Ingredients - Maca Overview
The Benefits of Maca
3 min read | Maca Overview
Common Use: Energy, libido, and sexual health,
Overview: Studies have shown that maca root can improve energy levels and libido and enhance sexual function in both men and women. Always speak to your health care provider before taking any new supplement.
Written by: Dr. Fayyaz Afzal, MD
Overview
Maca (also known as: Lepidium meyenii), or Peruvian ginseng, is an edible herb biennial plant of the family Brassicaceae. It is native to South America in the high Andes mountains of Peru. The plant grows to a height of up to 1.5 m and has an erect stem with leaves arranged in a rosette. The flowers are small and white, and the fruits are capsules containing black, shiny seeds. The plant's roots are thick and fleshy and can be black, red, purple, or yellow.
Maca has been cultivated for centuries in Peru and grown commercially in other parts of South America. The plant's roots are traditionally used to make various foods and medicines. Maca root is rich in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. It has been widely used to treat various conditions, such as fatigue, infertility, sexual dysfunction, and menopause.
Clinical studies have shown that maca root can improve energy levels and libido and enhance sexual function in both men and women. Maca is available in various forms, including powder, capsules, tablets, and extracts. It can be added to food or taken as a supplement.
Maca and Menopause
Menopause is a time in a woman's life when her menstrual periods stop, and she can no longer be able to get pregnant. For most women, menopause occurs in their early 50s but can even start in their 40s. Menopause is a natural biological process but can cause some intense symptoms. These include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, sleep problems, mood swings, and weight gain. Some women also experience urinary incontinence and memory fog during menopause.
Maca is excellent in coping with all these symptoms of menopause. Maca contains nutrients and minerals, including calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc. It also contains vitamins B1, B2, C, and E. Maca has been shown to reduce hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood swings, and fatigue. Maca also helps to improve mental clarity and memory.
This superfood has additional benefits, continue reading to find out more.
1. Calm mood swings & stress
Maca is an adaptogen. An adaptogen is any natural herb that helps the body to resist physical, chemical, and biological stressors. Maca has been shown to help reduce stress by reducing cortisol levels and improving adrenal function. Additionally, Maca has also been shown to enhance mood and reduce anxiety. One study showed that maca was able to improve symptoms of anxiety and depression in menopausal women significantly. Another study showed that maca improved mood and significantly reduced stress in healthy adults. Thus, maca may be an effective natural treatment for mood swings and stress.
2. Increases energy, focus, & clarity
Maca is a nutrient-rich root vegetable with some health benefits. One of the most well-reputed benefits of maca is its ability to increase energy, focus, and clarity. Maca contains high levels of vitamins B6 and C and iron and magnesium. These nutrients are essential for the production of energy in the body. In addition, maca also contains compounds that help to boost mental clarity and focus. For these reasons, Maca is often taken as a natural way to increase energy and improve cognitive function.
3. May promotes deeper sleep
More recently, Maca has been gaining traction as a natural way to improve sleep quality. This is because maca helps to regulate the body's internal clock or circadian rhythm. Studies have shown that maca can help people fall asleep faster and enjoy a more profound, restful sleep. Furthermore, maca is non-addictive and does not cause drowsiness, so it is safe to take it nightly. As a result, many people with insomnia or other sleep disorders find relief by taking maca before bedtime.
4. Reduce Hot Flushes
Maca is thought to work by regulating hormone levels in the body. When menopause causes a sharp decline in estrogen levels, this can lead to hot flashes, night sweats, and other uncomfortable symptoms. By replenishing estrogen levels with maca, menopausal women can find relief from these troublesome symptoms. Additionally, maca is enriched in antioxidants, which can aid in protecting the body against the harmful effects of free radicals. For menopausal women looking for a natural way to reduce hot flashes, maca may be the perfect solution.
5. Increased libido
It has been shown toboost libido and sexual functionin both men and women. In one study, men who took maca powder reported significant improvements in sexual function, including higher libido, firmer erections, and more frequent ejaculation. Women who took maca also reported increased sexual desire and satisfaction. Additionally, maca has been shown to increase sperm count and motility and improve semen quality.
References
Peacock, K., & Ketvertis, K. M. (2022, August 11). Menopause. Nih.gov; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507826/
Gonzales. (2014). [Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp), a review of its biological properties]. Revista Peruana de Medicina Experimental Y Salud Publica, 31(1). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24718534/
Lee, M. S., Shin, B.-C., Yang, E. J., Lim, H.-J., & Ernst, E. (2011). Maca (Lepidium meyenii) for treatment of menopausal symptoms: A systematic review. Maturitas, 70(3), 227–233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2011.07.017
Sahin, N., Orhan, C., Gencoglu, H., Er, B., Ozercan, I. H., Komorowski, J. R., & Sahin, K. (2021). Effects of maca ( Lepidium meyenii ) on nutrient digestibility and major nutrient transporters in rats fed a high‐fat diet. Food Science & Nutrition, 9(10), 5765–5773. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.2545
Gonzales. (2014). [Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp), a review of its biological properties]. Revista Peruana de Medicina Experimental Y Salud Publica, 31(1). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24718534/
Fei, W., Hou, Y., Yue, N., Zhou, X., Wang, Y., Wang, L., Li, A., & Zhang, J. (2020). The effects of aqueous extract of Maca on energy metabolism and immunoregulation. European Journal of Medical Research, 25(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-020-00420-7
Gonzales-Arimborgo, C., Yupanqui, I., Montero, E., Alarcón-Yaquetto, D., Zevallos-Concha, A., Caballero, L., Gasco, M., Zhao, J., Khan, I., & Gonzales, G. (2016). Acceptability, Safety, and Efficacy of Oral Administration of Extracts of Black or Red Maca (Lepidium meyenii) in Adult Human Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Pharmaceuticals, 9(3), 49. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph9030049
Meissner, H. O., Mscisz, A., Reich-Bilinska, H., Mrozikiewicz, P., Bobkiewicz-Kozlowska, T., Kedzia, B., Lowicka, A., & Barchia, I. (2006). Hormone-Balancing Effect of Pre-Gelatinized Organic Maca (Lepidium peruvianum Chacon): (III) Clinical responses of early-postmenopausal women to Maca in double blind, randomized, Placebo-controlled, crossover configuration, outpatient study. International Journal of Biomedical Science : IJBS, 2(4), 375–394. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3614644/
Meissner. (2013). Hormone-Balancing Effect of Pre-Gelatinized Organic Maca (Lepidium peruvianum Chacon): (II) Physiological and Symptomatic Responses of Early-Postmenopausal Women to Standardized doses of Maca in Double Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Multi-Centre Clinical Study. International Journal of Biomedical Science : IJBS, 2(4). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23675005/#:~:text=Maca%2DGO%20significantly%20reduced%20both,to%20early%2Dpostmenopausal%20women%20in
Gonzales, G. F., Cordova, A., Vega, K., Chung, A., Villena, A., Gonez, C., & Castillo, S. (2002). Effect of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy men. Andrologia, 34(6), 367–372. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1439-0272.2002.00519.x
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*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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