What's in it Wednesday?

Shakeology | Maca Root

 

 

For this weeks What's in it Wednesday, I'm going to go over superfood, Maca Root!

Indigenous people of the Andes have consumed maca root aka Peruvian ginseng for centuries, calling upon this superfood as a natural remedy for a diverse range of conditions.

While considered a root vegetable and food staple in the Andean diet for thousands of years, Western researchers have only recently discovered this ancient herb and the many benefits it may provide for women.

These 8 benefits of maca for women are now supported by modern research! :)

 1. Decreases Menopause Symptoms
• Hormone balancer, research shows that its high nutrient density and phytochemical content may be the underlying contributors to this effect.
• Helps reduce many of the most common menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes, sleep disruptions, night sweats, and depression.
• Helps relieve symptoms associated with menopause.

2. Improves Sexual Function
• Improvement in sexual satisfaction when taking the highest dose of three grams per day.
• Potent fighter against chemically-induced sexual dysfunction.

3. Aphrodisiac
• Loaded with minerals like zinc, iodine, and essential fatty acids, helps balance sex hormones.
• Improves mood.
• With a healthy mood and balanced hormone levels, arousal is usually much easier to achieve.

4. Supports Mood
• Supports mood and overall brain health.
• Natural alternative to cognitive-enhancement drugs as the fatty acids in maca root support brain function, which may be responsible for stabilizing analytical skills, cognitive function, and rational thinking.
• Alleviates certain symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, and stress.

5. Fertility
So far, research has only examined maca root’s impact on fertility in animals, with much of the research showing promising results. Studies support maca’s traditional use as a fertility enhancer, especially for females, noting its ability to increase serum luteinizing hormone in the pituitary gland. This hormone is associated with fertility, among other factors in the body.

6. Increases Bone Density
• Increases important marker’s associated with bone density. This could be helpful for women who have a family history of osteoporosis, or for those who are simply seeking to protect their bone health.

7. Energy Enhancer
• Rich in vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and protein.
• Naturally support energy levels and aid in recovery from injury.
• Numerous studies have evaluated maca root for its role in athletic performance for these exact reasons.