The Super Health Benefits of Maca

By David Jockers DC, MS, CSCS, Organic Lifestyle Magazine

Maca is a root vegetable belonging to the Brassica family of cruciferous vegetables.  It is most similar to radishes and turnips in growth habits, size, and proportions.   Maca is extremely rich in minerals with ample amounts of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, selenium, potassium, copper, and zinc.  These are extremely important for healthy skin, bones, eyes, and joints.   These minerals are also vital for effective cellular formation, communication, and regeneration.

Maca is one of the highest altitude crops in the world, growing atop 8,000-14,500 foot regions of the Andes Mountains in Peru.  In this climate, it faces extreme cold, intense sunshine, powerful winds, and challenged agricultural areas.  The challenging climates do not harbor pests; therefore, maca is always grown organically.  In fact, many Peruvian farmers have begun planting it with other root vegetables as the plant naturally repels pathogenic nematodes and other pests.

Adaptogenic Properties

The survival of the fittest principle of ecological evolution helps us understand the unique benefits maca provides.  Over thousands of years, maca has developed the ability to thrive in some of the worst soil and environmental climates in the world.  Maca has adapted effectively to these stressful conditions and developed certain factors that enhance human adaptability.

Maca is an adaptogenic in that it helps the body adapt to environmental stressors effectively.  Adaptogenic substances support the nervous system, endocrine system, and immune system to allow the body to effectively manage homeostasis under challenging circumstances.  This enhances energy levels, stamina, mental clarity, spiritual outlook, and the ability to handle oncoming stress.

Maca contains a certain balance of alkaloid and polysaccharide compounds that help improve control and coordination of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.  These regions are the master regulators of the body’s stress response and reproductive systems.  Through this mechanism it helps stabilize adrenal output and regulate inflammatory hormones like cortisol.

Balancing Hormones

One of the unique characteristics of maca is its ability to help balance hormones in both men and women.  Studies have found it effective for reducing hot flashes, painful menstrual cramps, improving mood and sexual desire.  It hasn’t been demonstrated to consistently increase sex hormone production; instead it modulates and coordinates the role of these hormones more effectively

A 2008 study published in Menopause showed that about 3.5 grams of maca per day reduced psychological symptoms, including anxiety, depression, and lower measures of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women independent of estrogenic and androgenic activity.  Another 2006 study showed that maca improved cognitive function and reduced depression in surgery induced menopausal rats that couldn’t produce sufficient sex hormone.

Maca has also been demonstrated in several studies to improve libido and fertility in male and female rats.  Many people have blogged their unique anecdotal testimonies of maca improving their sex life and overcoming their struggles with infertility.

Red maca has been shown in 2 studies to reduce prostatic hyperplasia in testosterone induced male rats.  This demonstrates the glandular modulating effects of maca as it works to balance hormones.   Red and black maca have the greatest anti-oxidant content and therefore the greatest health benefits.

Maca Helps Fight Against Diabetes and Heart Disease

A 2007 study demonstrates maca’s ability to reduce inflammation at the cellular level.  The results of the study indicated that maca was effective at improving glucose metabolism, lipid profile and anti-oxidant status.  This improves cardiovascular function and decreases the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

This A 2006 study showed that Maca was able to inhibit bone loss in an ovarectomized rat.  Typically amlack of the estrogen-secreting ovaries leads to increased catabolic state and subsequent bone loss.  Another study showed a specific extract from Maca (RNI-249) was able to help to preserve cartilage cells by inhibiting catabolic pathways, activating anabolic mechanisms and enhancing blood flow into the cartilage cells.

 *Image of “maca roots” via Shutterstock