Tuesday, 31 May 2011

The Correct Maca Dosage For Adults ( By Mark A Amen )

                                                                    Author : Mark A Amen

     There's no doubt that Peruvian maca powder is an amazing superfood with wonderful benefits for its users. As someone who has enjoyed maca for nearly 10 years I can attest to its power as an energizer, hormone balancer and fertility enhancer.One of the most common questions I answer regarding maca is how much adults should take on a daily basis. It would be easiest just to give you an exact amount here, but when it comes to taking maca and getting the greatest benefit from it there are several factors to consider.
It's really important to know the quality of maca you are taking. I use a great certified raw and organic maca powder that is much more potent than other brands I've tried. I typically take about 1 tablespoon of my maca per day, but with some of the others I had to take 2 or 3 to get a similar effect. Also, if you take encapsulated maca you should probably just read the label and follow the instructions there - although you could take it out of the capsules and measure it that way.

    The second factor to keep in mind when taking maca is to start small and work up. There are no known contraindications for using maca and I'm pretty sure it would be difficult to over do it, but as it is a powerful herb culturally unknown to most of us, it's better to start small.Once you're taking the herb you need to be regular with it - daily is best- to get the best effect. This is even more important if you are using maca therapeutically to build muscle, have a baby, boost your energy or increase your hormones.

    Interestingly, our bodies do seem to develop some kind of toleracne to maca over the long haul. After a couple months on it you may start to notice less immediate effects. Because of this most maca experts recommend giving yourself a break from the herb once in a while. Taking 1 day off per week and maybe 1 week off every couple of months or so usually does the trick for me. (When I start taking it again, it's amazing!)

    So, now here are the amounts of maca I recommend that most people start with. If your brand new to it, try just 1 heaping teaspoon daily for around a week. If you feel good with that, then bump up to 2 and after another week to 3 heaping teaspoons. I'd stabilize around that level. It's more practical to take maca all at once, but it may be a bit more effective if you can spread it out through the day. It doesn't seem to make much difference to take it with or without other food.

    And, if you know that you really need some extra energy, try taking up to 2 heaping tablespoons of maca. You can't really over do it. But only do this if you've already got some experience with maca.
And now here's my favorite source of raw organic maca. It's a great website where you can buy maca at wholesale prices everyday. Go to: http://www.raworganicmaca.info/

The Benefits of Maca Powder For Men and Women ( By Arthur Martin )

    If you are looking for an herbal supplement that can offer a wide variety of benefits in a single herb, you can't go wrong with maca powder. It comes from a Peruvian herb called maca, which has long been revered by the natives for its many benefits. Reputed benefits of the herb include everything from fatigue-fighting to aphrodisiac properties and more.

   One reason many people take maca powder is to restore energy levels. The herb contains a unique balance of protein, carbohydrates, antioxidants, plant sterols, vitamins and minerals. These work together to keep the body at optimal condition.Maca is also an adaptogen. Unlike medications, which force a response from the body, adaptogens work with the body to help it naturally reach equilibrium. It can balance hormones without the harsh effects of hormone replacement therapy. This makes it an asset for those with hormonal conditions such as menopause or low testosterone levels.

   Maca powder is helpful in fighting stress. When our bodies experience stress, it sets off a cascade of physiological reactions. This may include increased blood pressure, heart rate and cortisol production. Insomnia may occur due to the decreased serotonin secretion. Maca helps the body ready itself for stress so the effects are diminished. It also helps to lower stress, reversing the damaging effects of it.

   Maca can treat low libido in both men and women. By normalizing hormonal levels, it has a beneficial effect on the reproductive system, helping it work more effectively. Research has shown that it can also improve seminal volume and vaginal lubrication. It may even be helpful in treating erectile dysfunction. For couples trying to start a family, there are indications that maca can improve the chances of conception.
Maca powder can be used in a variety of ways. It can be used in bakery goods to replace part of the flour. Care must be taken that the maca doesn't make up more than 40% of the dried goods in the recipe, though, as it can affect the pliability of the dough.

    Powder can also be added to water, teas or energy drinks. A popular option for using maca powder is in smoothies. Add a couple tablespoons of powder to a blender with a banana, low-fat yogurt, frozen berries and a dash of cinnamon for a delicious start to your day.

   For those on the go a lot, maca capsules are another option. These are simply capsules filled with maca powder. You get all the benefits of maca in a portable method. This makes capsules ideal for travel. You may also want to keep a bottle of capsules in your desk at the office for a pick me up when the day's stresses are getting the better of you.

   Whether you use maca powder or maca capsules, quality is a key factor in how effective it is. Look for products that are standardized as they provide a more consistent amount of maca's active ingredients. Buying from reputable merchants can also help make it easier to find high quality maca products.
This article was written by Arthur Martin who has been an expert on health foods in general, and has owned a health food shop for several years. He has now become one of the leading and most trusted source of Maca Powder in the UK.

For some of the best information about Maca Powder, you can visit http://www.buywholefoodsonline.co.uk/

By Arthur Martin
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4226696                       

Maca, a Powerful Adaptogen ( By Shane Marie Wulf )


     No matter how hard we try to avoid it, stress is still an everyday part of our lives. It stems from the daily decisions we have to make, from our interactions with the people around us, and from our environment and surroundings. How well we deal with this stress determines how happy, healthy, and fulfilled our lives are. People looking for ways to help achieve such balance will be happy to know that there are all-natural foods capable of boosting your body's general resistance, making you better equipped to face life's everyday challenges. Such functional foods are called adaptogens, which not only boost your immunity to illness and disease, but also impart a feeling of general well being and accomplishment.

    Currently, one of the most nutritious, potent and sought after adaptogens on the market is the powdered root of the plant lepidium peruvianum, more popularly known maca. The maca plant is grown in the forbidding altitudes of the Andes Mountains of South America. It is the plant's root that contains most of its active ingredient, and it is often crushed into a fine powder before consumption. Scientists credit maca powder's special immunity boosting properties with helping the indigenous people of the area adapt and thrive in such harsh environmental conditions.

    Maca is more famously known for being a powerful aphrodisiac, libido enhancer, and fertility supplement. In fact, it has been used for this purpose for thousands of years. However, modern science has revealed that maca has plenty more to offer its users than an improved sex life. Researchers and herbalists have discovered that the secret behind maca's potency is its ability to subtly affect the workings of the body's endocrine system. The endocrine system is made up of several key glands and organs scattered throughout the body, which secrete and regulate our body's many hormones. These hormones affect the way that our cells grow, develop, and behave. Our metabolism, blood sugar levels, muscular development, and fertility are just a few of the important bodily functions dependent on the endocrine system. Thus, whenever this system fails to function properly, serious ailments and diseases are often the result. This is where maca comes in handy. Its unique combination of over 60 phytonutrients exerts an equilibrium inducing effect on the endocrine system, making it more effective and efficient.

    This special property has made maca one of the most popular functional foods on the market today. People suffering from adrenal or thyroid deficiencies use it therapeutically, and in some cases, some people have been able to stop taking their medications altogether. Couples seeking to reignite their passions use maca as an aphrodisiac, and its users swear by its ability to enhance sexual desire, improve performance, and reduce cases of erectile dysfunction. Women use it to find relief from the symptoms of PMS and menopause, and boost female fertility as well. Athletes and bodybuilders have increasingly come to rely on maca as a safe, all natural replacement for performance enhancing drugs. Teenagers have found maca's hormone balancing capabilities to be extremely helpful in helping prevent and clear up acne. Elderly people on maca enjoy more energy, a reinvigorated libido, and a new lease on life in general. Maca has also been shown to relieve the symptoms of anxiety and depression, which is part of the reason why it is so effective in helping people deal with stress.

     Maca's other main advantage lies in the fact that it is an all natural food, containing no potentially dangerous artificial chemicals, contaminants, or compounds, with no dangerous side effects. As a food item, it can be used in the preparation of all sorts of dishes and beverages, and can even be eaten raw on its own. It is this kind of safe, wholesome, healthy, and high quality functional foods that Hidalgo Foods aims to deliver to our customers. We specialize in supplying wholesalers, retailers, and consumers with nature's finest and most potent superfoods. In doing this, we hope to promote healthier lifestyle choices for people of all ages and from all walks of life. As part of this commitment, Hidalgo Foods supplies only the finest maca powder available, sourced straight from the altiplano high up in the Andes Mountains, where the plants are grown naturally and organically, untouched by any artificial fertilizers or contaminants, the same way they've been growing for thousands of years.
Shane Marie Wulf is the article writer of Hidalgo Foods. Promoting different products of Super Healthy Foods like maca, quinoa, chia and acai.
Copyright, All Rights Reserved. Reprints acceptable ONLY if the entire article remains the same, including this author resource box!

Health Benefits of Maca ( By Dennis Baxter )

                                                         Author : Dennis Baxter
                                                


     Maybe you've never heard of Maca. It's also known as Maka, Peruvian ginseng, maino and, officially, Lepidium meyenii. In fact, it's a type of mustard! Since the 1990s, Maca-mania has been gathering momentum - first in the USA and now around the world. Maca is not a drug; it's a food. But it's a food that it works as an adaptogen - and that means it has beneficial effects.Big claims are being made about this South American product, and in Norway it's available by prescription only. It's probably best known as an aphrodisiac, but Maca does far, far more than enhance the libido. It is used to:

  • increase brain clarity
  • boost energy levels in convalescents and sportspeople
  • help sufferers of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  • provide relief during times of physical or mental stress
  • treat menopausal problems
  • treat PMT and associated menstrual problems
  • increase sperm count
  • support and balance the hormone system
  • support the immune system
  • rebalance mineral deficiencies


So, what is an adaptogen?

This term comes from 'natural' medicine, and describes something which works by raising our body's resistance to various forms of stress. Maca is an adaptogen which works on the endochrine (hormone) system. And, though that might sound like a grandiose claim, it has scientific backing from a number of lab studies.


What do the Maca studies show?

Research findings include Maca's ability to normalise hormones (including testosterone and oestrogen). Through this action, it can improve things as diverse as sperm motility, energy levels and our ability to "think straight". It has a balancing effect on our adrenal glands and improves our sense of wellbeing. It works in a completely different way from other natural menopause and PMT remedies and can help the full range of associated symptoms.


And that's not all...

As a food, Maca is packed with exceptional nutritional properties. It contains B and C vitamins, carbohydrates, amino acids, minerals (especially calcium), sterols, proteins, fibre, macronutrients and more.


What forms does it come in?

Maca comes in various forms, including powder, drops and pills.


Is it okay for everyone?

Don't take Maca if you have a thyroid problem. It's also best avoided if you are pregnant or are breastfeeding, simply because there is a lack of scientific data in these areas to date.


Are there any side-effects?

No, and no interactions with medicines either.
Dennis Baxter is an independent health writer and editor from New Zealand. He is a big fan of Maca (Peruvian Ginseng) which he buys online from Healthpost.co.nz.

Using Maca For Menopause And Sex Drive ( By Randy Hough )

                                                                Author : Randy Hough


    It is too bad more women have not found out about using the maca herb to help with menopause and sex drive. It is a totally natural way of building up your stamina in general, and increasing your libido at the same time. Everyone knows that sex-drive often drops to near zero during menopause; it would be wonderful to find a natural way to turn this around.


What is maca?

Actually, maca is not really an herb, but a root grown in the mountains of Peru. It has long been eaten there as a food to give strength and stamina, plus it also has a very long history as an aphrodisiac. Many women have experienced relief from the symptoms of menopause simply by including it in their daily routine.
Usually, when a natural remedy endures over the centuries, you can be sure there is something to it. The maca plant has been cultivated for centuries, and still is commonly used for a wide variety of ailments, including menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia and fatigue.


How does maca work?

The first time I learned about maca was while visiting Peru. When I asked my friends about it, they all laughed and had lots of interesting stories to tell! You can be sure I bought some as soon as I could! I knew from the smiles on their faces that maca could help with menopause and sex drive, there was just no denying it.The amazing thing about maca is that it can do so many different things for the body, plus it gives an overall sense of well-being. This is because maca acts as a hormone regulator in the body. When the body is in balance (homeostasis), then the hormones naturally do their job better.

This helps explain the increase in energy and interest in sex. It has an amazing ability to help the body manufacture and balance hormones, which in turn helps regulate the unpleasant symptoms of menopause. Maca helps in menopause and sex drive by giving the body the necessary nutrients to balance itself.
It does not give you a harsh, chemical effect, rather it makes you feel like you should feel: healthy, alert, and calm at the same time. Maca has no known side effects and does not give you any jitters or weird feelings, such as a strong pharmaceutical drug might.


Where can you get high quality maca?

The small expense you pay for maca is well worth it. Your partner will love you for it, and you will be surprised at the various good effects it can have on you. If you want a safe and natural herbal remedy to help you with menopause symptoms, and at the same time boost your sex-drive you really should try it. There are several good places to find pure, organic maca.

Learn to increase your sex drive here...
Randy Hough
Family Stess and Health
Mother Teresa: "I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much."
By Randy Hough

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1165

Maca Supplement ( By Mark A Ament )


                                                                  Author : Mark A Ament




What is Maca Supplement?

Although many people classify maca as a supplement, it's technically considered a food or a "superfood." Maca in it's pure form is simply the powder derived from dried root vegetables. It contains no artificial ingredients, stabilizers or preservatives.


Where Does Maca Come From?

The plant is a cruciferous root vegetable that grows in high elevations (above 12,000 feet) in the Andes mountain range. Specifically, maca supplement usually comes from Peru and Bolivia. The plant itself resembles a small turnip.


What Kinds of Maca Supplement Are There?

The main kinds of plants are simply the standard cream colored root, a darker root sometimes called "black maca," and a reddish root referred to as "red maca." From these 3 kinds of roots, various maca supplements are created. The simplest and most common form is a whole powder. The powder, which is dried and ground root, can easily be added into juices and smoothies.

Another way maca supplements are sold is in capsule form. Commonly this means that the powder is simply encapsulated in gelatin capsules. The only advantage to this is that you get precise measurements in terms of dosage. However, some capsules don't break down well in the stomach, which prevents full absorption of the powder and limits the benefits.

A final kind of maca is so-called "gelatinized" maca which has undergone a heating process in order to remove the starch from the plant material. The heating process also may lessen some of the therapeutic powers of the herb, so unless you have trouble digesting regular raw powder, there is not much need to use the gelatinized form.


What can Maca Do For Health?

The health benefits of regularly taking a maca supplement are many and varied. That's because the root has adaptogen qualities which means that its effects are appropriate to the age and sex of the person using it. In that way, the plant is similar to Ginseng.
The major uses of maca include: increasing energy and endurance, building muscle, relief of menopausal symptoms and improving fertility.


How Do You Take Maca Supplement?

The simplest way to enjoy maca is to mix it into water or smoothies on a daily basis. There are recipes for many kinds of drinks and dishes that you can make with maca. However, most people find maca to be pretty tasty (kind of a malt flavor) and enjoy it simply in water or juice.
Wholesale prices on Peruvian Maca Buy Maca - Raw, Certified Organic, and Fair Trade at http://www.raworganicmaca.info/

Discover the Magic Maca Root ( By Travis Witt )


     Maca is a small tuber root, with medicinal properties. It is a perennial plant that grows in the Andes Mountain range of Peru at altitudes above 12,000 feet. Maca produces tuber roots that look similar to radishes and turnips, a close relative. It was wild-harvested as a food crop by the Inca more than 2,000 years ago. Modern cultivation of Maca, particularly in Peru is expanding greatly because of the interest in its medicinal properties by consumers in Asia, Europe and the United States.

    Maca is considered by many to be a super-food because of its excellent balance of sugars, proteins and starches. Dried Maca tubers contain up to 20 essential fatty acids, 60% carbohydrates, 10% protein, and more than 5% fiber. It is very high in minerals like calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc. This wonderful little root is so nutritious that many claim to have replaced their multivitamins with Maca because they believe it supplies all the essential nutrients the body needs.

     Maca is sometimes called "Peruvian Viagra" or "Peruvian Ginseng because of its unique ability to enhance and support healthy sexual function in both male and female. Studies by Peruvian researchers have concluded that Maca increases men's sperm activity and enhances sexual endurance in both genders. This is why many call Maca, libido magic!Maca root is also known to be an adaptogen (increasing the bodies resistance to stress). Please understand that adaptogens do not have an immediate effect, they work gradually over a period of time with continual use.

     The root can be eaten raw or cooked. It has a long shelf life, therefore it stores well. However in Europe and the United States the most common form is dried granulated powder. It is usually added to a drink or sprinkled over other foods. The flavor is very nutty and some claim it tastes similar to malt. Some powders are made into tablets or put into capsules for people on the go.

    It is important to note that to date, no adverse effects or toxicity have been discovered in Maca root.
In my opinion this wonderful food ranks high among the small list of true super-foods discovered by man. However it is also important to know your source and how the product is handled from cultivation to market. Therefore only organic products should be considered and only purchase from companies that support sustainable harvesting methods. This is critical to your health and the health of our planet.

Travis Witt
Travis Witt writes articles that concern your health and the health of our planet. Please visit your natural health resource & review! http://www.applegateimagetransfer.com/


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com