Food for Thought Antioxidants

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Food for Thought' is a Zija News segment featuring Dr. Joshua Plant, Zija's Director of Research Sciences

April 2013 | Moringa: Full of Powerful Antioxidants

For the past 10 years I have studied the cell at some of the world’s finest research institutions, such as the National Institutes of Health and Harvard Medical School. During my studies, I found that the cell is a very delicate instrument; when it is not supported with the proper tools to combat attacks from the environment and from its own metabolic waste, it will die relatively quickly. One of the most common and damaging attackers to our cells are called “free radicals”. Free radicals come in many forms, but the most common free radical is actually something we take in every time we breathe: oxygen.

We all know that we need oxygen to live. What many of us fail to understand is that when our body metabolizes oxygen, it becomes a very powerful free radical. That free radical will then attack our cell membranes, DNA, and many of our cellular proteins. When oxygen attacks the cell it is called oxidative stress, and a cell under continuous oxidative stress will eventually die. As one can imagine, the more oxygen our bodies consume, the more oxidative stress our cells face. That becomes even more true during exercise, when our cells experience approximately 10X more oxidative stress than during rest.

The good news is that cells are amazing instruments capable of combatting the constant attack of oxidative stress with compounds we call “antioxidants.” Antioxidants work by momentarily interacting with the free radical. This interaction renders the free radical inert, allowing our body to pass it in our waste without damaging any of our cells. Many times the antioxidants that our body uses to fight free radicals are consumed through the food we eat; when we have a diet low in antioxidants, our bodies are likely to undergo significantly more oxidative stress.

Moringa oleifera helps the body fight oxidative damage with an amazing 46 different antioxidants! I have spent a good portion of my life studying plants and cells and have never come across a plant with more antioxidants. Moringa is so amazing that several scientific articles have been published exhibiting its powerful antioxidant properties for cell preservation. Knowing this, Zija has taken every step possible to maintain and enhance the antioxidant profile of its Moringa and incorporate it into our products such as SmartMix, SuperMix, XM+ Energy Mix, XMam, XMpm, PR1ME90, and our GenM skin care line.

To learn more about Zija and the benefits of moringa.  

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12 Benefits of Moringa oleifera

Nourishes the Body’s Immune System. Moringa oleifera provides many dozens of nutrients that strengthen your body’s immune system.

Promotes Healthy Circulation. Research strongly suggests that Moringa oleifera can help support both health and function of the circulatory, blood, and cardiovascular system.

Supports Normal Blood Glucose. Moringa oleifera provides a wide array of nutrients that help normalize blood glucose levels.

Is Enzymatically Alive. Scientific research demonstrates that Moringa oleiferais rich in enzymes.

Is Supported by Modern Scientific Findings. Current research, consisting of many highly reputable medical, science, and globally recognized health institutions, suggests that Moringa oleifera possesses numerous therapeutic properties.

Provides Natural Anti-Aging Benefits. Moringa’s wide array of antioxidant nutrients can protect the body’s cells and prevent many of the common conditions associated with aging.

Delivers Anti-Inflammatory Support. Several compounds in the Moringa plant are known to support normal anti-inflammatory activity in the body.

Boosts Real Kinesiological Energy Safely. Moringa may improve mental and cognitive clarity via many amino acids and B vitamins.

Improves your Metabolism. The nutrient benefits in Moringa provide a gentle nudge over time to improve the body’s metabolic processes because of critical nutrients.

Has a Long Ayurvedic History. Historical and medical texts indicate that eastern Ayurvedic healers have employed the Moringa plant for thousands of years.

Supplies Nutrients Missing in the Modern Diet. The Moringa plant provides the nutrient benefits that so many diets lack. In fact, we are receiving 75% less nutrient value for current calories consumed.

The Most Nutrient-Rich Plant Ever Discovered. Many experts feel thatMoringa oleifera boasts the widest array of vital nutrients of any botanical known on the planet.

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I am starting down the path to a healthy weight

I am doing it.  I am starting my journey to a healthier me.  I am a new Zija distributor.  My weight management system arrived at my home today.

I have been struggling to get to a healthy weight for a LONG time.  Some silly injuries, a crazy thyroid and my family genes make maintaining a healthy weight difficult. My BMI is too high.  My clothes are too tight.  I worry about developing diabetes.

I have decided it is time to act.  I have increased my physicial exercise.  I have been keeping a food diary.  And now, I am adding Moringa to my life.

Watch this blog to check on my progress.

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Zija XM3

Kick-Start Your Day Naturally

Zija's XM3 Energy Drink elevates your mood and boosts your energy level without the aid of harsh stimulants or artificial ingredients. It's also packed with Moringa, so you'll get a healthy dose of 90+ verifiable, cell-ready vitamins, minerals, vital proteins, antioxidants, omega oils, and other benefits. To top it all off, XM3 also promotes a lean body through appetite suppression, thermogenesis, and weight control.

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Moringa oleifera

"Drumstick tree" and variants thereof redirect here. This name is also used for the golden shower tree (Cassia fistulosa).

Moringa oleifera
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Brassicales
Family:	Moringaceae
Genus:	Moringa
Species:	M. oleifera
Binomial name
Moringa oleifera Lam.

Moringa oleifera (synonym: Moringa pterygosperma) is the most widely cultivated species of the genus Moringa, which is the only genus in the family Moringaceae. English common names include moringa, and drumstick tree, from the appearance of the long, slender, triangular seed pods,horseradish tree, from the taste of the roots which resembles horseradish, or ben oil tree, from the oil derived from the seeds. The tree itself is rather slender, with drooping branches that grow to approximately 10m in height. In cultivation, it is often cut back annually to 1–2 meters and allowed to regrow so the pods and leaves remain within arm's reach.^[1][2]

In developing countries, moringa has potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development, and support sustainable landcare.^[3] It may be used as forage for livestock, a micronutrient liquid, a natural anthelmintic and possible adjuvant.^[2][4][5]

The moringa tree is grown mainly in semiarid, tropical, and subtropical areas, corresponding in the United States to USDA hardiness zones 9 and 10. While it grows best in dry, sandy soil, it tolerates poor soil, including coastal areas. It is a fast-growing, drought-resistant tree that is native to the southern foothills of the Himalayas in northwestern India.

Cultivation in Hawai'i, for commercial distribution in the United States, is in its early stages.^[6]

"India is the largest producer of moringa, with an annual production of 1.1 to 1.3 million tonnes of tender fruits from an area of 380 km². Among the states, Andhra Pradesh leads in both area and production (156.65 km²) followed by Karnataka (102.8 km²) and Tamil Nadu (74.08 km²). In other states, it occupies an area of 46.13 km². Tamil Nadu is the pioneering state in·so·much as it has varied genotypes from diversified geographical areas and introductions from Sri Lanka."^[7]

Moringa is grown in home gardens and as living fences in Tamil Nadu Southern India and Thailand, where it is commonly sold in local markets.^[8] In the Philippines, it is commonly grown for its leaves, which are used in soup.^[9] Moringa is also actively cultivated by the World Vegetable Center in Taiwan, a center for vegetable research with a mission to reduce poverty and malnutrition in developing countries through improved production and consumption of vegetables. Tamil Nadu Southern India has Moringa in its folk stories and as well considered to be auspicious to grow in home.

It is also widely cultivated in Africa, Cambodia, Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Central and South America, and Sri Lanka.

Many parts of the moringa are edible. Regional uses of the moringa as food vary widely, and include:

• The immature seed pods, called "drumsticks", popular in Asia and Africa.
• Leaves, particularly in the Cambodia, Philippines, South India, Sri Lanka and Africa.
• Mature seeds
• Oil pressed from the mature seeds
• Roots

In some regions, the young seed pods are most commonly eaten,^[11] while in others, the leaves are the most commonly used part of the plant. The flowers are edible when cooked and are said to taste like mushrooms. The bark, sap, roots, leaves, seeds, oil, and flowers are used in traditional medicine in several countries. In Jamaica, the sap is used for a blue dye.

Many parts of the moringa are edible. Regional uses of the moringa as food vary widely, and include:

• The immature seed pods, called "drumsticks", popular in Asia and Africa.
• Leaves, particularly in the Cambodia, Philippines, South India, Sri Lanka and Africa.
• Mature seeds
• Oil pressed from the mature seeds
• Roots

In some regions, the young seed pods are most commonly eaten,^[11] while in others, the leaves are the most commonly used part of the plant. The flowers are edible when cooked and are said to taste like mushrooms. The bark, sap, roots, leaves, seeds, oil, and flowers are used in traditional medicine in several countries. In Jamaica, the sap is used for a blue dye.

[edit]Leaves

The leaves are the most nutritious part of the plant, being a significant source of vitamin B₆, vitamin C, provitamin A as beta-carotene, magnesium and protein, among other nutrients, shown in the table, right column.^[12] When compared with common foods particularly high in certain nutrients per 100 g fresh weight, moringa leaves are considerable sources of these same nutrients.^[13][14]

Sonjna (Moringa oleifera) leaves with flowers in Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Nutrients	Common food		Moringa Leaves
Vitamin A as beta-carotene	Carrot	8.3 mg	0.4 mg
Calcium	Milk	300 mg	185 mg
Potassium	Banana	358 mg	337 mg
Protein	Yogurt	8 g	9.4 g
Vitamin C	Orange	53 mg	52 mg

Moringa oleifera leaf, raw

Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy	268 kJ (64 kcal)
Carbohydrates	8.28 g
- Dietary fiber	2 g
Fat	1.4 g
Protein	9.4 g
Water	78.66 g
Vitamin A equiv.	378 μg (47%)
Thiamine (vit. B1)	0.257 mg (22%)
Riboflavin (vit. B2)	0.66 mg (55%)
Niacin (vit. B3)	2.22 mg (15%)
Pantothenic acid (B5)	0.125 mg (3%)
Vitamin B6	1.2 mg (92%)
Folate (vit. B9)	40 μg (10%)
Vitamin C	51.7 mg (62%)
Calcium	185 mg (19%)
Iron	4 mg (31%)
Magnesium	147 mg (41%)
Manganese	1.063 mg (51%)
Phosphorus	112 mg (16%)
Potassium	337 mg (7%)
Sodium	9 mg (1%)
Zinc	0.6 mg (6%)
Link to USDA Database entry Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA Nutrient Database

Moringa oleifera pods, raw

Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy	155 kJ (37 kcal)
Carbohydrates	8.53 g
- Dietary fiber	3.2 g
Fat	0.2 g
Protein	2.1 g
Water	88.2 g
Vitamin A equiv.	4 μg (1%)
Thiamine (vit. B1)	0.053 mg (5%)
Riboflavin (vit. B2)	0.074 mg (6%)
Niacin (vit. B3)	0.62 mg (4%)
Pantothenic acid (B5)	0.794 mg (16%)
Vitamin B6	0.12 mg (9%)
Folate (vit. B9)	44 μg (11%)
Vitamin C	141 mg (170%)
Calcium	30 mg (3%)
Iron	0.36 mg (3%)
Magnesium	45 mg (13%)
Manganese	0.259 mg (12%)
Phosphorus	50 mg (7%)
Potassium	461 mg (10%)
Sodium	42 mg (3%)
Zinc	0.45 mg (5%)
Link to USDA Database entry Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA Nutrient Database

Learn more about the health benefits of Moringa.

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What is Moringa?

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