I was planning on waiting until this project was all the way done before I told you any of the details. But I was so excited about it, I wanted to give you a heads up!
Through recent circumstances and research I have become interested in Maca powder. It’s a root related to turnips that has been eaten for a long time in Peru. In recent years, it has become a subject of many studies because of the incredible properties is has for a wide variety of conditions (including balancing hormones, overcoming infertility, thyroid and adrenal and sexual problems, and for better energy and mental clarity). Who would have though a common root vegetable could be so potent? I became personally interested in it for it’s ability to help balance hormones (I have several signs of having an imbalance). It is also very high in vitamins and minerals. I won’t give you all of the wonderful details of this root right now, because I am still wading through reading medical research papers about it. But I did want you to know about the project.
As I looked into buying maca powder, I soon became frustrated because there were so many brands all selling “the best” maca powder, and, from reading on forums, I understood that maca products can vary in taste and effect. Where to buy from? I became stifled with too many unknowns and too many choices.
Enter, this project.
The following companies have graciously agreed to allow me, and other “testers” to test out their products. We will be taking a week’s worth of each brand. We will then report back to you, the readers, what the different products were like, how the taste compared, and how effective each product was. We just started this part of the project today.
We are hoping that this serves you in two ways. First I will be posting next month about maca, and the current research about this whole food supplement. Maca may be helpful to you, and hopefully my posts will give you enough information to start your own research. Secondly, I hope that those of you who do decide to try out maca will be served by our project of comparing different companies.
I am still waiting to hear back from one company who contacted me about joining as well, but the following companies have all donated some of their high quality maca powder.
So stay tuned for the results of this project and my posts regarding the benefits of Maca powder. And thanks to all of the companies who donated their maca powder!
Meanwhile, has anyone used Maca before? If so, what results have you had? What brand(s) do you like? (Please keep comments family friendly!)
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on it!
So will you be eating this as a vegetable-type dish or do you mean you would take it as an herbal supplement?
I’m looking forward to hearing your results!
We haven’t tried it yet, but did notice quite a selection of maca at the local Asian market.
Blessings,
Michele
kimi,
I don’t have any input on Maca powder, but I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoy reading your blog. I have become interested in eating and feeding my family truly heathful foods and your blog inspires me to search out new foods and techniques that I have not tried. I also wanted to let you know that I made your coconut “mounds” bars and WOW -they are SO yummy! oh, and I also tried out your pasta sauce (the one you make with canned salmon) -also very yummy.
Thanks for your blog!
Erica
I’m really looking forward to hearing more about this! I’ve never heard much about maca before.
Cat,
I haven’t found any source for the root whole, so we are using maca root powder (which is dried maca, ground into a powder).
Michele,
Wow! Really? What type of products did they have? That’s very interesting!
Erica,
I am so glad that you liked those two recipes. 
Thank you so much for the comment! That is so encouraging to me.
Hi, Kimi,
I remember seeing maca in the form of teas, but I think there were also some in “supplement form” as well.
Michele
Hi
I’ve been experimenting with maca powder both cooked and raw – trying to find ways to disguise the taste!!
I’m hoping that it will help boost my adrenal function as I’ve got adrenal fatigue, but to be honest because I don’t like the taste I’m only eating it every now and again. So I need to find a way of fitting it into my daily diet – using as a replacement for flour in very spicy ginger biscuits is my next experiment!
Whilst you’re doing your research could you look into whether cooking with the powder will affect its adaptogenic properties?
Thanks
Suzie
Hi Kimi,
Have you ever heard of Dr. Wong?
http://www.docsprefer.com
Take a look at what he offers and also look at his website. He has some good articles on maca.
I think this is one of the best and purest maca around.
I will let you further investigate, but I will tell you this; it is some UNBELIEVABLE stuff.
Keep up the good work on your blog! I really enjoy it.
Marc
weird, cuz I wrote a reply last night and it got lost in cyberspace. Anyway, here goes again:
I use/d maca over the last year some. Started when I read it can have good effects with the peri menopause stuff. Didnt notice a significant effect though. I still use it when I have a “shake” though. I like these: http://ruthshempfoods.com/proteinpower.html
(obviously the one with maca I refer to)
and
http://www.navitasnaturals.com/product-info/maca-power/about-maca-power.html
The aforementioned company also has a combo product I like to use for smoothies. I think it has hemp, flax and maca root!
I had started this thread on another site a while back. Hey and disregard the last few posts please!!
http://performancemenu.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2230&highlight=maca
ive been using maca for a while now but never on a regular basis. i just use it as a super-food, not for anything specific.
anyway i really like the taste so im not trying to cover it up but ive found that it goes really well with chocolate. i put it chocolate smoothies all the time. heres a link to the rcipe on my blog: http://blogginrobins.blogspot.com/2008/02/what-we-ate-today.html
ive also put it in raw bars using lara bars as a prototype but i dont have a recipe for that.
good luck with the research, cant wait to hear more.
i just found your blog and i love it!
Have used Maca for menopause hot flush symptoms, found it got rid of them completely now trying them on daughter aged 13 who has recently been diagnosed with PCOS
Happy researching
Bernadette
My husband & I started taking 100% pure Organic Raw Maca powder from Navitas naturals 2 days ago. It is very intriguing. Definately notice the energy boost but not like people are used to from other stimulants. It is very natural feeling- no jitters or anxiety. You just feel normal, awake and ready to take on the day.
I will note that it seems to last about 10-12 hours- with the 1st 2-5 having the biggest surge- if you can even call it that- it is very level really. I took around noon the 1st day and was tempted by the treadmill at 9pm!! Unheard of for me! Able to go to sleep just fine at 11- 11:30pm.
I too have suspected hormonal imbalances, and always wondered if my thyroid was out of whack but just haven’t got around to testingun… that & the energy were the draw for me. Anyway- I noticed being warmer too… maybe even flushed just a bit once or twice, but I have to add that I have randomly flushed when not taking Maca or anything else- so I am not ready to say it is or is not from the Maca. Since it is a whole food product I tend to believe the flushing is my own internal issue- time will tell.
I have to add that my husband who seems to have no thyroid or hormone issues did not flush or feel warm at all. Just energized.
Hi there!
I was just curious if you all ever discovered, or noticed, whether it mattered whether the maca was raw or cooked? Some people selling maca just swear it’s no good if it is raw. What do you think?
Thanks!!!
I have just discovered Maca Powder from Dr.Wongs suggestion and find that I am less grumpy and more energetic!
Discovered Maca root when I moved to the mountains two years ago. My trainer told me to take it to adjust to the altitude. Not only a phenomenal adaptogen, it also increases physical stamina for intense cardio work (skiing, for instance). It hugely helped me combat the altitude issues – having come from sea level. When my muscles were not responding to what I wanted them to do after a couple of hours of training, I could make them respond where I wasn’t able to without or before Maca. Maca works better if it isn’t used constantly. I use it when I need it. Then, when I’m doing well, I don’t use it until my muscles aren’t doing what I want. Ditto with hot flashes. (It also totally eliminated hot flashes and other major menopause symptoms like fatigue and mood swings).
Herb (MACA) should be taken in small amount .No more than 500mg per day.
I have been using Maca Powder for years and it has helped me tremenously in stamina, energy and for my PMS symptoms. It is now helping me minimize hot flashes from the perimenopause. I have always purcased my Maca from NaturalZing.com. I have found their products to be consistently good quality. I have used the maca extreme, the red maca and the regular maca. I haven’t really seen much difference amongh the various varieties.
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