MACA (Lepidium Meyenii)

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.

READ MORE ABOUT OTHER HERBAL/NETURAL APHRODISIACS

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