Maca
Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walpers / Lepidium peruvianum) is a native plant of South America. It has been grown in a small, obscure region high in the Andes of Central Peru for centuries - possibly over 2,000 years - and thrives in the conditions at these high altitudes. The crop has long played an important role in the lives of the people there, but has only recently come into popularity - enjoying a meteoric rise since the 1980s. [1]
Peruvian Maca root has been consumed as a staple food since ancient times and was once considered so valuable that it was used as currency. Nicknamed "The Peruvian Ginseng", Maca was allegedly once consumed before battle by Inca warriors on account of it's energizing qualities - but this legend remains unconfirmed. [2]
Maca is consumed in various forms but the most common, outside of the area of cultivation, is the dried root, ground to powder. This can come in different colors - the most commonly exported are cream/yellow, black or red. Maca is readily available in powder form (most commonly the cream/yellow variety) in countries such as the USA. It can be found in many health food stores either in bulk powder form or in capsules. Maca powder, usually the cream / yellow variety, is often added to smoothies, drinks, cookies, muesli or cereal - and tastes delicious. One source suggests a tablespoon of Maca added to a blender drink once per day. [3] The taste of Maca also goes well with cacao or chocolate. Amazon Herb company makes a "chocamaca" product which contains cacao and maca.
Claimed benefits of Maca
Maca
Lepidium meyenii
Maca has been revered for its many positive qualities. It has been used in traditional herbal medicine in South America for hundreds of years - and Peruvians have used Maca for generations in the belief that it improves sexual desire and fertility. Maca root, high in nutrients, including calcium and magnesium, is said to be beneficial for improved vitality and libido, increased performance and endurance, and mental clarity. It is also believed to be beneficial in both female and male menopause (andropause). Once source states that South American women whose diets contain Maca, have immense stamina and remain fertile until late in life, not experiencing typical symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes and memory loss. [4]
Maca has been described as an "adaptogen" - a natural product that contains antioxidants and is claimed to help the body resist stress and fatigue. [5]
Research suggests that Maca acts as a hormonal balancer, helping the adrenal glands and giving greater energy to both men and women.
Scientific studies of Maca and their findings
Although it appears insufficient scientific studies have been done to determine Maca's precise mechanism of action [6] , several interesting studies would appear to indicate aphrodisiac / sexual enhancement qualities of Maca - and other benefits!
Studies have shown that Maca root increased spermatogenesis in male rats [7] [8] . This might account for its purported benefits to fertility.
A 2006 study concluded that Yellow, Black and Red Maca all showed antidepressant activity in mice. [9]
2001 - 2002 studies showed that Maca "significantly improved" rat sexual performance parameters. [10] [11]
A 2003 study showed that Maca did not increase testosterone levels in men. [12]
A 2001 study showed Maca improved semen parameters in adult men including sperm count and seminal volume [13]
Maca is a member of the Brassicaceae (Brassica) family of plants, which includes the radish and turnip, to which it bears some similarities. The Brassica family are also known as "cruciferous vegetables" and there is increasing evidence to suggest that high intakes of Brassica vegetables reduce the risk of prostate cancer. [14] Another study has shown a decrease in prostate weight of male rats fed Red Maca (the same study showed that Yellow or Black Maca did not reduce prostate size.) [15]
A 2008 Australian study showed preliminary findings that Maca has beneficial effects for postmenopausal women. [16]
Summary of Maca information:
It seems clear from these studies that Maca shows many of the qualities for which it has been prized - and that its beneficial aphrodisiac effects are more than just an old wives' tale. It has been in use as a dietary ingredient in Peru for centuries without noted adverse effects.
Clearly, more research and confirmatory studies need to be done - but in the meantime, Maca is readily available for purchase and enjoyment in the USA and many other countries. Maca has encountered some resistance by European legislators: Although Maca has now been established as having been in the European marketplace before 15 May 1997 and therefore does not require EU "Novel Food Regulation" - there have been concerns over its use, although these appear at first glance to be more due to its novelty than any actual negative reports. It seems that despite the fact that it has been used for centuries in Peru, the fact of its almost complete obscurity in Europe, may have caused some over-reactions. [1] In Norway it is considered a medicinal herb and is only legal by prescription. [17]
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Sources:
[1] "The transition of maca from neglect to market prominence" (recommended in depth article!)
http://www.bioversityinternational.org/fileadmin/bioversity/publications/pdfs/1318.pdf
[2] http://www.medicinehunter.com/maca.htm
[3] http://www.medicinehunter.com/lovepotionno9.htm
[4] https://www.medicine-plants.com/store/maca/
[5] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adaptogen
[6] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16042502
[7] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11561196
[8] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14695987
[9] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16796734
[10] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12059814
[11] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11297856
[12] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12525260
[13]http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11753476
[14] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12235639
[15] http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=548136
[16] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18784609
[17] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maca
Note - the information on this website is not medical advice, has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure any disease.
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