Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) has tonic effects on biochemical body functions. The most important effect maca has is its ability to improve endocrine function.

Endocrine system includes all the glands and secreted hormones which control important processes, such as fertility, sexual function, digestion and physiological processes in the nervous system and energy levels.

Hormonal regulation is responsible for all physiological properties which allow you to enjoy numerous sensations, including those related to sexual arousal, physical activity and emotional states.

Maca is also adaptogen, which means it increases the body’s ability to defend against physical and mental weakening, hence against potential diseases.

It is believed that this is achieved by maintaining the function of the pituitary and adrenal glands, which contribute to proper function of the endocrine system. Maca contains phytochemicals, flavonoids, glycosides and Isothiocyanates showing antioxidant effect.

It also contains significant amounts of amino acids, carbohydrates, minerals including calcium, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, iron, and vitamins B1 , B2, B12, C and E.

Maca Increases Energy And Vitality And Improves Psychophysical Health In Both Sexes

Maca allows the body to deal with physical, chemical and biological stress. It shows no toxic effects and increases resistance to stress and fatigue. Different doses of maca extract have shown to be useful in increasing physical activity.

Maca can be used as an excellent alternative to anabolic steroids for athletes seeking muscle hypertrophy. Unlike many other substances used to increase muscle mass, maca does not contain chemicals that interfere with normal functioning of the endocrine system.

Maca can also help the recovery process considering muscle fatigue after strenuous physical activity, measured by the production of lactic acid.

Increases Libido And Improves Hormonal Balance In Both Sexes

Maca stimulates the body to produce its own hormones to restore balance, rather than bringing hormones in the body from outside. The popularity of maca grows from day to day because of its excellent effects, fertility enhancement and aphrodisiac qualities.

Men use it to enhance fertility and sexual function. However, both men and women discovered that maca significantly increases libido and sexual desire, increases energy, stamina and the sense of general well-being. The primary analysis of maca indicated that the effects on fertility are a result of glucosinolates.

Chemical analysis conducted in 1981 showed the presence of biologically active aromatic isothiocyanates, especially p -methoxybenzyl isothiocyanate, which is known for its aphrodisiac properties.

A small double -- blind, placebo -- controlled study which lasted for 12 weeks, found that use of maca in doses of 1500 mg or 3000 mg may increase male libido.

Improves erectile function, reduces symptoms of impotence, enhances spermatogenesis and testosterone levels in men’s body. Maca can be useful for erectile dysfunction by improving the activity of endothelial L- arginine -- nitric oxide.

The latent period of erection was reduced after oral administration of 10 % ethanol suspension of purified lipid maca extract for 22 days. According to a report of 2001 in “Asian Journal of Andrology” maca also increases the number, quality and motility of sperm in normal men.

Reduces Symptoms Of Menopause

Maca helps women relieve the symptoms of PMS and menopause, it reduces hot flashes and night sweats, normalizes sleep and stress levels are reduced when maca is included in everyday usage.

Maca has positive effects on menopausal symptoms which was shown in a study conducted in 2008 at Victoria University, Australia and published in the journal “Menopause”.

Fourteen postmenopausal women were freed from anxiety, mental confusion, decreased memory function, depression and sexual dysfunction when they used maca. Maca did not affect the level of estrogen or other hormones in this randomized, double-blind, placebo -- controlled study.

Also, laboratory tests have shown that the levels of estrogen or testosterone did not react positively when maca was added in the supplementation.

Antistress Effects

Maca extract administered in rats showed reduction in several markers related to stress: stress -- induced ulcers, elevated levels of corticosterone, glucose-lowering process and increased mass of adrenal glands. Maca also eliminates the reduction of free fatty acids in plasma produced by stress.

Manuel Sandoval at Albany Medical College showed that a culture of blood cells in the laboratory, was protected from oxidation because of the use of maca extract.

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According to a report published in “Chemical food ” in 2002, this result was shown due to the ability of certain components contained in maca, probably flavonols to prevent oxygen radicals. Isothiocyanates in maca extract also have antioxidant effects .