Best Maca Root Supplement - Is Maca a Supplement?

There are many reasons people take health supplements, ranging from keeping up with their daily dose of vitamins to trying to put on muscle mass. You’ve probably heard of maca as a supplement, given that it’s often mistakenly referred to as such. But maca root isn’t a supplement - it’s a superfood, like blueberries or kale. Let’s take a better look at what maca is and isn’t, and how you can make it fit into your diet.

What is Maca Root?

Maca is a cruciferous vegetable of the family Brassicaceae, related to cauliflower and radishes. But maca is unique in a number of ways. For one thing, unlike these more common plants, maca grows at extreme altitudes of up to 13,000 feet in the Andes. In Peru, maca root has been harvested by locals for consumption by humans of all ages as well as livestock. Though it waned in popularity for some time, people across the world are now learning of maca root’s potent nutritional qualities and the ways it can positively impact their health. 

Maca’s Nutritional Benefits

Maca’s reported benefits include increased energy, a boost to the libido, hormone health, and more. It is, after all, a superfood, which means that it can support your health in a number of ways. This is because of maca’s nutritional content.

Let’s consider maca’s protein content first - 1.6g of protein in a 10g serving size. It’s not a lot, but it’s bioavailable plant protein that’s easy for the body to assimilate.

Maca also packs a lot of essential amino acids - nearly all of them, in fact, including those responsible for driving many cellular functions in the body. Free fatty acids do the same, and maca root contains plenty of those as well, namely linolenic acid, palmetic acid, and oleic acid.

What about vitamins? Your daily serving of maca root can provide you with B1 and B2 vitamins, which help the body convert those carbohydrates into energy, and improve red blood cell production. Maca is also a source of minerals including calcium, phosphorus, and potassium.

Our premium maca products in particular are a good source of glucosinolates. Glucosinolates are secondary metabolites found in maca which are known for their cancer-fighting properties.

There’s also the presence of the compounds known as macamides and macaenes, which are found exclusively within maca. What do they do for you? They’re believed to play a role in bioactivities like sexual activity enhancement, and possess anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative protective effects.

Maca is also considered an adaptogen. Adaptogens are natural substances that help the body resist diseases by supporting both physiological and emotional health. Maca is credited not only with helping the body handle outside stressors better, but also with improving mental clarity and acuity. 

How Do I Add Maca to my Diet?

Maca may not be a supplement, but it’s still a healthy addition to your daily food and exercise routine. Like many nutritional supplements, there are several ways you can consume your maca.

We sell our organic Peruvian maca root in multiple formulations. You can get the most bang for your buck with maca root powder, which you can purchase in three different sizes. There are also maca capsules for speed and convenience. Take them throughout the day as you would your nutritional supplements for some added pep to your step. Our liquid maca extract is handy for on the go consumption - just hold a couple droppersful under your tongue for about 30 seconds, or simply add it to your beverage of choice. You can do the same with our maca coffee mix, The Morning Motivator, or drink it on its own for a nutritious coffee substitute. Finally, we also offer maca chips, the closest thing you’ll get to whole maca root outside of Peru. Cook them with your morning oatmeal, or prepare a traditional dish like Mazamorra de Maca.

The Maca Team for Maca Supplements

Why should you shop The Maca Team? We’re not just looking to make a buck - we want you to know that you’re buying the highest quality maca you can find, so you can be confident about your decision. If you have any further questions about our maca, don’t hesitate to Contact Us using our web form, or call us toll-free at 888-919-8616. We’re happy to help.

Enjoy the day!