domingo, 18 de octubre de 2009

Maca - Fertility Superfood | Fertility Maca

Maca Root Powder Manufacturing Process

Maca Root Powder Manufacturing Process

How Maca Cures Infertility?

How Maca Cures Infertility?


Maca is used for fertility and libido for both men and women.
True, Maca is used for fertility and libido problems for both men and women. Maca is especially beneficial if trying to become pregnant or if getting ready to become pregnant relatively soon. In addition, according to research, due to its large amounts of nutritional value (Maca contains fatty acids, minerals, fiber and amino acids), maca is extremely suitable for pregnant women in first trimester.
One great and unique side of Maca is that maca is an adaptogen. Meaning, Maca nourishes different parts of our body, those parts which need recovery and improvement. When practicing positive thinking, accepting who we are today, and by living a healthy life styly, wonders do happen. When using Maca this is possible because Maca root, (Lepidium meyenii) contains vitamins, minerals, proteins, and nutrients that nourish the body, thus enhances the ability to conceive for women.
If estrogen levels are too high or too low, this can affect a woman’s ability to become pregnant. If a woman takes maca, it can increase her progesterone levels, which in turn helps a woman maintain a pregnancy to a safe term.
PS: Since Maca is food, one is able to take Maca whenever one likes it.

Maca Uses

Maca Uses


Maca is cultivated for consumption of its root-hypocotyl axis, and is used extensively for medicinal purposes.

The maca 'hypocotyls' are eaten fresh, cooked in pachamancas (cooking of meat and vegetables in underground ovens lined with hot stones) or stored dried for later consumption. The dried roots are eaten after boiling in water or milk, and are sometimes mixed with honey and fruit for preparation of juices, and addition of sugarcane rum for cocktails and other alcoholic beverages (Johns 1981; Tello et al. 1992) (Fig. 9). Flour is also prepared from the dried roots for making bread and cookies. Maca is mixed with chuño (freeze-dried potatoes), oca, quinua and soyabeans to prepare different dishes and dessert. Toasted and ground 'hypocotyls' are used to prepare, "maca coffee" (Castro de León 1990).

Local consumers close to the production sites prefer medium size and yellow maca roots. This is because larger roots take longer to cook and the colors preference is due to the belief that yellow roots are sweeter than those of other colors. Apparently any root shape is acceptable. In general, however, there are no established quality characteristics for this crop. The pharmaceutical industry is now a main consumer of maca, and processes practically any roots that are in acceptable sanitary condition. The main centers of commercialization of maca are in La Oroya, Junín and Huancayo. The total production of maca is estimated to be approximately 850 t/year, and it is possible that the demand is twice as much.





According to folk belief, maca is an aphrodisiac which enhances sexual drive and female fertility in humans and domestic animals, which tends to be reduced at higher altitudes (León 1964). Sanchez León (1996) presents an interesting account of the role of maca in the conquest of the Inca Empire. The Spaniards when arriving in a hostile environment, such as the puna of Junín, were afraid of losing their horses because of the lack of conventional pastures and their inability to reproduce at high altitudes. They soon learned about the nutritious and fertility-enhancing properties of maca, allowing their horses to pasture in fields of this crop. The conquerors found "well fed babies and tall adults" in the high Andes, which was attributed to their diet based on maca. Owing to these beliefs, maca had a prominent place as a crop used to enhance the reproduction of pigs, chickens and horses. During the times of the Tawantinsuyo, the legend says that before going to war the Incas used maca to feed the warriors to increase their energy and vitality. However, after conquering a city the soldiers were prohibited to consume it as a measure to protect women from their sexual impulses.





Beliefs of fertility-enhancing properties of maca have been partially substantiated by limited experiments in rats, which indicate that gains in fertility are due to the probable increase in the development of the Graaf follicles (Chacón 1990; Rea 1992). Chemical analysis by Johns (1981) suggests that the fertility-enhancing properties of maca mar be due to the presence of biologically active aromatic isothiocyanates, and specifically due to benzyl isothiocyanate and p-methoxybenzyl isothiocyanate. The latter is also found in mashua (also know as añu and isaño) (Trapaealum tuberasum Ruiz and Pavon). This species, however, is reputed to be an antiaphrodisiac and antireproductive agent in males, but a promoter of female fertility (Johns 1981). The putative aphrodisiac powers of maca also can be attributed to the presence of prostaglandins and sterols in the 'hypocotyls' (Dini et al. 1994). In early times, maca was appreciated not only as nutritious food, but also as a gift to the gods along with corn and potatoes. Mountain Raco in Junín was considered the god of stewed food. In its honour, the natives buried potatoes and maca there among other offerings. Maca also was used in beverages with hallucinogenic products in dances and religious ceremonies (Castro de León 1990). Today in the local markets it is advertised as an aphrodisiac, stamina-builder and ferility-promoter. It is also often promoted as a cure for rheumatism, respiratory ailments and as a laxative. Dried maca roots are ground to power and sold in drugstores in capsules as a medicine and food supplement to increase stamina and fertility. One of the leading pharmaceutical laboratories in Peru has started an aggressive advertising campaign promoting maca capsules as a magnifier of sexual potency. Other medicinal properties attributed to maca are regulation of hormonal secretion, stimulation of metabolism, memory improvement, antidepressant activity and effectiveness in combating anemia, leukemia, AIDS, cancer and alcoholism among others. None of these properties, however, has been substantiated by scientific research. Because of these putative virtues, maca is also known by the name of Peruvian ginseng (Rea 1992).





The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information contained in this page is intended for education, entertainment and information purposes only. This information is not intended to be used to diagnose, prescribe or replace proper medical care. The plant described herein is not intended to treat, cure, diagnose, mitigate or prevent any disease. Please refer to our Conditions of Use for using this plant database file and web site.

Discovery health on maca

The South American country of Peru is home to numerous beneficial plants, including Peruvian maca root, a legendary sex-enhancing root passed down from the Inca. I'd heard about Peruvian maca herb and extract for years. Peruvian maca root has been dubbed "Peruvian ginseng," even though it bears no relation to ginseng. But like ginseng, the maca plant is employed into a Peruvian maca extract to increase strength, energy, stamina, libido and sexual function, a winning combination of health benefits if there ever was one.


To investigate maca's health benefits and understand the role that maca plays in Peruvian culture, my wife and I headed down to Peru to explore the maca trail. In the process we met with maca traders, growers and scientists, and came back tremendously impressed by this plant, which is now available as a supplement in U.S. health food stores.



What is Maca?

Maca, Lepidium meyenii, is an annual plant which produces a radish-like root. The root of maca is typically dried and stored, and will easily keep for seven years. The plant is cultivated in the Junin plateau of Peru's Central Highlands, and was highly revered by the Inca.



During the height of the Incan empire, legend has it that Incan warriors would consume maca before entering into battle. This would make them fiercely strong. But after conquering a city the Incan soldiers were prohibited from using maca, to protect the conquered women from their powerful sexual impulses. Thus as far back as 500 years ago, maca's reputation for enhancing strength, libido and fertility was already well established in Peru.



Today, maca's popularity is very much on the increase, as people discover that the plant really does boost libido, sexual function and overall energy. Acreage in Peru dedicated to Maca cultivation is increasing every year to meet demand, and a number of scientists have turned their attention to the properties of the root. In Peru, maca is used by men and by women who want to put more fire into their sex lives. And in the U.S., Europe and Japan, dietary supplements containing maca are gaining ardent devotees.



Maca Nutrition

What natural ingredients in maca promote its reputed sex-enhancing effects? In-depth analysis of maca conducted in 1998 by Dr. Qun Yi Zheng and his colleagues at PureWorld Botanicals shows that maca contains about 10 percent protein, almost 60 percent carbohydrate, and an assortment of fatty acids. These ingredients are common and nothing special. But the investigators also discovered two groups of novel compounds, the macamides and the macaenes. These agents are believed to be directly responsible for maca's sex-boosting powers.

Clinical studies on Maca:

Clinical studies on Maca:




The preliminary observations of the pharmacological studies were positive in the sense that the histological findings in rats show a clear and defined stimulation of the maturation of follicles. An increase in the quantity of spermatozoids in the seminiferous tubes, as well as an increase of mitosis and espermatogonia is observed in the females and males.

In laboratory animals, it has shown a positive effect as a food and as a medicine, with benign effects on blood and the reproductive system, thus scientifically confirming the Andean people's belief about its medicinal kindness in human and animal development.

The action of the alkaloids, calcium and iron of maca could be used to fight against anemia and as stimulants in the formation of red corpuscles and in human and animal reproduction. It could also be used to help fighting against certain illnesses currently being researched, such as leukemia, aids, alcoholism, menopause anemia and other blood-referred illnesses, after getting the results of the corresponding experiments (Chacón 1997).

Its properties have been researched in different parts of the world. The studies have been conducted in rats and mice; only one study has been conducted in healthy human beings.

An increase in the number of coitus is observed in the rodents within this group of benefits. It also favors the spermiation, which is the release of spermatozoids through the seminiferous tubules, and it improves the weight when the second generation of rats are born, after a dietetic substitution of maca with the balanced food.

Chinese research on mice with erectile dysfunction that were treated with maca should be deepened before being disclosed, since they are prone to be misinterpreted, and such research says maca is an Andean viagra or a vegetable viagra, while the true effect of this plant does not consist of merely gonad-related action.

The study carried out in humans reports an action of maca in its gelatinized form, on the improvement of the seminal liquid quality. This is the only study so far conducted in human beings and it corroborates -for the benefit of many people- the fact that the experimental studies in laboratory animals are encouraging.

It is noteworthy that the studies should be serious and should report to the consumer that this plant is not an aphrodisiac. It has more properties and it is rich in compounds. There is still a lot to be researched about it.

WHAT EXACTLY IS MACA ROOT?

WHAT EXACTLY IS MACA ROOT?


Maca is a root that grows in the high mountains of Peru. Rich in nutritional content (potassium, and higher levels of calcium than in milk), it is a natural hormonal balancer which provides great health benefits for both, men and women.



Due to its high nutritional value, it is not only popular as a sexual libido enhancer and menopause symptoms savior, but also greatly affects energy, stamina, depression, memory, and more.



As Beth M. Ley, Ph.D. states on her book Maca Adaptogen & Hormonal Regulator: "Some researchers note than when the body is well-nourished and balanced (in homeostasis), overall health improves, libido rises and depression abates." pg. 15 (Handbook available here!)







WHAT WILL MACA DO FOR YOU?

Sex & Libido

Maca is recommended for fertility problems, sterility, and other sexual disorders. However, in Peru it has long been known as a potent APHRODISIAC. Research has proven that it acts on certain areas of the body that produce hormones and energizing substances, which enhance libido and increase virility.



It is also often compared to Viagra®; however, peruvian maca does not alter circulation. Its amazing libido booster is a result of completely natural hormonal balancing. It is a safe natural product that will improve your marriage, love and sexual life by boosting your libido and stamina, and by producing a general sense of well being!.



Energy/Stamina

Athletes around the world are starting to notice this root. It is in fact, a great source of energy. Research proves that as a result of hormonal balancing it also supports and helps restore the adrenal glands, which produce adrenaline . So, if you are looking for a healthy and nutritional product to boost your energy and improve endurance, maca is definitely for you!.



Menopause Symptoms

Are you going through uncomfortable mood swings and frustrating hot flashes? Are you having sleep difficulties? Maca is a natural and healthy alternative to dramatically ease your symptoms during peri-menopause, menopause, and post-menopause.



Low or High levels of estrogen are a common problem to many women, which bring frustrating consequences to their health. Maca root will dramatically fix these problems. It acts as a hormonal regulator that will bring your body to its proper balance. As a result, it will alleviate menopausal and painful menstrual symptoms. What's more, it will increase your energy, reduce your stress, and even help you overcome depression. Get rid of hot flashes now! You won't be disappointed; all benefits are achieved in a very healthy way, and are only a result of natural hormonal balancing.