Both in its African homeland and in North America, a folk remedy herbal extract has recently caught the attention of medical researchers. Sorghum bicolor is a grain long known for its high nutritional value. But only a special traditional extract of the leaf sheath draws out the plant’s incredible health benefits .African tribal culture has long touted the extract for its value in helping
people who struggle with anemia, heart disease, joint pain, and poor immune system response. Today’s scientific studies are quickly confirming those folk uses. Yet, one must ask, “How can a single herbal ingredient help with such a broad range of conditions?”
Let’s take a closer look at oxidative and inflammatory processes in the body.
Then it will be easier to understand how the extract supports such a wide variety of systems and functions
We need oxygen for life. Our lungs take it in, and a complex network of capillaries and alveoli enable red blood cells to acquire the oxygen and deliver it throughout the body. But, as oxygen is used in various processes, tiny electrons can break off. These unpaired electrons are called free radicals. Think of them as the waste product of cellular processes. There are some processes where free radicals are actually a good thing – for instance, to kill bad bacteria in certain immune system functions. But, generally free radicals are not helpful. They bounce around hitting cells and causing damage, sometimes even breaking off portions of DNA. The grand sum of this cellular damage is at the root of many health conditions including cardiovascular challenges, poor immune response, and even the appearance of wrinkles on the skin. This is the cumulative wear and tear that results from simply living life. Oxidation is also aggravated by stress, environmental factors, and poor diet. The effects can be tempered though, through a diet and supplement program rich in antioxidants. Just like it sounds, an antioxidant is a substance that naturally combats oxidation. Antioxidants are substances that bind up the stray electrons and render them harmless. Antioxidant foods and dietary supplements are rated using the ORAC scale, which is a measure of the substance’s ability to absorb free radicals.
