Maca root (lepidium meyenni) has a long history of being used to improve fertility. According to legends of the high Andes, fertility was in fact the primary reason that maca root was discovered in the first place. The story goes that ancient farmers noticed that their livestock were producing more and healthier offspring when they consumed maca root as part of their diet. People took note, then began eating maca themselves and experienced similar results. These results have been enduring. So much so that even today many doctors in Peru continue to suggest that their patients try maca root as a way to improve chances of conception. Beyond that, at The Maca Team we regularly receive reports of people who claim maca has helped them to have a child. This is certainly encouraging if you’re interested in using maca root to obtain similar results. Still, you likely have questions such as: which maca is best to take for fertility?, how should it be taken?, how much should be taken for optimal results? and more. In this article we’ll answer these questions with a particular focus on maca for female fertility.
Recently a couple of important studies have been published that confirm the traditional use of maca to increase female fertilityOne study concludes that “Administration…. of maca to adult female mice increases the litter size. Moreover, this treatment increases the uterine weight in ovariectomized animals. Our study confirms for the first time some of the traditional uses of maca to enhance female fertility.”Another concludes that “…maca uniquely enhances the LH serum levels of pituitary hormones in female rats during the pro-oestrus LH surge.” LH (Luteinizing hormone) levels are a key factor in female fertility. More research is ongoing, but these two studies are indeed promising and confirming what people have experienced for hundreds of years.
Maca roots grow in a range of colors that are grouped into 3 major categories: black, red and yellow. They are all from the exact same species and have overall similar nutrient profiles. Traditionally people in Peru and Bolivia eat all 3 colors of maca roots mixed together, but more recently it has been discovered that the colors do have slightly different nutritional profiles.Red maca has been shown to have the highest anti-oxidant content, to be higher in several phytonutrients and to work best for prostate health. Black maca has been seen to be particularly helpful in muscle building and also supportive in increasing sperm count and motility. Yellow maca, the most common of all the colors, is considered to be the standard maca and has been the most studied. Based on preliminary research and our experience we typically recommend red maca products for female fertility. Black maca is our second choice and tri-color is our third. Each of these maca colors come in a variety of forms. Let’s have a look at those next.
Raw maca simply means maca that has not been heated above 115 F / 46 C for any length of time during processing. This type of maca conserves vitamin C and enzymes because both of these nutrients are sensitive to higher temperatures. While raw maca is suitable for most people, 5-10% of consumers experience slight digestive discomfort when taking it. This is due to the starch content within raw maca. If you have any digestive sensitivity or a particularly difficult time digesting starches we recommend that you use gelatinized maca instead.Gelatinzied maca is maca that has been heated in a special procedure that reduces starch content and makes maca more easily digestible. This process involves heating maca roots and putting them under pressure to “explode” most of the starch molecules in it. While the heat sensitive nutrients such as vitamin C and enzymes are destroyed in this process all of maca’s other major active nutrients are preserved. Gelatinized maca is best for you if you have a sensitive stomach.
We offer most of our maca products in a premium or standard version. Premium maca is dried in dehydrators immediately after harvest rather than being sun-dried like our standard maca. The result is a final product that contains more glucosinolate (anti-cancer nutrients) content. For the purposes of female fertility, both are excellent. Just keep in mind that premium maca powders are more pungent and spicy in flavor and because of that are harder to take for some people.
In order to serve the largest number of people, we offer all of our products in these formats:
The maca you choose for fertility will be based upon the factors mentioned above. Our general recommendation is for women to consistently use red maca powder or capsules of their choice for several months to increase chances of conception. For an extra boost, we’d suggest using a red maca extract at the same time. That means taking your serving of maca powder or capsules first thing in the morning and then taking 1-2 droppersful of liquid maca extract 1 or 2 more times throughout the day.
Over the years, we’ve had several customers report success with using maca to boost fertility. Here are a couple of examples:
"We tried a lot of things to get pregnant before we learned about peruvian maca in a book on natural fertility. My husband and I started taking it religiously after that. I got pregnant 6 months later and I’m sure the maca helped." - Jennifer and Ray Collins, Washington
"I messaged saying I’d send and update months back and here it is! After two miscarriages and crazy hormones that would not regulate. I Re Started taking the red maca 4 capsules everyday for two months to help my body regulate. On the third month I upped my dosage to 5 capsules. That same month, I got pregnant and this time around my progesterone was the highest it’s ever been! I took 5 capsules of the Red Maca all throughout my pregnancy with permission from my OB. I had a very healthy and easy pregnancy and just had all natural delivery. I’m happy to say our rainbow/maca root baby was born September 5! I’m convinced this product played a major role and plan to continue to take it for the rest of my life!" - Kelli Adams Johnson
In order to maximize your chances of getting similar results, we recommend the following:
We hope this article has helped you answer the question of which maca is best for female fertility as well has given you some good tips for getting started. If you have any further questions, please reach out to us. We’re always happy to help. Enjoy the day!
I shop around a lot for my supplements and health foods, and I have to say you guys at The Maca Team are light years ahead of anyone else selling maca out in the marketplace. Thanks for all you do!
By Jim Price, The Green Marketing Guru
Loving the red maca from themacateam. I can tell the difference from my usual store-bought brands. It really tastes so fresh and sweet compared to others. I really love this product. Thanks for sourcing it for us to enjoy
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I LOVE Maca Team Maca...this was my first purchase with the Maca Team and I have no need to try any other Maca-producer. The Maca tastes fresh and flavorful, the Kilo bag is a great price, and I feel so much more at ease (Maca is such powerful medicine :) )
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I take 24 products from five to six times a week to increase my well-being and sensual and sexual delights. ;D The Maca Team’s organic maca is one of them—nine grams in my smoothie, Monday to Saturday. The Maca Team is a small business run by a family who cares about its customers, its Peruvian maca growers, and the environment. It's vital to know the source of everything we put in our mouths. Physical and mental health are precious treasures. :D
By Jerry Montero
By Milt Thompson
This product is amazing! I have used other cheaper brands of white maca with fairly good results, but after trying the Maca Team maca, I noticed within two weeks all of my menopausal symptoms had completely vanished. Others described a bad taste and smell, but I have tried the black and the red and find them both to be mild tasting. I use a tablespoon in my daily smoothly
By Joy
Maca first came to us by our vitamin supplier. Then we ordered from the Maca Team. Comparison? Think fire-fly, then think mid-day sun. At 76 and 73 years respectively, that is a big deal; and at comparable cost too. We never have we had such speedy delivery and the packaging is the strongest, most protective we've seen, ever, at all ... anywhere. Further, the Mrs. no longer takes hormone supplements. And Mr. scans the morning want ads for steady P/T work.
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I had been using another brand of maca powder and decided to try The Maca Team's. The difference in freshness is night and day, and better tasting . I'm 6 foot 250 lbs. and take 4 teaspoons every day w/ my protein shake. Great energy boost and just feel great all day. I can tell a difference when I do not take it. best price that I have found {36oz}. I will be buying more as needed.
By J.D.
I've tried various maca brands over the last 20 years and The Maca Team brand is very special. There is definitely a difference when it comes to the quality and colors of the maca. This red maca does seem to nourish certain parts of my body while the black maca nourishes something else. I know I've been missing the nutrition these maca provide. I'm 75 years old and bodies wear out, but I'm finding I'm regaining a functioning body. How wonderful is this?!?!!!
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I just wanted to thank you for your excellently constructed website. I am a physician and I recently started learning about Maca. I get a very good sense of it, and I expect I will try it out myself and possibly be recommending it to patients in the future. If so, your website will be the first place to send people. Thanks again.
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Love the Maca team, In an earlier comment I said I was on the fence about where to buy Maca .Not anymore .You shouldn’t be either. The team has answered any questions I’ve had promptly. I feel like I’m dealing with friends, not some company far away out for my money only. The Maca is fresh, prices are good, the people are nice. If you’re on the fence, don’t be, you won’t be sorry.
By Bob
My Maca came in today and it has all the information on it! I must say this is the best tasting Maca I have tried!! Thank you again for a great product!! I will only order from you in future as well!
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We love this product. I own a store and work with clients holistically. We have recommended maca for years however, this is the highest quality product we have ever carried. I am proud to offer it in my store.
By Mellissa Gage, Infinity and Beyond
I am really happy that I chose the Maca Team, today you can find many distributors selling Maca powder, however quality of the powder is impossible to compare. Moreover, the results after 2 weeks I could feel. Before I was taking maca powder and I did not feel any changes. But since I started taking Maca from Maca Team the changes are incredible. So, I did a test.:) I gave the powder to my partner ... and after 2 weeks he was impressed and told me that he has more energy, feeling happy... Thank you The Maca Team!!!!
By Olga
I do want to say that I have done quite a bit of research on different companies that offer Maca and The Maca Team definitely is the most reputable. Thank you again for your kindness and professionalism :)
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