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Simple, tasty ways to consume maca root
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Maca root grows in the Andes Mountains of South America, and has been used by Peruvians as a food staple and medicine for centuries. It's packed with nutrients like calcium, potassium, iron, and vitamins, and is low in cholesterol, saturated fats, and sodium. It is also a good source of complex carbohydrates, protein, and dietary fiber, making it something of a wonder food. We'll give you some simple recipe ideas, as well as fill you in on health benefits and proper usage.
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QuestionHow do I make maca powder into a paste for skin and scalp treatment for alopecia?Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.Start by mixing a teaspoon of maca root with about a tablespoon of olive oil. Mix well and check to see the consistency is what you need. Add more oil or more maca powder as needed to give you the amount and the consistency of paste that can be applied to your skin and scalp.
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QuestionCan teenagers use it?Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.There are no specific studies for teenagers, but maca is used as a food in the Andes and is eaten by people of all ages, so it should be safe if used according to the directions.
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QuestionCan you put maca powder in yogurt?Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.Yes, you definitely can add maca powder to yogurt. Start adding it to plain yogurt to make sure it tastes good. After you know you like the taste, you can also try adding the maca powder to flavored yogurts.
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References
- ↑ http://www.themacateam.com/maca-recipes
- ↑ http://www.themacateam.com/maca-recipes
- ↑ http://mywholefoodlife.com/2013/09/17/maca-energy-bars/
- ↑ McKay, D. Nutrients and botanicals for erectile dysfunction: examining the evidence. Altern Med Rev 2004;9(1):4-16.
- ↑ Sego, S. (2010). Alternative meds update. Maca root. Clinical Advisor, 13(8), 58-60
- ↑ Sego, S. (2010). Alternative meds update. Maca root. Clinical Advisor, 13(8), 58-60.
- ↑ McKay, D. Nutrients and botanicals for erectile dysfunction: examining the evidence. Altern Med Rev 2004;9(1):4-16.
- ↑ Zheng, B. L., He, K., Kim, C. H., Rogers, L., Shao, Y., Huang, Z. Y., Lu, Y., Yan, S. J., Qien, L. C., and Zheng, Q. Y. Effect of a lipidic extract from lepidium meyenii on sexual behavior in mice and rats. Urology 2000;55(4):598-602.
- ↑ Gonzales, G. F., Miranda, S., Nieto, J., Fernandez, G., Yucra, S., Rubio, J., Yi, P., and Gasco, M. Red maca (Lepidium meyenii) reduced prostate size in rats. Reprod.Biol Endocrinol 1-20-2005;3(1):5
- ↑ Cicero, A. F., Piacente, S., Plaza, A., Sala, E., Arletti, R., and Pizza, C. Hexanic Maca extract improves rat sexual performance more effectively than methanolic and chloroformic Maca extracts. Andrologia 2002;34(3):177-179.
- ↑ Cicero, A. F., Bandieri, E., and Arletti, R. Lepidium meyenii Walp. improves sexual behaviour in male rats independently from its action on spontaneous locomotor activity. J Ethnopharmacol. 2001;75(2-3):225-229.
- ↑ Chung, F., Rubio, J., Gonzales, C., Gasco, M., and Gonzales, G. F. Dose-response effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) aqueous extract on testicular function and weight of different organs in adult rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 4-8-2005;98(1-2):143-147.
- ↑ Ruiz-Luna, A. C., Salazar, S., Aspajo, N. J., Rubio, J., Gasco, M., and Gonzales, G. F. Lepidium meyenii (Maca) increases litter size in normal adult female mice. Reprod.Biol Endocrinol 5-3-2005;3(1):16
- ↑ Oshima, M., Gu, Y., and Tsukada, S. Effects of Lepidium meyenii Walp and Jatropha macrantha on blood levels of estradiol-17 beta, progesterone, testosterone and the rate of embryo implantation in mice. J Vet.Med Sci 2003;65(10):1145-1146
- ↑ Brooks NA, Wilcox G, Walker KZ, et al. Beneficial effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on psychological symptoms and measures of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women are not related to estrogen or androgen content. Menopause. 2008;15:1157-1162.
- ↑ Valerio, L. G., Jr. and Gonzales, G. F. Toxicological aspects of the South American herbs cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa) and Maca (Lepidium meyenii) : a critical synopsis. Toxicol.Rev 2005;24(1):11-35.
- ↑ Balick, M. J., & Lee, R. (2002). Maca: from traditional food crop to energy and libido stimulant. Alternative Therapies In Health And Medicine, 8(2), 96-98.
- ↑ Hudson T. Maca: new insights on an ancient plant. Integrative Medicine: A Clinician's Journal [serial online]. December 2008;7(6):54-57.
- ↑ Sego, S. (2010). Alternative meds update. Maca root. Clinical Advisor, 13(8), 58-60.
- ↑ Valerio, L. G., Jr. and Gonzales, G. F. Toxicological aspects of the South American herbs cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa) and Maca (Lepidium meyenii) : a critical synopsis. Toxicol.Rev 2005;24(1):11-35.
- ↑ http://www.themacateam.com/maca-dosage
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Article Summary
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To use maca powder in your everyday life, try mixing 2-3 teaspoons into a glass of milk or tea for sexual health benefits. If you want to take powdered maca in pill form, get empty capsules from a pharmacy, and pour 500 mg of the powder into each capsule. Then take 1 capsule 3 times per day for an energy boost or fertility benefits. For a better tasting maca drink, mix 2-3 tablespoons of maca into chocolate milk or blend it into a fruit smoothie. Read on for information on the uses of maca and a recipe for maca energy bars!
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