Moringa Extract is Not a Miracle Weight Loss Supplement

There’s another “miracle” weight loss supplement on the market and some are claiming it may be the new solution to our nation’s obesity epidemic. It’s called Moringa Extract and has been sold in other forms such as Moringa Oleifera, and it’s derived from the Moringa tree that’s grown in remote areas in Kenya, Ethiopia and the Hemilayas. This natural supplement is being praised by many for its amazing weight loss results without side effects.

Moringa is beneficial for humans because it stands heads and shoulders above the competition when compared to other dietary supplements. Some even claim it has the ability to help prevent more than 300 health conditions as it contains an extremely high amount of vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

According to a news release at PR Web, it contains seven times the amount of vitamin C in oranges, four times the amount of calcium in milk, four times the amount of vitamin A in carrots, and two times the protein in yogurt. Dr. Oz even featured Moringa Oleifera on his show earlier this year saying it contains three times more iron than spinach and helped naturally boost energy.

Moringa is also thought to cause weight loss as it’s been found to slow the rate at which sugar is released into the bloodstream. This is beneficial because excess sugar turns into fat in the body which can lead to weight gain. In this way Moringa is able to naturally boost energy levels while simultaneously burning fat and promoting weight loss.

Consumers can take Moringa in capsule form or brew it as tea, a method Dr. Oz personally recommends. However, some believe that the supplement is not as potent in tea form as it is in capsule form so users may not see as great of results if opting for this method over a pill.

The Discovery Channel aired a segment several years ago that highlighted Moringa in a much different way than we’re seeing it advertised today in the U.S. Because the Moringa tree is grown in Africa where water and food are limited resources, it is a highly sought after supplement for combating malnourishment because it’s so rich in vitamins and minerals. In fact, use of Moringa has reportedly slowed malnutrition in the many regions of Africa, which has led many to call it the “miracle tree.” And because the leaves, seeds and flowers are all edible and extremely beneficial, the tree is heavily utilized in these regions.

In Senegal, Africa it has been an essential ingredient to help counter malnutrition especially among children. The Moringa leaves are washed, dried and crushed with a mortar and pestle and the powder is then sifted like flour and used to sprinkle over dishes as a “spice.” Moringa is also frequently used in India where it’s called the “drumstick tree.” Because the leaves are so rich in vitamin A it helps fight deficiencies that can lead to such serious conditions as blindness, which has reportedly reached near epidemic proportions in these areas.

Another beneficial use of Moringa is purifying water. Close to one-third of people worldwide do not have access to clean and dependable water. Botanist Mark Olsen was featured on the Discovery Channel saying that Moringa seeds help purify the water and since production costs of the tree are so low and accessibility is so high, it’s becoming a solution to an otherwise devastating problem.

In regards to how effective Moringa is as a dietary supplement, DietsInReview.com’s registered dietitian Mary Hartley, RD is skeptical. “Moringa is a highly nutritious, medicinal plant grown in the tropics with negligible calories but loaded with high-quality protein, essential fatty acids, and vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents,” she said. “It is a versatile food for livestock and humans in third-world countries, but there is no scientific evidence of Moringa being a weight loss supplement. In fact, an agricultural study showed that cattle gained weight and increased milk production on a diet supplemented with Moringa leaves. It seems like Moringa powder could be a healthy supplement for anyone with a poor quality diet.”

Regardless of how effective Moringa Extract may or may not be, consumers seem to be gobbling it up as the new answer to their weight loss woes. The supplement is now available for purchase online and like many other popular dietary supplements will surely flood store shelves soon if it hasn’t already. As always, however, we caution people to focus on long-term health in the way of diet and exercise as opposed to quick fixes like Moringa Extract, as the latter rarely yields lasting results.

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