MACA: BENEFITS, MEDICINAL USES AND SIDE EFFECTS
According to
ancient Incan history, the Wonder Food Maca root was known to have special properties which
were believed to enhance energy and stamina. It is also believed to increase
the sexual desire and endurance. Maca is often termed as Peruvian Ginseng due
to its natural stimulating qualities that are similar to the benefits found in
the commonly known ginseng-related herbs. Culturally, the ancient Peruvians
ingested this powerful root to boost the potency of the male libido. Its
natural properties help to create an aphrodisiac-like response in men who have
suffered from impotency, low sex-drive, and fertility problems. Legend says that the
ancient Peruvians ate maca root to ensure their dominance in battle.
In addition to its
rich supply of essential nutrients, maca contains alkaloids, tannins, and
saponins. Maca's main plant chemicals include: alkaloids, amino acids,
beta-ecdysone, calcium, carbohydrates, fatty acids, glucosinolates, iron,
magnesium, p-methoxybenzyl isothiocyanate, phosphorus, potassium, protein,
saponins, sitosterols, stigmasterol, tannins, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin
B12, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium, phosphorous
and amino acids.
Maca comes highly
recommended as a time-tested source of health. Maca has the ability to enhance
the immune system.
Maca is used for
“tired blood” (anemia); chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS); and enhancing energy,
stamina, athletic performance, memory, and fertility. Women use maca for female
hormone imbalance, menstrual problems, and symptoms of menopause. Maca is also
used for weak bones (osteoporosis), depression, stomach cancer, leukemia,
HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, erectile dysfunction (ED), to arouse sexual desire, and
to boost the immune system.
This superfood is
an adaptogen meaning it normalizes the body and keeps things in homeostasis (at
normal levels). Adaptogens allow the body to better respond to internal and
external environmental factors such as anxiety and physical injuries.
The root or tuber
is high in protein, natural sugars, iron, potassium, iodine, magnesium,
calcium, and fiber. Due to maca’s high nutritional content, it is often
referred to as having “superfood” properties.
Maca helps your
overall health in a number of ways. It supplies iron and helps restore red
blood cells, which aids anemia and cardiovascular diseases. Maca keeps your
bones and teeth healthy and allows you to heal from wounds more quickly. When
used in conjunction with a good workout regime you will notice an increase in
muscle mass.
Maca is widely used
to promote sexual function of both men and women. It serves as a boost to your
libido and increases endurance. At the same time it balances your hormones and
increases fertility. The maca root is known to improve the quality and quantity
of sperm in men who have lower than normal sperm counts, which helps to
increase the level of fertility. Maca is a proven natural aphrodisiac, as it increases sexual
desire.
Maca relieves fatigue,
menstrual issues and menopause. Menstrual problems that often plague women of
child-bearing age such as cramping, heavy or irregular periods, as well as PMS,
have found that the maca root alleviates many of the uncomfortable symptoms
like: cramps, body pain, hot flashes, anxiety, mood swings, and depression.
The most
troublesome symptoms of menopause is hot flashes. Use of Maca root helps to
lessen the severity and frequency of hot flashes that occur due to hormonal
changes in a woman’s body as they reach middle age. Maca root helps to bring
back into balance the body’s natural hormone levels without the use of
synthetic hormone replacements that are typical treatments for menopausal
symptoms. In their postmenopausal age women found relief from anxiety, mental
confusion, decreased memory function, depression and sexual dysfunction when
they took maca root.
Note: If you are
pregnant or lactating you should avoid taking maca. But be very cautious if you
have a cancer related to hormones like testicular and ovarian, among others. If
you have liver issues or high blood pressure you should ask your doctor before
taking maca.
If you find yourself overcome with anxiety, stress,
depression or mood swings, maca may help alleviate these symptoms, though of
the evidence is anecdotal. Some have reported an increase in mental energy and
focus. Common treatments for depression are antidepressant medications which
tend to have uncomfortable side effects such as weight gain, fatigue, and
dulled senses. Maca has none of the side effects that are found in
pharmaceutical antidepressants. In fact, the active ingredients in the maca
root boost energy and lift depression naturally. Maca may help reduce the
number and severity of migraine headaches by helping balance estrogen and
progesterone levels in the body.
Maca is also taken
for skin issues, as it helps to clear acne and blemishes and also benefit in
decreasing skin sensitivity and acne. In hot or cold weather, maca may help
your skin withstand extreme temperatures.
Maca is well known
for its ability to regulate hormones. It does not contain hormones itself but
encourages the body to produce or decrease its own hormones by nourishing the
master glands of the body (hypothalamus and pituitary). Through its adaptogenic
qualities maca is able to increase the production of a hormone the body is low
in. Maca can have the opposite effect if the body is high in a hormone.
Properties/actions
documented by research:
·
Aphrodisiac
·
Fertility enhancer
·
Increases sperm count/motility
Other
properties/actions documented by traditional use:
·
Hormonal
·
Immunostimulant
·
Stimulant
·
Tonic (tones, balances, strengthens overall body
functions)
Main Actions (in
order):
·
Tonic (tones, balances, strengthens overall body
functions),
·
Nutritive
·
Fertility enhancer
·
Endocrine function support
·
Anti-fatigue
Main uses:
·
As a natural source of nutrients (amino acids,
minerals, etc.)
·
To support endocrine function
·
To reduce fertility problems (both male and female)
·
To support erectile function
·
As an aphrodisiac
Athletically
speaking, the main ingredients and naturally occurring substances in maca are
becoming widely used by today’s amateur and professional athletes alike. Within
days of using maca your energy level may increase. It is also known for
increasing stamina. Many athletes take maca for peak performance. If you find
yourself tired most of the time, experiment with maca to see if it helps. Just
a small amount could be exactly what you need for a boost. The main action of
this powerful superfood is to strengthen endurance and energy levels, which
gives the athlete a natural advantage. Testosterone also seems to be increased
as well.
One of the very great things about
Peruvian Maca root is that it is not “gender specific” and works equally well
for both men and women.
MACA (Lepidium Meyenii)
|
||
Nutrient (Aproximates)
|
per
100 g
|
Unit
|
Protein
|
10–14
|
g
|
Carbohydrates
|
60–75
|
g
|
Fats (lipids)
|
2.2
|
g
|
Fiber
|
8.5
|
g
|
Ash
|
4.9
|
g
|
Calories
|
325
|
kCl
|
From
Carbohydrate
|
250
|
Kcal
|
From
Fat
|
17.9
|
Kcal
|
From
Protein
|
57.1
|
Kcal
|
From
Alcohol
|
0
|
Kcal
|
Total Carbohydrate
|
71.4
|
g
|
Dietary
Fiber
|
7.1
|
g
|
Starch
|
~
|
~
|
Sugars
|
32.1
|
g
|
Sucrose
|
~
|
~
|
Glucose
|
~
|
~
|
Fructose
|
~
|
~
|
Lactose
|
~
|
~
|
Maltose
|
~
|
~
|
Galactose
|
~
|
~
|
Vitamins
|
||
Vitamin
A
|
0
|
IU
|
Retinol
|
~
|
~
|
Retinol
Activity Equivalent
|
~
|
~
|
Alpha
Carotene
|
~
|
~
|
Beta
Carotene
|
~
|
~
|
Beta
Cryptoxanthin
|
~
|
~
|
Lycopene
|
~
|
~
|
Lutein+Zeaxanthin
|
~
|
~
|
Vitamin
B1 (Thiamin)
|
1
|
mg
|
Vitamin
B2 (Riboflavin)
|
390
|
mcg
|
Vitamin
B6
|
1.14
|
mg
|
Vitamin
C (Ascorbic Acid)
|
286
|
mg
|
Niacin
|
35
|
mg
|
Vitamin
D
|
~
|
~
|
Vitamin
E (Alpha Tocopherol)
|
0
|
IU
|
Beta
Tocopherol
|
~
|
~
|
Gamma
Tocopherol
|
~
|
~
|
Delta
Tocopherol
|
~
|
~
|
Vitamin
K
|
~
|
~
|
Folate
|
~
|
~
|
Food
Folate
|
~
|
~
|
Folic
Acid
|
~
|
~
|
Dietary
Folate Equivalents
|
~
|
~
|
Vitamin
B12
|
~
|
~
|
Pantothenic
Acid
|
~
|
~
|
Choline
|
~
|
~
|
Betaine
|
~
|
~
|
Minerals
|
||
Boron
|
5
|
mg
|
Calcium
|
250
|
mg
|
Copper
|
6
|
mg
|
Iron
|
25
|
mg
|
Iodine
|
520
|
mcg
|
Manganese
|
8
|
mg
|
Magnesium
|
104
|
mg
|
Phosphorus
|
220
|
mg
|
Potassium
|
2.05
|
g
|
Selenium
|
20
|
mg
|
Sodium
|
17.9
|
mg
|
Zinc
|
12
|
mg
|
Fats/Lipids
|
||
Linoleic
|
720
|
mcg
|
Palmitic
|
520
|
mcg
|
Oleic
|
245
|
mcg
|
Amino Acids
|
||
Alanine
|
631
|
mg
|
Arginine
|
994
|
mg
|
Aspartic
acid
|
917
|
mg
|
Glutamic
acid
|
1.565
|
g
|
Glycine
|
683
|
mg
|
Hydroxyproline
|
26
|
mg
|
Histidine
|
219
|
mg
|
HO-Proline
|
260
|
mg
|
Isoleucine
|
474
|
mg
|
Leucine
|
910
|
mg
|
Lysine
|
545
|
mg
|
Methionine
|
280
|
mg
|
Phenylalanine
|
553
|
mg
|
Proline
|
5
|
mg
|
Sarcosine
|
7
|
mg
|
Serine
|
504
|
mg
|
Threonine
|
331
|
mg
|
Tryptophan
|
49
|
mg
|
Tyrosine
|
306
|
mg
|
Valine
|
793
|
mg
|
Sterols
|
50–100
|
mg
|
Brassicasterol
|
9.1
|
%
|
Ergosterol
|
13.6
|
%
|
Campesterol
|
27.3
|
%
|
Ergostadienol
|
4.5
|
%
|
Sitoserol
|
46.5
|
%
|
Note: ~ Value not known
|
No comments:
Post a Comment