Moringa for nerves

The nervous system, that includes the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves, is rich in iron and unsaturated fats. High lipid levels of nervous tissues and its high metabolic activity makes it predominantly vulnerable to oxidative damage activities. In the human beings, brain activities are found to be well advanced and this is the reason for the sixth sense.

Substantial evidence from researches available that prove oxidative stress is a vital factor involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Evidence of oxidative stress was evaluated is in the form of increased lipid peroxidation and oxidation of DNA, RNA and proteins. This activity was observed in Alzheimer’s disease using rat models. A number of research studies have shown that both endogenous and dietary antioxidants can reduce oxidative stress generally and can protect tissues of the nervous system.

Most in vitro and clinical studies were aimed in studying the effects of lipid soluble antioxidants supplementation on neurological diseases targeted vitamins include, niacin, vitamin B, A,E and riboflavin etc. Scientists found that these vitamins could stop cell death in human brain neurons and natural vitamins have an edge over synthetic vitamins. They tracked that neuron cell death could lead to Alzheimer’s disease as well as hypoxia conditions. It has been confirmed that Alzheimer’s disease is connected to diet and physical metabolism. This disease related conditions could be reduced with dietary antioxidants intake. Various surveys have been conducted with plant based antioxidants.

Moringa oleifera leaves have 46 antioxidants and the ORAC value is 157,000. They contain minerals, vitamin A, B complex vitamins, essential amino acids and vitamin E. Studies reveal that these compounds exhibit antioxidant property apart from providing memory enhancing effect on human brain. Memory facilitating effects of the tree leaves on Alzheimer’s disease in rats were studied. In this experiment, an experimentally validated model was selected. Animals were pre-operatively trained to undertake a standard radial-arm maze (RAM) task. Rats chosen as models were given 5 days of habituation trials in which food pellets were scattered throughout the maze and the rat was allowed to freely explore for 5 mins to track the food item.

Following habituation session, the animals were given training on 10 daily trials on RAM task. In this experimental task, a rat was placed in the center of maze and allowed to visit each of the 4 arms. In all the arms, single food pellet has been kept as bait. Entry into an arm previously visited within any daily trial was scored as an error. Animals that do not reach this criterion were discarded from the study.

These animals were grouped and one group was given moringa oleifera leaf extract with the normal diet. Water was given at desired levels for both the groups. The group that received moringa oleifera leaf extract performed better than the rats that took only their diet, without any food supplements. As per these studies, moringa herbal tea could be used for various nervous system problems.