At Foothills Weight Loss Specialists, we’re always on the lookout for new technology that will benefit our patients. When we came across the Pharmanex biophotonic scanner, we knew it was a tool that could help our patients achieve good health. We’re proud to be the first in the country to use this technology for bariatic patients.
The scanner is a cutting-edge tool that measures your Skin Cartenoid Score (SCS). Cartenoids are pigments found primarily in fruits and vegetables. They help protect your body from free radicals – unstable molecules that steal or “scavenge” electrons from other molecules. Many of the physical effects associated with aging are the result of free radicals. Pollution, food additives and preservatives, poor diet, insufficient exercise and stress all put free radicals in your body.
Consider an apple that has been exposed to the air. The exposed part of the apple turns brown as a result of free-radical damage. However, if the exposed part of the apple is covered with lemon juice, it doesn’t brown as quickly. The antioxidants in the lemon juice help protect the apple from free radical-damage.
Antioxidants are your body’s first line of defense against free radicals. A high level of cartenoids suggests high levels of antioxidants. Therefore, measurement of skin cartenoid levels gives a good indication of your body’s overall antioxidant status and will help you determine whether or not you are consuming an adequate amount of antioxidant-containing nutrients.
Utilizing this technology enables us to closely monitor our patients who have undergone bariatric surgery to ensure that they are maintaining proper nutritional balance following surgery, an important component of post-surgical recovery and long-term success.
The biophotonic scanner is only one tool we offer to enhance our patients’ success. To learn more, register for a free seminar on surgical weight loss options.