Maca For Men

Maca is great for the sex life because it contains a high level of minerals, enzymes and all the essential amino acids, which are essential for libido.
Although it bears no relation to ginseng, Peruvian maca root has often been likened to it as it is often used for the same purposes.

Maca, or lepidium meyenii, is a plant native to the high Andes Mountains of Peru. It has been known to grow virtually all year round, and has long been used throughout the area as both a food source and a medicinal herb. And because of its unique properties, it is slowly gaining ground in the more urban population centers around the world.

Maca root is primarily a high-energy food item. In fact, 60% of its composition is carbohydrates, with another 10% being protein, and 8.5% being dietary fiber.  This being the case, it is often considered the equivalent of cereal grains such as rice and wheat. Therefore, it can be a good supplement to treat diseases such as protein-energy malnutrition due to the deficiency of carbohydrates and protein, as well as constipation or diarrhea due to the lack of fiber.

Maca root is also rich in iodine. In fact, a 10 gram serving of dark-colored maca contains 52 ug of iodine. It can therefore be a significant source of this element for people who have iodine deficiency, and who have limited access to modern conveniences like iodized salt. However, when a person has goiter, a thyroid disease which may in some cases be related to iodine deficiency, there are no recommendations as to its use.

Researchers have discovered about 60 varieties of the substance known as phytochemicals within its root. Phytochemicals have diverse effects on your body, but the two most important are boosting the immune system and fighting off some cancers. That's because phytochemicals have anti-inflammatory properties as well as antioxidant properties (substances which help neutralize free radicals, which are known to cause cancer). There are also phytochemicals which affect visual performance and prevent some eye diseases like macular degeneration.

Maca root also affects the endocrine system. Because the root is rich in a lot of nutrients, and since many of those nutrients are needed for the normal functioning of a person's endocrine system, it has been theorized that the intake of this plant will help in normalizing that person's hormone levels, especially if they are low. For instance, the plant has selenium, which is an important substance for thyroid hormone metabolism.

Due to all the above, Maca is said to increase strength, energy, stamina, libido and sexual function. Other reported benefits of maca include treating anxiety disorders (possibly due to its effect on neurotransmitters), reducing enlarged prostate glands of rats (perhaps due to its noted effect on the male hormones), and improving one's sense of well being and mood.

Not many studies have been done on the effect of Maca on sex drive and libido. The one most often cited is the one by Scientist Gustavo Gonzales of the Peruvian Cayateno Heredia University. He conducted a study over a period of 3 months, in which he gave Maca to 9 volunteers. This study was published in the Asian Journal of Andrology
Gonzales said that after 2 weeks of use, Maca powerfully increased the desire for sex.
His conclusion was that this libido enhancing herb raised sex drive by 180 to 200%, and doubled sperm production.
However there have not been any significant studies to support this.

However because it is such a beneficial food supplement, there seems to be no harm in trying it for a few months to see if it increases libido and sex drive.