Moringa oleifera a plant base source of essential amino acids.

Proteins (chain of amino acids) are complex organic compounds. While most amino acids can be synthesised by the human body from the food we consume, the essential amino acids have to be consumed from external sources.

There are two classifications for Protein containing food. The classifications are complete or incomplete and are in accordance to whether the food has all the eight (8) essential amino acids or some of the essential amino acids. Unfortunately, most of the complete protein containing foods are animal based such as, meat, eggs, milk, poultry and, as we now know from scientific researches, too much consumption of meat products can contribute to many health problems such as cholesterol, hypertension, gout and so on. The other alternative is to consume soybean, the only know protein complete plant base food or to consume a combined diet of a number of incomplete plant based protein food such as beans, rice, and corn and so on.

Although soybean is a good source of complete protein, Moringa oleifera has higher content of essential amino acids. Regular consumption of Moringa health supplements will certainly help to keep the body's immune system in good form and efficient.

The table below shows the value of amino acids in 100gm of raw mature soybean seeds and in 100gm of fresh Moringa oleifera leaves:

Descriptions	Type of Amino acids	Soybean	Moringa oleifera
Arginine	Amino acids	3.2g	6.0g
Histidine	Amino acids	1.1g	2.1g
Lysine	Essential Amino acids	2.7g	4.3g
Trytophan	Essential Amino acids	0.6g	1.9g
Phenylanaline	Essential Amino acids	2.1g	6.4g
Methionine	Essential Amino acids	0.5g	2.0g
Threonine	Essential Amino acids	1.8g	4.9g
Leucine	Essential Amino acids	3.3g	9.3g
Isoleucine	Essential Amino acids	2.0g	6.3g
Valine	Essential Amino acids	2.0g	7.1g

Human beings tend to be lazy and are always looking for quick and easy ways to accomplish things. Consuming soybeans for its essential amino acids requires substantial efforts as soybean needs to be cooked before it can be consumed. With Moringa oleifera, you can actually consume it raw and fresh. It is as simple as eating it like a salad or if you have access to its dried leaf powder, it can be simply sprinkled over the food before consuming the food or in capsule form.

 Moringa oleifera leaves can be eaten raw. It is a little "spicey" and is best eaten raw with other salad leaves and some dressing such as Italian dressing.

Moringa dried leaf powder can be sprinkled over any food before it is consumed to enjoy the benefits of its rich source of vitamins, minerals and amino acids. The powder can also be made into a dip as a side-dish or even be capsulised to be taken as a health supplement.

Moringa oleifera is a superb source of Essential Amino Acids...

Moringa oleifera is a wonderful source of not just one or two missing essential amino acids. It is, in fact, the only currently known plant base source that has all 8 essential amino acids that the human body cannot synthesise and have to be obtained from diet.

Taking Moringa health supplements will insure that the human body gets all the essential amino acids from one source rather than getting these from many food sources.

Amino acids are proteins and every cell in the human body contains protein which are found in body fluids, muscles, organs and skin.

Amino acids are particularly important to life and have many functions in metabolism. Unfortunately, many of us are more familiar with the importance of vitamins and minerals that we forget about the importance of amino acids to maintaining good health.

Each amino acid has its own functions and benefits, such as, improve muscle development, increase metabolism, help resists allergic reactions, and so on. Amino acids are the building block from which proteins are made. To-date, there are some 22 amino acids, with each having its own unique characteristics that is capable of being fitted together into an almost limitless variety of proteins.

Amino acids have a direct interaction with vitamins and minerals. Amino acids enable vitamins and minerals to perform their specific jobs in the body properly. Even if the body absorbs vitamins and minerals, they cannot be effective unless the necessary amino acids are present.

Essential and Non-Essential Amino Acids
Amino acids are categorized as either "essential (indispensable)" or "non-essential." When protein is broken down by digestion the result is 22 known amino acids. Eight (8) are essential (cannot be manufactured by the body) the rest are non-essential (can be manufactured by the body with proper nutrition).

Conclusion

Amino acids are so important to the health and well-being of the body that everyone will benefit from some form of amino acid supplementation. This is especially so with suplementation of the essential amino acids which are not manufactured by the body.

There is also phosphorus, sulphur, zinc and selenium in Moringa oleifera.

Moringa oleifera is a wonderful plant. When eaten as Moringa health supplements, it can actually improve your immunity which I will explain in my later blogs. For now, I will continue to tell you about the wonderful vitamins, minerals and proteins (amino acids) that are found in Moringa oleifera. The last four minerals found in Moringa oleifera are:

Phosphorus

There is phosphurus in Moringa oleifera in the form of calcium phosphate which is a structural component of bones and 85% of total body phosphorus is found in the skeleton.

Phosphorus plays an important function as a structural component of cell membrane phospholipids (that is, compounds composed of fatty acids, phosphoric acid and a nitrogenous base) which is important for:

·  energy production and storage;

·  phosphorylation of numerous enzymes;

·  hormones and cell signaling molecules; and

·  to maintain a normal acid-base equilibrium.

Phosphorus deficiency is usually rare and its symptoms are:

·  bone mass loss;

·  muscle weakness;

·  malaise; and

·  pain.

Sulphur

Sulphur is an essential component of all living cells. It is responsible for the conformation of body proteins through the formation of disulfide bonds, thereby holding connective tissue together.

Sulphur is good and effective for wound healing, healing parasite infections, reduced severity of sun burns, reduced allergic reactions, improved lung functions (including asthma) and interstitial cystitis.

Sulphur, together with vitamin C, helps to maintain elasticity and suppleness of the skin. It also interferes with the storage of copper which is good since most people on average seems to have high copper consumption.

Zinc

Zinc is present in all body tissues and fluids. There is about 2g of zinc present in the human body of which 60% of it is found in the skeletal muscle and 30% in bone mass.

Zinc is an essential component of a large number of enzymes participating in the synthesis and degradation of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids as well as in the metabolism of other micronutrients. Zinc contributes to the maintenance of cell and organ integrity by stabilising the molecular structure of cellular components and membranes.

Zinc is essential in polynucleotide transcription and in the process of genetic expression. It also plays an important role in the immune system, affecting a number of aspects of cellular and humoral immunity.

Zinc deficiency in humans can cause:

·  growth retardation;

·  delayed sexual and bone maturation;

·  skin lesions;

·  diarrhea;

·  alopecia;

·  impaired appetite;

·  increased susceptibility to infections mediated via defects in the immune system; and

·  the appearance of behavioural changes.

Zinc has a central role in cell division, protein synthesis, and growth which are very important especially for infants, children, adolescents, and pregnant women to ensure that this group have sufficient zinc intake.

Selenium

Selenium is a new discovery and its significance in the nutrition of the human body has grown very quickly over the last 20 years or so. Selenium is known as a trace nutrient and its role has been implicated:

·   in the protection of body tissues against oxidative stress;

·   in the maintenance of defences against infection;

·   in the modulation of growth and development; and

·   in the metabolism of thyroid hormone.

The selenium content of normal adult humans can vary widely, for example 3mg in New Zealand to 14 mg in some Americans which profoundly reflects the influence of natural environment on the selenium contents of soils, crops and human tissues. About 30% of tissue selenium is contained in the liver, 15% in kidney, 30% in muscle and 10% in blood plasma.

During stress, infection, or tissue injury, selenoenzymes (selenium protein) may protect against the damaging effects of hydrogen peroxide or oxygen-rich free radicals.

Selenium also works together with vitamin E to protect cell membranes against oxidative damage.

Selenium deficiency can cause the following situations:

·   muscular weakness and myalgia with possible development of congestive heart failure;

·   Keshan disease with the following typical manifestations:

o   fatigue after even mild exercise;

o   cardiac arrhythmia and palpitation;

o   loss of appetite;

o   cardiac insufficiency;

o   cardiomegaly;

o   congestive heart failure.

·   Kaschin-Beck disease, a selenium responsive bone and joint disease (osteoarthropathy).

Moringa oleifera has significant amount of Copper and Magnesium for good health

Did you know that copper is needed in the body to stay healthy? If you do not then read on.

Copper is required by the human body for producing haemoglobin (main iron component in red blood cells), maintenance of blood vessels, the production of collagen and melanin (a dark pigment found in skin and hair).

It promotes mportant functions such as: infant growth; host defence mechanisms; bone strength; red and white cell maturation; iron transport; and  brain development.

Copper deficiency can result in:

·  anaemia;

·  neutropenia;

·  bone abnormalities like osteoporosis;

·  hypopigmentation of the hair and skin;

·  hypotonia;

·  impaired growth;

·  increased incidence of infections; and

·  altered immunity.

Copper deficiency occurs mainly in young infants and it has also been diagnosed in children and adults. Many of these cases are described in malnutrition conditions.

Beware that too much copper can also be toxic that can result in the form of stomach upset, nausea, and diarrhea.

100 gms of Fresh Moringa oleifera leaves has sufficient copper to meet 50% of the recommended RDA of an adult.

What about Magnesium?

Did you know that the human body contains about 760mg of magnesium at birth, 5g at age 4 to 5 months, and 25g when adult.

Magnesium in the body is distributed in the muscle and soft tissues (30 - 40%), in extra-cellular fluid (1%) and the remainder magnesium is in the skeleton.

Soft tissues magnesium functions as a cofactor of many enzymes involved in:

·   energy metabolism;

·   protein synthesis;

·   RNA and DNA synthesis; and

·   maintenance of the electrical potential of nervous tissues and cell membranes.

Magnesium in the body regulates potassium fluxes and its involvement in the metabolism of calcium.

Magnesium deficiency can cause:

·   anorexia;

·   nausea;

·   muscular weakness;

·   lethargy;

·   staggering; and

·   weight loss (only if deficiency is prolonged).

Moringa oleifera has three times as much potassium as bananas!

Who would believe that Moringa oleifera has three (3) times as much potassium as in bananas? And that's exactly what Moringa oleifera has.

Potassium is an essential mineral micronutrient in human nutrition. It is the major cation (positively charged ion) inside cells and is important in maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance in the body.

Potassium is predominantly an intracellular cation that is important in neuron (brain and nerve) function. It is also important in allowing muscle contraction and the sending of nerve impulses.

Adequate intake of potassium can generally be achieved by eating a variety of foods containing potassium and although deficiency is generally rare in developed countries, it does occur in diets found in third world and developing countries.

It is good to consume sufficient potassium as diets high in potassium can reduce the risk of hypertension.

Potassium deficiency in body fluids may cause a condition known as hypokalemia (abnormally low level of potassium in the circulating blood leading to weakness and heart abnormalities; associated with adrenal tumors, starvation or taking diuretics) resuting from diarrhea, increased diuresis and vomiting. The symptoms include muscle weakness, paralytic ileus (blockage of the intestine (especially the ileum) that prevents the contents of the intestine from passing to the lower bowel), ECG abnormalities, decreased reflex response and in severe cases, respiratory paralysis, alkalosis and cardiac arrhythmia.

If you are into healthy cooking, try out these links:

Paleo Cookbooks - Complete Recipe Guide to Healthy Eating

Yeast Free Cooking Manual/Cookbook! 

Gluten Free Low Glycemic Cookbook for Diabetics & Allergy Sufferers 

Moringa oleifera ..... plant based super minerals

Besides calcium which is four (4) times as much as milk on a gram to gram comparison, Moringa oleifera is also packed with three (3) times as much iron as spinach and three (3) times as much potassium as found in bananas, when compared on a gram to gram basis.

Indeed, these are very impressive numbers and ratios especially when calcium, iron and potassium are important essential minerals needed by the human body to stay healthy and improved immunity.

My last post I looked at calcium, in this post I'll look at iron.

Iron has several vital functions in the body:

·   It serves as a carrier of oxygen to the tissues from the lungs by the red blood cell haemoglobin;

·   It acts as a transport medium for electrons within cells; and

·   It is an integrated part of important enzyme systems in various tissues.

Iron nutrition is of great importance for the adequate development of the brains and other tissues such as muscles.

Iron is important for growth. A newborn term infant has an iron content of about 75mg/kg body weight. During its first six months of life, the newborn infant will require an extra supply of iron to facilitate growth. The amount of iron requirements continue to grow as the child grows through puberty and then to adulthood.

There are two types of dietary iron:

·   haem iron which is derived from meat, poultry and fish; and

·   non-haem iron which is derived from cereals, edible seeds of various pod-bearing plants (peas, beans or lentils etc.), legumes, fruits and vegetables.

Haem iron can be degraded and converted to non-haem iron when foods are cooked at high temperature for long period.

Iron absorption by the body may be impacted by:

·   the phytates which are usually found in all kinds of grains, seeds, nuts, vegetables, roots and fruits;

·   phenolic compounds (only the galloyl groups), found in plants;

·   consumption of betel nut leaves;

·   calcium consumed as a salt or in dairy products.

Whereas, iron absorption may be enhanced by:

·   the presence of ascorbic acid which acts as a potent enhancer of non-haem iron absorption;

·   the consumption of meat, fish and other seafood also promotes the absorption of non-haem iron; and

·   organic acids such as citric acid can enhance the absorption of non-haem iron.

The effects of iron deficiency are:

·   a reduced physical working capacity, especially during endurance activities, as the iron deficiency causes impaired oxidative metabolism in the muscles;

·   impairment of brain function and development. In humans, about 10% of brain-iron is present at birth, at the age of ten years, the brain has only reached half its normal iron content, and optimal amounts are first reached between the ages of twenty and thirty years; and

·   negatively influences the normal defence systems against infections.

Moringa oleifera - power packed with essential nutritional minerals

Moringa oleifera is not only power packed with the essential vitamins needed by the body. It is also power packed with all the necessary minerals that the body needs to stay healthy and strong. These minerals are also needed by the body to synthesise with the vitamins to produce essential nutrients needed for the body's internal organs (the body's factories) to stay healthy so that these internal organs can function in an optimum fashion, like getting rid of the body's waste and toxic matters, keep the bones strong and so on.

The fresh leaves of Moringa oleifera contains the equivalent of (when compared on a gram to gram basis):

• 4 times more calcium than milk
• 3 times more potassium than bananas, and
• 4 times more iron than spinach

And in addition to calcium, potassium and iron, it also has appropriate amounts of copper, magnesium, phosphorus, sulphur, selenium and zinc......all needed by the human body to stay healthy and to keep the body's immune system in tip-top condition.

So, why are these minerals so important to the human body? I shall explain all these to you over my next few blogs....but let's start with calcium first.

Calcium:

Basically, calcium has two biological roles:

·   calcium salts provide rigidity to the skeleton; and

·   calcium ions play a role in many metabolic processes like neuromuscular function, many enzyme-mediated processes and blood-clotting.

Calcium deficiency may cause osteoporosis. However, this must be diagnosed against other factors like vitamin D deficiency, sodium and animal protein impairment to calcium absorption.

·   Vitamin D promotes calcium absorption. The lack of vitamin D will reduce the amount of calcium absorption by the body;

·   Sodium has been known to compete with calcium for re-absorption by the body and therefore, can reduce the amount of calcium absorption by the body;

·   Consumption of animal protein has been known since the 1960s to reduce the amount of calcium absorption by the body.

Calcium is needed by the human body at every stage of human development.

·   From infant to puberty, it is needed to facilitate phenomenon skeletal growth;

·   For adults and ageing male adults, it is needed to keep the skeleton in good condition;

·   For menopausal women, it is needed to reduce the incidence of osteoporosis;

·   For pregnant women, it is needed to replace whatever is lost for fetal development;

·   For lactating women, it is needed to replace what is lost from breast feeding their babies. Human milk has higher calcium-phosphate ratio than cow milk and it may be a factor in the higher absorption of calcium from human milk compared to cow milk.

I shall explain the importance of iron and potassium in my next blog.

Here are some of my recommendations for you to try out:

Gluten Free Low Glycemic Cookbook for Diabetics & Allergy Sufferers
The Lazy Raw Foodists Guide