamin E, Beta-Carotene, and Vitamin C replenish themselves. Antioxidants are responsible for supplying energy to the body’s cell damage-prevention and repair systems, helping to keep the body looking and feeling healthy.
Similar to applying lemon (a source of antioxidants) to a cut apple to prevent the fruit from browning, by incorporating more antioxidants into your diet you are better able to prevent signs of aging and ward off disease both internally and externally!
Now What?
What to know how well your body’s antioxidant levels are working for you? Let us show you! CHARM Center for Healthy Aging & Regenerative Medicine utilizes the Pharmanex BioPhotonic Scanner, the latest breakthrough technology for measuring the body’s carotenoid levels.
Recently popularized on the Dr. Oz Show for helping with cancer prevention, the BioPhotonic Scanner is a revolutionary technology which measures the body’s carotenoid levels, resulting in a Skin Carotenoid Score (SCS). Factors which affect this score include:
§ Diet
§ Supplementation
§ Body Fat
§ Lifestyle
§ Genes
The SCS indicates a person’s long-term lifestyle habits, and places them on a scale from Low (10,000) to High (50,000+) based on the levels of carotenoid molecules in the body.
High carotenoid activity has been linked to cancer-fighting properties, increased nutrient absorption, and DNA-protection from free radicals. These findings are backed by years of scientific study and research, and in 2005 the Scanner received the Product Merit Award by the Nutrition Business Journal.
The BioPhotonic Scanner is the world’s first tool to measure carotenoid activity. The patient is seated at the testing table and simply places his or her hand in front of the small camera. The machine then scans the palm with blue light technology in less than two minutes!
The procedure is completely noninvasive and provides immediate evidence. Unlike other scanning or testing equipment patients may be familiar with, the BioPhotonic Scanner does not predict nor diagnose disease.
By obtaining their score, patients are educated on their carotenoid concentration, which also provides accurate insight to the body’s antioxidant and oxidative stress levels. Again, scores are based on long-term habits and will not change in a matter of hours or days. Testing with the BioPhotonic Scanner is recommended every 6-8 weeks to determine if enough nutrients and antioxidants are being consumed on a daily basis.
Numerous studies have begun to show the general food quality in America has significantly declined over the past few decades. We are not able to receive the vital minerals and nutrients required for the body’s health from pre-packaged, processed, or preservative-laden foods. For many, supplementation has become a daily part of life to replace nutrient deficiencies, however if the body is not able to properly absorb the nutrients, consuming them can be wasteful.
CHARM Center for Healthy Aging & Regenerative Medicine offers supplements in-office with a money back guarantee to increase one’s carotenoid activity. We invite you to come test your current levels and discover the nutrient-density of your body. It’s never too late to begin the path to greater health!
You do not need to be a patient of the practice to have your levels checked.
Call (949)-335-7411 to schedule an introductory appointment today!
Check out Dr. Oz's take on antioxidants and the simple skin test you can use to determine your levels: