Feeling sluggish? Instead of reaching for another cup of coffee, why not turn to maca, Peru's version of ginseng, for a natural lift. Maca is a little-known but highly effective energy booster that provides essential nutrients for physical and mental performance, something your cup of joe won't do. This super food is loaded with vitamins such as Vitamin A, B, C, D, and E.
Maca naturally contains zinc, glucosinolates and plant sterols, which are potent immune enhancers to help keep you healthy and energized during cold and flu season.
The reason why many of us feel run down is chronic stress that has lead to adrenal fatigue. Our adrenal glands, which are walnut-sized organs located above our kidneys, dictate our response to stress by producing several powerful hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. When we're under prolonged, chronic stress, these small glands bottom out and fail to produce more hormones in response to a new stressor.
Without a rise in natural stress hormones that signal increased metabolism and revved up immunity, we feel like we just can't muster up the energy to finish that last assignment or make dinner for the family. Small things become huge obstacles because of adrenal fatigue. Maca is here to help.
The secret to maca's ability to increase energy lies in the fact that it supports our body's over-worked adrenal glands instead of adding more stress by increasing toxins or depleting nutrients. Like ginseng, maca is an adaptogen which means it improves the balance of our health by enabling the body to heal itself with just the the right amount of support.
It is rare for a person to misuse maca by overdosing on it. In fact, results are often enhanced by increasing maca consumption. After a short period of maca use, many people also report a noticeable improvement in their cognitive ability, “feeling like a fog has been lifted.” In a world where most of us could use a mental pick-me-up instead of a physical boost, it is great to know that consuming a natural superfood will perk us up without any negative side effects.
Maca is loaded with energy-producing, protein-building amino acids that fuel the body and assist with recovery after a strenuous workout. With its incredible nutrient profile, supplement savvy athletes use maca to improve their energy level without over-stimulating their body.
Research evaluating the energy-enhancing effects of maca showed a “significant improvement in physical-energetic performance within individuals supplementing with Maca compared to the placebo group.” In particular, athletes enjoyed an increase in distance range as a result of greater stamina due to maca supplementation.
Combined with immune enhancement and increased mental acuity, maca has the ability to super-charge your body to give your a more energized life!
References
The Power of Maca: Peruvian Superfood by Lorrie Ingram. Pages 61-65.