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MACA is a highly nutritious staple of the Peruvian diet that contains about
13% protein and is also rich in vitamins and minerals. It was cultivated for
use as a nutritious food and energy and sexual function enhancer during the
Incan empire. Today MACA is eaten throughout Peru and is recognized as an
aphrodisiac. MACA has a rich composition of plant sterols that includes beta
sitosterol. It is thought that MACA'S sexual enhancement action is due to
these compounds and additionally, benzyl and p-methoxygenzyl glucosinolates.
MACA appears to have no toxicity or adverse pharmacologic effects (Kilham,
1999). MACA has also been used as an energy enhancer and as an alternative
to hormone replacement therapy in post- menopausal women although safety and
efficacy has not been proven in scientific literature. MACA contains
proteins, calcium, magnesium, potassium, thiamin, riboflavin, ascorbic acid,
and amino acids in significant amounts. Other vitamins and minerals are also
present in MACA |
