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- Andean Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a herbaceous herb or root vegetable that is cultivated at altitudes of up to 4,400 metres, its natural and usual area of cultivation being the Andean region of Peru.
- It is a food discovered by the Incas. The people used it for therapeutic purposes due to its multiple health benefits.
- It is a very nutrient-rich tuber and has a powerful revitalising effect, even under extreme conditions.
- It stimulates muscle growth and provides mental clarity and alertness. It is also a hormone and endocrine regulator and increases libido in both men and women.
- Because of this, it has become famous all over the world as a sexual enhancer, for both men and women. It is known as Andean Viagra or Peruvian Ginseng.
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What types of maca are there?
- Yellow Maca: it helps hormonal balance in post-menopausal women. It also boosts mood and increases libido in both genders.
- Purple Maca: it is used to treat menopausal and pre-menopausal symptoms in women.
- Black Maca: it stimulates male libido, sperm motility and virility. It is a sexual stimulant, which is why it is known throughout the world as “Andean Viagra”. On the other hand, it has other positive aspects, as it stimulates muscular and athletic performance, and regulates the nervous system. It is the most powerful aphrodisiac for both men and women. If consumed in concentrated form, it can raise testosterone levels.
- Red Maca: it helps prevent and cure age-related prostate problems, regulate the female cycle, stimulate women’s sexuality and treat stress disorders, chronic fatigue and exhaustion.
What are the components of maca?
The privileges provided by maca are due to its combination. Although not all are fully researched, here is a list of known ingredients:
- Vitamins and Minerals: vitamins B1 and B2, C, E, iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc, among others.
- All essential amino acids except tryptophan.
- Omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids.
- Linolenic, palmitic and oleic acids.
- Macamide: FAAH inhibitors. It produces similar results to anti-inflammatory and anxiolytic drugs. It improves regeneration and increases stamina when under long-term physical or mental stress.
- Alkaloids: These include macaridin, macaene, lepidilin A and B. It regulates hormonal modulation of the hypothalamus.
- Mustard oil glycosides: glucotropaeolin with anticancer activity. Recommended for the prevention of breast and prostate cancer. Mustard oil glycosides have antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal elements in the human body.
- Beta-carboline: it contains small amounts of tryptone, which, as an antidepressant, inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. Tryptolin has an antioxidant effect.
- Beta-sitosterol: it reduces cholesterol levels in the blood. It causes a decrease in cases of mild prostate enlargement and inhibits baldness in men.
Maca’s effects on the body
In a nutshell, maca has these beneficial properties:
- It has invigorating properties.
- It boosts the immune system.
- It increases brain capacity, such as mental acuity and learning.
- It increases sexual desire and boosts libido.
- It helps regulate hormone production.
- It improves menopausal symptoms.
- It regulates testosterone levels.
- It helps to relieve menstrual cramps.
Energising: It provides strength and vitality
Maca regulates the endocrine system and contributes to hormonal balance, so that the power and vitality it brings comes from within and the results are maintained over the long term.
Many signs such as fatigue, loss of concentration or performance are due to a deficiency in the body of essential minerals such as iron, calcium or magnesium.
It performs these functions on the organism:
- It provides a high daily amount of minerals to the body.
- It increases the absorption of minerals from other foods we eat.
- It stimulates blood flow and helps transport proteins that carry vitamins and minerals throughout the body.
It increases physical performance
Maca began to be cultivated throughout the Andean region to ensure a year-round supply in the soldiers’ diet, as it contributed to their strength.
Due to the power it provides, increasing physical performance, it is the nutritional supplement most used by athletes, bodybuilders and sportspeople, as it increases strength and endurance.
It boosts libido
Maca is famous for its aphrodisiac actions, so it has always been considered a sexual enhancer.
It highlights the fact that it can help men with erectile dysfunction and people who have a lower sex drive due to depression.
Brain health
The black maca type supports memory function and stimulates cognitive ability.
It helps to lift mood and improve sleep quality by acting as a neuroprotectant, which improves levels of hormonal stress and oxidative stress in the brain.
Maca for women
In the Inca Empire it was used for curative purposes to treat hormonal problems in women, from the cycle to the menopause. This is due to the effects of its plant sterols on the hypothalamus, as it acts on the pituitary-ovarian axis and stimulates hormone production from within.
Maca does not add phytohormones to the body, but it does have the ability to balance the functioning of hormones.
The red type is the most important variety for women. Hormone deficiencies during the menopause lead to fluid retention, weight gain and dry skin.
Other types such as yellow maca help women in the phase known as post-menopause. The most relevant symptom is oestradiol deficiency, linked to the progressive reduction of the sex hormones FSH and LH. It is in this phase that yellow can help women alleviate these problems, as it helps women adapt to the physiological changes of the post-menopause and, in turn, both increase bone density and thus actively prevent the onset of osteoporosis.
Maca for men
Its power to boost virility and male sexual potency is legendary.
Men experience a process similar to menopause called andropause, which affects the decrease in testosterone and libido. These hormonal fluctuations produce different signs, such as obesity, increased stress and oestrogen, erectile dysfunction, loss of sexual desire, and concession problems.
- In these cases, black maca can alleviate hormonal imbalances and the problems associated with them.
- The red type is used to alleviate prostate problems and excess dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which causes baldness and alopecia.
Maca powder
The powdered form of maca is ideal for use as an ingredient in culinary recipes. You can add it to your shakes, smoothies, mix it with whipped cheese or yoghurt, in herbal teas…
Maca capsules or tablets
The high benefits for the body have led to Andean maca becoming a food supplement in capsule or tablet form. In fact, this format is now widely consumed by athletes and active people, as it helps to improve endurance and muscle recovery.
Among the advantages of consuming this format is the ease of transport and ingestion, as they contain the exact dose that the body requires to obtain its contributions.
- Yellow Maca.
- Black maca.
How to take Andean maca?
Maca can be consumed as a food or as a food supplement. The dried root is usually consumed in powdered form, as this makes it easier to add to purees, soups, stews and porridges, both savoury and sweet, or even to drink directly with a glass of water.
Andean Maca powder can be added to fruit smoothies, homemade drinks and vegetable drinks. You can also make maca flour and cook with it by adding it to bread, baking recipes and more.
It is highly recommended to take maca in the morning as it raises energy levels and has a great vitalising effect.
Recommended dose
- There is no set daily dose for its consumption, although taken in capsule form as a highly concentrated extract, the dose is around 500mg.
Side effects and contraindications of Andean maca
It has no unsatisfactory results and is tolerated by everyone, as it is a natural product. However, particular caution should be exercised in certain cases.
- It contains some substances, such as the controversial glucosinolates, which increase immunity.
- They can also irritate the intestinal mucosa in the case of people with a sensitive stomach.
- It contains potentially psychoactive beta-carbolines. It is always recommended to take at the advised levels.
- The hormonal effect of the plant can cause insomnia, palpitations or a strong increase in libido.
- Women with excess testosterone should refrain from taking the black variety.
It is not recommended for people with chronic diseases of adrenal insufficiency, as it is a plant rich in potassium. Especially if your daily urine output is below 1,000 ml per day.
Finally, although there is no evidence that it is negative for pregnant women, it is recommended that they avoid consuming it. If a woman wants to take it at her own risk, the recommended variety is gelatinised.
Related Entries
- Learn more about the Red Maca variety
- Purple Maca, an ally to fight menopausal symptoms
- Do you want to increase your energy? Try Yellow Maca
- Maca Infusion Recipe
Amazing content. This is all true, maca is great. The first time I used it, I was looking for a way to boost my stamina. Instead, I found it to be very good at improving my life in bed. Sure, it will change your life. Definitely worth it.