Maca Powder – A Peruvian Super Food
Maca root, also known as Peruvian Ginseng, has numerous beneficial properties that aid the body in regeneration. In fact, Native Indians of Peru were the first to discover this amazing super food. They prized the root for its numerous health promoting properties and it was a staple in their diet. However, knowledge of this super food is just beginning to surface in the western world. Below are 5 reasons why Maca needs to be added to your diet today!
1. Hormonal Balance
Maca has the unique ability to correct hormonal irregularities due to its high mineral content. The minerals found in Maca are crucial for hormonal health. Large amounts of calcium, potassium, zinc, phosphorous, iron, and magnesium are in Maca. These minerals are crucial for well being and hormone production. Unfortunately, there are not many foods that contain such large amounts of these minerals like Maca does. These minerals are what give Maca its unique ability to correct hormonal issues such as acne, menopause, and night sweats. Many see immediate improvements in these conditions once incorporating Maca into their diet.
Furthermore, Maca is in fact an adaptogen. If you’re unaware, an adaptogen is a herb or food that increases an individuals stress capacity and lowers the stress response. This is where the name “Peruvian Ginseng” stems from, and like all ginseng, Maca increases energy, reduces stress, improves sleep, and promotes well being. Maca is a must for anyone dealing with high amounts of stress on a daily basis.
2. Increased Libido
An increase in libido is common with those taking Maca. This is because of its high mineral content, but also because of its adaptogenic properties. In fact, the Native Indians of Peru would often use Maca as a cure for infertility or impotence. It can correct the testosterone and estrogen balance in both men and women which leads to a heightened sex drive. When the ratio of testosterone and estrogen are not in balance, a lowered sex drive is often a result. Consequently, those experiencing a drop in sex drive can benefit tremendously from daily incorporation of Maca.
3. Prostate Health
By the age of 50, over 50% of men will experience an enlarged prostate. From here, the risk of prostate cancer increases dramatically. Fortunately, Maca has shown time and time again to reduce the size of an enlarged prostate. This is because of the beneficial plant sterols that are found in Maca. Beta-sitosterol, a particular plant sterol found in Maca, is especially useful for reducing an enlarged prostate. Studies show that Beta-sitosterol is successful in treatment of an enlarged prostate.
That being said, there are many different types of Maca; all which have different effects on the body. Red Maca is the most beneficial for treating an enlarged prostate because of its higher content of Beta-sitosterol than any other Maca. All studies showing Maca as an effective treatment for an enlarged prostate used Red ‘gelatinized ‘ Maca. Gelatinized is a fancy word for ‘cooked.’ Cooking rids Maca of its anti nutrients. As a result, it becomes more bio-available to the body.
4. Increased Sense of Well Being
Again, Maca is an adaptogen. As result, a heighten sense of well being goes hand and hand with daily Maca consumption. However, almost all adaptogens are herbs, and can’t be used as a food source. This is what makes Maca so unique. It’s in the same family as broccoli (cruciferous) and serves us as a food, but also contains the same adaptogenic properties as a ginseng root. The adaptogenic properties found in Maca are what gives it its stress reducing and energy promoting benefits. Those suffering from anxiety or depression can see improvements in their condition by incorporating Maca daily.
5. Improved Sleep Patterns
One of the most noted benefits that individuals experience from taking Maca is its ability to induce deep and restful sleep. This is due to a number factors such as its high mineral content, adaptogenic properties, and beneficial plant sterols. However, unlike coffee that leaves you jittery into the night, Maca promotes an inner calmness with a steady line of energy throughout the day. In fact, it promotes stage 3 and 4 sleep which is the most restorative. Furthermore, individuals with depression spend too much time in REM sleep (dream stage-stage 5-deepest sleep). Maca restricts REM sleep which positively effects a depressed individual. That being said, anyone with sleep type issues will benefit immensely from Maca.
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