Maca root, or “Peruvian ginseng,” has a colorful history in Latin America, which spans over 2000 years. Cultivated at high altitudes and under harsh conditions in the Peruvian Andes, legend has it that Incan warriors ate maca to increase their stamina in battle, and the region’s Indigenous people have long used it as a staple food and to increase fertility. Red maca, because of its alleged hormone-balancing properties and positive effects on bone health, is thought to be most effective for women.
Black maca is the rarest of the maca colors and is thought to be particularly effective for men, especially for muscle gain, stamina, concentration, and libido. Jose Antonio, professor of Health and Human Performance at Nova Southeastern University, told The Epoch Times that “Adaptogens are thought to affect the body’s stress response by influencing the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and improving resilience to physical, mental, and emotional stress.” Triple board-certified OB-GYN Anna Cabeca writes on her website, The Girlfriend Doctor, “Maca root is one of my all-time favorite tools for balancing and supporting perimenopausal and menopausal hormones.
Maca ...
encourages balance within the endocrine system, which controls hormone production.” Dr. Antonio notes, “Side effects are rare, though some experience GI issues.
”.
