Maca extract is taken from the root of the maca plant. It is consumed as a root vegetable and it grows naturally in Peru. This extract is thought to have many health benefits and healing properties. There are many ways to prepare maca extract, including drying the roots and grinding them into a fine powder or boiling the roots to extract the natural oils. The extract typically is sold in a liquid or a gel-like capsule.
Maca is a cruciferous plant Lepidium in the shape of radish-like hypertrophy of the roots, originating in Peru and Central’s (Jinin) and Pasco (Pasco) near the Andes above 4,000 meters, the area cold, strong winds, eco- harsh conditions unsuitable for other crops, and thus Mame a source of food for Inca.. Maca can increase with physical, energetic, eliminate anxiety and improve sexual function. Its fresh roots can eat with meat and vegetables , also be dried food cooked with water or milk.
Body builders or people who are trying to lose weight can sometimes benefit by taking maca extract. It contains many vitamins and minerals as well as amino acids, which help to boost themetabolism and this makes the body run more efficiently. Amino acids can also help to improve muscle structure. Maca extract is sometimes used as an alternative to dangerous anabolic steroids used by body builders to improve muscle mass.
The nutritional value of dried maca root is high, similar to cereal grains such as rice and wheat. The average composition is 60-75% carbohydrates, 10-14% protein, 8.5% dietary fiber, and 2.2% fats. Maca is rich in the dietary minerals calcium and potassium (with low content of sodium), and contains the essential trace elementsiron, iodine, copper, manganese, and zinc as well as fatty acids including linolenic acid, palmitic acid, andoleic acids, and 19 amino acids.
Maca is consumed as food for humans and livestock, suggesting any risk from consumption is rather minimal. It is considered as safe to eat as any other vegetable food. However, maca does contain glucosinolates, which can causegoiters when high consumption is combined with a diet low in iodine. This being said, darker colored maca roots (red, purple, black) contain significant amounts of natural iodine, a 10-gram serving of dried maca generally containing 52 µg of iodine. Though this is common in other foods with high levels of glucosinolate, it is uncertain if maca consumption can cause or worsen a goiter.
Small-scale clinical trials performed in men have suggested that maca extracts can improve semen quality, and boost libido. A small double-blind, randomized, parallel group dose-finding pilot study has shown that Maca root may alleviate SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction.A 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 56 subjects found that Maca has no effect on sex hormone levels in men, including LH, FSH,prolactin, 17-OH progesterone, testosterone or estradiol.
A recent review states “Randomized clinical trials have shown that maca has favorable effects on energy and mood, may decrease anxiety and improve sexual desire. Maca has also been shown to improve sperm production, sperm motility, and semen volume.” In total over 160 studies into the health effect of Maca have been indexed by the United States National Library of Medicine,National Institutes of Health.However, a 2010 review of the extant evidence for the effect of Maca on libido found only tentative support for its aphrodisiac claims.
For men
(1), anti-fatigue , increase energy , stamina – Maca amino acids , minerals zinc, taurine and other ingredients can significantly against fatigue.
(2) , improve sexual function , increase sperm count and improve sperm motility – the unique bioactive substances Maca -ene, Maca amide, conducive to erectile function, improve sperm count and active capabilities.
(3) , regulate the endocrine system , balance hormones – Maca alkaloids act on the hypothalamus and pituitary gland , regulating adrenal , pancreas, testes and other functions, to balance hormone levels .
(4), kidney impotence, premature ejaculation, impotence , sexual dysfunction, a new generation of delay , pure plant extracts , the magic of medicinal plants – Maca (MACA) Natural.
For women:
(1) , endocrine regulation, against menopausal symptoms – Maca alkaloids can regulate adrenal , pancreas, ovary function, balance the body’s hormone levels , rich in taurine , protein, etc. can recuperate and repair physiological functions, improve blood and relieve menopausal symptoms.
(2) , enhance immune function , anti-fatigue , anti-anemia – Maca contains high amounts of iron , protein, amino acids, minerals and zinc can help robust immune system , enhance the body resistance to disease, fight fatigue and improve the symptoms of anemia.
(3)Due to the number of steroidal glycosides present in Maca root it is very rapidly gaining popularity with serious weight lifters and body builders.
Note: The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database states: “Sexual Desire: Taking maca orally 1.5 to 3 grams a day seems to increase subjective feelings of sexual desire in healthy men.