It is safe to say that the lives of most humans on earth have been affected by The Pandemic. Very few people do not know at least one person who has died of COVID-19 complications. The virus has swept over the globe with terrifying speed and efficiency. It has changed the way we live, love, and maybe even the way we think. Vaccinations are now available, but many are not comfortable with the safety and efficacy of these proposed agents of prevention. We are divided by opinion, quarantine laws, social distancing, and fear. We live in a state of constant flux and uncertainty. The far-reaching implications of COVID-19’s ripple effect are impossible to calculate.
It is a well-established fact that people with co-morbidities like diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure are more likely to become severely ill and even die of COVID-19. The very best defense against the virus is still a healthy body and a well-functioning immune system.
This article does not constitute medical advice. There is no magic bullet for COVID-19 and we do not claim that any one superfood can prevent or cure it. What we can however provide, is a bit of insight into the ways that Moringa leaf supplements’ beneficial properties may improve your body’s natural defense systems and also help you to recover faster from illness.
Chemical warfare
As you can imagine, a huge number of studies are on the go to find ways to treat COVID-19. Some of these are focused on the potential healing properties of Moringa Oleifera, as it is known for its antiviral components and rich antioxidant and flavonoid stores.
The antiviral properties of flavonoids are well-documented. New research has now shown that specific flavonoids in Moringa Oleifera, namely isorhamnetin, kaempferol, and apigenin show a particularly good ability to “dock” on to the COVID-19 virus and kill it. Furthermore, other flavonoids called apigenin, quercetin, myricetin, and chrysene reportedly hinder viral growth. Moringa may thus be a potential preventive and therapeutic treatment for the virus.
Natural Born Killers
Our wonderfully designed bodies have naturally built-in armies for defense and attack against viruses and pathogens. These consist of killer cells called macrophages, or white blood cells, that “eat” unwanted particles, such as dead cells and bacteria. Furthermore, they are critical for cleaning and repairing the body after an immune attack.
Moringin is a component in Moringa that is similar to the sulforaphane found in cruciferous vegies like broccoli. This substance stimulates the production of killer cells and helps them to function optimally. The message is clear: Consume Moringa to build your body’s armies and fortresses!
Moringa: Functional Food
From the scientific to the practical. Moringa is what we call a Functional Food – a multi-tasker that helps you to keep healthy on many different levels. A bit like squats and lunges are good for all-over movement and strength.
The skeleton of health
Why do we say that? Well, if we are talking purely about immune boosting properties, let us start with the bare bones. Protein is the basic building block of the body. It is what we are made of. It is, with fat, the essential nutrient we need to survive. A poor supply of protein weakens every structure and system of the body. Vegans and some vegetarians may battle to keep their protein levels high enough to maintain an immune system in peak performance. Fortunately, Moringa is a complete plant protein. It amazingly contains all nine essential amino acids and provides twice as much protein as yoghurt derived from milk.
Vital vitamins
On the foundation of protein, we lay the mortar of vitamins and minerals. Vitamin C is of course the best-known immune booster. A virus like COVID-19 causes a massive inflammatory response within the body. The by-product of inflammation is cytokines, and the result is what is called a cytokine storm. The oxidative stress from the cytokine storm is a key cause of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This results in damage to tissue and organs such as the lungs, and may even be fatal. One of the benefits of large dose vitamin C, is that it is a powerful antioxidant that can combat the effects of oxidative stress and down-regulate inflammation (Cheng, Shi, Yanagisawa, Levy, and Saul, 2020). Moringa Leaf Juice Extract contains high levels of vitamin C – seven times higher than that of oranges.
Other major players in the immunity stakes are vitamins A, E, and the mineral Zinc. Moringa ticks all these boxes in abundance.
What your gut tells you
Last, but not least, we need to look at the importance of the gut in immunity. Hippocrates said that “all disease begins in the gut.” If so, then health also begins in the gut. This health comes from having a strong intestinal tract and a diverse microbiome. Moringa helps to create a diversified and robust microbiome in the digestive tract, which is essential to fight off any virus, bacteria or pathogen that enters it. Listen to your gut and drink Moringa!
What we eat plays a critical role in our health, from a cellular level upwards. There is a saying that you can dig your grave with your teeth… We may not have much control over the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic and its influence on our daily lives, but we do control what we put in our mouths. Electing to feed ourselves with proper food is a major step towards strengthening our defenses against the virus. The massive nutrient density of Moringa leaves delivers an unrivaled punch to the jaw of poor nutrition and possible illness. Choose health. Choose Moringa.
