Maca A Super Food for Endurance Libido and Menopause

Recipe Key

macaMaca is a super food I use regularly. Maca is considered an adaptogen. An adaptogen is an herb with the unique ability to โ€œadaptโ€ to your body based on what you need. What this means is an adaptogen will calm you down if you are anxious or nervous or boost your energy if you are fatigued without a rush or jolt. ย Adaptogens are nontoxic.

Maca helps regulate and support endocrine health. The endocrine system is a collection of glands that produce hormones essential for normal body functions.

Maca is especially good for the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are the key gland used to manage stress. Maca helps normalize the bodyโ€™s response to stress, modulate cortisol levels, reduce the exhaustion that follows a stressful event, and protects the body against the negative effects of stress.

Maca supports the thyroid which keeps up your metabolism. It also is known to improve your overall mood.

ย We used maca in a number of recipes on the Winter Nourishing Foods Cleanse to support our adrenal glands. We will continue to use maca for the health benefits it provides.

History and Legend of Maca

Maca is a vegetable that has been cultivated as a root crop since 1500 BC. It grows in the Peruvian mountains, 13,000+ feet above sea level on Andean plateaus, where no other food can grow. It is the highest altitude crop on earth. Its ability to grow in these conditions gives it its adaptogenic qualities. The indigenous people have used it for more than 3500 years. Maca is often termed as Peruvian Ginseng due to its natural stimulating qualities that are similar to the benefits found in ginseng-related herbs.

Legend says Incan warriors consumed maca before battle to make them strong and powerful. Legend goes on to say the Incan soldiers were forbidden to use maca after conquering a city to protect the women from their excessive sexual desire. This clearly indicates macaโ€™s most acclaimed benefits – strength, endurance and heightened libido.

Health Benefits of Maca

The maca plant is a root vegetable in the radish family. The part of the maca plant that has the active nutrients is the flesh of the root.

maca root

Dried Maca powder is high in fiber and contains protein. Maca is rich in minerals such as iron, magnesium and calcium in a form easy for our body to assimilate.

Enhances Libido

Its traditional use as a sexual tonic is well documented by modern medical studies. It can create an aphrodisiac-like response in both men and women. It increases the quality and quantity of sperm which helps to increase fertility. Richard Brown, associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University in New York says among natural therapies , โ€œmaca is the only thing I know that works reliably on libido,โ€

Menopause

Maca stimulates and nourishes the hypothalamus and pituitary glands to reduce menopausal symptoms. It does this by regulating the adrenal, thyroid, pancreas and ovarian glands. Hot flashes are one of the most troublesome symptoms of menopause. Macaโ€™s adaptogenic nature helps bring the hormone levels back into balance without the use of hormone replacement treatments. It may also reduce symptoms of depression in post-menopausal women.

Endurance

Many athletes report increased stamina after taking maca root. It may be because of the more stable blood sugar levels maca produces and the strengthening effect it has on the adrenals. Stable blood sugar levels and healthy adrenal function give your body increased energy and endurance.

Maca is also good for:

  • Adrenal fatigue
  • Improving sleep
  • Reducing menstrual discomfort
  • Depression and anxiety
  • Stress
  • Poor memory

Note: Donโ€™t use maca if you suffer from breast cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian or other hormone related cancers.

Buying and Using Maca

  • Buy organic maca powder in your health food store or online.
  • There are 2 types of maca, Raw and Gelatinized. Either one can be used in recipes.
    Raw maca has never been heated above 100F/40Cย preserving ย itโ€™s enzymes and nutrients but it may cause gas orย indigestionย inย some people. If you have a sensitive stomach get the gelatinizeย maca powder.
    Gelatinize maca is heated and the starch is removed. It isย therefore more concentrated and easier to digest and absorb.
  • Store maca away from light and humidity. It will keep well for two years at room temperature.
  • Take between 1-3 teaspoons of powder per day. Listen to your body, if you experience too much energy use less.
  • I like it in a smoothie or latte. It is wonderful to use when weaning off coffee. I was able to give up coffee by replacing it with Cacao Maca Latte. Click for recipe.
  • Add it to energy bars to for an additional boost. My favorite one is Chocolate Hemp Maca Energy Balls.ย Click for recipe.

The popularity of maca continues to increase due to its health enhancing properties. Maca comes highly recommended as super food that has withstood the test of time.

Have you ever tried Maca? ย Did it give you energy?ย Please leave a comment below.

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3 Comments

  1. I loved your maca article
    you are sooooo knowledgeable
    thank you
    I used to take maca many years ago
    and for me never i noticed a difference
    however your article has inspired me to begin again
    as I am looking to get off of my bio identical hormones
    which was literally the only thing that gave me any comfort at all
    my hotflashes were incredibly intense
    however that was a few years ago and hoping the intensity has waned some
    that said lady
    I don’t have a problem with digestion
    so I am confused on which is actually the more potent version of the maca you suggested
    the raw
    or the gelanized
    if the gelazied is better absorbed would that be the bester option regardless?

  2. Hi Kim,
    Great question. Thank you for asking. I prefer the Raw Maca since the roots are never heated above 45 C (115 F) thereby preserving the maximum amount of nutrients.
    That said if you are someone with a sensitive stomach or have trouble digesting starch, like many people with autoimmune conditions choose the Gelatinized Maca.
    I have tried both and do better with the gelatinized maca since I am healing my digestive system. For most people the Raw Maca is best.

    The benefits of the Gelatinized Maca are::
    Easier to digest
    More concentrated
    Heating the Maca roots amplifies some nutrients, including metabolites and minerals

    The disadvantages of Gelatinize Maca is:
    Loss of enzymes โ€“ high heat destroys all enzymes, which limits the full absorption of Maca powder
    Loss of glucosinolates โ€“ high heat alters these sensitive hormone balancing nutrients making them less effective

    I hope that makes it a little clearer. Either one will provide benefits, you can’t go wrong.

  3. thanks Ingrid….once again you are my go to person…you always articulate in a style that i can understand …thank you for being you and being the gift you be in the world