Clinical Studies
A study published in June 2006 found that the consuming Ningxia wolfberry polysaccharies was able to almost completely reverse the DNA and oxidative damage caused by diabetes. Researchers at the School of Public Health in Fudan University in Shanghai found that feeding animals just 10 mg per day of the Wolfberry polysaccharide (the human equivalent is about 2600mg) resulted in dramatic drops in the markers of tissue and blood damage caused by free radicals.
Some of the most delecate cells of the body are the reproductive cells, which are extremely vulnerable to oxidative damage. Even small amounts of DNA damage to progenitor cells can result in birth defects and death in the offspring.
Researchers at the University of Hong Kong tested the ability of Lyceum barbarum polysaccharides to protect male reproductive cells from heat stress. Some of the most sensitive cells to heat are sperm-making cells in the male scrotum. One cohort of a large group of randomly selected male rats were assigned to have their testicles submerged in hot water (43C) for 15 minutes--sufficient to cause significant oxidative damage to the DNA-loaded cells. Then other groups of animals were assigned different daily dosages of wolfberry for 14 days: 10, 50, 100 and 200mg per kilo of body weight. Following the treatment, cells were analyzed for SOD levels and cellular damage using an MDA test. In addition, testosterone levels in the serum was also measured along with other hormones such as leutinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).Results? Wolfberry was most effective at the lowest dosage, suggesting that very little is required to trigger meaningful heal-productive effects.
Amazingly, even in heat-stressed animals, testosterone levels actually soared past the levels of the normal, unstressed animals. Similarly both LH and FSH rebounded past levels of those healthy subjects.
According to a test known as ORAC (*Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) developed by USDA researchers at Tufts University, the Ningxia wolfberries are the highest known antioxidant food, possessing an unmatched ability to absorb injurious free radicals that attack the body.
Developed by Dr. Guohoa Cao at the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, the ORAC test is one of the most sensitive and reliable methods for assessing the ability of antioxidants to absorb oxygen radicals. It is the only test to combine both time and degree of inhibition of free radicals.
Top Antioxidant Foods
Foods are listed with their Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) (umTE/g).
Ningxia Wolfberry, dried: 303
Chinese Wolfberry, dried: 202
Acai: 184
Black Raspberry: 164
Pomegranate: 105
Ningxia Wolfberry, fresh: 95
Prune: 57
Blackberry: 51
Boysenberry: 35
Blueberry: 32
Plum: 28
Red Raspberry: 27
Strawberry: 26
Orange: 24
Cherry: 21
Raisin: 21
Garlic: 19
Kale: 18
Raspberry: 16
Apple: 14
Peach: 13
Spinach: 12
Red Grape: 11
Brussels Sprouts: 9
Alfalfa Sprouts: 9
Broccoli florets: 9
Kiwi: 9
Beet: 8
Onion: 4
Cauliflower: 4
Mango: 3
Cabbage: 3
Banana: 3
Tomato: 2
Carrot: 2