Peruvian maca. Carefully! Peruvian maca - Chinese! For vital energy

The emergence of more and more new drugs for potency makes it possible to solve several problems at once. Problems with intimate topics are far from uncommon. This is a malfunction male body. And in this case, something needs to be done. The mentality of our people is based on tightness and the appearance of complexes. It is customary to leave such questions under the covers. But in this case there is no point in delaying. We urgently need to act.

They consider complex treatment to be the best option. Adjusting your diet, normalizing your daily routine and healthy sleep. Natural supplements can be used as a supplement. I would like to talk about one of them. Here is a full review of Peruvian Maca for men. Let's talk about the following things: divorce or not? How much does it cost and how to use it? Is it sold in pharmacies and where can you buy it online (on the manufacturer’s official website)? Let's touch on real reviews from customers and doctors. Let's try to fully understand the topic. Let's begin.

What is Peruvian Maca?

This is a plant that grows exclusively at an altitude of at least 3000 m. It is brought from Latin America. Beneficial properties have been proven in laboratory conditions. The local population has long used maca in their diet as a food product and as a reliable cure for many diseases.

Maca root is often dried. This way it lasts longer. The plant is really in high demand. For example, in Peru, vast areas were specially allocated for the cultivation of maca. Processed Peruvian maca is more reminiscent of a dietary supplement in its properties. The plant acts as an adaptogen and is beginning to be widely used in pharmaceuticals.

How is the composition useful?

Maca powder was also used by the Indians. Moreover, both for military purposes - to raise morale, and as a natural aphrodisiac. All this was achieved thanks to the rich composition of vitamins and macroelements, including:

1. Selenium. Improves immunity, protects against infectious and colds. Is a powerful antioxidant. Improves sexual activity.
2. Maltodextrin. Normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and is a source of increased energy.
3. Zinc. Increases sperm activity. Participates in the production of male sex hormones. Necessary for the full functioning of the genitourinary system.
4. Maltose. Active participant in metabolic processes. Provides the body with energy.
5. Crystalline cellulose. Strengthens immunity. Removes toxins and harmful substances from the body. Increases immunity.
6. Fatty acid. Blocks the formation of cholesterol plaques. Improves blood circulation.
7. Peruvian Maca. Participates in the production of male sex hormones. It is characterized by a high content of amino acids and biologically active substances.

The composition of Peruvian maca is optimal solution in improving libido, normalizing the functioning of the genitourinary system, restoring potency. There are no contraindications. The supplement is universal and can be used at any age. At least that's what the manufacturer says. And the reviews on the forums in general are positive character. Let's move on.

Divorce or not?

As you can see from the composition, the drug has a complex and restorative effect on the entire body. At the same time, the use of Peruvian maca means a complete absence of contraindications. And this is not a lie. Then why do so many controversies often arise around drugs on the “intimate market”? Like, it’s all a scam for money and so on.

In 90% of cases, this is explained by the cause of problems with potency. They can vary so much that sometimes supplements or pills alone are not enough. You need to see a doctor. After all, failures can occur as a result of:

• Stress.
• Overwork.
• Poor nutrition.
• Excessive alcohol consumption.
• Age-related changes.
• Consequences of diseases.

Therefore, not all drugs from the pharmacy (even the most expensive) can provide a guaranteed effect. Everything is relative. This is probably the reason negative reviews. Although many note positive influence poppies and improved erection even on first use. It looks like the drug (if you can call it that) really deserves attention.

How to use Peruvian Maca?

Let's move on to the instructions for use. Perhaps nothing simpler can be found on the market. There are also analogues. But based on the composition, I am inclined to trust the maca manufacturer. Comprehensive, inexpensive, effective. Indications for use:

• To improve libido in men and women.
• For the prevention and treatment of prostate diseases (consult your doctor).
• To improve erection and sexual desire.
• To combat overstrain and constant fatigue.
• To get rid of premature ejaculation.
• To improve sperm quality.

The powder is used daily. We recommend starting with small dosages and gradually increasing to 1-2 teaspoons. The optimal rate according to the official supplier is 30 days. Some people experience significant changes within a week. If desired, you can repeat the course later - for a cumulative effect and to consolidate the result.

Detailed recommendations for the use of Peruvian maca can always be obtained on the official website. Leave a request and receive absolutely free answers to your questions. Feel free to go to the source!

What is the price?

Due to the fact that it is not so easy to bring and obtain it, the price Peruvian maca for men it will not seem so democratic. Here everyone chooses for himself. Delivery works to almost all European countries. Sales are made in thousands of packages per day. It's a big business, but it's important to find and buy quality products. At prices in different countries:

• Russia – 990 rub.
• Ukraine – 399 UAH.
• Belarus – 30 rub.
• Lithuania and Latvia – 39 euros.

You need to be prepared for the fact that several packages will be required to complete a full course. You can buy one, but it all depends on individual problems. The company manager will explain in detail over the phone: how, how much and what. Fill out an application and receive all the information for free.

Where can I buy it?

Many people look for Peruvian Maca in pharmacies. Unfortunately, it is not possible to buy the drug at the pharmacy. But you can order on the official website. There, everything is in order with the documents (certificate and declaration of conformity), and no prepayments are required. That is, conscientious cooperation of two parties is guaranteed - the buyer and the supplier. What does this require?

1. Go to the official website.
2. Enter your name and phone number in the form.
3. Wait until representatives call you back.
4. Get detailed advice.
5. Order the required number of packages.
6. Pick up the parcel at the nearest post office.
7. Pay upon receipt - cash on delivery.

This scheme has been worked out for a long time. I know personally that hundreds of people have ordered from this site. No pitfalls were noticed. By the way, there is delivery not only to Russia, but also to a number of CIS countries. In the future, the geography will only expand. Delivery from 1 to 10 days depending on regions. In large cities, you can use the services of a courier and buy Peruvian maca with delivery directly to your home.

Placed an order, picked up the parcel, and paid upon delivery. Everything is simple, anonymous and quite fast. Buy from a trusted site. Do not send advance payments, prefer personal communication by phone. It is important to buy the original. There are many scammers and intermediaries.

About reviews

I would like to pay special attention to real customer reviews. As is the case with any drug from a pharmacy, not always the supplement can only boast positive reviews. A beautiful picture can be seen on sellers’ websites: it is not profitable for them to write nasty things, it kills sales. But we need to be realistic.

The causes of problems in men can be very different. The drug will not always work on one person, while another will have a pronounced effect almost after the first use. There are too many factors, including psychological ones. You need to try and find your own.

Reviews from doctors and specialists. The topic is slippery, it is better to consult in person. You can write and draw any review. But where are the guarantees that this particular specialist expressed his opinion on this site? Doctors will definitely confirm beneficial features components of the composition. But in case of serious disorders, a natural supplement alone may not be enough.

Conclusion

Should I try or not? You decide. There is nothing harmful in Peruvian maca powder. It has been proven to have a general strengthening effect on the entire body. Tones and gives energy. So it may well work. But you need to understand that restoring potency always requires meaningful and integrated approach. Perhaps you need to reconsider your diet and daily routine, take a course of vitamins, or simply take a vacation.

Benefits of maca powder include:

• No harm to the body.
• Cumulative effect, general strengthening effect.
• Ease of use.
• Place your order quickly.

Of the minuses:

• For a full course – 3-5 packs (which is not cheap).
• You'll have to wait for delivery.
• It is not a fact that in your particular case it will completely eliminate the causes of failures.

This is how the review turned out. Below you will see a field with comments on the article. If you have already tried the effects of maca on yourself, please share your opinion. Useful for all readers. Let's decide together whether it's worth buying or looking for analogues? That's all. We tried to cover the topic as much as possible. Good luck and strong masculine strength to all!

Peruvian maca is a powdered exotic root vegetable that was brought from Latin America. For 2 thousand years, this plant was used by the Incas to increase male potency and fertility. That is why it is popularly called “turnip for sex.”

Purpose of Peruvian maca

The healing potion is used to increase potency and combat numerous ailments. Thanks to its composition rich in vitamins and microelements, it:

Stabilizes the functioning of the genitourinary system;

Increases potency in men and women;

Acts as an aphrodisiac, causing sexual desire;

Promotes rapid conception as it increases sperm activity;

Replenishes energy during physical and mental exhaustion of the body;

Regulates the production of cortisol (stress hormone) and helps overcome insomnia.

The powdered root vegetable is not only for men. It is also indispensable for women, especially after the age of 40. Helps relieve unpleasant symptoms of menopause, improves menstrual cycle and protects bones from fragility. In addition, it is recommended for consumption by women with low libido.

Maca for erection

Particularly useful Peruvian maca for men, as it eliminates erectile dysfunction. Due to the huge zinc content, it makes the erection lasting, ensuring the quality of sexual life. Additionally, maca powder:

Increases testosterone content in the male body;

Forms high activity of spermatozoa (after a 2-week course of treatment);

Promotes hormone balance;

Reduces the risk of getting prostate cancer;

Fights genitourinary infections.

How can I take the drug?

There are many ways to use Peruvian maca powder. It is mainly added to food or drinks. They prepare chocolate cocktails, mix them into juices, and roll out special “energy” candies.

As a rule, taking the drug starts with 0.5-1 teaspoon per day. Be sure to stop using it for a day every 5 days. The course is designed for a long period - 2-3 months. Maca root is also recommended for athletes. Before exercise, you should take a teaspoon of the healing potion to ensure endurance and increase activity during training. Also, do not forget to take the powder before the expected intimacy. You will feel an irresistible sexual desire for your partner, you will be able to enjoy long-lasting sex and give real pleasure to your soulmate. If you have problems with your heart and blood vessels, consult your doctor before taking Peruvian maca.

Give yourself and your partner true pleasure during intimacy. Hurry up to order the Peruvian maca preparation! When you buy 3 large packages, the 4th, weighing 100 g, comes as a gift!

Lepidium meyenii, also known as maca, is a biennial herbaceous plant of the Cruciferous family, native to the Andes Mountains in Peru, in the area of ​​Lake Judin. It is grown for its fleshy hypocotel (the combined hypocotel and taproot), which is used as a root vegetable and is also used medicinally and is considered. In Spain and among the Quechua Indians, the plant is called maca-maca, maino, ayak chichira and ayak willku.

Description

Peruvian Maca, or Meyen's Bedbug (lat. Lepidium meyenii) is a species of plants from the genus Bedbug of the Brassica family. The root crop of the plant resembles a turnip in appearance. Maca is divided into categories based on the color of the root, which can be red, black, pink or yellow. In general, the color of tubers varies, but the most common and frequently occurring color is yellow. Maca was historically grown in Peru. Maca has been traditionally used all over the world since ancient times. Its effect applies to both men and women. Maca does not work by producing hormones and does not increase testosterone or estrogen in the body. Men use maca to increase semen production. Maca also appears to be a potent suppressor of prostate hypertrophy, improves potency, and has a similar effect to finasteride ( medicine, an antitumor hormonal drug used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia in men). Preliminary research also suggests that maca may protect the brain from various harmful effects, improve the condition of bone tissue, and even enhance cognitive abilities in healthy people. Further research is needed to determine the underlying mechanism of action of maca. Most studies on maca have taken place in Peru, and it takes a very long time to replicate and confirm these studies in other regions. The export of maca is an important component for the Peruvian economy. Also known as: Meyenne ginseng, maca root, Peruvian ginseng.

Maca root may increase sexual desire, but is not a stimulant

Maca root does not have the most pleasant taste, it has an earthy, herbaceous aftertaste; people who use this supplement prefer to use it in capsule form rather than powder

Is:

Testosterone booster

Food additive

Maca instructions for use

The standard dose of maca is 1500-3000 mg. As a supplement, use maca root or maca extract based on water or ethyl acetate. Maca should be taken daily with meals. Traditionally, maca is treated as a food product and not food supplement. Animal studies using poppy at dosages of 1,000-2,200 mg/kg body weight have found the following ratio:

10.9-24g poppy seeds for a person weighing about 150 pounds

14.5-32g poppy seeds for a person weighing about 200 pounds

18.1-40g poppy seeds for a person weighing about 250 pounds

Botanical characteristics

The first European to describe this species was Gerard Wolpers, who gave the plant the scientific name Lepidium meyenii in 1843. In the 1990s, Professor Gloria Chacón made a further division various types. She considered that the wild maca, widely cultivated today, was a newly domesticated species, L. peruvianum. Most botanists, however, disagree with this definition and continue to call the cultivated poppy L. meyenii. The Latin name approved by the USDA also agrees with what most scientists believe (i.e., Lepidium meyenii). There is currently ongoing debate regarding the correct nomenclature of the plant, and whether the division between meyenii and peruvianum is botanically correct or whether the plants belong to the same species. In growth, size and proportions, poppy is approximately similar to radishes and turnips, with which it is related in a certain way. The fragrant green tops are short and usually trail along the ground. Thin frilled leaves sprout in rosettes on the soil, growing no more than 12-20 cm in length. During the reproductive stage, leaves show dimorphism. They are more noticeable in the vegetative phase, and are constantly renewed from the beginning as the distant leaves die. The whitish, self-pollinating flowers are found on the central inflorescence. After the flowers, fruits 4–5 mm long are formed, each of which contains two small (2–2.5 mm) reddish-gray ovoid seeds. Maca reproduces only by seeds. Maca mainly reproduces by self-pollination and is an autogamous species. The genome contains 2n=8x=64 chromosomes. Experiments show that maca is a plant short day. Some sources claim that maca is annual plant, because in favorable years she can pass full cycle development within one year.

Root

Maca root powder

Maca is the only member of the genus with a fleshy hypocotyl connected to a taproot, forming a rough pear-shaped structure. Plant species vary significantly in the size and shape of the root, which can be triangular, flattened round, spherical or rectangular (the latter form the longest roots). Maca hypocotyl can be gold, cream, red, purple, blue, black or green. Each color variant is genetically determined (the offspring will have roots the same color as the parent plant). Recently, it has been claimed that certain phenotypes (in maca, "phenotype" refers primarily to root color) exhibit specific nutritional and therapeutic properties. The cream-colored roots are especially prized in Peru for their sweet flavor and size. Darker maca roots (red, purple, black) contain significant amounts of natural iodine, which may prevent goiter from developing after consuming lighter maca. Black maca increases energy and stamina, and is both sweet and bitter in taste. Red poppy is also gaining popularity. This type of maca has been shown to reduce prostate size in mice.

Growing conditions

The natural habitat of maquis is a latitude of 11-12ºS and an altitude of 3800–4400 m above sea level. At this altitude, average monthly growing temperatures are -2°C minimum and 13°C maximum. Temperatures, however, can drop to -10°C with frosts. Maca also survives strong winds and sunlight. Today, maca is grown mainly in Peru, the Andes Mountains in Bolivia, and a little in Brazil.

Growing

Maquis seedlings usually germinate a month after sowing at the beginning of the rainy season, in October. In the vegetative phase, from May to June, they increase in size Bottom part hypocotyl and upper part of the taproot. After 260-280 days, a hypocotyl suitable for consumption is formed. If you leave the root in the soil, it will “fall asleep” for 2-3 months of the cold and dry season, until August. After this, a generative shoot will be formed, on which, five months later, the seeds will ripen. One plant can produce up to a thousand small seeds, 1600 of which will weigh approximately one gram. For further spread, therefore, only a small number of plants are needed. To grow, plants are selected for size and color, then placed 50–100 cm deep with alternating levels of grass and soil to protect them from drying out. Plants are fertilized abundantly. The growing cycle is related to the time of year. The land for growing maca was traditionally prepared by hand. Nowadays machines are also used for this. Maca can only grow in places where no other crops grow. Maca fields are pollinated by livestock, but mechanical pollination methods can be used to prevent nutrient deficiencies. Protection from plants or pesticides is usually not required because maca grows in such climatic conditions, which are not suitable for most plants or pesticides. In Peru, maca is grown organically because the species is rarely attacked by pests. Maca is sometimes grown with potatoes because the plant wards off pesticides that feed on the maca roots. Poppies are harvested by hand, leaving the leaves behind as organic fertilizer. The yield is 15 tons of fresh hypocotyls per hectare of land, which is approximately 5 tons of dry material. According to the Peruvian Ministry of National Economy, the average yield of maca in 2005 averaged only 7 tons/hectare. Although maca is not only grown in the Andes, it is still unclear whether maca grown outside its natural habitat has the same active components and potential. Hypocotyls grown from Peruvian seeds have difficulty forming on low altitudes, in greenhouses or hot climates.

Sources and composition

Sources

The word "maca" refers to the Bedbug of Meyen, which belongs to the genus of the Bedbug and the Cabbage family; belongs to the family of cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, collard greens and mustard. Plants most closely related to maca (taxonomically) are rapeseed, mustard, turnip, black mustard, cabbage, watercress and watercress. Maca is traditionally used in the Andean region of Peru in folk medicine to increase vitality and fertility, used by both men and women. In addition, maca is also consumed by animals. Maca is sometimes referred to as Peruvian ginseng, despite the fact that it bears no similarity to Panax ginseng and its family. It is grown exclusively in the Andean region of Peru at an altitude of 4000-4500m above sea level, in conditions of wind, cold and sufficient sunlight. It may be that cold temperatures are more favorable for maca growth; one study noted increased growth rates at low temperatures. Eating poppy can reverse the decrease in spermatogenesis that occurs in this altitude range (in rats). Maca is grown exclusively at one altitude in the region of Peru, where it is traditionally used as a fertility supplement. It belongs to the family of plants such as broccoli and other brassicas. When used as a food product, the bulbous hypocotyls are dried and then eaten in quantities of over 20 g per day, without any side effects. Dried hypocotyls can be stored for many years. Maca is often boiled and drunk as juice; dried hypocotyls are too difficult to chew. Currently, maca is usually used in capsule form. Dried Maca (plant source, no additives) contains:

• 10.2-16% protein, with some sarcosine (0.70mg/100)

  59% carbohydrates

  2.2% lipids (of which 40.1% are saturated, and 52.7% unsaturated)

  8.5% fiber

• Formulations and variants

  Gelatinized maca is made through the gelatinization of starch. Maca powder is heated in water, which creates a set of polymers in solution that increases the absorption and bioavailability of the maca supplement compared to the original powder. At the moment, there are no studies evaluating how this process affects the activity of poppy. However, there is a need for such research as glucosinolates are known to be heat sensitive and the immune effects of maca can be traced to carbohydrate content (biologically active carbohydrates have many of the immune-boosting benefits we see in these plants , like the lacquered tinder fungus and woolly-flowered astragalus). The popular form of maca has not been properly studied, and it is unknown how this process affects the activation of body functions.

  Impact on the body

  Neurology

  Aphrodisia (sexual arousal)

  A study examining whether there was a correlation between hormones and aphrodisia from maca consumption failed to find any connection between the two. There were no hormonal surges observed in the study population despite the presence of aphrodisia; this study showed that the mechanisms of maca's effects on aphrodisia are not hormonally mediated. These effects also appear to depend on the ability of poppy to cause motor activity; In a study in rats, maca was shown to improve measures of intromission latency and intercopulatory interval (independent of dose), as well as post-ejaculation latency (dosage up to 75 mg/kg), but there was no apparent correlation with the observed increase in locomotion. The active components can be presented as macamides (lipids), since the lipid extract is bioactive. The mechanisms are independent of the action of the various hormones commonly involved in aphrodisia (testosterone, estrogen, luteinizing hormone, etc.) and other neural effects of poppy. A study comparing the effects of maca on rats noted that after consuming 25 or 100 mg/kg of the aqueous extract, a single dose given 30 minutes before sexual activity failed to increase ejaculation rates in rats. Measurements after a week of taking maca showed a trend towards significant improvement, but only within a week, and after 21 days the differences were not statistically significant. Maca root helps to “build up” aphrodisia, effectiveness appears after repeated use. Maca does not affect the time of sexual activity. In healthy men taking 1.5g or 3g of maca daily, self-reported aphrodisia increased by 24.4%, 40%, and 42.2% when taken for 4, 8, and 12 weeks, respectively. This study noted that the placebo group experienced a 16.6% increase at week 4, with no change at either week 8 or 12. Effects were also noted in a study of athletes; taking 2 g of maca extract in a 5:1 ratio for 2 weeks resulted in an improvement in sexuality rating scale scores, and a marked improvement in dyadic sexual desire (sexual desire towards others) rather than solitary desire also followed. sexual desire. In men with mild erectile dysfunction, consumption of maca (2400 mg) and placebo resulted in significant improvements as assessed by the IIEF-5 (Treatment Rating Scale). erectile dysfunction), the degree of increase with maca was significantly greater than with placebo; Maca turned out to be more powerful compared to other drugs. An outpatient study of maca root in depressed patients (17 women, 3 men) over a period of 10 months (sufficient for consideration as an antidepressant for induced sexual dysfunction), using 1.5 g or 3 g of maca daily, over 12 weeks, noted that according to the MGH-SFQ and ASEX questionnaires, there was significant improvement in both groups, with high-dose maca being more effective. According to one survey (ASEX), libido levels improved markedly and an increase in sexual pleasure was also reported. Studies of the general population reveal statistical significance across different populations.

  Anxiety and depression

  In female rats undergoing a forced swim test, maca at a dose of 1g/kg exhibited antidepressant effects, reducing immobility by 76.4-87.4% of baseline. This study also noted that while yellow and red maca had antidepressant effects, black maca was slightly more effective. The authors of one study suggested that maca may have anxiolytic effects due to positive test results (in mice). Reductions in depression and anxiety were noted in postmenopausal women taking 3.5 g of maca per day for 6 weeks, as assessed by the Green's Menopausal Scale. Studies examining the effects of poppy on humans have found that this supplement can reduce anxiety and depression.

  Memory and learning

  A comparative study of ovariectomized female rats given 1g/kg of maca in all three forms (red, yellow and black) found improvements in cognition using a water-finding task, with black maca being shown to be superior to other options. A similar task was used in a study of black poppy to reveal the neuroprotective effect of poppy against scopolamine. The protective effects of poppy were found to be marginally superior to placebo. There is a trend towards improved cognitive performance in normal healthy rats, but it is not very significant and the mechanisms of this effect are unknown. In a study administering scopolamine (which induces acetylcholinesterase), maca was found to suppress the increase in AChE levels, and was not significantly different from placebo, but was able to reduce the increase in menopausal pain in rats. No effect on monoamine oxidase activity was found.

  Neuroprotection

  An in vitro test of neurons isolated from crayfish cells noted that maca exhibited dose-dependent protection against hydrogen peroxide when neurons were pretreated with maca 3 hours before application of H2O2, this pentane extract of maca had an EC50 of approximately 2.8 µg/ml and exhibited 88% protection when using a dose of 30 mcg/ml. In an in vivo trial, a dose of 3 mg/kg body weight reduced ischemic infarction (a measure of protection) by up to 58.6%; higher doses (10, 30 mg/kg) actually worsened the damage. A study conducted using different dosages (0.125, 0.25, 0.5, and 1 g/kg) of black maca in combating the effects of alcohol-induced memory impairment when administered orally for 28 days noted that all doses black poppies were able to reverse the increase in escape latency (the time it takes mice to exit a maze) when using alcohol. Protection against the effects of scopolamine was observed with the use of black maca, in this study using both aqueous (0.5, 2 g/kg) and hydroalcoholic (0.25, 1 g) extracts of maca for 35 days. Before testing, test mice were injected with the acetylcholinergic toxin scopolamine. It has been demonstrated that maca can prevent scopolamine-induced decline in performance (testing mice to independently find their way out of a maze), regardless of extract or dosage; lower doses of each extract were more effective. Black maca is a potent neuroprotector compared to other ecotypes and has greater neuroprotective effects; The reasons for this have not been thoroughly studied at present.

  Cardiovascular diseases

  Blood pressure

  One study suggests that maca may help reduce blood pressure via ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme), which exhibits a dose-dependent inhibitory effect, with the heat-treated extract being superior to the crude extract. A preliminary toxicology study found that taking 0.6 g of maca daily caused a small but significant increase in diastolic blood pressure. The effects of maca on the cardiovascular system have not yet been thoroughly studied.

  Interaction with glucose metabolism

  Absorption

  Maca has been tested for its ability to inhibit the absorption of carbohydrates in the intestine. In vitro studies have shown that toasted or raw maca extracts do not inhibit α-glucosidase and α-amylase. Raw maca inhibits α-glucosidase in the range of 20-40% (rather weakly), and α-amylase (approximately 10%), while toasted maca does not inhibit α-amylase. These results did not correlate with the polyphenol content of poppy seeds, which was very low.

  Research

  A rat study using maca at 1% of food weight in animals with inherited high triglyceride levels (which was worsened by a sucrose-rich diet for two weeks) noted that maca could reduce plasma LDL cholesterol levels. ), as well as triglyceride and glucose levels (secondary to triglyceride reduction). In the present study, rosiglitazone 0.02% was used as the active supplement for the control group and was superior to maca. Overall, there is no solid information about the effects of maca on glucose metabolism.

  Maca in bodybuilding

  Aerobic performance

  Study involving 8 experienced cyclists, with no changes in their diet or training process, showed that a high dose of maca (2g in extract at a 5:1 ratio; bioactivity 10g) consumed for 2 weeks was associated with a significant reduction in test time to completion from 57.62 +/- 3.14min to 56.56 +/- 2.68 min (1.84% decrease) when compared to the baseline result. In the group where athletes were given a placebo, no statistically significant results were observed. When comparing the performance of placebo and maca against baseline, no significant differences were observed. Currently, there is only weak evidence to evaluate the effects of poppy on physical activity. Preliminary results do not suggest significant benefits.

  Immunology and inflammatory processes

  Research

  One comparative study was conducted using a mixture of different types of maca (1500 mg) with 300 mg Uncaria pubis versus 1500 mg glucosamine sulfate. Although the use of both drugs was associated with significant rates of improvement, the herbal mixture was less effective (participants were given paracetamol, which they took if joint pain was not relieved by treatment). This study was sponsored by a company that produces a mixture of different types of poppy.

  Interaction with hormones

  Testosterone

  1.5 g and 3 g of maca for 12 weeks failed to increase circulating testosterone levels in healthy men. These same doses were used in a 12-week study of other men and there was an increase in self-reported aphrodisia, which reached 24.4%, 40% and 42.2% with maca, at weeks 4, 8 and 12 (respectively ), and placebo in men did not cause an increase at 8 and 12 weeks; this increase in aphrodisia was independent of testosterone levels, which did not differ between groups. Androgenic effects or increases in testosterone are not observed in postmenopausal women taking 3.5 g of maca per day for 6 weeks. Maca does not have significant androgenic interactions beyond circulating testosterone, and this study did not note any interaction of maca components with androgen receptors. No studies to date have established the ability of maca or its components to increase testosterone levels. A rat study using lead to induce testicular damage noted that 2.2 g of maca extract (boiled hypocotyls) preserved spermatogenesis but did not prevent lead-induced decline in testosterone levels. A similar dose of 2 g/kg, comparable to the traditional dose of maca, also failed to affect testosterone levels in healthy rats. Research notes a single case of increased testosterone levels in a woman taking maca was associated with a testing failure; later, the test showed normal level testosterone.

  Estrogen

  1.5 g or 3 g of maca per day for 12 weeks did not affect circulating estrogen levels in healthy men, and these results were observed in other studies using similar doses and follow-up, as well as in postmenopausal women using 3.5 g maca per day for 6 weeks. There is currently insufficient evidence to suggest that maca works by increasing estrogen levels in vivo. One study using MCF-7 breast cancer cells (an estrogen-responsive cell line) noted that maca supplementation at 0.1-100µg/ml could induce proliferation and promote estrogenicity at concentrations of 100-200µg/ml. but this concentration was less potent than the physiological concentration of estrogen; the effect was comparable to milk thistle. Estrogenic effects were observed in vivo when ovariectomized rats were given 0.24 g/kg ethanolic extract of maca (equivalent to 1.25 g/kg maca root extract), where uterine weight at 28 weeks was 121.9% of control weight . Another study using lower doses of three types of maca over 4 weeks failed to detect estrogenic effects. Estrogenic effects were also not observed in other in vitro tests. Some evidence suggests that maca acts directly as a phytoestrogen, but the evidence is currently mixed and the practical relevance of this information is unknown.

  Follicle stimulating hormone

  In a 12-week, double-blind study using maca at 1.5 g or 3 g given in three divided doses, and 1.5 g as a single dose in men, there was no difference over time. Also, no significant effect of maca on follicle-stimulating hormone has been demonstrated; similar results were obtained in postmenopausal women taking 3.5 g of maca per day for 6 weeks.

  Luteinizing hormone

  In a 12-week study of healthy men using 1.5 g or 3 g of maca daily, there was no significant effect of maca on circulating luteinizing hormone levels at 4, 8, or 12 weeks. There was also no effect observed with 3.5 g per day for 6 weeks in postmenopausal women.

  Interactions with bone metabolism

  In a study of ovariectomized (menopausal) female rats given 0.096 or 0.24 g/kg ethanolic extract of maca (0.5 and 1.25 g/kg dry root extract, respectively) for 28 weeks, it was noted that that a dose of 0.096 g / kg allows maintaining bone mineral density, compared with the control group (usually insignificant), and a dose of 0.24 g / kg helps to increase the content, with an increased diameter of the femur, while normalizing bone mineral density relative to control group. It is possible that these effects are secondary to the action of estrogens. This study noted an increase in uterine weight in ovariectomized rats when using maca at a dose of 0.24 g/kg.

  Interaction with organ systems

  Liver

  In vitro, methanolic and aqueous extracts of maca do not affect the function of hepatocytes at a concentration of 0.1-10 µg/ml, and when incubated for a long period of time (72 hours) help reduce the leakage of LDH and AAT to 61.2% and 55.6%; accordingly, with concentrations greater than 1 μg/mL, the protection of LDH leakage was significantly improved. However, this study contradicts preliminary toxicological data on human exposure, where the only adverse effect was observed with the use of 0.6 g of maca daily for 90 days, which contributed to a slight increase in serum AAT levels. The reason for this discrepancy is most likely not due to oxidation, since maca has relatively weak antioxidant properties, and diphenylpecrylhydrazyl (DPHR) analysis showed that water and methanol extract had an EC50 value of 3.46 +/- 0.16 mg/ml and 0.71 + /- 0.10mg/ml, respectively. Maca causes an increase in liver superoxide dismutase levels as well as an increase in decreased serum gluthione levels, without changes in serum lipid peroxidation markers. The effects of maca on the liver have not been fully studied.

  Prostate

  Red maca may suppress prostate enlargement, while black and yellow varieties are ineffective. In this study of rats, when given a dosage of 2 g/kg aqueous extract of red poppy per day for a week, a decrease in ventral prostate weight was observed compared to baseline. Within 14 and 42 days, maca normalized prostate enlargement following testosterone injection. The increase in seed mass was also suppressed. The active ingredient in maca may be benzyl glucosinolate, the peak exposure of red maca in the first study (determined by HPLC) coincided with these components, and in latest study a decrease in prostate size was found when testing benzyl glucosinolates at a concentration of 0.02-0.08 mg/ml. A decrease in prostate size was also observed when coadministered with 0.1 mg oral glucosinolate for 14 days (although this study did not find a complete reversal of enlargement). This study also noted that extracts containing 0.1 mg benzyl glucosinolate (the exact amount of extract was not reported) were more effective in suppressing prostate enlargement than 0.1 mg finasteride, without affecting seminal vesicle weight (contrary to the results observed previously from 2g/kg). A second study was conducted using red maca using finasteride as a control and dose-response was confirmed in rats using red maca (0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5 g/kg), with At a dose of 0.1 g/kg, this relationship was already statistically significant. The second part of the study using 0.6 mg/kg finasteride showed that red maca at 0.1 and 0.5 g/kg (0.64% benzyl glucosinolate) was more effective in suppressing prostate growth without affecting seminal vesicle weight . According to the manufacturers, the mechanism of action depends on the conversion of dehydrosterone. There was no increase in testosterone levels in these rats using maca, which is typically seen with 5α-reductase inhibitors such as finasteride or fenugreek, indicating no interaction at the level of the 5-AR enzyme. Promising results from red poppy indicate that it is as potent as finasteride in reducing prostate size (a biomarker for prostate cancer risk); however, the studies need to be replicated outside of Peru (production and export of red maca may be similar to the case of policosanol in Cuba) and conducted in human subjects. The effect of benzyl glucosinolate (the active ingredient in prostate growth suppression) on spermatogenesis is unknown, the above studies suggest that it plays no role but passively allows testosterone to affect seminal vesicle size. The only other plant that expresses benzyl glucosinolate, Tropaeolum tuberosum (nasturtium), is known to suppress spermatogenesis (although a causal relationship in determining the active ingredient has not been established). Some manufacturers suspect that polyphenols may play a role, but this has not been determined at this time. Benzyl glucosinolate is the systemic name for the glucosinolate known as Glucotropaolin, which accounts for 80-90% of the total glucosinolates. Surprisingly, glucatropaolin content does not differ significantly between poppy ecotypes. One study found the content to be 81.37%, 80.30% and 80.25% for red, yellow and black poppy, respectively. In addition, red maca has been found to be able to suppress the increase in zinc levels in the prostate, which facilitates the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT); this study also showed a strong correlation between zinc levels and prostate size, although the correlation coefficient was 0.76. Although red maca causes a reduction in prostate size more than other types of maca, this mechanism does not appear to be related to benzyl glucosinolate content, as this content does not differ significantly between ecotypes; perhaps a currently unknown molecule facilitates this process (or the Peruvian studies were imprecise).

  Male gonad

  In a lead-induced testicular injury study where rats were fed lead for 35 days and maca was administered on day 18, it was shown that 2.2 g/kg maca per day (boiled hypocotyl extract) caused an attenuation of testicular weight loss. vesicle observed with lead exposure, maintaining the weight of the testis. Regarding spermatogenesis, black maca has been reported to have more beneficial effects on spermatogenesis. Yellow and red maca caused an increase in daily sperm production, but sometimes did not reach statistical significance. A comparative study of various black maca extracts over a 7-day period noted that ethyl acetate was most effective in increasing daily sperm production, while chloroform extract was found to increase sperm count in the vas deferens. Overall, both were equally effective in increasing epididymal sperm count. In general, improvements in sperm production are observed on day 1 of supplementation in rats, and increases in sperm count can be seen regardless of increases in daily sperm production. These increases in daily sperm production appear to be associated with an increase in the onset of spermatogenesis. Maca can also reverse the suppression of spermatogenesis and the decline in sperm count, even with lead exposure, which is associated with the persistence of reduced levels of spermatogenesis caused by the surge. This finding may be an explanation why maca has such an impressive history of use, and why production occurs exclusively at altitudes of 4000-4500m above sea level, while this study was conducted at an altitude of 4340m. Maca in general is considered a testicular protectant, while black maca is the most effective means to increase sperm production (and theoretically, fertility).

  Safety and overdose

  General

  During the history of human consumption of maca root, no significant cases of overdose have been reported. One study reported that 0.6g of maca for 90 days increased serum ALT levels and diastolic blood pressure. Consumption by rats up to 5g/kg body weight was not observed side effects. In human trials of maca in doses up to 3g per day, this dosage has been shown to be well tolerated, and the traditional method of boiling up to 20g of maca to create juice has also not been associated with overdose. Poppy has virtually no toxicological contraindications.

  Pregnancy

  Currently, the only research on the effects of maca in pregnant women is one study conducted in mice, using 1 g/kg lyophilized maca (2.16 g/kg dry weight), correlating with traditional consumed doses, and taken before and shortly after fertilization. There was an increase in the number of individuals born once to a female, without affecting gender indicators and the viability of the offspring. This was independent of embryo implantation rate, fertility index, or pup survival. There is no evidence of safety in humans, but there are no adverse reports either. It is currently not known whether this supplement is safe during pregnancy or not, but it appears to be very promising in enhancing female fertility (based on animal studies).

  Usage

  Health effects

  Maca is used as food for humans and animals, so the risk from its consumption is believed to be relatively minimal. Maca is considered safe to eat like other vegetables; however, maca contains glucosinolates, which can cause goiter when consumed in large quantities with a diet containing low amounts of iodine. However, darker maca roots (red, purple or black) contain significant amounts of natural iodine, and a 10-gram serving of dry maca contains 52 mg of iodine. Although foods containing high levels of glucosinolate commonly cause goiter, there is no definitive evidence as to whether maca causes this disease.

  Marketing potential

  Due to its purported effects on sexuality, over the past few decades commercial and scientific interest to maca increased significantly. The 1990s saw rapid growth in maquis cultivation. As demand increased, so did the price. However, due to the exaggerated expectations of sellers, the supply turned out to be too high, and in 2000, maca prices fell again. Marketing research shows that consumers who have never tried maca before do not rate its taste very highly. This creates barriers to further promotion of the product as a vegetable. The economic interest thus lies in the medicinal use of maca root.

Maca peruviana, or Meyen bug(Lepidium meyenii) is a biennial herbaceous plant from the cruciferous family. Cultivated for its tubers, which are used as food and raw materials for manufacturing medicines. Also called maca-maca, maino, ayak chichira and ayak willku in Spanish and Quechuan. Maca tubers are characterized by a wide variety of sizes, shapes and colors. The most commonly cultivated phenotype is cream-colored tubers, which are distinguished by their sweet taste and particularly large size.

Maca has the same one high calorie content like wheat and rice. Its tubers contain on average 60-75% carbohydrates, 10-14% protein, 8.5% dietary fiber and 2.2% fat. In addition, it is rich in minerals and trace elements, and is also a valuable source fatty acids, amino acids and alkamides.

The bulk of harvested maca is usually dried. Fresh tubers can only be obtained near the places where it is grown. In Peru, maca is harvested and consumed in a variety of ways, although it is usually cooked and finely powdered or gelatinized for export. Made from fresh tubers local delicacy called "huatia". They are often kneaded and boiled to a thick, sweet paste, which is then dried and mixed with milk. Along with other vegetables, maca is used in empanadas, jams and soups. Flour from its tubers is suitable for baking bread, cakes and pancakes. Beer and the low-alcohol drink chicha de maca are brewed from maca, and liqueur is produced based on its black morphotype. The above-ground parts of the plant are edible, they are used as livestock feed, and salads are prepared from the leaves.

In medicine, maca is used mainly as a general tonic and immunomodulatory agent, to increase performance and endurance, improve memory and eliminate hormonal imbalances. It is famous as an aphrodisiac and helps get rid of erectile dysfunction.

Distribution and ecology

A plant from the high Peruvian Andes, it became a crop more than 3,000 years ago. In ancient times, maca served as a tradeable commodity for exchange for foodstuffs from the plains, such as corn, rice, cassava, quinoa and papaya. Later, its tubers were used to pay taxes to the treasury of the Spanish Empire. Incan warriors ate maca before battle to increase their strength.

Today, vast areas are occupied by poppy plantations in Peru, Bolivia and Brazil.

Botanical description

By appearance Maca is very similar to radishes and turnips.

Growing

Prefers slightly acidic soil. The soil must be cleared of weeds and debris, and also abundantly fertilized with organic substances such as phosphorus and potassium. In the northern hemisphere, maca seeds are usually planted in March. During growth, plants require coolness and abundant watering.