Moringa As Antioxidant
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of slowing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals, which start chain reactions that damage cells. Antioxidant is the collective name for the vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, and polyphenols that protect the body from harmful free radicals. Antioxidants terminate these chain reactions by removing free radical intermediates, and inhibit other oxidation reactions by being oxidized themselves.
Although oxidation reactions are crucial for life, they can also be damaging; hence, plants and animals maintain complex systems of multiple types of antioxidants, such as glutathione, vitamin C, and vitamin E as well as enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase and various peroxidases. Low levels of antioxidants, or inhibition of the antioxidant enzymes, causes oxidative stress and may damage or kill cells. Antioxidants are also thought to have a role in slowing the aging process and preventing heart disease and strokes, but the data is still inconclusive.
There is increasing evidence that oxidative stress, defined as an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants in favor of the former, leads to many biochemical changes and is an important contribution factor in several human chronic diseases, such as atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases, mutagenesis and cancer, several neurodegenerative disorders, and likely the aging process. There is some evidence that antioxidants might help prevent diseases such as macular degeneration suppressed immunity due to poor nutrition, and neurodegeneration.
Vitamin A as antioxidant protects cell membranes and fatty tissue and helps to repair the damage caused by air pollutants, and boosts the immune system. A deficiency of this vitamin can result in dry skin, brittle hair, vision problems, blindness, and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections. Moringa with 4 times the vitamin A in carrots prevent these deficiency disorders. Vitamin C probably the most widely used of all vitamin supplements, vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that has a myriad of functions and helps strengthen the immune system. Moringa contains ½ times the Vitamin C in Oranges which act as an antioxidant and should be supplied in the form of diet as it can’t be synthesized by the human body. Antioxidants can cancel out the cell-damaging effects of free radicals.
Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant by itself, but its effectiveness is magnified when taken with other antioxidants, especially vitamin C, selenium, and beta carotene. Some scientific evidence indicates that vitamin E helps promote cardiovascular health. Moringa with combination of the anti oxidants aids to prevent the damage caused due to free radicals. Bioflavonoids are a group of about 5,000 compounds that act as antioxidants. They have been shown to be beneficial in treating a variety of conditions, including allergies, arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, and viral infections.