Maca is a very popular and eye-catching nutrient in recent years. It has been selected as a designated health food by NASA, the International Mountaineering Federation, and national sports teams. So what are its benefits? This article will talk about 5 MACA major effects and applicable people.
What is MACA?
MACA is also known as Inca radish or Peruvian ginseng. Its scientific name is Lepidium Meyenii. It is a cruciferous plant that mainly grows in the high-altitude mountainous areas of central Peru above 4,000 meters. It looks similar to radish, but its nutritional value is very different!
Nutritional composition of MACA
The composition of natural maca is about 59% carbohydrates, 10% protein, 2.2% fat, and 8.5% fiber. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, sterols, glucosinolates, glucosinolates, alkaloids and other active ingredients. It also has unique macaene and macaamide. For example, maca capsules supplement.
5 MACA major effects
5 MACA major effects are the following.
There are many different colors of maca powder in the world market as food supplements from the root (hypocotyl). Sexual dysfunction regulation, neuroprotective effects, memory enhancement, antidepressant, antioxidant, anticancer and anti-inflammatory effects, skin protection. These are the most common maca major effects. From a nutritional point of view, it also contains a large amount of essential amino acids, fatty acids and minerals. Especially iron, calcium and copper. Below we discuss the 5 major maca effects based on actual research.
Improve fertility
One of the 5 major maca effects is it can improve fertility. According to four randomized controlled clinical studies, after taking 1.5g-3.5g of maca daily for 6 weeks, it was found that it improved sexual desire in menopausal women and those with erectile dysfunction. In a 12-week double-blind experiment, after taking 1.5g and 3g of maca for 8 consecutive weeks, it was observed that the sexual desire of male subjects aged 21-56 years old was significantly improved.
When it comes to fertility, sperm quality, quantity, and motility are critical. Summarizing the results of five small studies, maca improved semen quality in infertile and healthy men. Other studies have found that after men took maca for 12 weeks and 4 months, semen concentration, sperm volume, and sperm motility improved.
In animal trials, tests in horses treated with Maca for 60 days showed that dietary supplementation increased sperm concentration. The total sperm count at the end of the trial was almost double that at the beginning of the trial. Increased sperm counts were also observed in rats raised to 4,340 meters above sea level.
Improve athletic performance
In addition to being known as a natural stimulant that increases libido, maca is also often added to sports and fitness supplements because it is rich in nutrients that can enhance endurance and improve athletic performance.
A randomized, crossover, double-blind trial (14 days) in eight male cyclists showed that maca significantly improved performance on a 40 km cycle compared to a baseline test.
A soccer team from Cusco, at 3400 meters above sea level, took 1500 mg of Maca daily for 60 days. Tests were conducted to determine peak speed, oxygen consumption, and performance before and after intake. The athletes’ performance increased by an average of 10.3%, with a maximum increase in oxygen consumption of 33.6%.
Improve menopausal symptoms
Menopausal is defined as cessation of menstruation and ovulation due to ovarian failure. It is called natural menopause when it lasts for 12 months or longer without any pathological cause, and usually occurs between the ages of 42 and 58. During menopause, about 85% of women experience symptoms of varying types and severity. Symptoms include hot flashes, depression, anxiety, urinary incontinence, vaginal atrophy, loss of libido, etc.
A systematic review of the literature included four randomized controlled trials. The participants were 202 women who were approaching or postmenopausal. The results of the trials showed that oral maca (daily dose of 2 to 3.5 grams) was effective in improving menopausal symptoms.
Improve cognitive function
The brain is considered the most complex system in the animal kingdom, with a complex mode of operation. The degree of connection between structure and function depends on both spatial resolution and time scale.
Dietary factors have long been believed to affect neural function and synaptic plasticity, and to regulate cognitive processes and emotions. A study investigated the effects of different doses of maca extract and scopolamine-induced learning and memory deficits in rats for 35 days. The results showed that maca improved spatial learning, memory deficits, and passive avoidance learning. Another animal experiment pointed out that black maca improved ethanol-induced experimental memory impairment to a certain extent, which may be related to the content of polyphenols.
Helps reduce prostate enlargement
Age-related prostate enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia) is common in older men. Prostate enlargement can easily lead to urination problems. In animal experiments, it was found that red maca can reduce prostate volume and reverse prostate enlargement. Some people mentioned that this may be related to the fact that red maca is rich in glucosinolates, which also helps reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
Side effects and contraindications of MACA
Maca has been used as food for thousands of years. Under normal use, no significant toxicity has been found, and it is extremely safe. However, possible adverse reactions or side effects that have been reported include: attention disorders, menstrual cycle changes, depression, anxiety, abdominal pain, nosebleeds, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and abnormal liver function. A study found that taking maca powder (600 mg for 3 consecutive months) caused a slight increase in ALT and blood pressure.
Maca contraindications
Because Maca is rich in iodine and glycosides, excessive use may induce adverse reactions . Therefore, if you suffer from autoimmune thyroid disease or other thyroid nodule diseases, please consult a medical professional before use .
Do not use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have liver or kidney impairment .
Because maca may have phytoestrogen effects, which may worsen symptoms , do not use if you have hormone-sensitive diseases (such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer) .
Don’t use if you are taking related anti-hormone drugs .
Consuming fresh maca root may have adverse health effects, and it is recommended to boil it before use.
Since Maca is rich in vitamin K, the main function of vitamin K in the human body is to help blood coagulation . Therefore, it should not be taken with anticoagulants to avoid interfering with the drug’s effects .
How to choose MACA?
Color
Maca has different colors . It is mainly divided into: black maca, red maca, and yellow maca. The darker the color, the rarer the yield . The higher the nutritional value it contains, so it is recommended to choose “black and red maca” for the best effect.
Extraction method
Most maca products on the market are divided into powder, capsule, and drink types. Maca that is simply ground into powder will be irradiated, causing the original nutrients to be destroyed . Therefore, when choosing maca products, there is a low-temperature gel extraction technology . It is an extraction method that can retain more complete nutrients of maca.
Adequate dose
According to clinical use of maca supplements, the dosage is at least 1,500mg . Therefore, if you want to have the same health benefits, it is recommended to choose a higher concentration of maca extract. If the concentration is too low, the supplement effect cannot be guaranteed.
How to Take MACA
How long does it take for MACA to be effective?
Everyone has a different physique and a different sensitivity to nutrients. According to scientific research results, consuming at least 1,500 mg of maca every day for 8 consecutive weeks can effectively regulate physiological functions . Therefore, it is recommended to give the body at least 2 months to feel it. However, if you feel sensitive and uncomfortable when you first take maca, it is recommended to stop supplementing immediately . People with thyroid problems and coagulation problems should consult a professional doctor and consume under the doctor’s instructions to avoid unnecessary side effects.
When to take MACA?
Basically, you can eat it on an empty stomach or after a meal, but nutritionists recommend that you eat it after a meal . Digesting it with food allows for a more complete absorption of the nutrients in maca, and having food as a base after a meal will also be less likely to irritate the digestive tract.
Can I take MACA every day?
Maca has been used as food for thousands of years . Under normal use, no significant toxicity has been found, and it is extremely safe. Therefore, as long as the dosage of maca consumed is appropriate and the raw materials are simple without additional chemical additives, it is no problem to supplement it every day . Long-term and stable consumption helps maintain daily youthful vitality and physical strength. However, consuming fresh maca root may have adverse effects on health, and it is recommended to boil it before use.
FAQ
Who is suitable for MACA supplements?
Those with impotence and erectile dysfunction
Maca is rich in special active ingredients such as macaene and macaamide. It regulates the natural secretion of male hormones and reduces erection reaction time. At the same time, its rich amino acid components (histidine and arginine) have the effect of dilating blood vessels. This can increase the hardness of erections, maintain erections longer, and significantly improve impotence problems.
Men who want to relieve fatigue
Maca contains a large amount of anti-fatigue substances such as high protein, high content of amino acids, mineral zinc, fructose and taurine, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, etc. These substances can make people energetic and have a significant anti-fatigue effect.
People with poor immunity and who often get sick
Maca contains high-unit nutrients such as protein, amino acids, and special alkaloids . They can balance hormone levels and fully improve insomnia caused by endocrine disorders . At the same time, it enhances the body’s immunity and improves disease resistance, making you stronger and less likely to get sick.
Women in menopause
Maca can regulate endocrine, resist oxidation, and delay aging . It can also improve skin quality and is very suitable for women in menopause.
Who is not suitable to eat MACA?
Infants and young children: Although maca can be used as an energy supplement , it also has another function of improving sexual desire and performance . This is not suitable for infants and young children because it may cause premature puberty in children .
Breastfeeding women: There is no definite research to prove whether the nutrients in maca will affect the milk composition of breastfeeding mothers . In this case, for the sake of safety, it is not recommended to eat maca.
Pregnant women: Maca can enhance sexual desire and improve sexual ability, which is not conducive to pregnant women to maintain the fetus .
Patients with thyroid disease: Maca contains a compound called glucosinolate . Since there is more or less iodine intake in the diet, glucosinolate combined with iodine may cause thyroid swelling . This will have a series of effects on patients with thyroid disease.
Minors: Experts believe that maca is not suitable for minors. Minors are in the developmental stage, when they are growing up. Therefore, it is recommended to eat more nutritious vegetables and fruits to meet the needs of growth.
Conclusion
Therefore, the 5 MACA major effects include improving fertility energy, improving athletic performance, improving cognitive function, etc. When supplementing MACA, it needs to be taken according to the specific situation.
