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A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Nutrition Evidence Based 4 Benefits of Maca Root and Potential Side Effects. Medically reviewed by Jerlyn Jones, MS MPA RDN LD CLT , Nutrition — By Jillian Kubala, MS, RD and Hrefna Palsdottir, MS — Updated on December 11, What it is Libido and fertility Menopause Energy and mood Other benefits How to use it FAQs Bottom line Maca is a plant that originated in the Peruvian Andes mountains.

What does maca root do for the body? May help with libido, sexual function, fertility. Are sex and gender the same thing? Examples include man, woman, nonbinary, agender, bigender, genderfluid, pangender, and trans. Was this helpful? May help relieve symptoms of menopause.

May improve mood and energy. Other potential health benefits. How to use maca. Frequently asked questions. The bottom line. Just one thing Try this today: Add maca powder to energy balls for a delicious and filling snack option. How we reviewed this article: Sources.

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Dec 11, Written By Jillian Kubala MS, RD, Hrefna Pálsdóttir. Medically Reviewed By Jerlyn Jones, MS MPA RDN LD CLT. Jun 9, Written By Jillian Kubala MS, RD, Hrefna Pálsdóttir. Medically Reviewed By Katherine Marengo, LDN, RD. Share this article. Read this next. Read on to see which herbs have potential benefits… READ MORE.

Health Benefits of Ashwagandha, Based on Research. By Jillian Kubala, MS, RD and Franziska Spritzler. When the doctor only wants to give a prescription, it is great to find something to get to the real problem and that it is helped with something natural!

Thanks for the high standards of this product. I think it really helps me fight anxiety too. I am absolutely satisfied and i have yet more to discover: By the way, I simply whisk it into my water in the morning.

It has a very pleasant nutty flavor. Very very satisfied. Thank you! I choose the raw premium maca for those reasons, I really do feel calm and relaxed, more able to talk to people—and I lift stronger too!

Thank you for your service! MACA was a missing key for me. Thank you for sharing this with everyone. Bless you and your business! Sincerely," — John Jacob "Out of several maca products I have tried, this one provides the most noticeable boost to energy, focus, sexual performance and muscle building.

My anxiety is also noticeably reduced. They started after the birth of my daughter. I have been on several meds; zoloft, xanax, and buspirone, on and off for those 15 years.

I have been dealing with perimenopause for about years now 'm 49 years old , and the anxiety has been horrible! The doctor would switch me from one med to the other when it wasn't working, the hot flashes, mood swings, and night sweats were becoming intolerable!

The hormones were affecting the anxiety and vice versa! I was getting desperate and would try anything that would help! I was directed to your product and your website, did the maca finder and red raw was suggested, and WOW!!

Within 3 days, ALL symptoms started to alleviate! It has been almost 2 months since I started taking the maca, and I have had NO anxiety or panic attacks, hot flashes, mood swings, and night sweats are gone!! I feel like I have my sanity back!

I can not thank your company and your product enough for the help you've given me!! After reading about the origins of maca and the benefits and lack of side effects I thought "why not?

Hot flashes are nearly non-existent and my "mood" is much better. I was using Lexapro as an anti-anxiety med. I discontinued this and found that maca powder does nearly as well. I also feel very confident in buying from The Maca Team.

I believe they are concerned with the quality of the product and are diligent in processing it. You may also add in a few droppersful of red maca extract throughout the day as an extra boost.

If you any question please let us know. It also causes fatigue, as well as oxidative stress in your cells throughout your body—which can result in all kinds of health problems. Maca with its ability to provide high levels of nutrition, its adaptogenic properties, and its ability to increase energy, helps you reduce those feelings of anxiety and stress.

For a complete mind and body stress support, turn to the benefits of maca to help you through your day—no matter what that day brings. Bonus: See a powerful adaptogenic herb recipe for stress here.

I shop around a lot for my supplements and health foods, and I have to say you guys at The Maca Team are light years ahead of anyone else selling maca out in the marketplace. Thanks for all you do! Loving the red maca from themacateam. I can tell the difference from my usual store-bought brands.

It really tastes so fresh and sweet compared to others. I really love this product. Thanks for sourcing it for us to enjoy. I LOVE Maca Team Maca this was my first purchase with the Maca Team and I have no need to try any other Maca-producer.

The Maca tastes fresh and flavorful, the Kilo bag is a great price, and I feel so much more at ease Maca is such powerful medicine :. I take 24 products from five to six times a week to increase my well-being and sensual and sexual delights. The Maca Team is a small business run by a family who cares about its customers, its Peruvian maca growers, and the environment.

It's vital to know the source of everything we put in our mouths. Physical and mental health are precious treasures. This product is amazing! I have used other cheaper brands of white maca with fairly good results, but after trying the Maca Team maca, I noticed within two weeks all of my menopausal symptoms had completely vanished.

Others described a bad taste and smell, but I have tried the black and the red and find them both to be mild tasting. I use a tablespoon in my daily smoothly. Maca first came to us by our vitamin supplier. Then we ordered from the Maca Team. Think fire-fly, then think mid-day sun.

At 76 and 73 years respectively, that is a big deal; and at comparable cost too. We never have we had such speedy delivery and the packaging is the strongest, most protective we've seen, ever, at all Further, the Mrs.

no longer takes hormone supplements. Maca is a root vegetable native to the Andes Mountains. It has gained attention for its potential to impact mood and emotional well-being, making it an intriguing subject in the context of mental health.

Maca is not a cure for anxiety and depression. It can, however, offer potential benefits by supporting emotional balance and contributing to overall mental well-being. More research is needed to establish its efficacy definitively.

The Ultimate NMN Guide Discover the groundbreaking secrets to longevity and vitality in our brand new NMN guide. Enter you email address Required. News Investor Portal Lifestyle Videos. Search for: Search. More Contact Features. Home Supplements Self-testing Exercise Nutrition Tech Mental wellness Product reviews.

Maca and mental health: Can it help with anxiety and depression? Author: Kyle Umipig Published on: September 6, Last updated: September 12, Contains mg of maca root powder. Veggie capsules free from soy and gluten.

Non-GMO and vegan. Manufactured in the USA and tested for purity and potency. Shop now. Offers adaptogenic benefits, enhances energy, stamina, and sexual health. Can be taken times daily, adapting to personal health needs.

Suitable for gluten-sensitive and GMO-conscious consumers. Clav Health Strong Black Maca with Tribulus and Cordyceps. Contains numerous amino acids, omega-6 and omega-9 acids, iron, calcium, potassium, iodine, manganese and magnesium. Free from lactose, gluten, GMOs and additives. Laboratory tested for quality and bioavailability.

Share this article:. The information included in this article is for informational purposes only. The purpose of this webpage is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics.

It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Editor's choice.

Maca root, a traditional Andean plant, is gaining attention as an adaptogen with various benefits. It contains vitamins, minerals, and protein, aiding relaxation and mood improvement.

Maca root may enhance sleep by reducing depression, anxiety, and modulating cortisol. Additionally, it supports hormonal changes, bone density, and libido. To incorporate maca root into your routine, consider capsules or powder, but consult a healthcare professional for proper dosing.

In recent times, you may have seen the term adaptogen popping up. Adaptogens can help the body deal better with mental or physical stressors, says Stacy Mobley , licensed naturopathic doctor.

Maca root contains an array of vitamins, minerals, and protein, Mobley explains. Maca root has traditionally been grown high in the Andes Mountains. First, she says it can help improve mood by decreasing depression and anxiety , specifically due to its high antioxidant levels.

In fact, Mobley even cites one study that found that maca root can lower blood pressure and depression in postmenopausal women. And feeling relaxed is certainly one way to fall asleep more easily. Lastly, maca root can encourage increased restorative sleep , notes Mobley.

In addition to potentially encouraging better sleep, maca root carries other health benefits. For instance, with its adaptogenic properties, Mobley says maca root can help support women through hormonal changes. She shares another study in which maca root ultimately lowered blood pressure and even symptoms of depression, which can improve sleep quality and are also generally good things to reduce.

If the benefits of maca root have piqued your interest, then you may want to add it to your regular routine.

In that case, Mobley says maca root capsules may be the best way to ensure the correct dosage. Otherwise, it can be taken at any point during the day. Despite being revered for its medicinal properties for thousands of years, maca root is one of the newest remedies to take center stage in the natural health community, and its newfound superfood status is well-deserved.

Researchers are continually turning up new health benefits associated with this powerful root vegetable. Not only that, but maca provides a host of important micronutrients and is jam-packed with antioxidants, and it has been shown to improve sexual health, balance hormone levels, and boost energy, mood and memory.

What is maca? Known by its scientific name, Lepidium meyenii, maca is a type of cruciferous vegetable native to the Andes of Peru. Maca has a similar appearance and size as radishes or turnips with green tops and roots that range in color from yellow to purple and black.

The pleasant-tasting root, or hypocotyls, is usually available in powder form after being harvested and grounded down. Not only is it a natural source of healing nutrition, but it also has a long history of being a safe superfood that has been consumed for its health benefits for thousands of years in regions of the Andes Mountains.

The use of maca can be traced back over 3, years. Historically, this root vegetable was used by ancient Peruvians as a form of currency for trade and was also treasured for its medicinal properties.

It was used to treat an array of ailments, such as menstrual problems, menopause, stomach cancer, fatigue, stress and anemia. It is even said that Incan warriors filled up on maca root before heading into battle to boost their stamina and strength.

During the period when the Inca civilization was flourishing in the Andes region, maca was considered to be incredibly valuable. In fact, its use was even restricted and reserved for royalty only. It was later imported to Spain and used by Spanish royalty to enhance energy levels and supply extra nutrients.

Today, maca is consumed primarily in powder or capsule form. Traditionally, however, the fresh root was cooked and then consumed, as Peruvians believed that eating raw maca could cause digestive and thyroid issues. Maca root acts as a natural antioxidant , boosting levels of antioxidants like glutathione and superoxide dismutase in the body.

Antioxidants help neutralize harmful free radicals, fighting off chronic disease and preventing damage to cells. One test-tube study in demonstrated that polysaccharides extracted from maca had high antioxidant activity and were effective in fighting free radical damage.

An animal study in the Czech Republic even found that administering a concentrated dose of maca to rats not only improved their antioxidant status, but also significantly decreased levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the liver and reduced blood sugar, helping prevent the development of chronic disease.

Meanwhile, another test-tube study showed that the antioxidant content of maca leaf extract could even protect against neurological damage. Improving your antioxidant status may be beneficial for preventing conditions like heart disease, cancer and diabetes by preventing oxidative stress and cell damage.

However, despite these promising results, more studies are needed to understand how the antioxidants in maca root may affect humans. Those who regularly use maca powder report that it makes them feel more awake, energized and driven, often relatively quickly after beginning to use it.

Clinical trials have shown that maca may positively impact energy and stamina. Maintaining positive energy levels can also help improve mood, and some early studies have even found that maca may reduce symptoms of depression. Keeping energy levels up may also help prevent weight gain as well. Several studies have also found that maca root benefits memory and focus.

In fact, two animal studies in found that black maca was able to improve memory impairment in mice, likely thanks to its high antioxidant content. Multiple studies have confirmed that maca benefits female sexual health through several different mechanisms.

Maca root may be able to improve sexual dysfunction and boost sex drive in women. One study looked at the effects of maca root on post-menopausal women with sexual dysfunction caused by the use of antidepressants. Compared to a placebo, maca root was able to significantly improve sexual function.

Another study had similar findings, reporting that maca was well-tolerated and able to improve libido and sexual function. A study in also found that maca root benefits both psychological symptoms and sexual function in post-menopausal women.

In fact, maca was able to reduce menopause-associated depression and anxiety after six weeks of treatment. Maca is also able to balance female sex hormones and has even been shown to alleviate symptoms of menopause. Balancing hormone levels is crucial to many aspects of reproductive health and can help reduce symptoms like infertility, weight gain and bloating.

Estrogen is the primary female sex hormone responsible for regulating the reproductive system. An imbalance in this vital hormone can cause a slew of symptoms ranging from bloating to irregular menstrual periods and mood swings.

Estrogen levels that are too high or low can also make it difficult for a woman to ovulate and become pregnant. Maca root can help balance hormone levels and control the amount of estrogen in the body. One study published in the International Journal of Biomedical Science gave 34 early post-menopausal women a tablet containing either maca or a placebo twice daily for four months.

Not only did maca help balance hormone levels, but it also relieved symptoms of menopause, such as night sweats and hot flashes, and even increased bone density. In addition to reducing symptoms of menopause, regulating estrogen levels may also help with improving reproductive health and fertility and decreasing symptoms related to conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS , such as excess hair growth, weight gain and acne.

So what about maca root for men? One study out of Peru found that supplementing with maca for eight weeks increased sexual desire in men. Meanwhile, another study in noted that maca helped improve sperm quality and motility, two important factors when it comes to male infertility.

Maca root powder is an excellent source of protein, fiber and several vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C , copper and iron. It also contains over 20 amino acids — including all eight essential amino acids — and plenty of health-promoting phytonutrients.

It also contains many beneficial plant compounds, including glucosinolates and polyphenols, and is a popular choice for the vegan diet.

One ounce or about 2 tablespoons of maca powder contains approximately:.