Maca for Stamina and Endurance

Life in the Andes isn’t easy. Oxygen is scarce, the weather is cold, and there’s the matter of constant exposure to the intense UV radiation that comes with living at such altitudes. And yet, men and women have lived and worked in the Peruvian Andes for thousands of years. The fields we source our maca from are located on the Junin Plateau, where they’re sustainably harvested by a co-op of farmers tending land their ancestors may have tended for generations before them. How do they find the energy for such strenuous work? The answer might not surprise you….

A History of Maca

The brassica species Lepidium meyenii (or maca) has been cultivated by humans for at least 2000 years. Though it’s often incorrectly labeled as a supplement today, maca is in fact a food; more specifically, a superfood like kale or blueberries. As such, it’s played a significant role in the diet of Peruvians of the Andes region for a long time.

Upon learning of maca’s recent increase in popularity among health-conscious Americans, a Peruvian-born friend once expressed surprise at the development. “That stuff old men take for erectile dysfunction?” he asked. His actual wording was less polite, but that was the general idea. For many years, maca was (and in some cases still is) seen as a sort of natural Viagra for both men and women. And as we discussed recently, maca is known for its impact on the libido as well as a fertility-booster.

But those aren’t the only benefits people have come to expect from adding maca to their diets. Maca for energy is one common association, attracting interest from consumers looking for a solution to chronic fatigue and overall exhaustion. If maca could fuel Incan warriors preparing for battle, what can it do for your average office worker?

Benefits of Maca

According to research, it might do a lot! Studies have found that maca can increase endurance capacity and act as a sort of natural stimulant. How exactly it does this is still subject to some debate, but it’s believed that maca’s antioxidative qualities can cut down on the oxidative stress and lactic acid buildup that takes place during hard exercise.

As an adaptogen, maca serves to balance out hormonal health in a way that results in sustained and elevated energy. It’s this energy-enhancing effect that has led to a rise in maca’s popularity among athletes ranging from martial artists to mountain bikers, enabling them to work out harder for longer. Even body-builders have had luck with maca! In a write-up on maca, Runner’s World Online suggests keeping a food log to note any side effects (positive or negative) you might experience after adding maca to your diet. Maca isn’t a miracle elixir, and it isn’t going to make you a world-class athlete from one day to the next…but enjoyed regularly in combination with a healthy diet and regular exercise, you might start to see results sooner than you expect.

Buying Maca Today

As with any food product, it’s important to know that you’re sourcing your maca from safe, reliable sellers…like The Maca Team, of course. Our organic maca is certified Fair Trade and non-GMO, and we want you to know exactly where it’s been grown and harvested. There are no fillers or additives in our maca. Our standard raw maca powders have undergone minimal processing, sorted and sundried at the peak of the harvesting season before being shipped to us in small batches to ensure maximum freshness. If you’re not sure which maca product would be best for you, check out our Maca Finder product selection tool - it’ll let you enter some information about yourself and your goals before making a recommendation. And don’t hesitate to Contact Us directly using our web form, or call us toll-free at 888-919-8616.

Enjoy the day!