A good ORAC supplement should contain at least 3000 ORAC units in the form of high-ORAC value foods such as blueberries, cranberries and elderberries. ORAC refers to Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity, which is a method for measuring the antioxidant capacities of different foods, and how many oxygen radicals a substance can absorb. The use of natural vitamin E isomers, tocotrienols (closely related to vitamin E in chemical structure), and vitamin C in ORAC supplements can contribute to an antioxidant network inside cells, which offers far more protection than the use of a single agent alone. Tocotrienols are 50 times more powerful than vitamin E. Antioxidants are natural cell protectors, neutralizing free radicals by pairing an electron to the outermost shell of radical oxygen molecules, rendering them harmless. Antioxidants are nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and enzymes that are capable of counteracting the effects of the physiological process of oxidation in bodily tissues. Antioxidants work in two ways, chain breaking and prevention. A chain-breaking antioxidant, such as vitamins A, C and E, stabilize free radicals or cause them to decay into harmless atomic structures.*

Isotonix^® Maximum ORAC is an isotonic-capable supplement composed of a powerful blend of blueberries, raspberries, cranberries and elderberries, black currant, pomegranate, plum, vitamins C and E (natural tocopherol, tocotrienols) and Bioperine^® (black pepper extract). Bioperine^® promotes the bioavailability of certain nutrients, especially antioxidants to promote the absorption into the cells lining of the small intestine. In order to get 3000 ORAC units through food, one would have to consume a cup of blueberries per day. The CDC and NCI recommend five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables per day. For most individuals, this is difficult to do and supplementing becomes vitally important. One capful of Maximum ORAC supplies 3000 ORAC units. Isotonix Maximum ORAC is intended to be used for its specially selected antioxidant properties.*

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product(s) is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

^‡BioPerine^® is the registered trademark of the Sabinsa Corporation.

Cranberry Concentrate 
Cranberry is a small evergreen shrub containing dark pink flowers that grows in damp bogs and mountain forests. It blooms from late spring until the end of the summer. The shrub’s small red fruits are produced in the fall. The therapeutic properties of the plant come from the fruit. Cranberries contain proanthocyanidin, which are helpful in promoting a healthy urinary tract and supporting a normal pH of urine. Preliminary evidence suggests that cranberries increase the antioxidant levels of plasma and may help maintain healthy cholesterol levels by providing antioxidant protection of LDL particles. Cranberries have a high ORAC value, next to blueberries.*

Blueberry Extract 
Blueberries rank highest among many fruits and vegetables for ORAC activity and contain 25-30 different types of anthocyanins. Anthocyanins give blueberries (and other fruits) their rich blue and red coloring, and are a powerful flavonoid antioxidant. The mechanism of action surrounding anthocyanins has been studied at the molecular level, demonstrating effects such as promoting cellular health. Blueberries provide large amounts of chlorogenic acid, which is thought to be important in promoting cellular health. Blueberries support the body’s COX-2 inhibitors and provide a powerful antioxidant defense, supporting a strong, comprehensive antioxidant network within the body.*

Grape Juice Powder 
Grapes contain a variety of phenolic compounds, including anthocyanidins, cinnamates and flavan-3-ols, which have all been shown to be effective in promoting cardiovascular health. Anthocyanidins are powerful flavonoid antioxidants that contribute to maintaining cellular health. Preliminary evidence suggests that anthocyanidins contribute to supporting healthy capillaries and providing antioxidant protection of LDL particles, which help to maintain healthy cholesterol levels and contribute to overall cardiovascular health.*

Raspberry Powder 
Raspberries contain significant amounts of polyphenol antioxidants, chemicals linked to promoting endothelial and cardiovascular health. Raspberries are high in fiber, are an excellent source of vitamin C and manganese, a good source of vitamin K and magnesium, and contain some calcium and iron. Raspberries are powerful antioxidants, particularly due to their dense contents of ellagic acid (from ellagotannins), quercetin, gallic acid, anthocyanins, cyanidins, pelargonidins, catechins, kaempferol and salicylic acid. They have a high ORAC value next to cranberries and blueberries.*

Elderberry Extract 
Elderberries contain the flavonoids rutin, isoquertin and hyperoside, as well as anthocyan glycosides, an essential oil. Elderberries have historically been used to make elderberry wine, elder brandy, and sambuca, a popular cordial. Elderberries have a high ORAC value, and contribute to promoting a comprehensive antioxidant network and stimulating the immune system.*

Black Currant Extract 
Black currants are powerful antioxidants, particularly due to their anthocyanins content. They are rich sources of vitamin C, and contain high concentrations of B-vitamins, vitamin A, potassium, magnesium, iron, and calcium. Black currants have a high ORAC value. They contribute to promoting a comprehensive antioxidant network, stimulating the immune system and promoting cardiovascular health.*

Pomegranate Extract 
One pomegranate delivers 40 percent of an adult's daily vitamin C requirement, and is a rich source of folic acid and antioxidants. Pomegranates are high in polyphenols. The most abundant polyphenols in pomegranate are hydrolysable tannins, particularly punicalagins, which research has shown to be the antioxidant responsible for the free-radical scavenging ability of pomegranate juice.* Many food and dietary supplement makers have found the advantages of using pomegranate extracts (which have no sugar, calories or additives), instead of the juice, as healthy ingredients in their products. Many pomegranate extracts are essentially ellagic acid, which is largely a by-product of the juice extraction process. Ellagic acid has been shown in published studies to absorb into the body when consumed as ellagitannins, such as punicalagins.*

Prune Powder 
Prunes contain several powerful antioxidants, with a high ORAC content. They are rich sources of many essential vitamins and minerals. They are also rich in dietary fiber, sorbitol and isatin. They have been commonly used to promote digestive health, but also contribute to a comprehensive antioxidant network, promote cognitive health and cardiovascular health.*

Black Chokeberry Extract 
Chokeberries are powerful antioxidants due to their high anthocyanins content. They are rich in vitamins and minerals, and contribute to general health and well-being. They contribute to a comprehensive antioxidant network, scavenging free radicals and promoting antioxidant protection of LDL particles.*

Bioperine^® (Black Pepper Extract)
Bioperine^® is a standardized extract from the fruit of Piper nigrum L (black pepper) or Piper longum L (long pepper). It contains 95 percent of piperine. The metabolic process that generates energy at the cellular level in the human body is called thermogenesis. Though thermogenesis has been identified as a key factor in maintaining weight loss, it has also been identified as playing an integral role in utilizing the daily food and nutrients that the human body consumes. It sets in motion the mechanisms that lead to digestion and subsequent gastrointestinal absorption. Piperine, in the patented form of Bioperine^®, promotes the body's natural thermogenic activity. Bioperine^® enhances the bioavailability of certain nutrients, especially antioxidants.*

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Vitamin C is found in peppers (sweet, green, red, hot red and green chili), citrus fruits, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, collards, mustard greens, broccoli, spinach, guava, kiwi fruit, currants and strawberries. Nuts and grains contain small amounts of vitamin C. It is important to note that cooking destroys vitamin C activity.* Vitamin C is integral in supporting a healthy immune system, promoting cardiovascular health, maintaining healthy cholesterol levels and providing an antioxidant defense. The body does not manufacture vitamin C on its own, nor does it store it. Therefore, vitamin C must be acquired through diet and supplementation.*

Vitamin E (Natural tocopherol: d-gamma 70%, d-delta 21%, d-alpha 7%, d-beta 2%)
Vitamin E is a collective term for a group of compounds from the tocopherol and tocotrienol chemical groups. The most valuable sources of dietary vitamin E include vegetable oils, margarine, nuts, seeds, avocados and wheat germ. Safflower oil contains large amounts of vitamin E (about two thirds of the RDA in ¼ cup), and there are trace amounts in corn oil and soybean oil. Vitamin E is available in a natural or synthetic form. In most cases, the natural and synthetic forms are identical except the natural form of vitamin E is better absorbed and retained in the body. For those individuals watching their dietary fat consumption, which is relatively common in the world of dieting, vitamin E intake is likely to be low, due to a reduced intake of foods with high fat content.* The main health benefit of supplemental vitamin E comes from its immune-boosting antioxidant activity. It is also known to provide protection for the cardiovascular system. Vitamin E is one of the most powerful fat-soluble antioxidants in the body. In turn, vitamin E protects cell membranes from free radicals.* The combination of vitamins C and E helps form the antioxidant network, allowing the vitamins to engage (synergistically) in each others’ regeneration from the spent state back to the active antioxidant state so that they can continue neutralizing free radicals.

Tocotrienols (mixed isomers)
Palm tocotrienols, along with tocopherols, are members of the vitamin E family and are extracted from the fruit of the palm tree. Tocotrienols are one of the two related families of compounds that are collectively regarded as vitamin E. As mentioned above, vitamin E is one of the most powerful fat-soluble antioxidants in the body, and the antioxidant properties of tocotrienols appear to be superior to those of tocopherols. Dietary sources of tocotrienols include almonds, rice bran oil, pistachios, palm oil and barley. Like vitamin E, palm tocotrienols also help maintain a healthy level of HMG-CoA reductase, a key enzyme in our bodies used by the liver to produce cholesterol. New data on the biological activity of tocotrienols in cardiovascular health maintenance along with its antioxidant properties have raised tocotrienols to a new level of prominence in the scientific community.

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