Antioxidants Scan

As you have all learned, it’s important to measure whether efforts to create health are actually working. For example, CIMT ultrasound shows whether your cardiovascular efforts are reducing disease. Blood work shows if your vitamin D and omega-3 levels are adequate. Visceral fat and glucose metabolism measurements help to determine when you’ve reached a healthy weight.

Consuming adequate antioxidants in your diet is very important to feel better, prevent illnesses, and prevent disease like cancer. Our individual needs can vary widely depending on our level of oxidative stress. The question always remains whether you are getting enough antioxidants to meet your needs. This is especially true in the billion-dollar supplement industry. Not all pills are absorbed equally. If supplements are not adequately absorbed, you are wasting your time and money.

I have chosen to purchase a new technology developed by the NIH and University of Utah called a BioPhotonic scanner. It measures carotenoids in your skin. Carotenoids are the main family of antioxidants. If your carotenoid level is adequate, it is believed that others are being adequately absorbed too. If you are interested in learning more about the scanner, see this link to an episode of Dr. Oz where it is explained very well. The overview of the scanner is part 1. For some reason, part 2 does not work, but 3-5 do.

The technology works by projecting light into your skin and measuring how much of the light is absorbed by carotenoids to change the light’s wavelength. The technical term is spectroscopy. It is painless and takes about 90 seconds.

The scan will be offered for free to RHS patients as part of your annual wellness evaluation. I will offer it to non-RHS people for $20 per scan. Invite your friends, family and colleagues. You are welcome to call now to schedule scanning even if you are not due for your wellness evaluation.

In the following newsletter, I will offer an overview of oxidative stress, the value of antioxidants, and ways to maximize your level. For example, do you know that avocados help to absorb other antioxidants being consumed? Therefore, adding avocado to a salad can amplify the antioxidant effect.