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Moringa for controlling blood cholesterol levels, how does it work?
October 13, 2023
Moringa oleifera, used in ancient times and coming back into focus in recent years due to its exceptional properties, is a plant rich in phytocompounds and healthy nutrients. It has been intensively researched for a long time and has numerous scientific confirmations. Its health benefits are still being studied and widely proven, particularly in terms of controlling blood cholesterol levels.
Called the “miracle tree,” the moringa is edible in every part. The leaf extracts are used to treat malnutrition and increase breast milk, the seeds are used to purify water, and it has exceptional potential as an antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and antimicrobial agent. Now let's delve deeper into the healing effects related to the control of hypercholesterolemia, which has long been researched due to the richness of flavonoids, antioxidants and other beneficial plant compounds.
It belongs to the lipid family and is present in the blood and tissues in the form of fat. It is produced by the body and partly absorbed with food.
The so-called “good” cholesterol, in the right amounts, is crucial for building healthy cells. However, when its levels rise, it can become a risk factor for heart disease.
In fact, excess amounts of cholesterol can cause atherosclerosis, which is deposits of fat in the blood vessels. The blockage of blood flow can be seriously harmful to health (for example, it promotes strokes and heart attacks).
Bad cholesterol is called low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which are molecular structures in which cholesterol is transported in the blood. It is called "bad" because it carries excess cholesterol from the liver to the arteries and releases it into the vessels, leading to atherosclerosis.
Good cholesterol consists of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which are lipoproteins with a high density. It is called "good cholesterol" because it promotes the excretion of cholesterol in the blood through bile salts, thereby protecting the blood vessels and the heart. In addition, it improves digestion, contributes to the production of vitamin D and cell membranes, especially in the nervous system. It is also the precursor to some hormones such as estrogen and testosterone.
Causes, diagnosis and treatment of cholesterol:
Cholesterol levels are measured as a total: HDL (good cholesterol) + LDL (bad cholesterol), and total values should not exceed 240 mg/dl. Above this level it is referred to as hypercholesterolemia or high cholesterol.
What are the causes of hypercholesterolemia?
In addition to genetic factors, i.e. family or hereditary predisposition, the causes of high cholesterol include a number of unhealthy lifestyle habits, including: inadequate diet, excessive alcohol consumption, saturated fats, red meat and animal products, smoking, little or no physical activity (see the recommendations of the Fondazione Umberto Veronesi). The only way to detect high cholesterol is to do blood tests.
What measures can be taken to reduce bad cholesterol levels?
Statins are usually prescribed, which block the production of LDL cholesterol and increase the liver's ability to eliminate cholesterol already circulating in the bloodstream. Or bile acid binders are used, which bind to the bile salts and enable larger amounts of LDL cholesterol to be excreted in the stool. Finally, niacin or nicotinic acid is used to lower levels of bad and total cholesterol and increase the amount of HDL.
Moringa and hypercholesterolemia: the studies
The study "Simultaneous determination of the content of crypto-chlorogenic acid, isoquercetin and astragalin in Moringa oleifera leaf extracts by the TLC densitometry method" showed that isoquercetin, astragalin and crypto-chlorogenic acid are the main active ingredients in the leaves of moringa.
The average amounts of these components simultaneously extracted from the leaves were 0.0473, 0.0427 and 0.0534% of dry weight.
What is Quercetin?
Quercetin belongs to the family of flavonoid compounds, natural substances rich in antioxidants. Studies on quercetin have shown that it has biological properties consistent with some beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. This includes the ability to protect low-density lipoproteins (LDL cholesterol) from oxidation, which in turn can prevent the formation of plaque in the arteries (atherosclerosis). It can also reduce blood clotting to prevent thrombosis and promote relaxation of the heart muscles, which can have antihypertensive and antiarrhythmic effects.
You can find out more about the use of moringa to regulate blood pressure in the linked study.
Studies on chlorogenic acid content and cholesterol control
The moringa contains acid clorogénico, one of the flavonoids more studied by the propiedades antioxidants, anti-inflammatories and antiproliferatives. Quimicamente, se conoce como ácido 3-cafeoilquinico y es a polifenol presente en manyos vegetales (como berenjenas, tomatoes, duraznos, peras, manzanas, ciruelas, papas), en el mate y en el té verde, with a papel activo en los processesos de oxidación-reducción. Among the propiedades atribuidas al ácido clorogénico, además de sus excellent capacidades antioxidantes, antibacterianas y antiinflamatorias, se encuentra the de reduction of the absorption of azúcar a low intestinal and the values of pressure arterial.
Algunos estudios confirman the use of compuestos vegetales como el ácido clorogénico en la reducción del colesterol sérico, lo que ralentiza the progression of enfermedades cardiovasculares.
Other investigations into clorogenic acid and hipercolesterolemia occur in rats with obesity, hiperlipidemia and insulin resistance (a través de infusiones intravenosas - with 5 mg/Kg de peso corporal al día) during 3 semanas redujo hasta a 58% las concentrations plasmáticas de colesterol y triglicér idos, Greater tolerance to glucose and distribution of minerals.
Astragalina, what is that?
It is a chemical compound classified as a flavonoid, with the scientific name kaenpherol-3-O-β-D-glucoside, present in some plant species and wine (Phytolacca americana and the fronds of the fern Phegopteris connectilis, Cuscuta australis ) was isolated. It shows inhibitory effects on a carcinogenic estrogen metabolite*. Studies on Astragalina (read more)* have confirmed the presence of many biological functions with an anti-inflammatory effect similar to flavonoids.
Hypocholesterolemic effects of moringa: further studies
Further studies suggest that the ability to control cholesterol levels lies in the essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are contained in 76% of moringa oil. Moringa leaves, in addition to treating various diseases (asthma, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, influenza, heartburn, syphilis, malaria, pneumonia, diarrhea, headaches, scurvy, skin diseases, bronchitis, eye and ear infections*), also have a lowering effect on high cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
In addition, the study highlights that 'the presence of flavonoids gives the leaves anti-diabetic and antioxidant properties. Isothiocyanates are antitumor agents. Flavonoids such as quercetin and others are known for their antiproliferative and antitumor properties. The presence of minerals and vitamins helps strengthen the immune system and treat a variety of diseases.' (Here is the link to the full study)
Moringa flowers and leaves in particular have cholesterol-lowering effects, as demonstrated in a study compared to ateniol on blood sugar and triglyceride levels*.
The study showed significant lipid lowering with a reduction in blood sugar levels and serum cholesterol levels (Read the full study here ).
Further applications in this regard have long been known in India, where Moringa leaves are used as a herbal remedy to lower cholesterol in overweight patients.
This use of Moringa has been scientifically studied and showed that administration of raw Moringa oleifera leaf extract in combination with a high-fat diet reduced blood, liver and kidney cholesterol levels by 14.35%, 6.40% and 11, respectively. 09% lowered.
This highlights the true cholesterol-lowering effect of Moringa leaves with a solid pharmacological basis. (Find the full study here ).
Another study examined the potential of Moringa oleifera leaf powder as a cholesterol-lowering agent in a 90-day diet (which also aimed to reduce the cholesterol content in eggs due to its controversial role in heart disease) with four different dietary treatments corresponding to increasing amounts of moringa ; Serum cholesterol levels in treatments with Moringa at doses of 0.5% to 10% decreased by 14.2% to 22.0%.
The results show that including moringa in the diet, in addition to cholesterol-lowering properties, can facilitate the reduction of cholesterol content in eggs (reduced by 6.55% to 12.1%). (Read the full study here ).