How Can I Use Moringa For Weight Loss?

I keep receiving calls from people who really want to know how to lose weight using moringa seeds. Others ask: How do I use moringa to lose weight? Still others comment with questions like: what is the effective way to lose weight using Moringa? 

I want to believe that you too have probably asked one of these questions: 

What is the moringa dosage for weight loss?

How does moringa cause weight loss?

How does moringa help you lose weight?

How can moringa help you lose weight?

How does moringa make you lose weight?

How can I use moringa leaves for weight loss?

The truth is moringa does help a lot with weight loss. There are scores of people who have lost weight from consistent use of moringa oleifera.
Did you notice my choice of words? The keyword is consistency. So I want to first debunk the theory that moringa is a quick fix weight loss pill. It is NOT! You have got to use it for some time to see the desired results... How long? You asked. Honestly that is dependent on one or two factors.

FACTORS AFFECTING WEIGHT LOSS WITH MORINGA

1. Your lifestlye.

Healthy eating habits are key to effective weight loss. If you have been consuming junk foods as a way of life, that may hinder your weight loss dreams. So the first thing you want to do is to change your eating habits. Adopt healthy eating habits. Stop in between meals. Eat two or three times a day at defined times and not five to six times a day as you have been doing before. Stop the snacks and soft drinks you take at sight. Eat your last meals latest by 7pm. Now I am being hard on you right? Smiles :)...

But that is the honest truth. Now this may not be easy. It takes discipline to achieve this. That way, it will be easier and faster for moringa to help you lose the extra weight. So Moringa also needs you cooperation huh?

2. Discipline

You have got to discipline yourself to adopt new eating habits. It takes you denying yourself of the sweet drinks and snacks that you have come to like so much. And when I say discipline, you have got to really discipline yourself. 

Let me tell you my story. I used to like taking sugar a lot. Not just taking sugar, I mean taking lots of sugar at a time. Those days, each time I am to sip garri (food made from dried granulated cassava) as a student, I would literally 'load' the garri with not less than two big spoons of sugar. I would make sure it was so sweet else I wouldn't enjoy it. I remember when some of my roommates during the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) advise me against taking sugar and I would give deaf ears to them. 

Not until I met my wife, who educated me about the disadvantages of taking sugar and I STOPPED at once. Now I no longer take sugar nor drink any soft drinks(Coke, Fanta, etc). Note: I am not rubbishing these brands though. But as for me, Never again!

Was it easy for me? No way! It struggled with it. But eventually I adopted the new lifestyle. Now I can afford to sip garri without sugar and still enjoy it. So it takes discipline, friend. 

Now you have to start training your tongue to eat bitter things e.g.bitter cola. O Yes! And the moment you get used to that, you have successfully adopted a new lifestyle. Adding moringa leaf powder to your meals will now become easier and eventually your weight loss goal will be achieved.

3. Your current weight
It will take one who is weighing 100kg longer to lose weight to an appreciable size than it will take another person who is weighing only 60kg. So your current weight is also a factor that will determine how long it will take you to lose weight.

It takes determination to achieve any worth while goal. So the same thing applies to your weight loss goal. But the good news is that with Moringa you are better off at achieving your weight loss goals healthily.

So, exactly...

HOW DOES MORINGA HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT?

MORINGA ENHANCES FASTER METABOLISM

I will explain metabolism and its connection to weight loss and/or weight gain to help you understand better. Metabolism is simply how your body produces energy by combining food and oxygen(burning calories) in the cells by a cell part that is called mitochondrion.

Your body is always carrying out metabolism even when you are at rest in which case it is known as basal metabolism. 

You gain weight when you eat more calories than your body is able to burn — or when your body burns fewer calories than you eat. 

Some people seem to have a faster metabolism than others therefore being able to burn food faster thereby losing weight quicker and easier than those who have a slower metabolism. So everyone will lose weight when they burn up more calories than they eat. Therefore, to lose weight, you need to create an energy imbalance by eating fewer calories or increasing the number of calories you burn through physical activity or both. Very simple isn't it?

Our dear Moringa has got lots of polyunsaturated fatty acid: Omega-3 fatty acids (the good fat) which ramps up body metabolism. That is why you hear people say they have more energy when they consume moringa. What it simply means is that their bodies are put in overdrive, burning calories faster and that eventually enhances weight loss. Omega 3 oil enhances circulation of blood to the muscles during exercise and helps to stimulate enzymes which trans-locate fats to where it can be used up for energy. You see now?

So go ahead and get some moringa right away to start your healthy weight loss journey

MORINGA SUPPRESSES YOUR APPETITE

One way Moringa helps you to lose weight is by making you eat less. But how? Moringa has a way of suppressing your appetite. But the good news is that it has already supplied your body with the necessary and required nutrients. Imagine having a dose of over 50 nutrients comprising high volume of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants, etc. 

Your body will be well nourished. Though you are eating less but you have all your nutritional needs met by our dear moringa (especially the leaf powder). So you are not starving. That makes you naturally avoid snacking actually. So moringa will help you to stay disciplined.

So moringa suppresses appetite, makes you feel full and therefore eat less. That is one way moringa helps you to lose weight.

Hear what someone said about moringa and appetite on Hubpages: 

"Moringa might have sped up my metabolism but it also curbed some of my cravings, specifically my cravings for sweets and carbs. Usually, I’m a bread and pastries friend. I like donuts and I love homemade bread, fresh from the oven. When I drink the moringa tea, my cravings for carbs seem to be slightly less. I still enjoy a slice of fresh-baked bread with real butter, but I don’t take a second slice. I can easily pass up the Snickers bar I used to have mid-afternoon and I just don’t crave that bowl of ice cream that I used to crave." 

MORINGA IS A CHOKEFUL OF DIETARY FIBER

MY GUAVA FRUITS STORY

When I was a kid, I ate lots of guava fruits. I loved taking them so much so that I could eat twenty guava fruits at a sitting. And after eating that much I would feel like I had eaten a bowl of pounded yam with 'nyam toho'(Bush Meat). If you are from this side of the world, you know what that means to a Tiv man! :). Little did I know that it is the fiber content of the guava fruits that made me feel full that way.

1 cup of Guava has 9g of fiber. Question: how much fiber is there in what quantity of moringa? According to Wikipedia, as shown in the picture below, 100g of moringa pods contain 3.2g fiber. So eating moringa supplies you with appreciable quantity of dietary fiber which in turn aids weight management. Ideally, one needs about 38g of dietary fiber daily to enhance best weight management.

Now just like my guava story, what makes you feel full is the fiber in the moringa. If you are eating the moringa seeds, eat with the peels to enhance faster weight loss. This goes to curb hunger pangs and cravings. And remember, with moringa, you have got your nutritional needs covered. So you are not just feeling full and starving. You are actually fed and feeling full courtesy moringa fiber!

MORINGA AND DETOXIFICATION

There are so many detox programs out there that are quite helpful. What is the main reason for detoxification? It helps to take away toxins from your body. That means weight loss is just a by-product of detoxification isn't it? Exactly. 

Gerbstadt explains it this way: Most detox diets do help you lose weight quickly, but that initial loss is mostly water. “The fat doesn’t start to seriously come off until you are about three weeks into a diet—about the same time most of these diets end,”

The advice? Do not see detox as a way of losing weight fast. But see as a way starting a new and healthy lifestyle: eating more raw fruits and vegetables, less meat and more fish. 

How does Moringa detox help with weight loss then?

Moringa seeds particularly have a great detoxifying effect to help scrub your bowel of waste and toxins allowing you to fully absorb nutrients from the foods you eat. What more? It helps you lose a bit of weight in the process. But remember this is not a quick fix program. But does it work in the long run? Absolutely! You will soon read testimonials of real people who have lost weight using Moringa over time.

I just remember the case of a woman who called me about three to four years ago and was like she had been swallowing one moringa seed per day for a period of one year. The result? She said she had lost weight and looked so younger and more beautiful that a lot of people started to admire her. Now you see, she took just one seed over a long period of time. 

CAUTION: Please do not take moringa seeds for that long consistently. It is not correct!

How long is ideal then? Two to Three months is just ok if you are taking it daily on a consistent basis.

ADDITIONAL WEIGHT LOSS TIPS:

1. When you wake up, drink one glass of water. You may want it with fresh-squeezed lemon juice. 

2. Throughout the day, drink at least 64 ounces (or ½ of your body weight in ounces) of water.

3. Drink Moringa tea instead of coffee or caffeinated teas. 

4. Eat fresh grapefruit or lemons, either whole or as a juice, as they are effective in your cleansing goals.

5. Endeavor to start daily exercise. Do something to make yourself sweat every day. Let it be something you enjoy doing e.g. walking.

So can I use Moringa for weight loss now? Absolutely! Have you got any questions? Ask below in the comments section. Kindly share this article with others. 🙂

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Common Diseases and Their Herbal Remedies With Moringa

Many people said that Moringa had helped greatly to improve their general health. Some said that their short sight had improved.

1. CUTS AND WOUNDS. Pound fresh leaves into a paste. Cover the wound with this paste, bandage and leave for 3 days.

2. A WOMAN HAS GIVEN BIRTH AND IS BLEEDING. Pound fresh leaves add a little water and give her to drink.

3. PREVENTION OF POLIO.
Give flowers to children to eat to prevent polio.

4. CHRONIC SORES. Take some roots, wash them and scrape the outside layer off. Heat in water. Use the water to wash the wound. Then dress as outlined in number 1 above

5. EPILEPSY. Pound the bark or the roots of a mature tree. Add tender leaves and a little water. Smear this paste over the face and the whole body. Also put a little of the pounded root in a handkerchief and inhale.

6. TO BRING FEVER DOWN. Dip a Moringa branch into water and stroke the whole body. Then give Moringa tea to drink.

7. SNAKE AND SCORPION BITES. Pound the root, add leaves and apply to the bite. Stops the poison from spreading.

8. SHORT SIGHT. Wash the flowers in salt water, chew and swallow. Take three times daily. Or cook the flowers in palm oil.

9. TO CLEANSE THE BLOOD. Wash the root and remove the bark (not the “bast”, i.e. the inner layer immediately under the bark that carries the sap from the roots to the leaves). Put into water that has just boiled and has been removed from the heat. The water changes colour. Mix with a few Moringa leaves. Thereafter, take every day take Moringa leaves in water.

10. BRAIN POWER FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN – especially under-performing children. Wash Moringa root, remove the bark and soak in water for two days until the water changes color (brown / pink).
Remove the roots, take one cup of the liquid and mix with half a cup of honey. Give to the child first thing in the morning – then he should have no breakfast until 9 o'clock. He can even take it again in the evening. Prepare this root water fresh every day.

Note: Heating Moringa causes it to lose its healing properties!

11. SEVERE STOMACH-ACHE. Pound two seeds and take with medicinal charcoal.

12. STOMACH PAINS. Chew and eat two seed kernels and drink a cup of water.

13. ARTHRITIC PAINS. Chew and eat two seed kernels in the morning and two again at night. Rub the oil on the affected parts morning and night.

Click Here to purchase moringa leaf, seeds, oil, and stem online

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HOW TO TAKE MORINGA SEEDS FOR BEST RESULTS...

Now, almost daily People ask me questions like: How many moringa seeds should I take in a day? Should I peel the seeds before taking? Should I swallow the seeds? But exactly how should moringa seeds be taken? How many seeds are too much per time/day? Read on to get answers to your questions...

RULE NO. 1
DO NOT EAT MORINGA SEEDS ON AN EMPTY STOMACH!
It is not advisable to eat moringa seeds when you have not taken any food before, especially early in the morning. What will happen if I do that? Good question. It may cause you to purge. Although that is not a bad one entirely because it is the after-effect of detoxification. So if you are ready to frequent the toilet, go ahead... But I will advice you to do that only when you want to see that result-DETOXIFICATION.

RULE NO. 2
DO NOT EAT MORINGA SEEDS WITH THE COVERING(PEELS)
It is not hygienic eating the moringa seeds with the bark on. Again, for every rule there is an exception. Therefore for those who want to achieve faster weight-loss, make sure you wash the moringa seeds with water and salt and rinse at least twice. DON'T USE ANY DETERGENT FOR WASHING! Laughs... Then you can eat them that way. Like I said, if you want to loose weight with moringa seeds, that is the trick... Having said that, I need to also tell you the reason behind it isn't it? Moringa seeds back(covering) are very fibrous! I have just told you a million-dollar secret! You must pay me for that! Smiles...

RULE NO. 3
DO NOT EAT MORINGA SEEDS IF YOU ARE PREGNANT!
Now read this slowly again and again... If you are pregnant, please STOP taking moringa seeds until after delivery. But can you be taking other moringa products, Yes! Especially the moringa leaves/leaf powder. But for the seeds, please STOP! Incidentally, if you are looking for the fruit of the womb, or trying to conceive(TTC), moringa seeds are A MUST for you. Can you see the irony there? Yes, that is MORINGA for you.

RULE NO. 4
DO NOT EAT MORE THAN TWO(2) MORINGA SEEDS PER TIME!
Yes! You read right. Do not mind my friend who ate over 20 seeds at a go. That is not correct. Eat a maximum of two (2) moringa seeds per time. In fact, if you are eating for the first time, start with one(1). Subsequently you may take two. How many should I take in a day? Did I hear you ask that? Four*. Why did I asterick the four? Because that is the very much we recommend to our clients, depending on their peculiar conditions.... Don't ask me further questions...

Now...

BENEFITS OF TAKING MORINGA SEEDS

Here is a run down of the nutritional, environmental, economic and health benefits of moringa seeds. This is not an exhaustive list. Moringa seeds are very helpful for:

1. The oil from moringa seed is considered an excellent TONIC! No wonder, as it contains a
    muititude of vitamins and beneficial substances

2. Moringa seeds contain between 30-42% oil, with 13% saturated fats and
    82% unsaturated fatty acids (those considered very beneficial in the diet).

3. Moringa seeds contain phytochemicals with known powerful antioxidant ability such as
    kaempferol, quercetin, rutin, and caffeoylquinic acids.

4. Increased energy

5. Poor vision or other eye problems- not blindness!

6. Brain boost

7. Helps with staphylococcus aureus.

8. Aids in sleeplessness-insomnia

9. Helps with constipation

10. Moringa seeds are rich in Oleic acid, Oleic acid is typically associated with olive oil, as the latter is one of the main sources of this unsaturated fat(good fat) in the diet.

11. Moringa seeds are rich in the vitamins A and C and the mineral iron. Vitamin A is important for eye health and night vision, healthy skin, hair and nails and cell growth. Vitamin C is an important antioxidant that protects you from the damaging effects of free radicals. It is also important in wound healing, immune function and collagen synthesis. Iron is an important component of red blood cells and a low intake causes iron-deficiency anaemia.

12. Antibacterial Effect
The June 2010 issue of "Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de Sao Paulo" reported that researchers have discovered that extracts from the moringa seeds have antibacterial effects. In this study, the extract exhibited a bactericidal effect against Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio cholerae and Escherichia coli. This gives credence to the use of moringa seeds and leaves as an antiseptic in traditional medicine.

13. Moringa oil can be extracted from Seeds. Ben oil, as it is called is an essential oil-one of the best worldwide with many applications.

14. Moringa seeds(and seed cake obtained after oil extraction) are being used for water treatment-dirty water, not your clean tap water. Don't say I said so...

15. Moringa Seeds can be planted and you have other moringa trees growing. Please plan to plant moringa this year and smile to the banks for the rest of your life. To find out how, get our ebooks that will explain.

Want To Buy Moringa Powder, Moringa Seeds and Moringa leaf? Call any of these numbers 08023659308, 08162280597 to Order.

Culled From Here

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Benefits of Moringa Oleifera - Part 6

Moringa Oleifera
Most nutritious plant discovered to date

While no one food gives us all the nutrition we need, Moringa Oleifera, comes closer than anything else.  Moringa, with its 90 plus nutritional compounds, is the most nutrient rich plant discovered to date.

Diitta B.Sambou, a midwife in Senegal Africa where Moringa is being used to combat malnutrition in pregnantwomen and babies, says under-nourishment and over-eating both have harmful consequences on the health of the individual. State of the World 2000, published by World watch Institute, reports that the number of people who are overfed and undernourished (a staggering 1.2 billion) now equals the number of those who are starving from from lack of food.  Looking at the chart below in reverse shows some of the consequences of poor nutrition.

Pain Relief

COX-2 Inhibitors

COX-2 is short for cyclooxygenase-2, one of the key enzymes that helps the body produce the inflammatory hormonelike compounds prostaglandins and cytokines. COX-2 is activated by injury and inflammation and is essential for fighting infections and healing injuries, but when the body produces too much, the result is chronic inflammation and pain.

Recent news of synthetic COX-2 inhibitors (ie Celebrex, Vioxx) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) has not been good news for consumers. In 2005, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel concluded that some well-known COX-2 inhibitor drugs significantly raise the risk of heart attack and stroke.  The FDA issued safety concerns and additionally noted that little is known about the long-term safety of many other synthetic drugs taken for arthritis, pain and inflammation.

There have also been new warnings about the short-term use of over-the-counter ibuprofen, aspirin and acetaminophen pain and anti-inflammatory drugs, because users run a greater risk of gastro-intestinal bleeding, liver and kidney damage and peptic ulcers.   While synthetic COX-2 inhibitors and NSAIDS offer some relief, their benefits may be countered by dangerous side effects.   “There are many problems that a simple pill can’t or won’t fix”, says Sara Walker, Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Missouri. Synthetic medicines need to be handled with care, especially when considering whether the risks outweigh the pain relief they provide.

When properly nourished, the human body is able to counter many of the daily aches and pains that life, exercise and age routinely bring.   The Moringa Oleifera plant contains tremendous phytonutrients that directly support the body’s efforts to inhibit and modulate enzymes that manifest joint pain and age or exercise induced aches and pains. The United States Department of Agriculture has studied and identified natural COX-2 inhibitors such as caffeoylquinic acid, kaempherol and quercetin, all abundantly, placed by Mother Nature, in the Moringa plant.

These natural compounds within the Moringa plant support a healthy, active lifestyle that enhance the body’s ability to relieve pain, inflammation and many other health concerns affecting the body’s various systems.  Moringa’s natural COX-2 inhibitors assist the body to selectively block the COX-2 enzyme, impeding the production of the chemical messengers (prostaglandins) that cause pain and swelling.

Along with these natural COX-2 inhibitors and thanks to Mother Nature’s wisdom,Moringa also provides the body additional documented pain-relieving nutrientsthat include: arginine, beta-sitosterol, calcium, chlorophyll, copper, cystine, omega 3, omega 6, omega 9, fiber, glutathione, histidine, indole acetic acid, isoleucine, leucine, magnesium, oleic-acid, phenylalanine, potassium, rutin, selenium, stigmasterol, sulfur, thiamin, tryptophan, tyrosine, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol, delta-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol), zeatin, and zinc.  In addition, Moringa’s abundantly bio-active compounds, such as carotenoids, flavonoids and polyphenols have been researched regarding their ability to naturally reduce inflammation, promote joint and bone health and they have been found to be both effective and fast-acting.

This proper nourishment provided by the Moringa plant contributes to a healthy and happy life, especially when complemented by weight management through exercise and diet that also significantly reduces pressure on weight-bearing joints.   According to
Dr. John Klippel, president of the Arthritis Foundation, “Supplements continue to be an important option for some people. We’re reminding people there are lots of choicesthat people need to make and supplements are one of them.”

Skin Health

In 2004, consumers spent $44.6 billion on anti-aging products and services, with that amount expected to nearly double by 2009.  Skin care products dominate the anti-aging retail market, controlling 52% of retail sales.  The force behind this anti-aging boom is the routine of applying and reapplying topical agents.  However, these topical remedies for sagging skin are not permanent as the skin regenerates itself every 28 days, requiring continued use of topical agents to maintain their effectiveness.

The cellular turnover cycle that was 28 days in your youth expands to close to 35 days by your 40s.  With new skin equaling younger-looking skin, the goal is to speed things up.

A more natural way to support skin health by regenerating new skin cells without the dermabrasion and chemical peels of topical agents is with Cytokinins.  Cytokinins are plant hormones that promote cellular growth and delay the aging process. Cytokinins stimulate cell division, delay the aging and destruction of tissues, protect against cell oxidation, and postpone cell death.  Studies are now showing that the potent, protective, anti-aging effects of Cytokinins work the same way in human skin. When the diet includes these plant nutrients, the body as a whole can fight aging, starting at the cellular level. The most potent Cytokinin is Zeatin.

A study conducted the University of Aarhus, Denmark, in 2004 evaluated the effects of Zeatin on cultured human skin fibroblasts over their life span in lab culture.  The results showed that not only does Zeatin not interfere to with the genetic control of cellular life span of a cell, but that it also helps promote small cell size, a key component to more youthful skin.   Zeatin also helps with the structural and functional integrity of the cell, and prevents accumulation of macromolecular damage in the cell.  The study also found that Zeatin increases the activity of some antioxidant enzymes counteracting the free radical-induced oxidative damage incurred during cell aging. By preventing damage, antioxidants allow your skin to focus on building new collagen and other tasks (such as getting rid of old skin cells) that keep it looking young.

Dr. Monica Marcu, Pharm. PhD, concurs, “Cytokinins have proven to delay biochemical modifications associated with aging in culture human cells.  Zeatin protects the skin. When human skin cells are nourished with Zeatin, they retain their functions longer and are more resistant to environmental stresses.”

Found in most plants, Zeatin is more abundant in one plant than any other, Moringa Oleifera. Moringa Oleifera not only contains thousands of times more Zeatin than any other known plant, it is also the most nutritious plant discovered to date with over 90 nutritional compounds, including 46 antioxidants and 36 anti-inflammatories.

Dr. Lydia Marero, of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), also believes Moringa could be the new anti-aging alternative.   Dr. Marero says, “Because of its high content of vitamins A, C, and E, which are very potent antioxidants, Moringa is a very good quencher of unstable free radicals that can react with the damage of molecules that cause aging”.

Aging of the skin is not the only result of skin damage.  Skin cancer rates and deaths are increasing dramatically around the world.  One in five Americans will develop skin cancer during their lifetime, and one American dies from it every hour.

This may be in part due to ozone depletion which seems to be leaving us more vulnerable to damage from ultraviolet (UV) radiation.  This radiation causes formation of highly reactive “free radicals” within our bodies, damaging our cells in ways that increase the chance for cancer to develop. The best defense against the free radical damage ofoxidation is a diet rich in antioxidant vitamins and minerals (and plenty of water!). Research suggests that certain antioxidants—vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, and vitamin A (in the form of beta carotene rich foods)—nourish and protect skin to extend its youthful appearance.  According to Karen Collins, RD, along with sun protection, a healthy diet may help.  She further stated, “In theory, antioxidants like beta-carotene and other carotenoids might stabilize free radicals and end the damaging chain reactions they start.”

Underneath aging and age-related disease is low-grade inflammation, according to dermatologist Nicholas V. Perricone, MD.  He continues, “The skin is always getting inflamed by sun, weather, pollution, and products because it is our interface between the environment and our body.  So the best ways to decrease disease risk and slow the aging process is to take nutrients with powerful anti-inflammatory activity on a regular basis.  Through a three-tier approach involving diet, supplements, and creams, we can control the rate at which we age”.   Combining a good diet with the right dietary supplement will not only help keep your skin healthy, but also looking years younger.

While the skin is the largest system of the body and requires proper nourishment to delay the visible signs of aging, aging isn’t just skin deep.  Every system, that is every cell of the body, ages every minute of every day.  There is no magic fountain of youth.  However, by providing proper nourishment, along with antioxidants with anti-aging compounds at the cellular level, anti-aging of all systems of the body can be slowed; minimizing the visible signs of aging skin and lowering the risk of degenerative (age related) diseases.

Obesity and Health

Under-nourishment and over-eating, both have harmful consequences on the health of the individual”
Ditta B. Sambou, Belfort State Clinic

State of the World 2000, published by World watch Institute, reports that the number of people who are overfed and undernourished (a staggering 1.2 billion) now equals the number of those who are starving from from lack of food.

Obese people are at greater risk for serious conditions like diabetes and heart disease—not to mention the social stigma associated with being larger than their peers. While most people believe that they gain weight due to heredity, eating too much, or because of aging, the major reasons people gain weight include:

 * High Fructose Corn Syrup - Obesity in America is at epidemic proportions, with 75% of the population expected to be overweight by 2015.  Studies have shown that the obesity rates in the US exactly follow the trend and time line of the introduction of High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) into our diet. Between 1970 and 1990 consumption increased by more than 1000% mostly due to the sot drink manufaturers switching to HFCS as their sweetnener. A 2004 report showed that Americans eat 132 calories of HFCS every day with the figure closer to 300 calories for the top 20 of people.  HFCS is chemically altered corn starch that is in just about everything we eat.  It is added to food for two reasons: one, to lower the cost, and the other to bulk up the food so the consumer thinks he is getting more for his money.  However,the body doesn’t recognize chemically altered products and either flushes them out of the body or stores them as fat. HFCS also blocks the absorption of nutrients from the food it is in. HFCS is banned in Great Britain and is soon to be banned in Europe.  Unlike other carbohydrates, the main sweetener in beverages — high-fructose corn syrup — does not spur production of insulin to make the body “process” calories. It also does not spur leptin, a substance that helps moderate appetite. For these reasons, beverages are not as satisfying as foods containing similar amounts of calories and fly under the radar of the body’s normal weight-regulating mechanisms.  According to New York University biologist Marion Nestle, an expert on nutrition and food policy, “If I were advising someone to lose weight, I’d start with soft drinks and juice drinks. Get rid of them.”   The reason behind that recommendation is soft drinks and juice drinks contain HFCS.   Dr. Terrill Bravender concurs.  According to Dr. Bravender, pediatric obesity specialist at Duke University, Durham, NC, “The average person gets 10% of their total calories from sugared beverages, with 7.5 % from sodas. By cutting out sodas, the average person would lose two pounds a month.”
     
* Nutrient deficiency - Most people eat too much cooked, processed and nutrient deficient food.  In fact, we Americans are the most overfed and under-nourished people in the world! According to one pharmacist, “I see a lot of overweight people who are all malnourished”. When you eat nutrient-deficient food, your stomach may be full, but your body continues to send out the ‘I’m hungry’ signal. This leads to overeating and weight gain.

* Changes in body composition - As people age, they gradually lose lean muscle mass and develop more fat, a process known as sarcopenia. Poor food choices and lack of exercise can accelerate this condition. This is significant because it takes between 25 and 50 calories per day to maintain a pound of lean muscle, whereas it only takes whereas it only takes 2 calories per day to maintain a pound of fat. Over time, this means that the body processes fewer and fewer calories, which in turn leads to weight gain.

According to their BMIs, two-thirds of adult American women fall into the overweight or obese category. A 2007 report from the Centers for Disease Control found that the prevalence of obesity among U.S. adults doubled between 1980 and 2004. Compared to women of a generation ago, we’re 24 pounds heavier on average, and there’s been an especially alarming increase in those at the upper end of the scale (not just obese, defined as a BMI of 30 or higher, but significantly obese, with a BMI above 35).  High BMIs are associated with increased risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, some cancers and heart problems. According to Nancy Snyderman, MD, medical consultant for NBC, more people will die from obesity by mid century than from all cancers combined.

Dr. Walter C. Willett of the Harvard School of Public Health, stated at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science,being obese is currently associated with about 14 percent of cancer deaths in men and 20 percent in women, compared with about 30 percent each for smoking. He continued saying research is producing increasing evidence associating obesity with a variety of cancers, including breast, colorectal, liver, pancreas and gallbladder.

Recently researchers analyzed a variety of published medical reports on obesity from 1980 to 2005 plus World Health Organization data, and concluded that the prevalence of childhood obesity increased in almost all the countries for which data was available; a trend fueled by among other factors, more sedentary lives and the increasing availability of junk food.

According to Dr. Richard, Carmona, former US surgeon general and currently chairing the Strategies to Overcome and Prevent Obesity Alliance, “the rise in childhood obesity coincides with the rise in related conditions such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure”. He continued, “these are middle aged diseases, and we are seeing them in elementary children”.

The public health consequences of the trend alarm experts, says Dr. Phillip Thomas, a surgeon who works with obese patients.  Because obese children tend to carry the problem into adulthood, Thomas and other doctors say they will be sicker as they get older, suffering from degenerative diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and other ailments stemming from their weight.   Dr. Thomas continued, “This is going to be the first generation that’s going to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents”.

Health Foods

By definition, health foods are foods believed to be highly beneficial to health, especially a food grown organically and free of chemicals.

In  2005, almost two-thirds of American consumers bought some type of organic food or beverage.   Why buy organic? In the past we only had to wash a little dirt off our produce in order to feel we were eating clean food.  Now, however, we have to worry about hormones, pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and genetic  modification.

According to government research, an apple can have as many as 36 different pesticides sprayed on it. Organically grown translates to cleaner water and air due to farming methods that rely on natural pest control.

Having bad health affects not only ourselves, but those we love as well. Organic means healthier environments, healthier communities, and healthier families.

Moringa couldn’t fit the definition of a health food any better than if it had been written for it, as Moringa ysp Tea base ingredient, Moringa, is not only organically grown and tested to be free of chemicals; is also not irradiated.  Moringa Tea delivers synergy. Synergy means that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Moringa is the only enzymatically ALIVE beverage on the market.
With Moringa, it almost doesn’t matter what nutrients your body is lacking; because with the 90+ nutrients naturally occurring in Moringa, you’re going to get them.  The vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and omega-3 oils are just the beginning of the phytonutrientsfound in Moringa.

Moringa also gives you Z-Atin, the stimulant- free natural trigger for your metabolism that launches your body into absorption mode.  Moringa has been formulated to provide you with the highest degree of effective absorbability. The Moringa is organically grown, shade dried and powdered to maintain the maximum nutritive value, and is tested to be pesticide free.  Give your body the nutritional nudge it needs with a healthy food supplement.

Moringa Tea

Formulated to provide you with highest degree of effective absorbability (bioavailability)

The nourishment found in Moringa includes:

    * Active Adults: on-the-go lifestyle. Working 8-10 hours a day and trying to keep up with other activities.
    * Senior Adults: lessened ability to absorb nutrients, lower metabolism, and less energy.
    * Children: hard to get them to eat right even if you cook healthy food for them; they often snub vegetables.
    * Parents: no time to think about their own nutrition; too busy.
    * Teenagers: immortal attitude, don’t think about and don’t care about what fast food does to them; not worried about the future.
    * Athletes: need extra protein and other nutrients for their training regimen.
    * Travelers: fatigue; most meals are fast food.
    * Overweight But Undernourished: even when food is plentiful, it doesn’t always provide proper nutrition.
    * Vegetarians: sometimes it’s hard to get the right kind of protein in the right amounts.
    * Lactating Mothers: Moringa has been shown to increase milk supply.

Every-Body Needs Moringa

“Let your Foods be your medicines, and your medicines your food.”
Hippocrates c.460 – 377 BC
Father of Modern Medicine

MORINGA Improves the effectiveness of balanced nutrients in the body including the treasure trove of nutrients you’re already getting just by drinking Moringa YSP.  Moringa YSP literally sets your nutritional process in motion. Created by one of the world’s foremost nutritionist,  Moringa YSP is the perfect balanced, natural combination of zeatin, quercetin, beta-sitosterol, caffeoylquinic acid, and kaempferol, naturally found in Moringa Oleifera.

Each one of Moringa’s components has its own benefits. Moringa ysp uses just the right amount of each natural ingredient to maximize the effect of the herbal medicine. Combined, they work synergistically to trigger your metabolism for real nutrient absorption.

Zeatin

A supreme antioxidant with powerful anti-aging properties, zeatin is becoming more and more sought after.  Zeatin defends cells against free radical damage and protects healthy cells during life’s stresses.  The way it helps to slow the aging process is by helping the body replace dying cells more rapidly while fortifying living cells.  It can also help promote normal brain and neuronal function and transmissions.  So, it’s no surprise zeatin is being tested for it positive effect on various conditions.  Nowhere can you find a greater abundance of zeatin than in the Moringa plant.  In fact, Moringa has several thousand times more zeatin than any other known plant.

Quercetin

The quercetin in Moringa YSP is a vital flavonoid with antioxidant properties.  It is one of the best naturally occurring anti-inflammatory agents available, and is currently being tested at the Mayo Clinic in the treatment of certain types of conditions.  Quercetin can improve the function of the body’s capillaries and connective tissues, alleviating bruising while promoting healthy veins and arteries.  In addition, quercetin improves the body’s absorption of vitamin C and has anti-viral properties that minimize the symptoms of respiratory and sinus problems.  This potent flavonoid also helps to maintain your body’s collagen, which keeps skin firm and healthy.

Beta-Sitosterol

We all know someone with a cholesterol problem.  Beta-sitosterol is the component in
Moringa YSP that can help. Because it’s part of the sterol family, beta-sitosterol’s structure is similar enough to that of cholesterol that it can trick the body into blocking “bad” cholesterol absorption from food. Beta-sitosterol also normalizes blood sugar, enhances the immune system, and acts as a supreme anti-inflammatory agent.

Caffeoylquinic Acid

Mother Nature also provided caffeoylquinic acid and kaempferol to Moringa and these are included in Moringa YSP proprietary formula.   Caffeoylquinic acid exhibits significant anti-inflammatory activity and kaempferol is proven to encourage health cell growth and function.

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Benefits of Moringa Leaf, Seeds and Tree - Part 5

Moringa Main Ingredient

Moringa Oleifera, most nutrient rich plant discovered to date. Vitamins, minerals, supreme anti-oxidants, essential amino acids,  plus other amazing ingredients

o Nutritional powerhouse Moringa has gram for gram
                + 7 times the vitamin C in oranges
                + 4 times the vitamin A in carrots
                + 4 times the calcium in milk (with no lactose)
                + 3 times the potassium in bananas
                + 2 times the protein in yogurt
          o Moringa YSP (naturally occurring nutrient compound)
                + Found only in Moringa
                + The only 100% natural metabolic trigger
                + Most powerful of all anti-oxidants
                + Promotes healthy veins and arteries
                + Anti-inflammatory agents
                + Anti-aging compounds.
                + Collagen (helps maintain healthy skin)
          o Chlorophyll
                + More found in Moringa than any other plant
                + 4 times the amount in wheat grass
                + Natural healer
                + Rejuvenates the body at the cellular level
                + Strengthens the immune system
                + Naturally cleanses the body of toxins
                + reduces the ph level of the body

Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamins and Minerals
Perform many vital functions for the body; but what are they, and what exactly do they do for us?

What are vitamins and minerals?

Vitamins and minerals perform many vital functions for the body and can lower your risk for many chronic diseases and cancers.  These substances are essential to normal metabolism, growth and development, and regulation of the functioning of your body’s cells and tissues. Vitamins and minerals are obtained from food, except for vitamin D and vitamin K, which the body can synthesize.  Minerals are simple chemical elements and are an essential part of your body’s functioning.  Minerals cannot be synthesized by your body and must be obtained through the food you eat.

What is a vitamin or mineral deficiency?

A deficiency of a vitamin or mineral can result if you are not getting enough of it in your diet, your ordinary nutritional needs increase, or you are unable to absorb the nutrients from the food you eat.  A deficiency or lack of a vitamin or mineral in your diet can lead to a nutritional deficiency disease, such as rickets.  There are complex interactions among vitamins and minerals, and a deficiency or excess of one affects others.

What is the difference between a water soluble vitamin and a fat soluble vitamin?

A water soluble vitamin (vitamin B and C) can not be stored by the body and must be replenished every day. A vitamin that is stored by the body is known as a fat soluble (vitamin A, D, E, and K). Over time fat soluble vitamins can build up to toxic levels.

What are the Daily Recommended Allowances (RDAs)?

Two agencies, the National Academy of Sciences and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, have both issued standards for meeting the nutritional needs of men, women, and children.  Expressed as RDA, they generally indicate the amount of a particular nutrient that is needed to avoid nutritional diseases.

What are antioxidant vitamins and why are they important?

Our bodies are actually battlegrounds for infection and diseases.  Normal body functions, such as breathing or physical activity, and other lifestyle habits, such as smoking, produce substances called free radicals that attack healthy cells. When these healthy cells are weakened, they are more susceptible to cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancers. Antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, and cartenoids, which include beta-carotene and lutein, help protect healthy cells from damage caused by free radicals.

We have vitamins A, B, C, D, E, AND K.

Whatever happened to vitamins F-J?
Vitamins are named in the order of discovery.  Later research found vitamins F-J closely related to other vitamins, mainly the B complex group, and were
re-assigned.

A Partial List of the Vitamins and Minerals in Moringa:

Vitamins
As defined by A.D.A.M. Inc.

    * Vitamin A (Beta carotene)
    * Definition: Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin.
    * Function: Vitamin A (retinol) essential in the formation and maintenance of healthy teeth, skeletal and soft tissue, mucous membranes, and skin.  It may also be required for reproduction and lactation.  It is also known as retinol because it generates the pigments in the retina.  Vitamin A promotes good vision, especially in dim light. When Vitamin A is manufactured by plants, it is present in the form of a precursor called beta carotene.  Beta carotene is an anti-oxidant—a substance that protects the body against disease and premature aging by fighting the cell-damaging chemicals called free radicals.   Vegetable sources of beta-carotene are fat and cholesterol free (not so with vitamin A from dairy and meat products).  The body regulates the conversion of beta-carotene to Vitamin A based on the body’s needs.  The more intense the color of a fruit or vegetable, the higher the beta-carotene content.
      Deficiency: Vitamin A deficiency can increase the susceptibility to infectious diseases, as well as cause vision problems.

    * Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
    * Definition: Vitamin B1, one of the B vitamins, a group of water-soluble vitamins that participate in many of the chemical reactions in the body. Thiamine is important in the production of energy.
    * Function: Thiamine helps the body cells convert carbohydrates into energy. It is also essential for the functioning of the heart, muscles, and nervous system.
      Deficiency: A deficiency of thiamine can cause weakness, fatigue, psychosis, and  nerve damage.

    * Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
    * Definition: A water-soluble vitamin required by the body for health, growth and reproduction; one of the B-complex vitamins.
    * Function: Riboflavin works with the other B vitamins. It is important for body growth and red cell production, and helps in releasing energy from carbohydrates.  Because riboflavin is destroyed by exposure to light, foods with riboflavin should not be stored in glass containers that are exposed to light.
      Deficiency: Deficiency symptoms include dry and cracked skin and eyes that are sensitive to bright light.

    * Vitamin B3 (Niacin)                                                                                Definition: Niacin (vitamin B3) is a water-soluble vitamin required by the body for health, growth and reproduction; part of the vitamin B complex.
      Function: Niacin assists in the functioning of the digestive system, skin, and nerves.  It is also important for the conversion of food to energy.                           
      Deficiency: A deficiency of niacin causes pellagra. The symptoms include inflamed skin, digestive problems, and mental impairment.

    * Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
    * Definition: A water-soluble vitamin, part of the B complex.
    * Function: Vitamin B6 plays a role in the synthesis of antibodies in the immune system.  It helps maintain normal nerve function and acts in the formation of red blood cells.  It is also required for the chemical reactions of proteins. The higher the protein intake, the more need for vitamin B6.                                           
      Deficiency: Deficiency of this vitamin is not common in the United States.

    * Vitamin B7 (Biotin, formerly vitamin H)
      Definition:  Biotin, a water-soluble vitamin, helps the body break down and use food. Biotin is part of the B vitamin complex.
      Function:  Biotin is essential for the metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates (like the other B vitamins), and in the synthesis of hormones and cholesterol.
    * Deficiency: There is no known dietary deficiency of Biotin.

    * Vitamin C (Absorbic acid)
    * Definition: A water-soluble vitamin that is necessary for normal growth and development.
      Function: Vitamin C promotes healthy teeth and gums, helps in the absorption of iron, aids in the maintenance of normal connective tissue, and promotes wound healing.  It also helps the body’s immune system.
      Deficiency: A deficiency of vitamin C causes the disease scurvy, which is rare in the U.S.

    * Vitamin D  (Cholecalciferol)                                                                  Definition: Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is used in the absorption of calcium.
      Function: Vitamin D promotes the body’s absorption of calcium, which is essential for the normal development of healthy teeth and bones.  It also helps maintain adequate blood levels of the minerals calcium and phosphorus.  Vitamin D is also known as the “sunshine vitamin” because the body manufactures the vitamin after being exposed to sunshine.  Ten to 15 minutes of sunshine 3 times weekly is adequate to produce the body’s requirement of vitamin D.
    * Deficiency: A vitamin D deficiency leads to soft bones (rickets).

    * Vitamin E (Tocopherol)                                                                         Definition: Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin; it is one of the vitamins that act as antioxidants.
      Function: Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects body tissue from the damage of oxidation.  It is important in the formation of red blood cells and the use of vitamin K.
      Deficiency: There is no known dietary deficiency of vitamin E.
    * Vitamin K
    * Definition: Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in blood clotting.
      Function: Vitamin K is known as the clotting vitamin, because without it blood would not clot.  Some studies indicate that it helps in maintaining strong bones in the elderly.  Vitamin K is also made by the bacteria that line the gastrointestinal tract.
      Deficiency: Vitamin K deficiency is very rare.  It occurs when there is an inability to absorb the vitamin from the intestinal tract, and can also occur after prolonged treatment with oral antibiotics.

Minerals                                                                 
As defined by A.D.A.M. Inc.

    * Calcium in Diet
    * Definition: The most plentiful mineral found in the human body; calcium accounts for 1.5% to 2% of an adult’s total body weight.  The teeth and the bones contain the majority of the body’s calcium (about 99%).  Calcium in these tissues is concentrated in the form of calcium phosphate salts. Body tissues, blood, and other body fluids contain the remaining calcium (1%).                                         
      Function: Calcium is one of the most important minerals for the growth, maintenance, and reproduction of the human body. The bones in the human body incorporate calcium into their structure.  Bones, like other tissues in the body, are continually being reabsorbed and re-formed. Teeth are also calcified tissues. They incorporate calcium in their structure in a manner similar to bones.  Calcium is essential for the formation of and maintenance of healthy teeth.  Calcium has other functions in addition to maintaining healthy teeth and bones.  Blood coagulation, transmission of nerve impulses, muscle contraction and relaxation, normal heart beat, stimulation of hormone secretion, activation of enzyme reactions, as well as other functions, all require small amounts of calcium.           
      Deficiency: Low intakes of calcium for prolonged periods of time can lead to calcium deficiency. This condition leads to osteoporsis, loss of the jaw bone (and secondary oral health problems), hypertension, and other disorders.

    * Copper in Diet
    * Definition: An essential trace mineral that is present in all of the body tissues.   
      Function: Copper, along with iron, helps in the formation of red blood cells. It also helps in keeping the blood vessels, nerves, immune system, and bones healthy.
      Deficiency: Dietary deficiency of copper is not very common in humans.

    * Iron in Diet
    * Definition: Iron is an important trace mineral that is found in every cell of the body, usually combined with protein.
      Function: The mineral iron is an essential nutrient for humans because it is part of blood cells, which carry oxygen to all body cells. About 30% of the iron in our bodies is in storage to be readily available to replace lost iron.  Iron is essential to the formation of hemoglobin and myoglobin, which carry the oxygen in the blood and the muscle.  It also makes up part of many proteins and enzymes in the body.
      Deficiency: Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide.  Although full-blown anemia is rarely evident, partial deficiency is widespread.   Initial symptoms of iron deficiency anemia are fatigue and lack of energy.   Dizziness, weight loss, and lowered immunity can also occur.  Other symptoms of decreased iron stores include shortness of breath, irritability, and/or lethargy.

    * Potassium in Diet
    * Definition: Potassium is a mineral that is involved in both electrical and cellular function in the body.  (In the body it is classified as an electrolyte).                     
      Function: Potassium is a very important mineral to the human body.  It assists in the regulation of the acid-base and water balance in the blood and the body tissues.  It assists in protein synthesis from amino acids and in carbohydrate metabolism.  It is necessary for the building of muscle and for normal body growth.
      Deficiency: A deficiency of potassium can occur in people with chronic disease or as a result of the aging process.  The most common symptom of potassium depletion is fatigue.  Other common problems associates with reduced potassium levels are hypertension, congestive heart failure, cardiac arrthymias, and depression.  Other symptoms include slow reflexes, muscle weakness, and dry skin.   A variety of conditions can cause the loss of potassium from the body.  The most common of these conditions are vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal problems. 

 * Magnesium
    * Definition: Magnesium is an essential mineral for human nutrition.
    * Function: Magnesium in the body serves several important metabolic functions. It plays a role in the production and transport of energy. It is also important for the contraction and relaxation of muscles. Magnesium is involved in the synthesis of protein, and it assists in the functioning of certain enzymes in the body.  Toxic symptoms from increased magnesium intake are not common because the body eliminates excess amounts. Magnesium excess almost always occurs only when magnesium is supplemented as a medication.
    * Deficiency: Deficiency symptoms have three categories:
          o Early symptoms include irritability, anorexia, fatigue, insomnia, and muscle twitching. Other symptoms include poor memory, apathy, confusion, and reduced ability to learn.
          o Moderate deficiency symptoms consist of rapid heartbeat and other cardiovascular changes.
          o Severe deficiency of magnesium could lead to tingling, numbness, sustained contraction of the muscles, and hallucinations and delirium.

    * Manganese
    * Definition: Manganese  is required by the body for normal growth and health.
    * Function: Manganese helps your body break down fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. It does so as part of several enzymes.
    * Deficiency: Manganese deficiency has not been reported in humans.
    * Phosphorous
      Definition: Phosphorus is a mineral that makes up 1% of the total body weight. It is present in every cell of the body, with 85% of the body’s phosphorus being found in the bones and teeth.
      Function: The main function of phosphorus is in the formation of bones and teeth. It plays an important role in the body’s utilization of carbohydrates and fats and in the synthesis of protein for the growth, maintenance, and repair of cells and tissues. It is also crucial for the production of ATP, a molecule the body uses to store energy.  Phosphorus works with the B vitamins. It also assists in the contraction of muscles, in the functioning of kidneys, in maintaining the regularity of the heartbeat, and in nerve conduction.
      Deficiency: There is generally no deficiency of phosphorus because it is so readily available in the food supply.   Excessively high levels of phosphorus in the blood, although rare, can combine with calcium to form deposits in soft tissues such as muscle. High levels of phosphorus in blood only occur in people with severe kidney disease or severe dysfunction of their calcium regulation.
    * Zinc
      Definition: Zinc is an important trace mineral. This element is second only to iron in its concentration in the body. 
      Function: Zinc plays an important role in the proper functioning of the immune system in the body. It is required for the enzyme activities necessary for cell division, cell growth, and wound healing. It plays a role in the acuity of the senses of smell and taste. Zinc is also involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates.  Low-protein diets and vegetarian diets tend to be low in zinc.
      Deficiency: Symptoms associated with zinc deficiency include the following: 
          o Slow growth
          o Poor appetite
          o Decrease in wound healing
          o Loss of hair
          o Impaired sense of taste
          o Impaired sense of smell
          o Hypogonadism in males
          o More frequent infections
          o Inability or difficulty in adapting vision to the dark
          o Various skin lesions

Fatty Acids – Omega Oils

Not all fats are created equal.  Research has shown it is the type of fat not the amount of fat we consume that is important. There are four basic types of fat that the body takes from food: cholesterol, saturated fat, monounsaturated fat and polyunsaturated essential fatty acids. The polyunsaturated essential fatty acids are the one’s the body uses to build itself.   A particulary bad fifth group of fats are the man-made hyrogenated trans-fats that are found in just about all processed foods containing shortening or oil.

Animal sources contain mostly saturated fats.  Many plant derived fats are unsaturated fats.  Saturated fats increase the occurrence of among other things, chronic diseases, inflammation, heart problems and strokes.  Unsaturated fats on the other hand not only nourish the body, they protect against many diseases and fight inflammation and infections.

Fat Groups:

· Saturated fats: Solid at room temperature. Found in meat, dairy products, and certain vegetable oils, such as palm and coconut oils.

· Trans fats: Solid at room temperature. Processed fats not found in nature that are used to make shelf-stable shortenings such as Crisco, fast-food French fries, many types of margarine, and commercial baked goods such as doughnuts and cookies.

· Monounsaturated fats: Liquid at room temperature. Includes olive oil, peanut oil, and canola oil. Also found in peanuts, cashews, many other nuts, and avocados.

· Polyunsaturated fats: Liquid at room temperature. Includes plant oils, such as corn and soybean. Also found in seeds, legumes, whole grains, and fatty fish, such as salmon and tuna. Omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats. The former is found in oily cold-water fish, walnuts, flaxseed, wheat germ, and canola oil; the latter in corn, safflower, sunflower, and soybean oil.

What are Fatty Acids?

Fats and oils in foods are made up of basic units called fatty acids.   The oils and fats that people eat are nearly always mixtures of 3 types of fatty acids– monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, or saturated fats, with one type predominating.  Two specific types of polyunsaturated fatty acids, linoleic (omega 6) and alpha-linolenic (omega 3), are called essential fatty acids (EFAs).  They must be present in the diet in adequate amounts because they are literally essential to life and health.  Seven critical functions of essential fats are:

    * Developing and maintaining gray matter in the brain
    * Achieving optimal growth
    * Maintaining the integrity of cell membranes
    * Keeping skin healthy
    * Proper visual development
    * Maintaining a healthy nervous system
    * Regulation of blood pressure, blood clotting and the body’s inflammatory response

Omega-9, Oleic Acid
One of the best types of fats is oleic acid (Omega-9).  Omega 9, a monounsaturated
oil (MUFA), is not an essential fatty acid as the body can synthesize it from other nutritional compounds that are consumed.  It occurs naturally in greater quantities than any other fatty acid.  Oleic acid is the main fat in olive oil.  Olive oil is well known for it’s health benefits, with science clearly linking oleic acid to lower cardiovascular risk, lower blood levels of cholesterol and lower levels of blood glucose.  Olive oil is about 75% oleic acid, Moringa Oliefera follows closely having about 73% oleic acid. (Oleifera is a Latin term meaning oil containing).  Oleic acid comprises about 55% in Canola oil and about 20% in sunflower oil.    Studies suggest that in countries with higher obesity prevalence, it is the shift from MUFA (such as olive oil) to PUFA (vegetable oils) that particularly appears to be associated with the risk of obesity.

EFAs
EFAs belong to the class of fatty acids called polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs).   The unsaturated fats, Omega 3 (alpha-linolenic acid) and Omega 6, (linoleic acid) are considered Essential Fatty Acids because they are needed to maintain life.  Like essential amino acids, they cannot be manufactured by the body and so must come from the food we eat.  In addition to providing energy, Essential Fatty Acids are part of the structure of every cell in our bodies. Together, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids play a crucial role in brain function as well as normal growth and development.

Omega 6, Linoleic Acid
With respect to fatty acids – balance appears to be important.  Human beings evolved on a diet with a ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) of approximately 1:1.  Western diets are woefully deficient in omega-3 fatty acids, and have excessive amounts of omega-6 fatty acids with the ratio being 15:1-17:1.

In today's world, cereals – mainly wheat, corn and rice – predominate, leading to a relative deficiency of omega 3 fats compared with omega 6 fats.This imbalance is worsened by the consumption of meat from intensively reared animals fed grain relatively rich in omega 6 fats rather than wild plants with a high omega 3 fat content. Even farmed fish contain lower amounts of omega 3 than those living wild. The wide use of polyunsaturated oils (linoleic acid is the major polyunsaturated fatty acid in vegetable oils) also exaberates the ratio imbalance.

Research shows the proper ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 fatty acids is a key factor in preventing many of the modern chronic diseases including coronary heart disease, cardiac arrhythmia's, high blood pressure, some cancers, muscular degeneration, inflammatory and auto-immune disorders.  Bringing the fats into proper proportion may actually relieve those conditions, as the right balance of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids enables the body to reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, prevent irregular heart beats and promote healthy blood flow.  For a healthy balance, it is recommended that the ratio be less than 5:1.

Omega 3, Alpha-linolenic Acid

Over 2,000 scientific studies have demonstrated the wide range of problems associated with Omega-3 deficiencies.  The American diet is almost devoid of Omega 3′s,  as there are few sources of Omega 3 except for certain types of fish.  In fact, researchers believe that about 60% of Americans are deficient in Omega-3 fatty acids, and about20% have so little that test methods cannot even detect any in their blood.

Just as muscles are made of protein and bones are made of calcium, the human brain is more than 60% structural fat.  But it’s not just any fat that our brains are made of. It has to be certain types of fats, and we no longer eat these types of fats like we used to.   Instead, we eat man-made trans-fats and excessive amounts of saturated fats and vegetable oils, all of which interfere which our body’s attempt to utilize the small amount of Omega-3 fats that it gets.

A Purdue University study has showed that kids low in Omega-3 essential fatty acids are significantly more likely to be hyperactive, have learning disorders, and to display behavioral problems.   According to Dr. Joseph Mercola, Omega-3 deficiencies have also been tied to many conditions, including the following:  allergies, arthritis, cancer, eczema, diabetes, depression, dyslexia, eczema, heart diaereses, inflammatory diseases, memory problems, and violence.

the following is an excerpt from the article
The Dark Side of Good Fats
By Dean Ornish, M.D.

……”Omega-3 fatty acids are found in cold-water fish (mackerel, herring, salmon, trout, sardines and albacore tuna), as well as oils from canola, soybean, flax-seed and walnuts. (In contrast, olive oil does not contain much of the omega-3 fatty acids.)  In smaller concentrations, they are present in dark green leafy vegetables like kale and collard greens.

Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce triglycerides (a form of fat), lower blood pressure and decrease inflammation (thereby reducing arthritis and other inflammatory illnesses), as well as autoimmune diseases such as lupus. They can help to prevent excessive blood clots from forming which, in turn, may decrease the risk of a heart attack and stroke. They may help prevent irregular heartbeats.

When given to pregnant women and lactating mothers, omega-3 fatty acids (which are an important part of your brain) may actually increase your baby’s IQ by six points or more and may reduce the incidence of allergic disease in the offspring.  They also may reduce depression and may help prevent dementia.  Some studies suggest that the omega-3 fatty acids may even reduce the risk of prostate cancer, breast cancer, and colon cancer.

The omega-3 fatty acids stabilize the rhythm of your heart by effectively removing hyper-excitable cells (cells that are only barely receiving enough blood flow)from functioning, thereby reducing the likelihood of irregular heartbeats and sudden cardiac death.  For most people, this is a very good thing and accounts for most of the large reduction in the likelihood of sudden cardiac death.

However, a recent British Medical Journal analysis of nearly 100 studies of omega-3 fatty acids found mixed benefits. In most people they were beneficial, but not so for everyone. For those with congestive heart failure, chronic recurrent angina or evidence that the heart is receiving insufficient blood flow, it may be prudent to avoid taking omega-3 fatty acids or eating foods that contain them, and they should talk to their doctor.”

Want To Buy Moringa Powder, Moringa Seeds and Moringa leaf? Call any of these numbers 08023659308, 08162280597 to Order.

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Benefits of Moringa Leaf, Seeds and Tree - Part 4

Phytonutrients in Moringa

Moringa, is loaded with phytonutrients; but what are phytonutrients and where are they found?

Phytonutrients

The term “phyto” originated from a Greek word meaning plant.  Phytonutrients are certain organic components of plants, and these components are thought to promote human health.  Fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and teas are rich sources of phytonutrients.  Unlike the traditional nutrients (protein, fat, vitamins, minerals), phytonutrients are not “essential” for life, so some people prefer the term “phytochemical.”

Rui Hai Liu, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Food Science at Cornell University, has examined antioxidant activity in various fruits.   Dr. Liu estimates there are probably thousands of phytonutrinets in plant foods, and that each one works with others to perform many protective functions.  These include stimulating the immune system, warding off damage from free radicals and putting the brakes on cell growth.

What are the major classes of phytonutrients?

Some of the common classes of phytonutrients include:

Carotenoids

Flavonoids (Polyphenols), including Isoflavones (Phytoestrogens)

Inositol Phosphates (Phytates)

Lignans (Phytoestrogens)

Isothiocyanates and Indoles

Phenols and Cyclic Compounds

Saponins

Sulfides and Thiols

Terpenes

About Carotenoids
Of all the phytonutrients, the most known about are carotenoids, the red, orange, and yellow pigments in fruits and vegetables.  The carotenoids most commonly found in vegetables (and in plasma) are listed below along with common sources of these compounds.  Fruits and vegetables that are high in carotenoids appear to protect humans against certain cancers, heart disease, and age-related macular degeneration.

Carotenoid Common Food Source

alpha-carotene carrots, moringa

beta-carotene leafy green and yellow vegetables (eg. broccoli, sweet potato, pumpkin, carrots, moringa)

beta-cryptoxanthin citrus, peaches, apricots

lutein leafy greens such as kale, spinach, turnip greens, moringa

lycopene tomato products, pink grapefruit, watermelon, guava *

zeaxanthin eggs, citrus, green vegetables, moringa

About Polyphenols
Polyphenolic compounds are natural components of a wide variety of plants; they are also known as secondary plant metabolites.  Food sources rich in polyphenols include onion, apple, tea, red wine, red grapes, grape juice, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, and certain nuts.  The average polyphenol/ flavonoid intake in the U.S. has not been determined with precision, in large part, because there is presently no U.S. national food database for these compounds (USDA scientists and their colleagues are in the process of developing a database for foods rich in polyphenols).  Scientists at the Food Composition Laboratory, Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center are currently developing new methodology for the accurate measurement of polyphenols in foods.  Polyphenols can be classified as nonflavonoids and flavonoids.  The flavonoids quercetin and catechins are the most extensively studied polyphenols relative to absorption and metabolism.

Nonflavonoids Sources

ellagic acid strawberries, blueberries, raspberries coumarins

Flavonoids Sources

anthocyanins Fruits

catechins tea, wine

flavanones citrus

flavones Fruits and vegetables

flavonols Fruits, vegetables, tea, wine

isoflavones soybeans

How do phytonutrients protect against disease?

The following are commonly proposed mechanisms by which phytonutrients may protect human health.  More research is needed to firmly establish the mechanisms of action of the various phytochemicals.  Phytonutrients may:

Serve as antioxidants

Enhance immune response

Enhance cell-to-cell communication

Alter estrogen metabolism

Convert to vitamin A (beta-carotene is metabolized to vitamin A)

Cause cancer cells to die (apoptosis)

Repair DNA damage caused by smoking and other toxic exposures

Detoxify carcinogens through the activation of the cytocrome P450 and phase II enzyme systems

What is the present status of the art of phytonutrients research?

Population studies have linked fruit and vegetable consumption with lowering the risk for chronic diseases including specific cancers and heart disease.   While media and consumer interest in phytonutrients and functional foods is far ahead of established proof that documents the health benefits of these foods or food components for humans, phytonutrient research is experiencing remarkable growth.  For now, it appears that an effective strategy for reducing risk of cancer and heart disease is to increase consumption of phytonutrient-rich foods including fruits, vegetables, grains and teas.

Excerpt from WebMD
entire article: http://www.webmd.com/diet/phytonutrients-faq

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