Frequently Asked Questions

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The Pro A Check Antioxidant Scanner uses proprietary and patented technology that allows immediate and non-invasive measurement of antioxidant levels in the human tissue. Using reflection spectroscopy can accurately measure carotenoids in the finger. The technology is currently being used in over 100 Universities worldwide and has been featured in numerous medical journals.

The scanner measures the total carotenoid content in human skin. The carotenoids found to be associated with healthy skin include alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene, astaxanthin, canthaxanthin, zeaxanthin, and lutein.

Carotenoids are the pigments found in fruits and vegetables that give them vibrant colors: red, orange, yellow, and green. There are hundreds of different ones, but the most common are: lycopene, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and astaxanthin. They serve an important role of being used as antioxidants, fighting the destructive effects of free radicals. Carotenoids are some of the most common antioxidants in our diet and serve an important role in the antioxidant system. A person’s carotenoid levels are an important indicator of the strength of an individual’s antioxidant system. Total antioxidant intake significantly correlated with lutein, zeaxanthin, and lycopene. (Svilaas 2004).

Glutathione is known as the master antioxidant and is the most important endogenous (made by the body) antioxidant. It is known to improve the use and distribution of many other antioxidants and important compounds in the body. It can be thought of as the conductor in an orchestra. One critical compound glutathione produces is called Glutathione S-transferases (GSTP1). GSTP1 serves the  role of transporting carotenoids to biomembranes. Raising a person’s glutathione level, you are promoting the body’s ability to absorb the carotenoids taken in through food or supplements in the tissue. (Reszcynska 2015).

The antioxidants scan process takes as little as 20 seconds. You insert your finger into the device and slight pressure is applied while reflection spectroscopy is used to measure the total carotenoid content in your skin. The light source used is completely safe like a light bulb and is a non-invasive device.

The antioxidants scanner produces a score between 0 and 700+. The average score in the United States is 250. Score results are grouped into the following 4 categories:

Marginal (0-199) – This reflects scores that are below average. This could be indicative of high levels of oxidative stress, low consumption of fruits and vegetables, and limited supplementation.

Low (200-349) – The average person’s scores are in this range. This indicates an average consumption of 2-3 servings of fruits and vegetables per day, limited supplementation, and moderate levels of oxidative stress.

Good (350-499) – An above-average score. Indicates consumption of at least 3-4 servings of fruits and vegetables or regular supplementation.

Optimal (500+) – Scores in this range signify optimal intake and fruits and vegetables (5+ per day) and regular supplementation.

These are the four key areas that affect your score and tips on how to improve your score.

Diet – Increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables is a great way to increase the test score and help your client on the path to optimal health. The main health agencies recommend a diet of at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day coming from a variety of different sources.

Supplementation – High-quality supplementation is often necessary for the majority of people to get their required amount of vitamins and minerals from their diet. The most important supplement to take is a bonded cysteine supplement that will raise a person’s glutathione level since a high glutathione level will optimize a person’s immune system and redox state. It is also recommended to take a broad-spectrum multi-vitamin-mineral-supplement that contains carotenoid ingredients. A person who takes high-quality supplements can expect their scores on average to raise 100 points in 60 days.

Lifestyle – Smoking, a high BMI, excessive pollution, or toxin exposure can all lead to high levels of oxidative stress and a lower score. Helping your client identify areas that could be affecting their health and ways for them to improve is a great way to improve your client’s overall well-being.

Genetics – A client’s genetic makeup can make it difficult for their gut to process some foods or for some nutrients to be absorbed well by the cells. Supplementation with a NRF2 catalyst is a great way to support antioxidant and glutathione function.

The Antioxidants Scanner is currently being used in Doctor’s Offices, Wellness Centers, Dietitians, Optometrists, Opticians, Ophthalmologists, Health Food Stores, and many more locations. If you are interested in using the machine in your business please reach out for more details.

Igor V. Ermakov, Maia Ermakova, Mohsen Sharifzadeh, Aruna Gorusupudi, Kelliann Farnsworth, Paul S. Bernstein, Jodi Stookey, Jane Evans, Tito Arana, Lisa Tao-Lew, Carly Isman, Anna Clayton, Akira Obana, Leah Whigham, Alisha H. Redelfs, Lisa Jahns, Werner Gellermann, “Optical assessment of skin carotenoid status as a biomarker of vegetable and fruit intake”, Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 646, p. 46-54, (2018)

Christopher D. Conrady, James P. Bell, Brian M. Besch, Aruna Gorusupudi, Kelliann Farnsworth, Igor Ermakov, Mohsen Sharifzadeh, Maia Ermakova, Werner Gellermann, Paul S. Bernstein, “Correlations Between Macular, Skin, and Serum Carotenoids”, Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci., 58, No. 9, p. 3616-3627 (2017)

Lori M. Beccarelli, Rachel E. Scherr, Madan Dharmar, Igor V. Ermakov, Werner Gellermann, Lisa Jahns, Jessica D Linnell, Carl L. Keen, Francene M. Steinberg, Heather M. Young, Sheri Zidenberg-Cherr, “Using Skin Carotenoids to Assess Dietary Changes in Students After 1 Academic Year of Participating in the “Shaping Healthy Choices Program””, J Nutr Educ Behav., 49, No. 1, p. 73-78 (2017)

I. V. Ermakov, L. D. Whigham, A. H. Redelfs, L. Jahns, J. Stookey, P. S. Bernstein, W. Gellermann, “Skin Carotenoids as Biomarker for Vegetable and Fruit Intake: Validation of the Reflection-Spectroscopy Based “Veggie Meter””, The FASEB Journal, 30, No. 1, Supplement 409.3 (2016)

Akira Obana, Masaki Tanito, Yuko Gohto, Shigetoshi Okazaki, Werner Gellermann, Paul S. Bernstein “Changes in Macular Pigment Optical Density and Serum Lutein Concentration in Japanese Subjects Taking Two Different Lutein Supplements”, PLoS One., 10, No. 10, p.1/16-16/16 (2015)

I. V. Ermakov, W. Gellermann, “Optical Detection Methods for Carotenoids in Human Skin”, Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 572, p. 101-111, (2015)

L. Jahns, L. K. Johnson, S. T. Mayne, B. Cartmel, M. J. Picklo, I. V. Ermakov, W. Gellermann, L. D. Whigham, “Skin and Plasma Carotenoid Response to a Provided Intervention Diet High in Vegetables and Fruit: Uptake and Depletion Kinetics”, Am. J. Clin. Nutr., (2014)

I. V. Ermakov, M. R. Ermakova, T. D. Rosenberg, W. Gellermann, “Optical Detection of Carotenoid Antioxidants in Human Bone and Surrounding Tissue”, Journal of Biomedical Optics, 18, No 11, 117006-1 – 117006-8 (2013)

B. S. Henriksen, G. Chan, R. O. Hoffman, M. Sharifzadeh, I. V. Ermakov, W. Gellermann, P. S. Bernstein, “Interrelationships Between Maternal Carotenoid Status and Newborn Infant Macular Pigment Optical Density and Carotenoid Status”, Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (IOVS), 54, No 8, p. 5568-5577 (2013)

S. T. Mayne, B. Cartmel, S. Scarmo, L. Jahns, I. V. Ermakov, W. Gellermann, “Resonance Raman Spectroscopic Evaluation of Skin Carotenoids as a Biomarker of Carotenoid Status for Human Studies”, Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 539, No 2, p. 163-170, (2013)

P. S. Bernstein, M. Sharifzadeh, A. Liu, I. Ermakov, K. Nelson, X. Sheng, C. Panish, B. Carlstrom, R. O. Hoffman, W. Gellermann, “Blue-Light Reflectance Imaging of Macular Pigment in Infants and Children”, Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (IOVS), 54, No 6, p. 4034-4040 (2013)

G. M. Chan, M. M. Chan, W. Gellermann, I. Ermakov, M. Ermakova, P. Bhosale, P. Bernstein, C. Rau, “Resonance Raman Spectroscopy and the Preterm Infant Carotenoid Status”, J. Pediatr. Gastroenterol. Nutr., 56, No 5, p. 556 – 559 (2013)

S. Scarmo, B. Cartmel, H. Lin, D. J. Leffell, I. V. Ermakov, W. Gellermann, P. S. Bernstein, S. T. Mayne, “Single vs. Multiple Measures of Skin Carotenoids by Resonance Raman Spectroscopy as a Biomarker of Usual Carotenoid Status”, Br. J. Nutr., 110, No 5, p. 911-917 (2013)

I. V. Ermakov, M. R. Ermakova, P. S. Bernstein, G. M. Chan, W. Gellermann, “Resonance Raman Based Skin Carotenoid Measurements in Newborns and Infants”, J. Biophotonics, 6, No 10, p. 793-802 (2013) [selected as a feature cover paper]

P. Bernstein, F. Ahmed, A. Liu, S. Allman, X. Sheng, M. Sharifzadeh, I.V. Ermakov, W. Gellermann, “Macular pigment imaging in AREDS2 participants: An ancillary study of AREDS2 subjects enrolled at the Moran Eye Center”, Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (IOVS), 53, No 10, p. 6178-6186 (2012)

I. V. Ermakov, W. Gellermann, “Dermal Carotenoid Measurements via Pressure Mediated Reflection Spectroscopy”, J. Biophotonics, 5, No. 7, p. 559-570 (2012)

S. Scarmo, K. Henebery, H. Peracchio, B. Cartmel, H. Lin, I.V. Ermakov, W. Gellermann, P.S. Bernstein, V.B. Duffy, S.T. Mayne, “Skin carotenoid status measured by resonance Raman spectroscopy as a biomarker of fruit and vegetable intake in preschool children”, Eur J Clin Nutr., 66, (5) :555-60
I. V. Ermakov, W. Gellermann, “Validation Model for Raman Based Skin Carotenoid Detection”, Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 504, No 1, p. 40-49, (2010)

S. T. Mayne, B. Cartmel, S. Scarmo, H. Lin, D. J. Leffell, E. Welch, I. Ermakov, P. Bhosale, P. S. Bernstein, and W. Gellermann, “Noninvasive Assessment of Dermal Carotenoids as a Biomarker of Fruit and Vegetable Intake”, Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 92, No. 4, p. 794 – 800, (2010)

I. V. Ermakov, M. R. Ermakova, R. W. McClane, W. Gellermann, “Resonance Raman Detection of Carotenoid Antioxidants in Living Human Tissues”, Opt. Letters 26, No 15, p. 1179-1181 (2001)

T. R. Hata, T. A. Scholz, I. V. Ermakov, R. W. McClane, F. Khachik, W. Gellermann, L. K. Pershing, “Non-Invasive Raman Spectroscopic Detection of Carotenoids in Human Skin”, J.Invest.Dermatology, 115, No 3, p. 441-448 (2000)

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