Maca powder comes from a root plant that is common to the radish family. This plant is most commonly turned into a powder substance. Maca has grown in popularity over the years and is currently the most popular as a health supplement and a supplement used in recipes with other foods.
Maca powder is great when it is used in foods like smoothies and juices. It can also be used in salads and other cooked foods. However, you should not add it to foods that are extremely hot, including beverages, as this can cause it to lose all of its health benefits.
Sources of Maca Powder
There are many different brands of Maca powder. If you decide that you want to try a good portion of them, you should know that you will not see any health benefits from it if you float from one brand to another without giving the Maca powder an adequate chance to absorb into your system. It is best to give any type of supplement at least two weeks of trying before you will expect to see any benefits.
You can purchase Maca powder from places like GNC and Amazon. You may also be able to find it at health food stores or in the organic section of some grocery stores. Like with any other supplement, you should be aware of the expiration date and make sure that you are going to use the entire bottle before it expires. If you find that you are not going to use it on a regular basis, you should purchase a smaller bottle so you are guaranteed to use it before it expires.
You should not take any supplement that has expired, as it will not give you the benefits that you may be looking for and it could be harmful to your body.
Uses of Maca Powder
The only studies that have been done when it comes to the Maca powder are in regards to the vitamins and minerals inside the powder. More research still needs to be completed on other aspects and uses for the Maca powder to see what else it could be used for. Though people in Peru, where it originated from, are using the Maca powder and the plant root for various uses. It has been compared to ginseng in Peru and they find uses for it in their everyday lives.
Currently, in other parts of the world, it is only consumed in powder form as a supplement to aid in our overall health and wellness. More research will help us to figure out what else Maca powder can be used for or if it will simply remain a food and supplement ingredient.
Maca Root Powder Benefits
There are seven top health benefits to taking Maca powder, they are vitamins, sexual function, women’s health and mood, energy, general health, skin, and mood balance. We will discuss the Maca root powder benefits and then move on to how you can use it in food and if there are any known side effects to taking the Maca powder.
1. Vitamins
Maca powder is full of nutrients and vitamins that are needed in our daily lives. In fact, it has vitamins that you can find in other types of superfoods, so adding Maca powder to your normal superfoods can get you a double dose of certain vitamins. The vitamins that are in Maca are B, C, and E, all of which we need in our daily diets to keep us healthy. You can also find calcium, zinc, and amino acids in Maca powder. This is great for people who have a hard time digesting milk and may not get calcium from other sources.
Adding Maca powder to your food on a daily or weekly basis can help to add more calcium to your diet and keep your bones strong.
2. Sexual Function
Maca powder has been known to help increase libido in both men and women when taken on a regular basis. Research has also shown that it can be used to increase stamina in men and women. It has been shown to be helpful in increasing fertility and also in balancing hormones in women of childbearing age.
Maca can be used as an alternative to other pre-pregnancy vitamins, but should not be used to replace prenatal vitamins once you are pregnant. It is simply there to help you achieve fertility.
3. Women’s Health and Mood
Women try thousands of home remedies and prescription medications every year to help alleviate their period pain and the symptoms that are associated with menopause. Maca powder has been used for both with success. Some women use Maca powder to help alleviate the pain that comes with cramps, mood swings, and body pain during their monthly periods. Women going through menopause have also used Maca powder to help with their night sweats, depression, and anxiety.
4. Energy
We all want more energy to get us through our day. No matter our age or occupation, we could all benefit from a little extra energy. Maca powder has been known to increase the energy a person has within the first week of taking it.
Research shows that athletes use maca powder for helping to build stamina. You can also try Maca powder in place of large amounts of coffee, it will give you a similar boost. But you shouldn’t mix it in with your coffee. You may also notice an increase in your mental energy.
5. General Health
Maca powder can help you with your overall health in many different ways. It can help you to restore your red blood cells, which will help you prevent anemia and other cardiovascular diseases.
Research has also shown that Maca powder can help to keep your bones and teeth strong and healthy and it can help your wounds to heal quicker. There has been research done that shows if you use Maca powder as a part of a diet and workout routine, you can increase the amount of muscle mass you have in your body. But it is important to remember that you should only use Maca powder for this if you are on a healthy diet and not a fad diet.
6. Skin
Many people have some type of skin irritation or issue that they take medication for or use over the counter treatment for. Maca powder has shown a positive impact on certain skin issues that may be an alternative for people who are continuously taking medications. Some people have seen a significant decrease in their acne and other skin blemishes from adding Maca powder to their diet. While it may not work for everyone, research indicates that it can be good for a variety of people when it comes to acne.
If you live in an area of extreme heat or cold, Maca powder may help you to alleviate sensitive skin that comes with living in those climates. It has also been shown to help people be able to withstand those extreme temperatures. If you are looking for something new to try for skin problems, start with Maca powder.
7. Mood Balance
Research indicates that Maca powder can be used to help treat symptoms of certain mood swings. People with anxiety, depression, and stress may benefit from taking Maca powder on a regular basis. Though it is not a replacement for regular prescription medication, it can help to aid those prescriptions in alleviating the symptoms. But it is important to remember that you should consult with your medical doctor before you begin taking Maca powder for mood imbalances.
Risk & Side Effects
If you are considering adding Maca powder to your diet, there are some side effects that you need to be aware of. Headaches, fatigue, and thyroid problems have been reported in users taking Maca powder. Like with other supplements, you should be aware of the amount of Maca powder you are taking. You will want to make sure that you are taking the correct recommended dosage for your needs, age, and weight. If you are unsure of the correct amount, it is important to talk with your medical doctor.
As with other medications, you should always talk to your medical doctor before you begin taking something new. This is highly important if you are already on other prescription medications, as your doctor will be able to make sure that the Maca powder will not interfere with your other medications.
Maca powder should not be taken in place of other medications prescribed to you by your medical doctor, it is simply meant to be a supplement to help your prescriptions. Depending on the problem you are wanting to use the Maca powder for, your doctor may suggest a higher or lower dosage.
Even though Maca powder can help with your overall health, you will need to be in a good, healthy state before you begin taking the Maca powder. If you have any underlying medical issues, you should not take Maca powder. This is why it is so important to talk with your doctor before you begin taking Maca powder.
If your doctor says it is fine for you to begin taking Maca powder, consider adding it to your food. You can add the powder to soups, stews, and even your drinks. It pairs great with other super foods, such as kale, spinach, and blueberries. This will not only help you get the Maca powder into your system, it will also help you get the recommended dosage of superfoods into your diet. Adding in a regular workout routine to your diet and your Maca powder can help you increase your muscle mass and stamina while working out.
Athletes are turning to Maca powder to help them bulk up the natural way instead of using steroids. It is also great for athletes that are not looking to bulk up but want to increase their stamina for running, jumping, or swimming.
While the plant that Maca powder comes from is not grown in the States, you can find Maca powder in parts of the States. You are more likely to find it in health stores and pharmacies, as it is classified with other supplements. You will want to make sure that you find a Maca powder that is completely natural without other non-natural ingredients added to it. Using a natural Maca powder will give you not only the nutrients that you can use to your benefits but also will be easier on your system.
If you are pregnant or nursing, you should not take Maca powder. While it is good for helping with fertility, you should discontinue taking it once you become pregnant. Research is still needed to see how it affects women who are pregnant or nursing, and until those studies have been completed, it is better to err on the side of caution.
Make sure you alert your medical doctor and your OBGYN to the fact that you were taking Maca powder prior to becoming pregnant. Your doctor will probably want to monitor you closely to make sure that the Maca powder has completely left your system.
Final Words Regarding Maca Root Powder Benefits
There are several Maca root powder benefits and other health goals that you may have set for yourself. It is important to remember that you should only take Maca powder and other supplements in the correct dosage and for the suggested amount of time.
If you take Maca powder and other supplements for longer than is suggested, you risk overloading your system and reducing or eliminating the positive effects that Maca powder can have on your health. Always consult with your medical doctor and keep them updated on your progress with Maca powder supplements. They will be able to help you monitor your progress and let you know how long you should take the Maca powder for.
Make sure that you consult with your medical doctor before you begin taking the Maca powder, you will want to make sure that you are healthy enough to begin a new supplement.
Once you have begun taking the Maca powder, you will need to use it for a few days before making a decision about how it is working for you. It needs time to get into your system and begin working for you, so you will want to make sure that you give it ample time to work.
