What makes moringa good for you?

What makes moringa good for you?

1.     What is in moringa?

2.     Benefits?

3.     Side effects

4.     Risks with existing medications

5.     Can it aid weight loss?

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·       Moringa oleifera is a plant that is often called the drumstick tree, the miracle tree, the ben oil tree, or the horseradish tree.

·       Moringa has been used for centuries due to its medicinal properties and health benefits. It also has anti-fungal, antiviral, antidepressant, and anti-inflammatory properties.

------------------------------------Mr. Sanjaykumar Vasoya (Biotechnologist)---------------------------------

Fast facts on moringa:

·       The tree is native to India but also grows in Asia, Africa, and South America.

·       Moringa contains a variety of proteins, vitamins, and minerals.

·       Moringa oleifera has few known side effects.

·       People taking medication should consult a doctor before taking moringa extract.

What is in moringa?

Moringa has medicinal properties and contains many healthful compounds.

Moringa contains many healthful compounds such as:

·       vitamin A

·       vitamin B1 (thiamine)

·       B2 (riboflavin)

·       B3 (niacin), B-6

·       folate and ascorbic acid (vitamin C)

·       calcium

·       potassium

·       iron

·       magnesium

·       phosphorus

·       zinc

It is also extremely low in fats and contains no harmful cholesterol.

What are the benefits?

Moringa is believed to have many benefits and its uses range from health and beauty to helping prevent and cure diseases. The benefits of moringa include:

1. Protecting and nourishing skin and hair

Moringa seed oil is beneficial for protecting hair against free radicals and keeps it clean and healthy. Moringa also contains protein, which means it is helpful in protecting skin cells from damage. It also contains hydrating and detoxifying elements, which also boost the skin and hair.

It can be successful in curing skin infections and sores.

2. Treating edema

Edema is a painful condition where fluid builds up in specific tissues in the body. The anti-inflammatory properties of moringa may be effective in preventing edema from developing.

3. Protecting the liver

Moringa appears to protect the liver against damage caused by anti-tubercular drugs and can quicken its repair process.

4. Preventing and treating cancer

Moringa extracts contain properties that might help prevent cancer developing. It also contains niazimicin, which is a compound that suppresses the development of cancer cells.

5. Treating stomach complaints

Moringa extracts might help treat some stomach disorders, such as constipation, gastritis, and ulcerative colitis. The antibiotic and antibacterial properties of moringa may help inhibit the growth of various pathogens, and its high vitamin B content helps with digestion.

6. Fighting against bacterial diseases

Due to its antibacterial, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties, moringa extracts might combat infections caused by Salmonella, Rhizopus, and E. coli.

7. Making bones healthier

Moringa also contains calcium and phosphorous, which help keep bones healthy and strong. Along with its anti-inflammatory properties moringa extract might help to treat conditions such as arthritis and may also heal damaged bones.

8. Treating mood disorders

Moringa is thought to be helpful in treating depression, anxiety, and fatigue.

9. Protecting the cardiovascular system

The powerful antioxidants found in Moringa extract might help prevent cardiac damage and has also been shown to maintain a healthy heart.

10. Helping wounds to heal

Extract of moringa has been shown to help wounds close as well as reduce the appearance of scars.

11. Treating diabetes

Moringa helps to reduce the amount of glucose in the blood, as well as sugar and protein in the urine. This improved the hemoglobin levels and overall protein content in those tested.

12. Treating asthma

Moringa may help reduce the severity of some asthma attacks and protect against bronchial constrictions. It has also been shown to assist with better lung function and breathing overall.

 13. Protecting against kidney disorders

People may be less likely to develop stones in the kidneys, bladder or uterus if they ingest moringa extract. Moringa contains high levels of antioxidants that might aid toxicity levels in the kidneys.

14. Reducing high blood pressure

Moringa contains isothiocyanate and niaziminin, compounds that help to stop arteries from thickening, which can cause blood pressure to rise.

15. Improving eye health

Moringa contains eyesight-improving properties thanks to its high antioxidant levels. Moringa may stop the dilation of retinal vessels, prevent the thickening of capillary membranes, and inhibit retinal dysfunction.

16. Treating anemia and sickle cell disease

Moringa might help a person's body absorb more iron, therefore increasing their red blood cell count. It is thought the plant extract is very helpful in treating and preventing anemia and sickle cell disease.

Side effects

·    Although Moringa may have very few reported side effects, a healthcare professional should be consulted before it is taken.

·       Anyone considering using moringa is advised to discuss it with a doctor first.

·       Moringa may possess anti-fertility qualities and is therefore not recommended for pregnant women.

·       There have been very few side effects reported.

·       People should always read the label on the extract and follow dosage instructions.

Risks

·       Some of the medications to be particularly aware of are:

·       Levothyroxine: Used to combat thyroid problems. Compounds in the moringa leaf may aid the thyroid function, but people should not take it in combination with other thyroid medication.

·       Any medications that might be broken down by the liver: Moringa extract may decrease how quickly this happens, which could lead to various side effects or complications.

·       Diabetes medications: Diabetes medications are used to lower blood sugar, which moringa also does effectively. It is vital to ensure blood sugar levels do not get too low.

·       High blood pressure medication: Moringa has shown to be effective at lowering blood pressure. Taking moringa alongside other drugs that lower blood pressure may result in it becoming too low.

Can it aid weight loss?

Evidence has shown that moringa extract can be effective in reducing and controlling weight gain in mice. Its high vitamin B content helps with smooth and efficient digestion and can assist the body when converting food into energy, as opposed to storing it as fat.

·       Moringa is thought to:

·       reduce weight gain

·       help to lower cholesterol and blood pressure

·       prevent inflammation

·       help the body convert fats into energy

·       reduce fatigue and improve energy levels

Vitamin B12: What to Know?

· How Much to Get?
· Food Sources of Vitamin B12
· Vitamin B12 Deficiency
· Pregnant or New Mom?
· Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
· Treatment
· Prevention
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Do you get enough vitamin B12? You’ll want to make sure that you do, in order to stay healthy. 

Vitamin B12 does a lot of things for your body. It helps make your DNA and your red blood cells, for example. 

Since your body doesn't make vitamin B12, you have to get it from animal-based foods or from supplements. And you should do that on a regular basis, because your body doesn’t store vitamin B12 for a long time. 

----------------------------------Mr. Sanjaykumar Vasoya (Biotechnologist)-------------------------------------
How Much to Get?

• The answer depends on things including your age, you’re eating habits and medical conditions, and what medications you take.
• The average recommended amounts, measured in micrograms (mcg), vary by age:
• Infants up to age 6 months: 0.4 mcg
• Babies age 7-12 months: 0.5 mcg
• Children age 1-3 years: 0.9 mcg
• Kids age 4-8 years: 1.2 mcg
• Children age 9-13 years: 1.8 mcg
• Teens age 14-18: 2.4 mcg (2.6 mcg per day if pregnant and 2.8 mcg per day if breastfeeding)
• Adults: 2.4 mcg (2.6 mcg per day if pregnant and 2.8 mcg per day if breastfeeding)

Food Sources of Vitamin B12

Milk and yogurt may increase vitamin B12 intake. Dairy products, including yogurt, are an excellent source of vitamin B12 and daily intake can help to meet the recommendation of 3.0 µg in order to prevent vitamin B12 deficiency, which is associated with serious health problems.

· Vegetarian foods high in vitamin B12 include fortified cereals, fortified fruit juices, fortified tofu, yogurt, milk, cheese, eggs, vitamin water, and whey powder. The daily value for vitamin B12 is 2.4μg per day, which has been recently reduced from 6μg per the USDA food labeling standards.

· Mushrooms do have B12 present. It is on both the surface of the mushroom and in the flesh of the mushroom. The majority of B12 is in the surface of the cup of the mushroom.

· You can get vitamin B12 in animal foods, which have it naturally, or from items that have been fortified with it.

· Animal sources include dairy products, eggs, fish, meat, and poultry. If you’re looking for a food fortified with B12, check the product’s Nutrition Facts label.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

· Most people in the U.S. get enough of this nutrient. If you’re not sure, you can ask your doctor if you should get a blood test to check your vitamin B12 level.

· With age, it can become harder to absorb this vitamin. It can also happen if you have had weight loss surgery or another operation that removed part of your stomach, if you drink heavily, or if you’ve taken acid-reducing medications for a long time.

· You may also be more likely to develop vitamin B12 deficiency if you have:

· Atrophic gastritis, in which your stomach lining has thinned

· Pernicious anemia, which makes it hard for your body to absorb vitamin B12

· Conditions that affect your small intestine, such as Crohn's disease, celiac disease, bacterial growth, or a parasite

· Immune system disorders, such as Graves' disease or lupus

· You can also get vitamin B12 deficiency if you follow a vegan diet (meaning you don't eat any animal products, including meat, milk, cheese, and eggs) or you are a vegetarian who doesn't eat enough eggs or dairy products to meet your vitamin B12 needs. In both of those cases, you can add fortified foods to your diet or take supplements to meet this need.

Pregnant or New Mom?
· Are you a pregnant woman on a vegan or vegetarian diet, and plan to only breastfeed your baby? You should talk to your doctor before you have your baby, so that you have a plan in place for how you’ll get enough vitamin B12 to keep your baby healthy.

· Without enough vitamin B12, your baby could have developmental delays and not thrive and grow like he should.

Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

· If you have vitamin B12 deficiency, you could become anemic. A mild deficiency may cause no symptoms. But if untreated, it may lead to symptoms such as:

· Weakness, tiredness, or lightheadedness

· Heart palpitations and shortness of breath

· Pale skin, A smooth tongue

· Constipation, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or gas

· Nerve problems like numbness or tingling, muscle weakness, and problems walking

· Vision loss,

· Mental problems like depression, memory loss, or behavioral changes

Treatment
· If you have pernicious anemia or have trouble absorbing vitamin B12, you'll need shots of this vitamin at first. You may need to keep getting these shots, take high doses of a supplement, or get it nasally after that.
· If you don’t eat animal products, you have options. You can change your diet to include vitamin B12-fortified grains, a supplement or B12 injections, or a high-dose oral vitamin B12 if you are deficient.
· Older adults who have a vitamin B12 deficiency should take a daily B12 supplement or a multivitamin that contains B12.
· For most people, treatment resolves the problem. But, any nerve damage that happened due to the deficiency could be permanent.

Prevention
· Most people can prevent vitamin B12 deficiency by eating enough meat, poultry, seafood, dairy products, and eggs.
· If you don't eat animal products, or you have a medical condition that limits how well your body absorbs nutrients, you can take vitamin B12 in a multivitamin or other supplement and foods fortified with vitamin B12.
· If you choose to take vitamin B12 supplements, let your doctor know, so he or she can make sure they won't affect any medicines you're taking.