What you should know about Maca | Part 2 TheMacaTeam | Which color of Maca is good for your specific needs?

Maca was discovered over 2,000 years ago when Incan farmers first grazed their flocks in the high mountains. They noticed that when their animals grazed on Maca they would become much healthier, hardier, and stronger, and also they would tend to copulate more and have a much higher fertility rate. After this discovery, people began using Maca themselves. Maca is now used in humans to promote fertility, build muscle, increase stamina, relieve menopause symptoms, boost energy, support prostate health, increase bone density, alleviate depression, boost libido, balance hormones in both sexes and more.

The Maca plant grows in rocky soils inhospitable to most other vegetation. It produces leaves as well as a small root, about the size of a radish. It is the root that has been treasured for thousands of years due to its ability to increase energy, stamina, and fertility for all people and animals who eat it.

Three colors of Maca

If you were to visit a Maca farm, before the roots are made into a powder, you’d quickly and easily be able to tell the difference between Red Maca, Yellow/Cream Maca and Black Maca. Maca roots grow in 3 ranges of colors. Each of the roots is of a different color – and in this way, they are named.

• White to Yellow roots are called Yellow or Cream Maca
• Light Pink to Dark Purple roots are called Red Maca
• Light Gray to Dark Gray roots are called Black Maca

The three Maca colors are all from the same species and sub-species of plant and traditionally were lumped together when Maca powder was produced.

Yellow Maca

White to yellow roots are made into Yellow Maca powder (also called Cream Maca) (60% of the annual harvest). Yellow Maca powder is a great way to start with Maca. To date hundreds of studies, all available publicly in the PubMed database, have found it to be useful for energy building, fertility, hormone balance, mental focus and more.

Benefits of Yellow Maca

Yellow Maca is indeed a nutritional powerhouse, containing nearly all essential amino acids and free fatty acids, significant levels of vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, and C, minerals, iron, magnesium, zinc and calcium, a high concentration of bio-available protein and nutrients unique to Maca called macaenes and macamides. Maca is also an "adaptogen," or a rare form of plants that is thought to raise the overall life force energy of those who consume it.

This is the very Maca that has been consumed daily for over 2,000 years to :

• boost energy,
• promote, fertility,
• increase mental focus
• hormone balance
• overall health
• and more

Yellow Maca is the least expensive Maca, it nevertheless, has a very positive effect on hormone health and balance.

Red Maca

Red Maca is sometimes called pink or purple Maca, but is most generally referred to as “Red Maca.” It grows in the same regions and under similar conditions as other more common types of Maca and yet, has some unique properties that are quickly making it the Maca of choice.

Benefits of Red Maca

• Prostate protection – most important for men and, in particular, men over 40
• Bone density – most important for women and children
• Boost overall energy and vitality
• Balance hormones for both men and women – support with menopause, acne, fertility, thyroid and other health problems related to the endocrine system
• Support a healthy libido and sex drive

Light pink to dark purple roots are made into Red Maca powder (25% of the annual harvest. Most people find the taste of Red Maca to be more gentle and mild. We’ve found that to be true as well and would describe the taste as similar to a subtle caramel)

Black Maca

Black Maca is sometimes considered as "men's Maca." In a study from 2009 at the Peruvian University, Black Maca was seen to be the best Maca for increasing sperm production motility and volume as well as for increasing libido. The newest study from 2013 reported that Black Maca has a positive effect on spermatogenesis (the formation of sperm cells). Light gray to dark gray roots are made into Black Maca powder (15% of the annual harvest)

Black Maca is recommended for:

• Men wishing to increase their fertility (women should try Red Maca for fertility)
• Men and women wishing to boost their libido
• Athletes, both men, and women, looking for extra stamina and strength
• Anyone looking to improve memory, concentration and focus skills with Maca
• People wanting to improve their bone strength and density (Red Maca has also been shown to be helpful for this purpose)

When and how much Maca should you take?

According to The Maca Team (TheMacaTeam)company “To make things easy most people prefer to take their full dosage of Maca first thing in the morning. Others prefer to spread it out throughout the day. And some people swear by taking it around 2 pm because that is when hormone levels are usually at their lowest. One thing to keep in mind is that Maca can energize you to the point where it’s difficult to fall asleep. This happens for some people and for others not.” We recommend that most people start with 1-3 teaspoons per day, depending on your body size and the kind of Maca that you purchase.

Resources:

The Maca Team www.themacateam.com