When it comes to increasing one’s stamina and physical performance, nothing beats the maca root. This maca root is a native plant that can be found in the Andes Mountain in South America and is one of the primary sources of food for the locals. The popularity of the plant dates back to the Incans and has remained one of the popular alternatives to anabolic steroids used among today’s athletes. Aside from this, the maca root can also help balance hormone levels, lower cholesterol and serve to treat constipation. This is just an example of land-based vegetables that is rich in iodine.
One thing though that is often overlooked by many researchers is that maca is also a natural sexual booster not only for humans but also for animals with several studies that have been conducted proving its benefits.
Effects
In a 2001 study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, the study reveals that the maca root has improved the fertility and sexual performance of male rats. In the study, the researchers used 60 male rats and fed the group with 15 mg or 75mg of maca root extract or a 0.5-milliliter saline sample for 15 days.
In the first week, the researchers observed that the group that was fed the maca roots had increased sexual activity compared to the control group that was fed with only the saline sample. The increase was also noted for the second week leading to the conclusion that acute and chronic oral administration of the maca extract can dramatically improve the sexual performance of the test subjects.
Many believe that the main reason behind these properties is that the maca has a high concentration of p-methoxybenzyl isothiocyanate, an aromatic compound that is exclusive to the plant itself. The fertility properties on the other hand is attributed to the glucosinate levels present which can be compared to another plant known as “horny goat weed” which is noted for its sex enhancing properties.
Sexual Dysfunction Treatment?
When it comes to sexual dysfunction treatment, a two double blind study was published in April 2009 in the Journal – Andrologia. In the study, the researchers provided the male patients suffering from erectile dysfunction with 2400mg of maca root extract and some were given placebo capsules. After four months of testing, both groups were observed to have significant changes in their IIEF score. That said, the researchers noted that those given high dosage of the extract tend to experience more sexual activity than those taking the placebo drug. The group that took the maca root extract also reported a sense of wellbeing compared to those in the control group.
Another study, published in 2008 in the CHS Neuroscience & Therapeutics looks at whether the extracts can treat sexual dysfunction that was induced with serotonin reuptake inhibitors or antidepressant drugs. The result showcase an improvement for patients that take 3gms of maca per day as compared to those who were fed half of the dosage. The researchers believe that the maca root extracts can alleviate sexual dysfunction caused by antidepressant drugs and may help increase one’s libido.