Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Maca Lepidium meyenii is the root of a vegetable native to the Andes region of Peru. It is known as "Peruvian ginseng," even though it doesn't belong to the same botanical family as ginseng. Maca is consumed as a food and is said to boost energy and libido.
Typically added to smoothies, juice, and shakes, the ground root powder can also be used as an ingredient in coffee, chocolate, or oils. In Peru, whole maca root is often added to soup and oatmeal, roasted and consumed as a vegetable, or made into a fermented beverage known as "maca chica.
This article will discuss its claimed health benefits, side effects, dosages, drug interactions, and more. Proponents claim that maca may be helpful for the following conditions:. As a cruciferous vegetable, like cabbage, broccoli, and kale, maca contains glucosinolates. These are plant compounds that are being studied for their role in cancer prevention. In Peruvian folk medicine, maca is sometimes used to raise energy levels.
Few scientific studies have examined the effectiveness of maca. Here's a look at several findings from the available research:. In a report published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine , researchers analyzed four previously published clinical trials on the use of maca for improving sexual function. While some of the studies found that maca may have positive effects on issues like low sexual desire and erectile dysfunction, the researchers concluded that the total number of trials, the total number of patients, and the quality of the studies were too limited to draw firm conclusions.
They also noted that there is insufficient knowledge of the risks of maca intake. An earlier study found maca may improve libido in men. Researchers gave subjects either 1, milligrams mg or 3, mg of maca or placebo an inactive pill for 12 weeks. They found both doses of maca increased sexual desire better than placebo, and did not increase testosterone or estrogen levels.
Maca may alleviate antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction in women , according to a study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Certain antidepressants are known to cause problems such as low libido, vaginal dryness, and difficulty reaching orgasm. For the study, women who were taking antidepressant medications known as SSRIs selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SNRIs serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors took either maca root or a placebo.
At the end of the week study, those taking maca had lower rates of sexual dysfunction. Maca could make these conditions and their symptoms worse by affecting hormone levels. In fact, for healthy postmenopausal women, one small study has found that maca can improve sexual dysfunction and alleviate psychological symptoms like anxiety and depression—without affecting serum estradiol levels Brooks, It also helped their blood pressure.
And the root is able to improve sperm count and quality in adult healthy men without affecting testosterone levels in one clinical trial Gonzales, And maca should be avoided throughout the breastfeeding process as well. Vitamins and supplements. Last updated December 11, Written by Linnea Zielinski. Disclaimer If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider.
Vitals Maca is a plant in the cruciferous vegetable family that was used in traditional Incan medicine. It has a reputation for being an aphrodisiac, and research backs its ability to help with sexual dysfunction in both men and women. Since maca root is so readily available, you need to make sure you purchase supplements through reputable companies. Like other cruciferous veggies, maca may interfere with regular thyroid function. There is also a very good selection available on Amazon with thousands of interesting reviews.
Higher quality maca with personalized dosages can also be found with the assistance of a licensed healthcare professional. While yellow maca is the most readily available type, darker types like red and black may possess different biological properties Maca is generally considered safe 38 , 2.
However, Peruvian natives believe that consuming fresh maca root may have adverse health effects and recommend boiling it first. These compounds are more likely to affect you if you already have impaired thyroid function. Maca is considered safe for most people. Supplementing with maca may provide several health benefits, such as increased libido and better mood. Ashwagandha is a medicinal herb that has been shown to have powerful health benefits. This article reviews 12 evidence-based benefits of ashwagandha.
Testosterone is crucial for many body processes, including fat loss and muscle growth. Here are 8 of the best testosterone boosting supplements. There are many natural ways to boost your libido, such as eating aphrodisiacs and sleeping more. Discover other foods and lifestyle habits you should…. Add a maca latte to your morning routine to reap a host of mental and physical benefits. Infertility is something many men experience.
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What is maca? It may increase libido in men and women. Maca root also promotes natural antioxidants in the body, such as glutathione and superoxide dismutase. Antioxidants help to fight off free radicals, which can damage cells in the body. Some people believe antioxidants can help prevent some health conditions, including heart disease and cancer. Some proponents of maca root believe it may help balance levels of the hormone estrogen. During perimenopause, the stage before a woman reaches menopause , estrogen levels fluctuate and cause a variety of symptoms.
One study found that postmenopausal women who took two daily tablets containing maca experienced reduced symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats. There is some evidence to suggest that maca can improve learning and memory. For example, a study found that maca could improve memory in mice. A review of the literature suggested that maca may have benefits for learning and memory performance. However, only research on animal models is currently available, so it is unclear whether maca will have the same benefits in humans.
Maca is not currently associated with any health risks in most people and is unlikely to cause any side effects in moderate doses. However, due to its effect on hormones, people with thyroid problems should avoid taking maca. It is also better to avoid taking maca when undergoing treatments that modify hormonal levels, such as treatments for breast cancer. Maca has a range of potential health benefits, particularly for sexual health.
However, the evidence behind these health benefits is weak, as many studies used small sample sizes or animal models. Researchers need to carry out more large-scale studies in humans to determine if maca is effective.
Although there are few health risks associated with taking maca, most people can try maca without experiencing any adverse side effects. If a person is interested in trying maca root, they can find supplements in some natural food stores or online.
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