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What To Know Before Taking Maca Root Powder

Maca is a plant used for thousands of years as a natural remedy for various health issues. It originates in the Peruvian Andes mountains and is actually a cruciferous vegetable related to broccoli, cauliflower, kale and cabbage.

Maca contains various vitamins and minerals, as well as fibre, macamides, macaridine, alkaloids and glucosinolates.

Let’s go over what the potential benefits of maca are and what you need to know before taking it.

What Does Maca Powder Do?

Maca root powder benefits vary, but traditionally, maca has been used to treat respiratory conditions and rheumatic disease. It’s an adaptogenic herb, helping the body manage environmental stress, like ginseng and ashwagandha.

In terms of maca root benefits for men, recent claims have suggested it may benefit low libido and sexual disfunction (in male mice and human women). Like the previous two, maca root fertility benefits are mixed and currently inconclusive.

What about maca root benefits for females? It may help improve some symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and interrupted sleep and may help improve mood in those living in low or high altitudes (taking 3g of red or black maca root powder per day for 12 weeks. It may also help regulate exercise-induced fatigue in mice and everyday fatigue in young adult women. One study found that those who took 3g of maca for 12 weeks experienced more of an energy boost than those who didn’t.

A 2015 study found that there might be a link between maca and blood pressure, lowering blood pressure in postmenopausal women. There is currently no research supporting maca root weight gain; it’s low in calories and fat, and may actually help with weight management.

Preliminary animal studies have also suggested that maca may help preserve cognitive function, help wound healing, help digest nutrients, benefit benign prostatic hyperplasia and may have anti-inflammatory properties.

Keep in mind that all of these claims don’t yet have enough evidence to determine maca’s true effectiveness and more human studies are needed.

What Does Maca Powder Do for Hormones?

Some research has found a difference in testosterone levels between those who used maca and those who didn’t, meaning it may be a good treatment for some people with hypogonadism. Speak with your doctor before using.

As mentioned above, maca can affect sex hormones, possibly boosting sexual performance in both men and women, as well as help with menopausal symptoms.

How To Use Maca Powder?

Maca comes in various forms, such as capsules and powders. The powder can be added to smoothies, baked goods and oatmeal.

If you’re wondering about maca powder taste, it has a nutty, butterscotch-like taste, so it’s great to add to sweets.

If you’re sensitive to herbs, take maca earlier in the day, especially if using it for an energy boost.

Is It OK To Take Maca Powder Every Day?

Maca is safe to take daily, although stick to what has been used in research, meaning take up to 3g per day for no longer than four months.

Using maca powder in cooking, such as in smoothies and muffins, can be an easy way to add nutrients to your diet. One tablespoon contains small amounts of various minerals, including 1g of protein, 6g of carbohydrates and 2g of fibre.

How Much Maca Powder Each Day?

There is currently no recommended daily dosage of maca, but in studies, maca root powder is generally used between 1.5 to 3g per day. The dose you take depends on your health, age and what you’re taking it for.

Who Should Not Take Maca?

Speak with your doctor before taking any supplement, especially if you have a medical condition or take medication. As it’s currently not known if maca is safe to take when pregnant or nursing, stay clear of it.

Since maca seems to affect hormones, this means that those with hormone-sensitive cancers should stay clear of it, such as ovarian, breast, endometrial and uterine cancer. Those with fibroids in the uterus should also not take maca.

Maca Root Side Effects

In terms of maca root and maca root powder side effects, it’s generally believed to be considered safe, however, some individuals have reported moodiness, cramping, insomnia and stomach discomfort when taking maca.

How Long Does It Take to See Results from Maca Root Pills?

This will depend on what you’re taking maca for, but studies have found benefits after 12 weeks of using maca.

Be careful of sweeping claims made by supplement manufacturers, especially when it comes to improving sexual performance. When looking for the best maca root powder, make sure to check the purity of the maca powder you buy, making sure it doesn’t contain drugs such as Viagra, Levitra and Cialis, as well as other additives that may be restricted by the FDA.

End Note

Make sure to always fact-check the claims you see about maca and any supplement. Maca potentially has benefits in various areas, but the research is currently limited and more studies are needed on humans. Make sure to speak with your healthcare professional to determine if maca is right for you, as is the case when taking any herbal medicine.