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| Scientific research about Maca |
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In the middle of last century, a new interest came up among Peruvian and international scientists regarding the properties of the ancient food plant “Lepidium meyenii”. The Peruvian scientist, Dr. Gloria Chacon, was recognized for her recent research on the effectiveness of Maca promoting fertility. She studied the influence of the Maca root on the fertility of laboratory mice, since 1960. At the University of Lima Dr. Gloria Chacon conducted studies with alkaloids from the Maca root on male and female mice. These alkaloids produced an elevated fecundity effect on the sexual organs of the mice. They produced a stimulating effect on the hypotalamus and hypophysis to produce the necessary sexual hormones. According to Dr. Chacon, the Maca root acts positively, not only on sexual organs, but also on the whole endocrine system. The pancreas, thyroid and adrenalinic glands of both sexes are positively influenced by the Maca root. Maca regulated the hormonal level in both genders of mice. (Dr. Gloria Chacon, Maca the Peruvian food plant with high nutritional and medicinal properties. Lima, 2001).
The scientist Gustavo Gonzales of the University Cayetano Heredia in Peru is the first researcher that has studied Maca‘s action on humans. He has administered the Maca to 9 volunteers for 3 months. He has established a 180-200% increase of energy and a doubling of sperm production. According to Gonzales the use of Maca shows already after 2-3 weeks an increased sexual activity. This study has also pointed out that Maca lowers the blood pressure and doesn't have any negative repercussions on the heart. (from Asian journal of Andrology).
During the last 30 years some international and American scientists and physicians studied intensively the efficacy of the Maca root and how it acts on the human body. According to Dr. Hank Oswald, Maca significantly strengthens the immune system. "You can see through the microscope the positive effects on the blood. The elements that are responsible for this are probably minerals and microelements that sustain the glands and the metabolic system". Dr. Oswald continues: "One of the worthiest qualities to be noted about Maca is the stress reduction. Maca is a strong Adaptogen that balances and normalizes the body’s functions. Maca is able, for example, to lift low blood pressure and to lower high blood pressure. Therefore Maca has a stabilizing effect on hormones. It is famous because it mitigates the uncomfortable symptoms of the pre-menstrual syndrome as well as the troubles of the menopause and other ailments related to female hormones…" (Dr. Hank Oswald in Feel stronger and healthier).
A group of Italian researchers at the Pharmacy University of Ferrara, Italy, under the direction of Prof. Dr. Stefano Manfredini and Dr. Angela Angusti, studied the substances found in the Maca root and their effects on the human body. They testify that the Maca root helps to delay the aging process of the organism contemporarily acting on different forefronts. This is described in the following way: Thanks to its content of vitamins with antioxidant action (vitamin A, C, E), flavonoids, unsaturated fat acids, phosphorus and oligoelements as manganese, copper and zinc, Maca possesses energizing qualities and promotes the maintenance of body activities in the sexual area as well as mental lucidity. In addition, Maca considerably lowers the rate of cholesterol (particularly, the values of the harmful LDL), which prevents the calcification of the arteries and maintains them free from plaque.
Dr. Jorge Aguila Calderon, Dean of the Faculty of Human Medicine at the Federico Villareal National University in Lima, Peru, resumes all his research and experience throughout the years with the therapeutic application of Maca on patients. He says that a wide variety of conditions have been treated successfully with Maca, such as osteoporosis or the healing of bone fractures of very old people. “Maca has a lot of easily absorbable calcium in it, plus magnesium and a fair amount of silica, which we are finding very useful in treating decalcification of bones in children and adults.” Dr. Calderon has also helped patients to overcome male impotence and female sterility by employing a basic Maca therapy. Additional problems he treats with Maca are rickets, various forms of anaemia, menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats, climacteric and erectile difficulties in men, premature ageing and general states of weakness, such as chronic fatigue. (Article in "Physicians Note").
In conclusion, scientists from different countries come to the conclusion, that Maca is a natural product able to stimulate the hormonal function of the body bringing them at the same time into an optimal balance.
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