What is Maca?
Growing in the arid and barren steppes high in the Andean mountain range is a plant named Lepidium meyenii that has been used for many centuries as a traditional herbal medicine. This root vegetable is related to the turnip and goes by the common name of 'Peruvian Ginseng' or 'Maca', but many people believe it is somewhat of a miracle plant.
Maca has been shown to have numerous health benefits for both men and women. For women, maca has been shown to help relieve menopausal symptoms, increase energy, balance hormones and potentially increase fertility. In men, maca has been shown to increase sperm count, reduce prostate size and boost seminal production. Randomized clinical trials have also shown maca to improve mood and decrease anxiety. Maca has also been shown to help curb food cravings as it possess the building blocks or precursors to serotonin. Some studies even suggest the phytonutrients in maca could help protect the skin against the sun.
Additionally, maca is nutrient-dense containing amino acids, vitamins B1, B2, B12, C and E and minerals, including calcium, phosphorous, zinc, magnesium, and iron. Maca is especially beneficial for helping athletes recover from intense training as the sterols in maca promote quick regeneration of fatigued muscles. Many athletes report superior strength gains after incorporating maca into their diets. Maca increases energy by means of nourishment, not stimulation. Importantly, maca has been shown to have no toxicity levels in humans; it is something you can safely consume every day.
How to Add Maca to Diet?
The easiest way to get maca into your daily diet is in smoothie form. You can either buy powdered maca or gelatinized maca from your natural foods store. Start with about ½ teaspoon (1.5 grams) of maca daily and gradually increase the amount to 1 teaspoon. Try this simple smoothie for a delicious maca fix.
Chocolate Banana Maca Shake Serves: 2
· 2 frozen chopped bananas
· 1 ½ cup almond milk
· 3 tablespoons agave nectar
· ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
· 2 tablespoons organic unsweetened cocoa powder
· 1 teaspoon maca powder
· Pinch of sea salt
1. Combine all ingredients in a high speed blender. Process until smooth and creamy. Drink at once.
Enjoy!
To learn more now about how to eat clean, clean cuisine recipes, cooking and workout video demos, fitness advice, healthy living product reviews and more visit Ivy Larson at Clean Cuisine and More.com.
Ivy is a healthy lifestyle coach who runs Clean Cuisine and More.com. Along with her husband, Andy Larson, M.D., Ivy is the author of the bestselling Gold Coast Cure, Fitter Firmer Faster and Whole Foods Diet Cookbook. A popular figure among national media outlets, Ivy has appeared on such shows as Good Morning America, CNN, and Fox News. She also currently makes regular appearances on Lifetime Television.
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