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8 CapitalPress.com October 12, 2018 Moringa touted as next ‘super food’ By PADMA NAGAPPAN For the Capital Press Asian farmers in Califor- nia’s Central Valley have been 41-1/100 growing a new crop, moringa, which researchers say is a ver- satile food plant that can be used for a variety of purposes. Moringa is originally from India, where it’s called drum stick or “moorungakai,” with its name evolving as it spread to parts of Africa and Asia before making its way state- side. All parts of the plant are edible — its leaves, the drum stick pods, seeds, root and bark. Leaves can be used in soups and salads, and added in powdered form to differ- ent dishes or drunk as tea. The young pods are used by Indians in a variety of dish- es, from gravies to stir fries. The roasted seeds are said to have antibiotic and anti fun- gal properties, and the roots and bark are used to combat inflammation. Despite all this, it’s still a humble plant in India, where it’s often grown in people’s backyards and found at gro- cery stores and farmers’ mar- kets, usually placed on the side while other vegetables take center stage. In specialty food stores and online, moringa is sold Padma Nagappan/For the Capital Press With the help of a state grant, UCANR researchers are testing how much protein, iron and vitamins moringa contains, and have developed recipes in which the leaves and pod can be used. in dry powdered form and touted as a “miracle food” or “super food.” When researchers from the University of California’s Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources found local Asian farmers growing it, and understood the nutri- tional value of this humble plant, they began to look for ways to promote it, so more farmers could grow it, and the public could learn how to use it. With the help of a state-funded grant, they’re testing how much protein, iron and vitamins it contains, and have developed recipes in which the leaves and pod can be used. “We found there was a market for the value-added product as a powder used in smoothies, savory dishes, oatmeal,” said Lorena Maria Ramos, new crop research as- sociate with the small farms program at UCANR in Fres- no. “It’s versatile.” In farmers’ markets in the Fresno area, its leaves are sold for $1 a bundle. With encouragement and education from Ruth Dahlquist-Wil- lard, a small farms advisor at UCANR who first recognized the potential of moringa, and help from Ramos, more lo- cal growers are beginning to plant and sell it. “The whole point is to give farmers an opportunity to cre- ate a value-added product that will boost their business and provide an additional source of income for their farms,” Ramos said. Moringa is drought toler- ant, which suits California’s dry conditions. It does well in hot weather, but winter can be challenging, because cold snaps and freezes can be problematic, so farmers will need to cover it with plastic or grow it in a greenhouse. A sapling planted in the spring can grow to 8 feet by early fall. Ramos is working on de- veloping marketing materials, outreach opportunities and value-added options. UCANR recently released several rec- ipes to promote moringa and educate the public on how to use it. Making Strides Against BREAST CANCER Celebrating more than 25 years of saving lives nationwide, American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks unite communities to honor those touched by the disease and raise awareness and funds for a world without breast cancer. As the largest network of breast cancer awareness events in the nation, more than one million passionate participants support the noncompetitive three- to five-mile walks each year. Dollars raised help the American Cancer Society fund innovative breast cancer research; provide education and guidance to help people reduce their risk; and offer comprehensive patient support to those who need it most so that no one facing breast cancer ever has to walk alone. Join the American Cancer Society Sunday, October 14th for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Oregon and SW Washington. The walk is taking place at Daimler Trucks North America on Swan Island, Portland, Oregon, and will begin at 10:00 am. ABOUT MAKING STRIDES AGAINST BREAST CANCER • The American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk is a powerful event to raise awareness and funds to save lives from breast cancer. Last year, more than 250 events raised more than $60 million to save lives from breast cancer. • At Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks, communities embrace a bittersweet mix of purpose – celebrating survivorship, paying meaningful tributes to loved ones lost, and having collective determination to fight for a world without breast cancer. • Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is a noncompetitive, 5k walk. Participants walk in teams or individually and invite their friends and families to join their team and donate to their efforts. • Because of the determination of Making Strides supporters, the American Cancer Society is there for people in every community affected by breast cancer, whether they’re currently dealing with a diagnosis, may face one in the future, or will avoid it altogether because of education and risk reduction efforts. Facts and Figures: • Since 1993, more than 13 million walkers in the US have helped raise more than $810 million to help save lives from breast cancer. • Number of events in the US: more than 250 • Number of participants in 2017: more than 1.4 million walkers • Number of dollars raised in 2017: more than $60 million Join us to celebrate breast cancer survivors, pay tribute to loved ones lost, and raise funds to help fight for a world without cancer. With our collective power, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer events can make the greatest impact to save lives and ensure no one faces breast cancer alone. Every action we take moves us one step closer to a world without breast cancer. From research to education, prevention to diagnosis, and treatment to recovery, we provide support to everyone impacted by breast cancer. Visit MakingStridesWalk.org/PortlandOR today to sign up. • Start or join a team, or walk and raise funds as an individual. If you’re unable to attend, join as a virtual walker and raise funds online. • Create and personalize your fundraising web page with photos and stories. • Send emails encouraging everyone you know to support you with a donation. • Use our social media tools to raise funds. HOW DOLLARS ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE Our mission is to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight to a world without cancer. From research to education, prevention to diagnosis, and treatment to recovery, we provide support to everyone impacted by breast cancer. Together with millions of supporters, we empower communities worldwide to join us. Helping people take steps to stay healthy • We know that finding breast cancer at an early stage can increase the chances of treating it successfully. The American Cancer Society provides screening guidelines, education for health care professionals, and engages in efforts to increase public awareness about the importance of getting recommended screening tests. • Currently, the American Cancer Society has staff working with more than 120 hospitals in every corner of every state to ensure they have everything they need to take the best care of their patients – from help getting patients screened to information to consult patients. Helping people facing cancer today • Our 24/7 helpline handled more than 1.2 million calls and live chats from concerned patients and those seeking support, information, and resources last year. • The American Cancer Society helped to provide nearly 335,000 rides to treatment and other cancer-related appointments in 2017. • The American Cancer Society provided more than 61,000 nights of free or reduced lodging through our hotel partners, saving patients and caregivers more than $47 million in 2017. • Our patient navigators helped guide nearly 45,000 newly diagnosed cancer patients to overcome barriers to care in 2017. • The American Cancer Society provided more than 11,000 peer support services to breast cancer patients in 2017 through the Reach To Recovery program. Finding breast cancer’s causes and cures • As of October 2018, the American Cancer Society is funding nearly $60 million in breast cancer research grants and nearly $84 million in grants that apply to all cancers. • Through these grants, we’re investing in research to uncover strategies for more effective diagnosis, new treatments, new options for patients who do not respond to or become resistant to existing strategies, and more. • We have a successful track record of identifying the brightest early-career investigators with the most promising ideas, across a wide range of disciplines – we have funded 47 researchers who received a Nobel Prize. The work of our researchers has helped discover drugs like Herceptin and Tamoxifen. 41-2/HOU