MACA FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is in Wondrous Herbs maca capsules?

100% certified organic powdered sundried maca.

What is gelatinized maca?

Gelatinization refers to the food process raw maca undergoes and should not be confused with Gelatine.  Selected sundried maca roots are submitted to an extrusion process at high temperatures for seconds without destroying the properties of the maca.  It is then cooled, milled and packed.   The process leaves a more concentrated powder by removing the starch.  It leaves behind the phytochemicals and nutrients thereby concentrating the important elements of the maca root.  It also frees the ‘macaenes’ and ‘macamides’ from their starch bonds which human digestion cannot fully breakdown.  These novel compounds are said to be responsible for maca’s effects on stamina and libido.  Gelatinization makes it easier for the body to digest maca thereby improving absorption.  Gelatinized powder is more concentrated and water soluble than raw maca.. The process leaves the maca powder a little darker than the raw powder but it is not burnt and it is never irradiated.   

What are macamides and macaenes?

In animal studies, sexual activity and stamina increased significantly as the quantities of macamides and macaenes in the diet increased. One study reported in the U.S. Journal of Urology in April 2000 showed that oral administration of maca extract with a high concentration of macamides and macaenes developed a striking increase in energy, sex drive, fertility and stamina in rodents. These findings support claims of traditional folk use. Peruvian culture has long suggested maca for such problems.

Who Should Use Gelatinized Maca?

Anyone who tends to have any kind of gastric or digestion problems.  Everyone of course can use gelatinized maca. It is more water soluble than raw maca powder.  However, we feel that both the raw and gelatinized form will benefit you and your body.  Gelatinized Maca is gaining in popularity around the world and is the form of maca commonly used in recent clinical trials.

What are the basic guidelines for taking maca?

Maca root is a food supplement.  For it to be effective and to achieve results, you need to figure out the right dosage for your body.  Most people start off with one teaspoon of powder daily first thing in the morning (1 teaspoon = 6 capsules or 3,000mgs) and see how they feel after a week or two.  In keeping with original Peruvian usage, you can mix ¼ teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of maca powder into milk, smoothies, yogurt, fruit juice, water (or hot water to make a tea),  etc.  You can also just sprinkle it over your cereal, soup or salad.  It has a wonderful sweet, malty, nutty taste.  If you are using our capsules take a minimum of 4 to 10 per day equal to 2,000 to 5,000 milligrams or as suggested by your health practitioner.  For women seeking relief from menopausal symptoms, PMS or thyroid imbalance the suggested intake would usually be a minimum of 6 x 500mg capsules daily.  But for women who are petite and/or very sensitive, it is recommended you start at 2-3 capsules. That dosage can be kept for one menstrual cycle.  If the effect seems too mild (not very effective) the dosage can be increased during the next cycle to 8 capsules a day (or for the very sensitive person from 2 to 4 capsules daily).
This can be increased on a weekly basis if this amount is not sufficient until the optimum (minimum effective) dosage is found.  Taken at the correct dosage, which can be different for each woman, maca may be able to provide complete relief from hot flashes in as little time as one to two weeks.  Although rare, if the dosage is too high maca will have a stimulating and not balancing effect, and will actually increase the amount of hot flashes. If this happens, cut the dosage in half for a week, and then re-evaluate.  Listen to your body, it will guide you.  After all, you are taking a therapeutic food supplement - not a medicine.

Will everyone respond well to Maca?

Although the great majority of menopausal and postmenopausal women could benefit from maca therapy, it will not necessarily provide relief for every woman. Of course, there are always a few individuals who will show an allergic reaction or who fall into a group of women or men for whom a pituitary stimulator such as maca is contraindicated in the absence of studies that prove its safety.  These groups include men with a high PSA level or a history of prostate cancer.  Men using maca on a regular basis should undergo periodic PSA tests.  Women with a history of breast cancer or other types of hormone-related cancer also fall into this group.

How soon will I see results?

It depends on the condition of your body and what you want to achieve. One of the main qualities that people first notice about maca is the feeling of non-depleting energy which it gives. This strengthening of the adrenal glands helps create a feeling of increased energy, stamina & well being.  Some menopausal women experience a decrease in symptoms such as severe hot flashes within 2-3 days of taking maca while others may take a few weeks to feel the effects.  For those with hypothyroidism, it is not uncommon for one to be able to make a reduction in their usual prescribed medication dosage or see a big improvement in formerly unresolved symptoms such as short term memory problems, fatigue, brain fog, mental clarity and ability to concentrate.  The dosage is key and to a large extent you can let your body be your guide.  But be patient! The results are worth it.

Does maca contain hormones or phytoestrogens?

No.  Unlike other foods or herbs used for relief of troublesome menopause symptoms maca does not contain hormones or phytoestrogens, instead it naturally stimulates the pituitary into producing the precursor hormones which can ultimately end up raising hormone levels in the balance your body needs. It supports the health of ovaries, adrenal glands, thyroid, testes and the pancreas.  One menopausal woman who had a very low serum estradiol level of 15 increased it to 75 after just two months on maca. Over 60 is an adequate postmenopausal level.  It seems to help the endocrine system to stay in balance during menopause.

Should I take breaks from taking maca from time to time?

In the first two or three months, don’t worry about taking a break. This is not a dietary supplement that could become “toxic” like Echinacea if you take it for too long.  It’s just that if you are using it long term, your body will be a bit more responsive to it if you use it perhaps six days a week rather than seven.  However, if you have horrendous hot flashes, don’t even think about taking a break!  Just find your right dosage and take it indefinitely.  Also, if you are trying to get pregnant it is best not to take a break. [Note: Wondrous Herbs makes no claim about maca's ability to increase your fertility although there are numerous animal fertility studies using maca!]  The great thing about maca is that how you feel will let you know when it’s effective to take a break. If you reach a point where it doesn’t seem to be as effective as it was before, you know that either you need to increase your dosage (this would apply especially if you are perimenopausal going into menopause) or you need to take a short break on a regular basis-perhaps one day a week but no longer then two days. Other women -- who have been able to bring severe and almost constant hot flashes and night sweats under control -- dare not even take a break for one day. Not to worry. In six months to a year and a half, these severe disturbances will probably subside on their own and you can start taking short breaks at that point.

For men

Some men do best on six capsules a day with a break once a week. Others take it daily for a month and then take a week off.  It has also been suggested by some health practitioners that in addition men should take a Zinc supplement to support the functioning of the prostate and a healthy testosterone level.

Can I take maca with other supplements / medications?

Maca is a very safe food just as a common potato or turnip would not interfere with medications or supplements neither will maca.  In fact maca will probably assist the body in utilizing supplements to their optimum capacity as it helps to assimilate the nutrients.  To date there are no known toxic side effects to maca.

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