Maca, a superfood to consume to conceive faster?
The benefits of maca
Maca is an adaptogenic food, meaning that it helps protect the body from the various stresses it may experience. This tuber, which resembles a turnip, is packed with vitamins and nutrients. It is an excellent source of copper and iron of plant origin.
It can be consumed to boost the body when feeling tired, or when the immune system is weakened. It’s also a dietary supplement recommended to stimulate cognitive abilities, such as concentration and memory.
The maca powder has been used for centuries in Peru and Bolivia as a tonic, aphrodisiac and to increase fertility. Breeders also traditionally use the roots for animals that have difficulty reproducing.
Research has isolated two active compounds found only in maca, macaenes and macamides, which may play a role in increasing libido.
Moreover, its effect on hormonal balance also helps relieve the symptoms of menopause.
Maca powder, an aphrodisiac and good for men’s fertility
In men, maca increases libido, helps prevent the erection problems and impotence, and improves sperm quality.
Researchers have tried to verify the aphrodisiac effect and pro-fertility properties of maca. For male animals as for humans, consuming it in large quantities can improve fertility, sperm quality and sperm motility.
If the studies in rats are reliable, the scientific studies carried out in humans are so far not very robust, but are also very encouraging.
In any case, it is established that maca is a good tonic for the body: as such, it can therefore fight fatigue and increase vital and sexual energy in both men and women.
Furthermore, difficulties conceiving are often explained by psychological factors: fatigue, stress… Regular consumption of this tuber helps to reduce stress, thanks to its adaptogenic properties.
The B vitamins and the magnesium it contains indeed help to lower cortisol, the stress hormone.
Maca for getting pregnant and during pregnancy
A study conducted on female rats showed that regular consumption of maca for seven weeks increased luteinizing hormone levels (which trigger ovulation) in the body.
Maca’s high iron content makes it an excellent dietary supplement to take when trying to conceive.
Indeed, iron deficiency in women can disrupt menstrual cycles, or even trigger amenorrhea (absence of periods). Maca therefore helps facilitate the regularity of cycles.
It is perfectly possible to take maca during pregnancy since there is no proven contraindication. It is still recommended to seek medical advice before taking any dietary supplement.
Its rich nutrient content helps the expectant mother and the embryo avoid deficiencies. The iron requirements of pregnant women are higher, which is why it may be necessary to supplement the intake naturally provided by the diet.
It also helps to energize the body during frequent bouts of fatigue in early pregnancy.
Maca is also recommended after childbirth, to strengthen the mother’s body weakened by labor and short nights. Finally, it is a galactagogue, like fenugreek, meaning it stimulates milk production and supports breastfeeding.
How to take maca when trying to conceive?
Ways to consume maca
In France, fresh maca is not available in stores because its export is prohibited. While it is present on every stall of the Andean markets! Here, it is therefore consumed dried, in powder form. You can sprinkle it on your food, for example at breakfast. Or buy maca in capsules if you want to follow a specific regimen.
Maca powder has a slightly pleasant caramelized hazelnut flavor: it’s therefore a dietary supplement that’s enjoyable to consume. But everyone will decide for themselves!
You can add maca powder to a milkshake, yogurt, a smoothie… It can also be cooked and replace part of the flour in bread or pastries. It can also partially replace sugar in sweet recipes.
It is always preferable to consume organic maca to avoid residues of pesticides and phytosanitary products, especially if it’s maca in capsules, highly concentrated. Furthermore, it’s advisable to prefer Peruvian maca, which is cultivated in a more artisanal way and is more respectful of the environment and local cultures than maca originating from China.
Also read the Best maca in capsules: our buying guide
Which maca should you consume to increase fertility?
Maca can be consumed in capsules, in powder, or as a liquid extract.
- En gélules, il est conseillé d’en consommer 2 par jour pendant toute la période de conception.
- En poudre, on peut en consommer 3 à 6 grammes par jour pendant deux à trois mois. On évite toutefois d’en consommer sur une plus longue période.
In any case, if you experience problems conceiving, you should consult a doctor.
There are different types of maca:
- La maca rouge convient en particulier aux femmes qui veulent tomber enceintes.
- La maca noire est à conseiller plutôt aux hommes qui souffrent de problèmes d’érection.
- La maca jaune convient indistinctement aux hommes et aux femmes pour améliorer la libido et augmenter la fertilité.
Alkaloid-free maca: check the manufacturing process
Like most tubers (potato, cassava…), maca contains alkaloids, which can be toxic if consumed raw in high doses.
The traditional manufacturing and drying process of maca removes any alkaloid residue from the finished product. That’s why it is preferable to buy maca from Peru, as Peruvians have perfected the traditional manufacturing process.
Some manufacturers also state that maca is ‘guaranteed alkaloid-free‘ in the finished product: you can look for this claim to ensure its quality.
