Maca, also known as Inca Radish, Peruvian Ginseng, Peruvian Viagra, is a cruciferous plant (relative of radish, cauliflower, and cabbage). Maca grows in the Andes Mountains in Peru at an altitude of 4,000 to 4,500 meters. The cold, strong sunlight, low oxygen and strong winds make Maca strong and strong. The local people used it for food and medicine centuries ago.
The effect of Maca
Maca is famous for its aphrodisiac effect, but rather than saying that Maca is an aphrodisiac product, it is better to regard it as a health product that replenishes physical strength, just like vitamin B complex. The benefits of taking Maca are as follows:
Promote male fertility, improve prostate gland
In 2016, the European Medical Journal Maturitas research pointed out that supplementing Maca can help improve sperm quality (sperm concentration, quantity, mobility, etc.), and even improve libido.
Another 2007 study indicated that maca supplementation improved prostate (prostate) hypertrophy.
Beneficial for athletic performance
Research indicates that supplementing with maca can help build muscle, increase strength, enhance stamina, and improve athletic performance.
In addition, other experiments have confirmed that Maca has positive effects on reducing anxiety, brain cognitive function, chronic alpine disease, osteoporosis, and anti-oxidation .
Dosage Form and Mode of Administration
Maca products and dosage forms available in Taiwan are quite mature and diverse, including capsules, concentrates, dried slices, tea bags, etc., but there is no significant difference in efficacy, which depends on consumers' consumption habits.
Maca is rich in protein. Although there is no special requirement to eat it before or after a meal, generally speaking, it has a better absorption rate if taken on an empty stomach before a meal. The detailed dosage can be as recommended on the package.
Gelatinization? Concentration? How to choose the daily dose of Maca
According to a study by the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia in Peru, 500 to 1,000 milligrams (mg) of maca three times a day can be effective.
The effective dose of maca used in clinical trials is at least 2,400 mg per day, and maca contains a lot of indigestible macromolecular starch, so the gelatinized maca nutrients can be fully absorbed.
Different manufacturers will have different gelatinization and concentration technologies. Some manufacturers say that the product is concentrated. The actual content of Maca is only 400-500 mg, but they will tell consumers that the dose of reduced Maca is as high as 2400 mg-3000 mg. , this kind of explanation will cause consumers to misunderstand, because it is meaningless to reduce the amount of maca powder into fresh maca. In the end, it depends on the maca after gelatinization should be more than 2,400 mg. Effectiveness will really show.
Side Effects and Precautions
Maca is a highly safe food, and side effects are not common. Generally, people who take Maca will not disturb metabolism, but if you are in the following groups, please ask your doctor for advice before supplementing with Maca:
- Maca contains goitrogen. For patients with thyroid disease, please ask your doctor for advice before supplementing.
- Maca contains vitamin K. People who take anticoagulant drugs should consult their physicians before supplementing with Maca.
- In addition, pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and children should avoid supplementing Maca, because there are not enough relevant experiments to prove the safety of these groups.
Maca compound recommended
Zinc has the function of regulating physiological functions. If zinc deficiency in the body will lead to poor mental condition and physical decline,
The addition of zinc in Maca products can help increase the concentration of testosterone in serum and maintain reproductive health.
Arginine (Arginine) can promote the production of nitric oxide (NO), improve erectile dysfunction, and can also help improve sexual desire and sexual dysfunction (such as lubrication, orgasm, etc.), and Maca can play a greater synergistic effect .
References
The use of maca (Lepidium meyenii) to improve semen quality: A systematic review - PubMed (nih.gov)
Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp), una revisión sobre sus propiedades biológicas (scielo.org.pe)
Maca (L. meyenii) for improving sexual function: a systematic review - PubMed (nih.gov)