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Forty years of extensive research has been undertaken of
Maca's nutritional and medicinal values (Obregón. 1998),
confirming the traditional claims of Maca's health benefits.
Maca's high nutritional value comes from the fact that it
contains about 59% carbohydrates, 14% proteins, 9% fiber and
2% lipids among other components (Garró, 1972; Garró,
León y Julca, 1993, and Deni A., Migliuolo G.Rastrelli
L., Saturnino P., and Schefino O.; 1994; Cabieses 1997).
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Maca Contains:
- A large number of essential amino acids, such as aspartic
acid, glutamic acid, serine, glycine, arginine, valine and
lysine (Garró, 1972);
- Fatty acids: palmatic acids, linoleic acid and saturated
fatty acids;
- Minerals (mg/100g), Fe 16.6, Mn 0.8, Cu 5.9, Zn 3.8,
Na 18.7, K 2,050 and Ca 150, and
- Vitamins, Thyamine (B1),
Riboflavin (B2), and Vitamin C (Garró, 1972 and Deni
A., et al, 1994).
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However, the major importance of Maca comes
from the combination of its nutritional elements with other
components giving heightened nutritional/medicinal effects.
Thus:
- 4 alkaloids named macaina 1, 2, 3 and 4 have been detected,
which stimulate the reproductive system of both sexes (Chacón,
1962; Garró, León, and Julca, 1993); it is
considered that the alkaloids in Maca activate the calcitonine
hormone that regulates calcium and phosphorus metabolism
and activates the parathonnone involved with same metabolism;
- The high presence of the amino-acids lysine and arginine
in Maca has an effect on the regulation of female and male
fertility respectively; arginine constitutes 80% of male
reproductive cells, thus, Maca could solve problems related
to deficiency of these amino acids, leading to lack of sexual
desire and originating certain types of male and female
infertility;
- Among its components are certain sterols, (Espinoza and
Poma, 1995): Brassycosterol, Ergosterol, Carnpesterol, delta
7.22 Ergostadienol, and specially Sitosterol (Dini A. et
al, 1994). Correction of menopause problems and an increase
in female fertility are attributed to Maca sterols and lysine;
- Glucosinolates have been found, specially benzyl isotiocyanate
(Johns, 1980); this author finds that worldwide, plants
with glucosinolates, like Maca, are consumed because of
their action on reproductive hormonal processes, and
- Fructose, a monosaccharide sugar with 173.3 degree of
sweetness, superior to glucose, is present; fructose is
recommended for combating athletes' fatigue; fructose is
a sugar utilized by seminal plasma to give energy to spermatozoids.
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Tests on guinea pigs, frogs, cattle, sheep
and certain observations made with human beings showed:
- Increase in female fertility and the production of seminal
fluid in males;
- Animals fed with Maca had the same weight as those fed
on other products, but, those fed with Maca were more active
and energetic, that is to say, Maca is a great source of
energy without fattening;
- Young born from female fed on Maca had higher birth weight;
- It controls rickets and osteomalacia in children and adults;
- It revitalizes physical and intellectual capabilities,
- It is effective against premature aging and organic feebleness
with the loss of energy, and
- It controls different kinds of anemia.
In summary, the Peruvian Andes offers Maca as one of the
best natural revitalizing and invigorating substances that
exist; for this reason it is called an Andean Ginseng. In
general, Maca can overcome energy wear and tear caused by
the modern accelerated way of life, poor nutrition and inadequate
social and hygienic environment.
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Bibliography
Dini A., Migliuolo G., Rastrelli L., Saturnino P. and
Schettino O., "Chemical composition of Lepidium
meyenii", in Food Chemistry 49, London, UK, 1994.
Chacón, G. Estudio fitoquímico de Lepidium
meyenii Walp Thesis, Universidad Nacional Mayor San
Marcos, Lima, 1962.
Espinoza, C.L. and Poma 1. P., Determinación
de amino ácidos esenciales de la maca (Lepidium
meyenii) y elaboración de una mezcla protéica
a base de alimentos andinos, Thesis, Universidad Nacional
del Centro del Perú, Huancayo, 1995
Fitomédica, "Maca, ginseng andino",
in Fitomédica, Madrid, 1998.
Garró V. Nuevo sistema de solventes para cromatografía
de aminoácidos y participación cuantitativa
de L-valina y L-metionina, Doctoral Thesis, Facultad
de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad Nacional
Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, 1972.
Garró V. León E. and Julca T.B., "
Extracción, separación e identificación
por cromatografía de alcaloides de Lepidium meyenii
Walp. (Maka), Instituto de Química Orgánica
Aplicada a la Farmacia, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica,
Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, VI Congreso
Peruano de Farmacia y Bioquimíca, October, 1993.
Johns, Timothy A., Ethnobotany and phytochemistry of
Tropaeolum Tuberosum and Lepidium Meyenii from Andean
South America Ph.D. Thesis, The University of British
Columbia, Canada, 1980.
Obregón, L., Maca, Planta medicinal y nutritivo
del Perú, Instituto de Fitoterapia Americana,
Lima, Perú, 1998.
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