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Maca As Adaptogen
Also commonly called
"Peruvian Ginseng," Maca is a powerful adaptogen, which by
definition is a substance (food or nutritive herb), which
brings the body to a heightened state of resistance to disease
through physiological and emotional health.
Plants known as "adaptogens"
are known to: raise the non-specific resistance to disease, be
capable of normalizing functions in the body even in disease
states, be non-toxic and harmless to any organ of the body,
and be safe for ingestion for long periods as a nutritive for
preventative purposes.
As an adaptogen, Maca can
help balance, strengthen and support any area of the body
under compromise due to stress. Stress, either mental or
physical, affects the hypothalamus, causing the adrenal glands
to increase the production of cortisol (the stress hormone).
As we were not designed to function under long-term stress,
continued high levels of cortisol have a detrimental effect
upon our health.
Cortisol has a negative
effect on numerous areas in the body including digestion,
glucose and fat metabolism (causing weight gain), sleep
(interferes with deep sleep known as REM sleep) and memory.
Stress is known to have a negative effect on sexual function,
libido, frigidity, fertility, sperm count and mobility,
symptoms of menopause, andropause, PMS, etc.
When it comes to dealing with stress
effectively, proper functioning of the adrenal glands is
paramount. The adrenals are among the most beleaguered glands
in the endocrine system, as they must endure the brunt of our
emotional health on a daily basis.
It’s critical
that the adrenals remain vital and healthy as they are great
providers of many hormones and as they’re heavily relied upon
during menopause and times of stress. As an adaptogen, Maca
effectively tones and strengthens the adrenal glands and thus
the entire body, giving us the ability to resist disease and
to effectively combat stress.
Rebuilding
exhausted adrenal glands will take time according to the
degree of exhaustion of the adrenals. In most cases,
noticeable increases in energy occur within a few weeks. Maca
is also recommended by doctors to increase energy and vigor in
the elderly.
Other
adaptogenic benefits include increased energy, stamina,
libido, sexual function, immune function, mental clarity and a
sense of well-being.
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