Moringa for the Immune System

Moringa is called the tree of life for many reasons, first among them is the fact that almost every part of the plant can be used to help sustain or preserve life, whether in the form of food from its flowers and leaves or as medicines from its barks and roots. In fact, moringa is so good at providing basic nutrition that it is used by aid organizations as their first line of defense against starvation, malnutrition, and disease. Moringa contains high concentrations of many different nutrients, such as vitamins C, E, and A, the minerals iron, selenium, and zinc, and the organic substance beta-carotene. All of these nutrients have long been recognized as having the ability to boost immunity and fight of the onset of any illness. 

Vitamin C improves the immune system’s ability to fight off microbial infections while boosting the activity of our lymphocytes and natural killer cells. It is also an antioxidant, which means it helps protect our cells from being damaged by oxidative stress. Vitamin C is so essential to our immunity that a drop in its levels in our blood plasma has been classified as a sure sign of oncoming infection. Vitamin A is essential because it plays a key role in the synthesis of our white blood cells, the soldiers of the immune system that do the actual battle against bacteria and viruses that manage to get in. It is also an essential ingredient in maintaining the good vision, brain health, and muscle strength. Vitamin E is also an antioxidant, and it stimulates the production of natural killer cells and b cells, two important antibodies that specialize seek in out and destroying bacterial infections. The mineral iron prevents the development of anemia, which is a deficiency of the red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout our body. Like Vitamin E, zinc is essential in the production and regulation of antibodies, particularly the T-cells and lymphocytes. Selenium is used in the production of enzymes and important cellular components. Selenium combines with proteins in the body to form selenoprotiens which act as powerful antioxidant enzymes that safeguard our cells from damage. Beta-carotene has long been recognized as an immunity-boosting heavyweight, and boosts not just regular immune function, but provides protection against the development of certain cancers as well. Scientific studies have shown that taking any one of these nutrients as a supplement results in a significant boost in immunity. By containing all of them in a single food, moringa provides the best natural defense against all types of viruses, pathogens, and diseases. In fact, preliminary studies have shown great promise in moringa’s ability to help fight off even the deadliest of all the diseases: HIV/AIDS.
 
This only highlights the value of moringa as a tool for aid and relief efforts, especially in Africa. Africa has been the victim not just of famine and starvation, but of an AIDS epidemic as well, with the continent being home to over 70% of confirmed HIV cases. Scientists suggest that there is a link between the malnutrition and the proliferation of such viral diseases. Moringa’s ability to tackle both problems effectively and simultaneously is proof positive once again that it indeed deserves its title as the tree of life.