Summary

Antioxidants are nutrients or substances that prevent or slow damage to the cells of our body known as oxidation. From outside pollutants and in the natural processes of our body we acquire a type of molecule known as a free radicals.  In its molecular structure a free radicals has a “free” electron  that has a need to be paired and this causes it to seek out and bond to another molecule.  If this bond happens with a useful cell in the body damage may occur.  If the bond is to an antioxidant the free radical is neutralized and cannot cause damage to cells in the body. 

Recent studies show that the damage caused by free radical plays a roll in the aging process and possibly a number of chronic diseases such as arthritis, atherosclerosis, cancer, diabetes, macular degeneration.  Free radicals also weaken the immune system such that, if we reduce their presence, we strengthen our immune system and are stronger to fight off other diseases.

The body naturally produces some enzymes that neutralize free radicals beyond this they can be neutralized by nutrients and supplements we take into our bodies. The most common antioxidant vitamins are beta-carotene and vitamins C and E.  This leads to a long list of foods rich in these.  Complete lists can be found elsewhere but includes lots of healthy things from carrots to spinach to nuts and fish oil. Beyond this a number of supplements are prepared that can add to our protection including doTERRA Alpha CRS and clove essential oil.

The effectiveness of foods and supplements as antioxidants can be measured in the laboratory and quantified with a measure known as ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) units. These tests are supported by the USDA but are qualified as laboratory tests and that they cannot be directly interpreted as the benefits that might occur in human health.  They do provide an interesting comparison of foods and supplements.

The unit of measure that is used for ORAC is expressed as micromole Trolox equivalent (TE) per 100 grams (µTE/100 g).  Trolox happens to be a derivative of vitamin E with a controlled chemical composition and is an effective antioxidant.  So the antioxidant number you see compares the food/supplement under test with this standardized sample. If someone told you they had 1 teaspoon of honey most of us would know about what they mean.  Unfortunately if someone says this supplement has an ORAC score of 10,000 most do not know what to think except 10,000 seems like a very large number.

The best way to compare is to convert everything to “a serving” rather than 100 grams and to have some common bench marks that help calibrate us.  Below is an attempt to help you visualize this with some common examples and supplements of interest.

* Data from USDA.gov, Product & Services data base, ORAC of Selected Foods, Release 2 (2010)
** Data from “the very essence blog”, Young Living tips and techniques

***Please help.  This ORAC number shows up for clove in a number of places, another number 1,078,700 is also quoted.  The editor of this website cannot confirm either number with an authentic source.  If you know the correct number and where the laboratory tests were done please contact us.  Thanks.

Oils, blends & products recommended:

Oils & Blends:  Clove

Essential oils based products: Life Long Vitality supplements

Also consider:

Suggested protocols:

Consistent use of the Life Long Vitality supplements will assure the normal antioxidant needs.

For added protection 1 capsule with 8 drops of clove per week..

Experiences and Testimonials of others

Lynn - What do you use Clove for?  Please be specific about how much you use/used, where applied and how often.

Dot - I have been taking clove in a capsule about once a week - I heard Dr. Hill say to do that because clove oil has the phenylpropanoids (like in cassia, cinnamon, oregano,etc.)  that can create conditions where unfriendly viruses and bacteria cannot live, the most important function they perform is that they clean the receptor sites on our cells. Without clean receptor sites, cells cannot communicate, and the body malfunctions, resulting in sickness.

Also an ounce of clove oil has the antioxidant capacity of 450 pounds of carrots, 120 quarts of blueberries or 48 gallons of beet juice.

Carol – How many drops of clove did Dr. Hill recommend taking in a capsule?

Dot – About 8 drops is what I noted and take.

 

Kirsten – Dr. Hill in his excellent webinar on hormone health, I think it's in Part 2, he talks about eliminating toxins from the body and the importance of taking the LLW for vitamins, minerals and the antioxidants.

 

Rebecca - Does anyone know where I can find the ORAC scale for the Life Long Vitality supplements?

Cobo – My information is the LLV S-ORAC score is 18,096.

Editor’s note – S-ORAC is newer method to evaluate antioxidant properties.  The older method, ORAC, for the LLV is usually quoted at 6800.  That is, taking the full compliment of products in the recommended daily amount.

Jeanette - ORAC stands for Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity.  In other words the amount of free radical fighting capacity that a food substance has or antioxidants.  We need all the antioxidants we can get to fight off all the nasty free radicals that surround us every day to remain healthy! If the score for the LLV is a daily score - we are well and truly covered since the USDA recommends between 3,000 and 5,000 minimum.  Now, I stand to be corrected on this but this is my understanding! The LLV is great!

Protocols folks recommend for children

 

 

Diet and Nutritional complements to essential oils

 

What Science & Research are saying