What Is Maca Root For Men? Can Maca Really Help With Sexual Health Concerns? – Introduction
Maca root is a herb found in Peru’s high Andes. It is also a magic pill, which the indigenous Peruvians administered to a range of diseases. Moreover, this plant provides not only medicine, but also sustenance to them. But in recent times maca root has become very popular worldwide as a natural solution to many ailments, including sexual disorders in men. This essay will explore what maca root is, its medicinal properties for men, and whether it really helps with sexual health issues.
What is Maca Root?
Maca root is a cruciferous vegetable, belonging to the same family as broccoli, cauliflower and kale. It has a distinctive scent and a slightly earthy flavour. The root is typically dried and ground into a powder for use as a supplement or added to foods and beverages. Maca root contains many nutrients, like vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. It’s also rich in carbohydrates and fiber.
The roots of maca have been utilised in traditional medicine for centuries as a form of healing. It is believed to be adaptogenic – that is, it may assist the body to adjust to stress and enhance wellbeing. Maca root also acts as an aphrodisiac, and has been used to increase fertility, sexual desire, and libido.
Potential Benefits of Maca Root for Men
1. Enhanced Sexual Function
Probably the most familiar of the maca root benefits is that it aids sexual function. A host of studies verify that this superfood enhances sexual desire in men and women alike. Indeed, one such experiment, which was reported in the Journal of Sexual Medicine in 2010, saw dramatic rises in sexual desire in normal men after just eight weeks of maca supplementation. That makes it a desirable option for anyone interested in optimizing their sexual health.
2. Increased Fertility
The root of maca is a staple of South American folk medicine and often thought to improve fertility. This traditional use, along with more recent scientific studies of the plant, have shown it improves sperm quality and movement, two of the key aspects of male fertility. In a 2016 article in the Asian Journal of Andrology, researchers reported that men with low sperm counts who took maca root for four months experienced significant increases in both sperm motility and sperm count. This result positions maca root as an herbal companion for male fertility.
3. Hormonal Balance
The hormonal balance of men is essential for health in general, and testosterone determines sexual life, muscle mass and bone mass. Maca root is thought to have compounds that can help regulate testosterone. In 2017, a paper in the International Journal of Biomedical Science reported an upsurge in testosterone in subjects who took supplements of the root maca, a root that is arguably the miracle cure for hormonally ill men.
4. Improved Mood and Energy
In addition to its physical properties, the maca root is believed to improve mental health. In fact, research has shown that this superfood helps boost your mood and energy, making it something you might want in your health kit. For instance, a 2015 article in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine investigated the reduction of symptoms of anxiety and depression in postmenopausal women who used maca. In men, mood regulation and heightened energy indirectly affect their sexual health.
5. Supports Mental Health
The adaptogenic factor reaches far beyond the mental realm, where it has been associated with less anxiety and stress. It will affect the base of the HPA axis, or hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the body’s central stress response system. One paper, published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, documented that taking maca supplementation boosted mood and reduced anxiety in normal adults. By helping maintain clarity of mind and harmony of emotion, this herb will be able to provide men with strength in the face of difficulty.
6. Possibly Anti-Cancerous Effects
The root of maca is a nutritional powerhouse and an important source of bioactive antioxidants. Studies have highlighted its anti-cancer benefits — particularly in breast cancer. One paper in the Journal of Cancer Prevention Research reported that maca extract stopped breast cancer cells from growing in vitro. There’s still a lot more research to do here, obviously, but at least it shows that maca root can be used for cancer chemoprevention.
Can Maca Really Help With Sexual Health Concerns?
Although maca root is a traditional remedy for sexual dysfunction, research needs to be done to validate its potency. The majority of studies of maca root were animal or solitary human studies, so it’s hard to make hard judgments. In addition, the quality and quantity of maca root supplements vary which makes assessing the actual benefits tricky.
And maca root might not be right for everyone. Those who suffer from certain diseases, like thyroid disease or hormone-sensitive cancers, should consult their doctor prior to using maca root supplements. Notably, maca root is not an alternative to medicine and should be regarded as a complementary treatment.
Conclusion: What Is Maca Root For Men? Can Maca Really Help With Sexual Health Concerns?
Ultimately, maca root is a very old plant that has various applications and men’s sex health is one of them. These studies suggest that maca root improves libido, fertility and hormone regulation, but much research remains to be done to confirm the findings. Not to mention that it should be consumed in conjunction with a healthy diet and not in substitution for any form of treatment. Like any supplement, you must speak to a medical professional before including maca root in a daily supplement list.
