Moringa the Nutritive Plant
What is Moringa Oleifera Lam – “The Tree of Life?”
Moringa Oleifera is a plant of the family Moringaceae. It originated in India over 3500 years ago and has spread to most of the tropical and subtropical areas over millennia. It is a fast growing plant and can live up to 20 years. The plant does best where temperature ranges from 25 to degrees C (77 to 104 degrees F). Moringa is common all over the tropics. The Moringa plant is enriched with numerous substances such as vitamins, enzymes, amino acids, fats, minerals, specific phytochemicals (plant-derived), each with specific importance and numerous applications in healing and nutrition. Moringa pound for pound contains more vitamin C than oranges, three times the iron of spinach, and four times the calcium found in milk. Combine this with significant amounts of proteins and oils, a great taste, and the presence of beneficial antioxidants, anticancer and anti-inflammatory substances and you will come to understand why they called this plant the “Miracle Tree”.
What could Moringa bring to the West?
Concentrated vitamins, minerals, all necessary protein constituents, beneficial fats, antioxidants, anti-aging, fiber, and anti-inflammatory substances, all in a readily absorbable, nutrient-rich, food supplement, containing very little in sugar and salt. Energy without caffeine!
In fact, the World Health Organization recommends one teaspoon to all kids in the Third World. Furthermore, Nursing mothers in those same areas are encouraged to consume Moringa in all forms to increase milk output, producing quality milk while having healthier babies.
Moringa is also known as an adaptogen!
What is an adaptogen?
An adaptogen is a natural substance considered to help the body adapt to stress and to exert a normalizing effect upon bodily processes. A well-known example is ginseng. Moringa is considered one of 7 known adaptogenic substances on earth. However, you get the adaptogentic properties PLUS the benefits of the almost perfectly natural, whole-food supplement on earth. Just Add Moringa (JAM) to your body, pets and plants and feel and notice the difference.
Dr. Oz discusses the benefits of Moringa and its significant health benefits
Vitamins
Some of the vitamins (specifically, vitamins A, C, E) are also potent antioxidants. Vitamins may be considered nutrients but they are also viewed as “medicines”. Moringa is a powerful vitamin factory; some of those present in the various plant include vitamin C, beta-carotene (a precursor of vitamin A), vitamin E, and many of the B complex group of vitamins.
Antibiotics
Moringa has long been known to have powerful antibiotic effects and was used by various populations around the globe against infections. Modern science has confirmed and described at least some of the antibiotic substances in Moringa. For example, pterygospermin, has excellent antimicrobial and fungicidal properties. The Moringa leaf juice, was traditionally used and is used to treat many skin infections.
Natural hormones, enzymes minerals and various phytochemicals
Niaziminin, another Moringa phytochemical, was shown to have potent anticancer activity in animal studies. Interestingly, long before research validated the idea, people traditionally have used Moringa against abdominal and other tumors (cancerous growth). Obtained from fresh leaves of Moringa are niazinin, niazimicin and niaziminin A and B which have hypotensive effect (lower blood pressure). These compounds belong to the family of mustard oil glycosides (very rare in nature).
One of the most exciting phytochemicals found in Moringa is beta-sitosterol. It acts to reduce the excess of cholesterol in the human blood. Although beta-sitosterol is not well absorbed by the body after ingestion, when consumed with cholesterol (found in animal fats) it effectively blocks cholesterol’s absorption. This ultimately leads to a lower serum cholesterol level. A diet rich in plants such as Moringa can significantly improve human health by:
The list of things to look for supported by daily use of Moringa are not limited to the list below:
| ● Antioxidant
● Normalizes blood pressure ● Normalizes blood sugar ● Detoxification ● Increases mental Clarity ● Appetite suppressant
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● Anti-inflammatory
● Stimulates hair growth ● Strengthens immune system ● Eliminates constipation ● Improves digestion ● Anti-tumors
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● Enhances skin health
● Antidepressant ● Increases energy and endurance ● Lowers cholesterol ● Improves vision ● Promotes libido
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Moringa is a unique “super food” in our supplement arsenal
Moringa is unique because, even in small amounts, it can supply daily a wide range of vital nutrients with few calories. It would take really large amounts and many types of foods and calories to bring all the nutrients, vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, and anti-aging substances we should eat every day. Why not take a concentrated super food like Moringa. This means taking less pills while having more! Spending less and getting more!
| Nutritive Groups and Valuable Dietary Compounds in Moringa Oleifera |
| Vitamins, many of which has antioxidant properties – Vitamin C, E, F, K, pro-vitamin A as beta-carotene, complex of B vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, biotin, choline, and others |
| Protein constituents or Amino acids – used for protein building blocks. The human body is made up of combined 20 amino acids, 9 of which are essential. The 9 essential amino acids must come from our diets. Moringa Oleifera contains 18 of the 20 and ALL 9 essential amino acids. |
| Minerals as micro- and macro-elements – Calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, and sulfur, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium. |
| Plant specific antioxidants (phytochemicals): flavonoids, quercetin, kaempferol and others |
| Plant specific Sterols: beta-sitosterol prevents cholesterol uptake in the intestines |
| Plant hormones with anti-aging properties in humans: cytokinins such as zeatin |
| Chlorophyl – the green pigment in plant leaves which also contains magnesium in its molecules |
| Other phytonutrients and pigments – some with antioxidant properties: lutein and carotenoids |
| Carbohydrates – several of the “good” types including fiber (3 – 13%) are found in the leaves and pods of Moringa Oleifera |
| Fats as healthy vegetable oils – Fatty acids, beneficial omega-6 oils and lipo-soluble vitamins |
Amino Acids in Moringa
Plants are an important source of proteins, but most plants actually supply the units making up the proteins – the amino acids. Proteins are digested by the gastro-intestinal system and then cut into smaller, simpler units (amino acids) that can be absorbed through the walls of the intestines and used by the body. Since proteins and other nitrogen-containing substances are continuously depleted and rebuilt, they must be replaced by a continuous supply of amino acids from the diet.
There are 20 amino acids present in the human body’s structures. Of those, 9 are known to be ESSENTIAL; they have to be supplied by the diet since the human body cannot synthesize them, as it does with the other 11 amino acids. Few foods, like Moringa, are known to contain all 9 essential amino acids. The 9 essential amino acids are: histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine. Moringa’s essential amino acids presence and digestibility scores are more than adequate when measured against the standards of World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and United Nations Organization (UNO) for small children, the most at-risk population group when it comes to proteins in food.
| Essential Amino Acid Composition in Protein Constituents in Moringa Leaves vs Soy protein isolate | |||
| Essential Amino Acids | Soy Protein (mg/g protein) | FAO / WHO 2-5 year old child Reference Pattern (mg/g protein) | Moringa Oleifera extracted leaves (mg/g protein) |
| Histidine | 26 | 19 | 31 |
| Isoleucine | 49 | 28 | 51 |
| Leucine | 82 | 66 | 98 |
| Lysine | 63 | 58 | 66 |
| Methionine & Cysteine | 26 | 25 | 21 |
| Phenylalanine & Tyrosine | 90 | 63 | 105 |
| Threonine | 38 | 34 | 50 |
| Tryptophan | 13 | 11 | 21 |
| Valine | 50 | 35 | 63 |
Moringa Oleifera amino acid values are taken from F.N. Makkar et. al.
| Nutritive value of Moringa’s 9 Essential Amino Acids | |
| Essential Amino Acids | Health Benefits |
| Histidine | Histidine is a precursor to histamine, which causes inflammation in immune responses. Increases the body’s resistance to environmental toxins and allergens. As a mild vasodilator it helps increase blood circulation. Has been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and poor hearing. |
| Isoleucine | Isoleucine helps to heal muscle tissue. Maintains normal blood sugar and energy levels and increase endurance; important for diabetic conditions. |
| Leucine | Leucine helps to regulate blood sugar, and the recovery of muscle and bone tissue. Build muscles, enhance energy levels and stamina; promotes bone, skin and muscle tissue healing from injuries, stress and surgeries; helps to lower blood sugar levels and aids in increasing growth hormone production. |
| Lysine | Lysine builds muscle, aids in the absorption of calcium and bone development, and the creation of antibodies (protective proteins forming the immune system). Also aids in hormones and enzyme production and in skin formation and maintenance, and tissue repair. |
| Methionine & Cysteine | Sulfur-containing involved in the body’s detoxification process, helping to neutralize and eliminate harmful toxins; helps to protect the body from harmful radiation damage caused by UV and X-rays. Methionine aids with the growth of new blood vessels. Helps protect the liver and brain from damage due to toxins such as alcohol, drugs, and environmental pollutants; For healthy production of nails, hair and promotes elasticity in skin that fight aging of skin; Cysteine has anti-inflammatory properties and is also a recommended supplement in the treatment of cancer. |
| Phenylalanine & Tyrosine | Phenylalanine is precursor for tyrosine (another amino acid), and the neurotransmitters dopamine (feeling of reward), epinephrine (adrenaline), and melanin (skin pigmentation). Can elevate mood, decrease pain, help in memory and even help suppress appetite; should be supplemented in treatment of depression, arthritis, obesity and Parkinson’s disease. |
| Threonine | Important in the formation of collagen and elastin, two main proteins in the skin; aids in the synthesis of antibodies and helps support strong bones and tooth enamel; protects the liver and has lipotropic function (against fatty liver disease); also enhances the immune system production of antibodies and promotes healthy thymus gland, a gland vital for the function of the immune system. |
| Tryptophan | Tryptophan is a precursor vitamin B3 (niacin) and serotonin (mood and appetite) and melatonin (relaxation, sleep and blood pressure regulation); controls depression and insomnia, stabilizes mood, and helps migraine sufferers. |
| Valine | Valine prevents the breakdown of muscle structure, used as an energy source in muscles, thus preserving the use of glucose while buffering stamina; studies have shown that valine is useful in restoring mass in people with liver disease or after physical stress, injuries and surgery. |
Macro-elements and Micro-elements in Moringa
What nutritional daily value can Moringa give?
According to Optima of Africa, Ltd., a group that has been working with this tree, says that for every 25 grams (less than an ounce) daily of Moringa leaf powder will give a child the following daily allowances: protein 42%, calcium 125%, magnesium 60%, potassium 41%, iron 71%, vitamin A 272%, and vitamin C 22%. The same benefits apply to adults and senior citizens, but only the percentages change. Obviously, Moringa is beneficial for people of all ages and even animals.
Moringa’s Role in Supporting Good Health
Thanks to high physical, emotional, environmental stress levels and the nutrient depletion in our soils, most if not all people in the world are nutrient deficient in some way or another.
Western world suffer from serious nutritive deficiencies
This stem from poor eating habits (junk food, overcooking, mixing foods in an inappropriate way, insufficient consumption of fresh fruits, vegetables, and seeds, foods lacking valuable nutrients due to soil depletion caused by intense, monoculture, chemically-laden methods of agriculture or by over processing of foods.
Furthermore, many people, unknowingly, have poor gastro-intestinal absorption of nutrients, which usually increases in seriousness with age. Many others lack the time to learn about healthy nutrition, while some are not educated enough to understand its importance. Still others simply don’t care, and stick with their junk food until their first or last heart attack. Multivitamins seem to be an easy and handy solution. However, many synthetic brands offer pills and products that cannot be truly dissolved and absorbed efficiently by the body.
Generally, vitamins and most nutrients are best absorbed and used by the body when they come from natural sources (plants, animals) and are present in naturally occurring, complex combinations. We are designed to best absorb vitamins from nature’s complex foods.
A landmark study on the topic by Donald Davis and his team of researchers from the University of Texas (UT) at Austin’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry was published in December 2004 in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition. They studied U.S. Department of Agriculture nutritional data from both 1950 and 1999 for 43 different vegetables and fruits, finding “reliable declines” in the amount of protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, riboflavin (vitamin B2) and vitamin C over the past half century. Davis and his colleagues chalk up this declining nutritional content to the preponderance of agricultural practices designed to improve traits (size, growth rate, pest resistance) other than nutrition.
The Moringa Group has a slogan for all people and their animal friends…Just Add Moringa (JAM!) to everything. One Love.
