Reactive Oxygen Species and ORAC

[Guest guest]

One of the reasons why there is much interest about the Oxygen Radical

Absorption Capacity (ORAC) of foods is that oxygen radicals are very

reactive and are thought to contribute to premature aging and cancer,

but I think that some aspects of our lifestyle may undo what we try to

accomplish by eating high ORAC foods.

In particular, I was thinking that the hydrogen peroxide in tooth

whiteners (mouthwashes, dental strips, and toothpastes) may contribute

more Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) than can be neutralized by dietary

ORAC in food. There have been investigations of mouth cancer and

tooth whiteners, but although two cases have been reported, an

iron-clad case has not been made:

http://my.webmd.com/content/article/92/101691.htm

However, ROS are necessary for some of our biological functions, such

as the ability of neutrophils (white cells) to kill engulfed pathogens

by using the enzyme myeloperoxidase:

http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/R/ROS.html

I recently got a free sample of Listerine Whitening Pre-Brush Rinse

which literally makes you foam at the mouth. I think that I will use

it to clean my toilet bowl instead, and keep my ivory-colored smile.

Tony