Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy
The amazing story of a root called Maca
What is Maca?
Maca (Lepidium peruvianum Chacon) is a root-like vegetable shaped like a radish that grows high in the harsh climate of the Andes Mountains in South America at elevations up to 15,000 feet. For more than two millennia, native Peruvians have used maca as food and medicine, to promote endurance, balance hormones and improve sexual interest and fertility.
What is Maca XX?
Maca XX is a specific brand of Maca put out by a company called Quality Company. We will discuss later why all Maca is not the same and why we think Maca XX is the best Maca supplement available.
What does Maca do?
Supplementing with Maca has been shown to be helpful with the following:
- Menopausal symptoms: hot flashes, night sweats, sleeplessness and emotional upsets, "brain fog" and vaginal dryness.
- Osteoporosis: promotes significant bone rebuilding and improvement in bone density.
- Energy booster: Balances the endocrine system - thyroid, pituitary and adrenal glands.
- Period problems: Pain, PMS, flooding and/or scant flow
- Increase Libido in men and women
- Male impotence
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Increase endurance and stamina in athletes
- Reduce Depression
- Re-Ignite Your Natural Sex Drive and Desires
- Promote Mental Clarity
How can Maca possibly do all those great things?
We know - it all sounds like another over hyped "wonder supplement". However, as we did our research we found that there was some sound data to back up the above claims. Of course, not everyone sees all the benefits listed above, but the unique way Maca works makes it more effective than most Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy supplements on the market.
The maca plant is densely nutritious. It tells the body to produce it's own hormones rather than trying to replace them with an outside source (such as a phytoestrogen like Black cohosh, or medication like HRT). In this sense it is similar to the Product A, both products try to get the body to produce more hormones, rather than replace them with an outside source. What makes Maca so interesting as an herbal supplement is that it is an adaptogen. Adaptogen is a special classification of herbs that do no harm but rather "adapt" to what the body needs.
To be considered an adaptogen, a plant must conform to the following criteria:
- The plant must be nontoxic and totally harmless to the body
- The plant must allow the continuing normal physiological functioning of the individual
- The action it exerts must be nonspecific and should maintain normal body functions despite a wide range of onslaughts to the body (i.e., stress)
- It should normalize body functions irrespective of existing pathological condition.
This is a tall order for one substance. Unlike drugs which carry with them the possibility of side effects, adaptogens must benefit the body without disturbing it or doing any harm. Not many plants possess adaptogenic properties - but that is why we are so excited that Maca is considered an adaptogen. Basically, you are getting an herb that can perform many positive functions, but does not have harmful side effects.
What is Maca's nutritional makeup?
By examining what is in the Maca root you start to understand why it is such a powerful plant...
Maca's Nutritional Profile
AMINO ACIDS: alanine, argine, aspartime, glutamine, glycine, histidine, OH-proline, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, sarcosine, serine, threonine, tyrosine, and valine.
MINERALS: calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and zinc.
STEROLS: brassicasterol, erogosterol, ergostadienol, campesterol, sitosterol, and stigmasterol.
20 FATTY ACIDS: laric, myristic, palmitic, palmitoleic, linoleic, arachidic, steric, behanic, nervonic, lignoceric, tridecanoic,7-tridecanoic, perntadecanoic,7-pentadecanoic, heptadecanoic,9-heptadecanoic,nonadecanoic,11-nonadecanoic, and 15-eicosenoic.
All these phytochemicals combined with MACA's full array of vitamins, including A, B1, B2, B3, B12, C, D and E; along with saponins, tannins, carbohydrates, protein, and benzyl isothiocyanate, p-methoxybenzyl isothiocyanate, and I-ecdysone makes the Maca plant one of the most powerful medicinal plants on earth!
It still sounds like Maca is a "magic pill" - I don't understand why it would work?
There is nothing really mysterious or magical about Maca. If you look at the nutritional breakdown of Maca you see it has everything you would want in a very healthy and wholesome diet. It is rich in Calcium, Magnesium, key amino acids, proteins, vitamins, minerals and more! Much of the hormone imbalance we face is due to poor diet and eating highly processed foods. By taking Maca you are really just correcting for all the deficiencies in your diet. In an ideal world, we would all like to be able to eat only fresh wholesome food - but for most of us this is just not possible. Maca allows us to enjoy the nutrients we need to balance our hormones - without having to drastically change our eating habits.
Still, for many people, solving all their hormone related problems is not as easy as just taking a set amount of Maca. Figuring out the right dose and the right type of Maca to take can be a challenge. Please read our next article which explains why we believe the Quality Company approach to Maca is the correct way to go.
Are there any side effects when using Maca?
There are no known side effects from using MACA. Occasionally a woman may develop breast tenderness – this is simply a signal to reduce the amount of MACA being used.
How does Maca compare to supplements like Black cohosh, Evening Primrose oil, and Dong quai?
Herbs such as Black cohosh, Evening Primrose oil, and Dong quai are merely substitutes for hormones (phytoestrogens) and will not work to prevent the symptoms of menopause or it's debilitating effects for long. These herbs are weak hormones and in a jungle or farming society they would work well. But women today are subject to an amazing number of environmental insults and these weak hormones are not going to fill the bill unless you move to a beach on Tahiti! This is why many women initially have good results with Black Cohosh, but over time all there symptoms return and they need to find a new solution.
In addition, increasing estrogen (as the above phytoestrogens do) is not always the solution to hormone related problems. You may be estrogen dominant or need to produce higher levels of progesterone. Maca works to naturally balance your hormone levels rather than just bump estrogen production. This is the reason that Maca can have great benefits for men and women.
Is there anyone who should not take Maca?
Women with a hormonally related cancer, such as an estrogen receptive breast cancer, or those with endometriosis are discouraged from using Maca. Women using estrogen blockers such as Tamoxifen should not use products that affect estrogen levels. Men with a hormonally related cancer, such as prostate cancer are discouraged from using Maca. In addition, pregnant women should not use Maca.
How soon before I see results when taking Maca?
Many women see a reduction in night sweats and hot flashes in just 2-3 days. The degree to which your hormones are out of balance will determine how long it takes to see results. While you should start to feel results in just a few days, it can take a few weeks to figure out the right dosage and see full results.
Sounds great - but how do I know how much Maca to take?
The best way to determine the proper dose is to work with a Registered Nurse (RN) or Medical Doctor (MD). Don't worry - we have this taken care of for you. The Maca XX from Quality Company comes with free lifetime phone support from an RN. In general most people take between 2 - 6 capsules of Maca XX a day.
Maca Information:
Click here to read why we selected Maca750 from Quality Company
Click here to read clinical studies and Dr testimonials regarding Maca
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