Discover The Rainforest Magic Of Maca
Maca which is also known as Peruvian Ginseng, is a main ingredient in two of the greatest and purest health products that I know of. First is Chocamaca, organic chocolate infused with 11 powerful rainforest botanicals and second is the Amazon Power Shake, the raw wild energy food!
So what is so special about Maca? Is it that it is naturally rich in nineteen amino acids, phytonutrients, plus calcium, iron, and potassium and phosphorus - or that it increases energy and stamina and enhancing libido and fertility for both sexes? Maybe because it regulates and supports the entire endocrine system and many health practitioners are now prescribing Maca as a safe and effective alternative to Hormone Replacement Therapy.
Chemical Analysis of Maca Shows:
Amino Acids: alanine, arginine, aspartime, glutamine, glycine, histidine, OH-prolibleynor@gmail.cne, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionne, phenylalanine, proline, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, sarcosine, serine, threonine, tyrosine and valine.
Minerals: calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, iodine anbd zinc.
Vitamins: B-1 (thiamine), B-2 (riboflavin), B-12, C, and E.
Sterols: brassicasterol, erogosterol, ergostadienol, campesterol, sitosterol and stigmasterol.
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.
Maca's Health Benefits
In 1961, Dr. Gloria Chacon de Popovici published her studies when her research scientifically demonstrated increased fertility in animals using Maca. Her reseaarch continues today and she is probably considered trhe most knowledgeable person on the subject of Maca worldwide.
Dr. Chacon's work answered important scientific questions about the legitimacy of Maca's reputation. In addition to its rich supply of essential nutrients, chemical analysis shows the presence of biologically active aromatic phytochemicals which have unique aphrodisiac properties. Analysis of Maca propertries indicates that the effects on fertility are a direct result of glucosinolates found in Maca. Dr. Chacon discovered the four alkaloids present in Maca that are responsible for Maca's reputed positive effect on hormonal balancing issues such as hot flashes, memory problems, fatigue, mood swings and male impotence more than 40 years ago while a studnet at the University of San Marcos, in Lima, Peru.
Adaptogen Properties
Maca has been deemed an adaptogen, which is defined as a substance (food or nutritive herb), which brings the body to a heightened state of resistance to disease through physiological and emotional health. Plants known as "adaptogens" are known to: raise the nonspecific resistance to disease, be capable of normalizing funtions in the body even in disease states, be nontoxic and harmless to any organ of the body, and be safe for ingestion for long periods as a nutritive )for prevention).
A new field of study called psychoneuroimmunology examines te relationship that stress has with the immune system. The immune system is our defense system against illness and disease or any type of imbalance. It works closely with the endocrine system and the hypothalamus, located at the top of the brain stem.
An adaptogen such as Maca can help balance, strengthen and support any area of the body under compromise due to stress. Because of the sensitive nature of maintaining a balance of the sex hormones (regulated by the hypothalamus), any stress (physical or emotional) can effect related aspects to those hormones. Stress is known to have a negative effect on sex; libido, frigidity, fertility, sperm count and mobility, symptoms of menopause, PMS, etc.
Adaptogens support and help restore the adrenal glands (known as the stress glands) to normal. This helps restore hormonal balance and therefore, energy, stamina, libido, sexual function, immune function, mental clarity, a sense of well-being, and the other negative effects that resulted from the stress in the body.
Safe Solution for Hormone Replacement Therapy
The desire for restored youth, slow-down or reversal of the aging process and health is widespread. In a large part, the solution to these desires revolve around optimal and balanced amounts of hormones in the body. Most attempts at staving off the aging process involve some type of hormone replacemnent. Men and women are discovering the benefits of boosting hormone levels of testosterone, DHEA, extrogen progesterone, annd human growth hormone.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may have some benefits, but is not without side effects and risks. Maca, however, offers an entirely different and completely safe approach to hormones. Maca is a tonic (strenthener) and rejuvenator for the entire endocrine system, thereby encouraging the body to manufacture it's own natural hormones - and in the correct proportion to each other.
Taking any type of "external" hormones, and even natural phytohormones in foods or herbs, can cause the glands to become "lazy," and therefore produce even less of what we need. Knowing how much to take of these phytoestrogens can be very tricky, and can vary greatly from one individual to the next.
In contrast, instead of promoting dependency on an outside source, Maca, instead, energizes and rejuvenates. Maca's effects are specific to the endocrine glands, and therefore, it is equally beneficial for both sexes.
Maca therapy is preferred over hormone replacement therapy because HRT actually ages the body by diminishing the hormone-producing capability of the glands. Whenever you artifically introduce a hormone into the body such as through a drug, herb or even a food containing phyto-hormones, it has an effect on the gland or glands which would naturally otherwise produce that hormone.
HRT is now officially deemed carcinogenic. Estrogen replacement therapy has joined the official U.S. government list of cancer-causing agents. New studies showed that hormone replacement therapy increases the risk of breast and uterine cancers and it also raises the risk of heart disease. It's so great that we have Maca!
Fertility and Sexual Function
The fertility powers of Maca are prized by couples in the Peruvian highlands. Men and women who fail to conceive a child eat Maca on a regular basis until conception occurs.
According to Dr. Chacon, the actions of four alkaloids from Maca root may serve to increase animal fertility. THe isothiocyanate p-methyl benzyl has been shown to increase fertility in humans.
Chacon suggests that Maca alkaloids act on the hypothalamus-pituitary axis and the adrenals. These areas of the body produce hormones as well as energizing substances like adrenaline. The end result could be an increase in energy, vitality, and virility. There are numerous physicians' claims that Maca positively affects ovarian function in women, and erectile function in men.
Maca is recommended for sterility and other reproductive and sexual disorders. Chacon also showed that Maca has very observable effects on fertility problems. In studies with rats, she found that animals given either Maca powder, or alkaloids isolated from Maca rootr, showed multiple egg follicle maturation in females, while males had significantly higher sperm production.
Hormone Balancing Effects
The benefits of Maca seem to be for individuals of all ages. The herb supports hormonal functioning in older and younger adults, and athletes have been reporting increased energy and stamina in their workouts. Teenagers have also benefited from its effects on hormone-balancing and acne.
Female Hormonal Imbalances
Women are turning to Maca for assistance during peri-menopause, menopause, and post-menopause. Women with menstrual irregularities using Maca have experienced greater consistency, while women with hot flashes, mood swings and most associated perimenopause and menopause symptoms have diminished dramatically using Maca. Women who begin using Maca during peri-menopause find that they have a much easier time when they enter memopause.
Libido
Maca's ability to help to restore libido for men and women is probably what it is best known for. It is often described as an aphrodisiac for both sexes, indoubtedly because of its beneficial effect on testosterone and other hormone levels. If you were to ask a Peruvian why they recommend Maca, most will honestly answer, "For the sex, of course!"
Maca is oftern compared to Viagra but works very differently in regards to it's sexual effects. Viagra's effects are more circulatory, Maca's effects are more hormonal. As an energizer, Maca helps create more vigor for sexual activity.
Stresss Reducing/Blood Pressure Lowering/Sleep Improving Effects
One of the most dramatic and noticeable benefits of Maca is a reduction in stress. As a powerful adaptogen, Maca, with it's natural compunds has the ability to balance and normalize the body's entire system. For example, Maca can raise low blood pressure and lower high blood pressure. Maca has a balancing effect on the hormones and therefore, can positively effect any system in the body which is out of balance.
Many factors cause insomnia or sleep problems, some nutritional, but most are related to stress. Maca can positively affect virtually all of them. Maca may provide raw materials needed for the body to produce serotonin, which creates relaxation. As an adaptogen, it may also help lower cortisol (the stress hormone) which interfers with normal serotonin production. Normalizing cortisol will help normalize serotonin levels.
Cholesterol Lowering Effects
Maca is a rich source of sterols. Some reseachers consider plant sterols, isothiocyanates, and glucosinolates to be Maca's active constituents. Sterols have been shown to reduce cholesterol. This also can positively affect erectile response if erection is compromised by artery-clogging fats.
Immune System Effects
In Peruvian herbal medicine, Maca is also used as an immunostimulant, for anemia, tuberculosis, stomach cnacer, and to enhance memory. People believe it improves physical and mental capacaties, strenghtens reproductive organs, and increases the strength of the immune system.
Benefits Chronic Fatigue
Maca can also help with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and general fataigue brought on by aging and stress. It is also recommended for people with CFS and it raises DHEA (which is depressed due to the burden upon the adrenal glands from long-term stress) and lowers cortisol (the stress hormone). Most people with CFS have adrenal fatigue, and Maca can assist in rebuilding exhausted adrenal glands.
Maca is Popular Among Athletes
Maca is often used to increase energy, stamina and endurance in athletes, promoting mental clarity. It is used as an alternative to anabolic steroids by bodybuilders due to its richness in sterrols.
How Can I Get the Benefits of Maca in Available Products?
That's a great question! The two greatest products are Chocomaca and the Amazon Power Shake.
Chocomaca, the organic dark chocolate infused with 11 powerful rainforest botanicals, contains Maca. These delicious balls of healthy chocolate:
- Helps increase mental, physical and sexual energy
- Provides greater endurance and supports overall strength
- Elevates your mood, increases concentration
- Is antioxandant rich
- Supports a healthy cardiovascular system
The Amazon Power Shake, the Raw Wild Energy Food, is a 100% natural dietary supplement which:
- Increases Energy and Endurance
- Helps Build Muscle Tone Strength
- Supports the Hormonal System
Every morning I mix 2 scoops of Maca, which is powder form, into a glass of fresh carrot juice. You can mix it into any juice you prefer or into a smoothie. Within the FIRST few days I noticed the increased energy I was getting. I now have been taking it every morning for a month and noticed increased muscle in my body - withour exercising. It's amazing!
See the November 1 archives for the details of my November contest to win a FREE 30 ball container of Chocomaca and you can read more about the Amazon power Shake in the September 13 archives.
You can also read more about these products as well as other great all pure and natural products as well as natural skin care products at www.MagicOfTheRainforest.amazonherb.net.
To order the Chacomaca or the Amazon Power Shake, you can either order directly on the website at www.MagicOfTheRainforest.amazonherb.net or email me at bleynor@gmail.com or leave a message at my home office at 972-618-3446.
Barbara Leynor Holistic Health Coach
* Information abour Maca is from Beth M. Levy, Ph.D., author of Native Food & Medicine of Peru - MACA.
