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Maca Supplements – What they're for and how to choose them
février 28, 2024
Maca Supplements – What They Are For and How to Choose Them
Perhaps not everyone knows about maca, a root characterized by numerous health benefits for humans. It is often used in the form of nutritional supplements that support the body's overall well-being.
In this article, we will take a close look at the features of these supplements and provide some useful tips on how to choose the best product on the market. By reading on, you will discover all the benefits that maca offers and how it can be incorporated into your daily routine to improve your health and overall well-being.
What is maca and where does it grow?
Maca is a plant from the cruciferous family. Its origins go back a long way, as it comes from the Bolivian and Peruvian Andes. Maca is also known worldwide as Peruvian ginseng or natural Viagra. These names come from their recognized tonic and aphrodisiac properties.
But under what conditions does this plant grow? Mainly in extreme conditions ranging from a minimum of 3,000 to a maximum of 4,500 meters above sea level. In nutrition, the most valuable and important part of maca is the root, that is, the tuber that grows in the ground.
It is very well known among people for its numerous health benefits, especially its ability to increase libido and improve stamina and physical energy.
It must be emphasized that this root has a very ancient and fascinating history. In fact, its medicinal and nutritional properties were already known in pre-Columbian times among the Inca people, who considered them a great gift from the gods. At that time, maca was only available to priests and warriors as an energy source. In addition to these meanings, i.e. health, endurance, strength and life energy, the Incas were also very attached to this plant for its aphrodisiac and invigorating properties in the sexual area.
Maca Benefits for Women and Men
Among the main benefits attributed to maca root, as previously mentioned, is its ability to increase libido and fertility. These properties have been suggested by various preliminary studies that have examined the effects of this plant on both sexes.
However, it is very important to emphasize that most of this evidence is based on studies conducted on animals and a limited number of humans. These studies are often short-lived.
However, a 2002 study showed that taking maca for about eight weeks improved libido in men complaining of moderate or mild erectile dysfunction. It is important to specify that more than 50% of participants in such studies experienced side effects ranging from mild to moderate.
The most common included insomnia and increased blood pressure. Over the years, there have been other studies aimed at proving improvements in libido and sexual function after taking maca. However, the results were contradictory.
Some research showed a small increase in libido in postmenopausal women, while in other cases no significant positive effects were found. Therefore, the lack of solid scientific evidence to date, as well as the variability of the study results conducted to date and available to us, should give food for thought.
This situation suggests the need to further delve into the topic through new research to better understand the real effects of maca root on libido. Discover our deep dive on the 6 best herbs to increase libido, including maca.
But this plant is also associated with other potential health benefits for the body. These include improving energy, mood and memory, as well as protecting against various chronic diseases.
Of course, it is fundamental to remember that before taking any type of supplement, including maca, one should always consult a professional, especially if there are pre-existing health problems.
Maca for erectile dysfunction
Maca could also offer important benefits to help all those men suffering from erectile dysfunction. This root can treat this problem through its high content of arginine, an amino acid that improves blood circulation in the body. This is fundamental to achieving and maintaining an erection.
That's why arginine is one of the substances that can noticeably improve the sexual performance of men with erectile dysfunction. It is not for nothing that Maca is also known for its well-known effect on hormonal balance. Erectile dysfunction often arises precisely from a hormonal imbalance. In such cases, supplementing with maca could help the male body increase the production of sex hormones such as testosterone, crucial for healthy libido and satisfactory sexual performance.
It is important to remember that medical advice is crucial in all cases where a physiological problem is suspected and that there are various natural methods to increase desire in men.
Maca during menopause
One of the physiological phases that women go through is menopause, a phase of life that marks the end of the menstrual cycle. During this phase, various hormonal changes occur that can cause the appearance of various particularly annoying symptoms, such as sudden hot flashes, night sweats, high irritability, feeling tired and sleep disorders.
To relieve these symptoms while promoting wellness during menopause, many women rely on all-natural remedies such as maca root, soy isoflavones, or black cohosh. Thanks to its nutritious substances such as vitamins, proteins, fibers and minerals, maca has a strong effect on hormone regulation. In particular, it is considered an adaptogen. What does that mean? Practically a substance that helps the body adapt to stress and maintain correct hormonal balance.
That's why this supplement is a valuable ally for women going through menopause. Some preliminary studies have shown that taking this root may help relieve the typical symptoms of this condition and improve overall well-being.
In the case of menopause, experts suggest taking a minimum of 1 gram to a maximum of 3 grams daily in the form of supplements in capsules or alternatively in powder form. Finally, some clinical studies have also suggested that maca may have positive effects on symptoms in postmenopausal women, while plants such as soy and black cohosh are useful for relieving premenopausal symptoms such as menopausal hot flashes .
As mentioned before, even in this case it is always necessary to consult a doctor first, especially if you are undergoing drug treatment or suffering from certain diseases. Maca contraindications
We have seen various uses of maca. This includes use as a dietary supplement to increase energy, improve libido and general well-being.
However, as is the case with supplementation in general, it is crucial to also use maca consciously. That is why it is important to know the possible contraindications associated with their consumption. First, you need to be aware that taking a maca-based supplement could interact with some medications. A medical consultation serves precisely to evaluate each specific situation of the person before starting to use it.
In addition, it is crucial to pay attention to the recommended doses as excessive and incorrect use of this supplement could cause unwanted side effects. But what are the most common contraindications that might arise after taking a maca supplement?
Some people may experience symptoms at the gastrointestinal level, such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, or nausea. In other cases, taking this root can cause heart problems or hypertension. The advice is to carefully monitor your own blood pressure and consult a specialist in case of problems. When using a new supplement, you should also pay attention to possible allergies.
In the case of maca, people allergic to it may experience symptoms such as itching, difficulty breathing, or skin rashes. If allergic reactions occur, it is crucial to stop taking the maca-based supplement immediately and contact a doctor immediately.
Finally, various studies suggest that taking maca may affect hormone levels in the body, particularly those associated with fertility. This means that one should avoid this supplement in cases of pregnancy or breastfeeding, especially without the approval of a specialist.
Maca and Tribulus supplements, benefits
The use of supplements based on Maca and Tribulus is becoming increasingly common , especially among those who want to improve their health and vitality in a completely natural way. These two herbs are known worldwide for their numerous benefits that improve overall well-being. It should be noted that these are natural substances that have been traditionally used in many cultures for centuries. We have already seen the properties, origins and benefits of Maca.
But what are the special features of Tribulus? This plant is characterized by its yellow flowers and comes from warm regions such as Asia, Africa or southern Europe. It was previously used to support sexual health and hormonal function, particularly in men.
In fact, Tribulus is very well known for stimulating the natural production of testosterone, resulting in significant improvements in libido, strength and even muscle mass. Of course, one wonders what benefits there are from combining these two different types of herbs. Essentially, Maca and Tribulus can increase stamina and energy while increasing testosterone production, sexual health, and perfect hormonal balance. But that is not all.
Both plants are also known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, which provide effective protection for the body against free radical damage and inflammation. Therefore, by combining the properties of Tribulus and Maca in a single supplement, further benefits can be achieved for one's health and overall well-being. Below we summarize the main benefits of supplements based on these two plants, namely:
the significant growth in energy and stamina levels in both women and men;
the potential to improve libido and sexual performance;
reducing the feeling of fatigue and stress;
strengthening the immune system;
general improvement in mood and concentration levels;
better regeneration at the muscle level after intensive physical activity.
These are the main benefits, but a final clarification is required. To get the best result from a supplement based on Maca and Tribulus, it is imperative to choose products of high quality and reliable brands.
In addition, exceeding the recommended doses does not lead to an increase in benefits but, on the contrary, carries the risk of experiencing undesirable side effects.