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According to Tufts University, average person needs approximately 3,000 to 5,000 ORAC units per day to have a significant impact on plasma and tissue antioxidant capacity. Three servings of fruits and vegetables per day provide approximately 1200 ORAC units. This means average person is short by up to 3800 ORAC units each day, depending on fruits and vegetables they are choosing and their body’s requirements. To make up difference, experts recommend supplementing our diet with high ORAC foods to become and stay healthy and slow down aging process caused by free radical damage.
Lycium Barbarum was rated food with highest antioxidant ability coming in at an amazing 3,472 ORAC units per fluid oz. Some of other notable mentions are vitamin E oil at 3,309, pomegranates at 3,037, blueberries 2,400, raspberries 1,220.
Wolfberries have been found to have extremely high levels of immune-stimulating polysaccharides. What are polysaccharides? Polysaccharides are very large, long-chain sugar molecules that are nourishment for macrophages (large white blood cells) in gut wall. The macrophages are then transported to other immune cells, setting off a chain of defensive events in our bodies.
Several years ago German researchers isolated polysaccharides from Echinacea purpurea (often used in medicinal formulations) and mixed them with macrophages in test tubes. They found that polysaccharides profoundly activated macrophages, stimulating them to effectively kill tumour cells! Also it was found macrophages increased their production of interleukin, a chemical which spurs immune system to greater activity, and polysaccharides also enhanced activity of B lymphocytes, immune-system cells which fight bacterial infections.
Below are results of a 2002 study on effects of a Ningxia wolfberry product on phagocytes. First, why should we care about phagocytes? Phagocytes are a crucial component of immune system and are found in spleen. They digest foreign substances that invade body including bacteria and other disease causing organisms. Having large numbers of phagocytes in spleen will enable body to more quickly eliminate foreign substances and thus prevent development of potential illness.
The effects were astounding. Spleenic phagocyte cell counts (immune cells) increased by 81% and ORAC (antioxidant capacity) subjects' whole blood increased as well. Essentially, you could say subjects’ blood became younger.
I believe this little fruit can change health of world if more people know about it. Tell your friends and together maybe we can make CNN stand up and take notice!
Thank you for spending time to read my article. My hope is that you have learned something useful and will put that knowledge to use for your own sake and ones you love. Sincerely, Paul Brelin
Paul Brelin is an alternative health care consultant and teacher of budhist meditation. You can reach him at pbrelin@feelingtoinfinity.com or at www.wolfberryscience.com.