What Are Macaenes and Macamides?

If you’ve done your research, you know that maca is chock-full of nutrients that nourish your body in a variety of ways. From amino acids to vitamins, minerals, and sterols, there are so many things that make maca root good for you. In our last post we talked about glucosinolates, anti-inflammatory and cancer-fighting compounds in maca root that are most prevalent in our premium maca.

Today, we’re going to learn more about macaenes and macamides, secondary metabolites that are almost entirely unique to maca root.

What is Maca Root?

Maca root, or Lepidium meyenii Walpers, is a cruciferous plant from the family Brassicaceae that originates high in the Peruvian Andes. Sometimes referred to as “Peruvian ginseng,” it’s a root vegetable that has been used as a food product and as a homeopathic treatment for an assortment of ailments for centuries, praised as an energetic stimulant as well as an aid for couples seeking to conceive. Maca root has been linked with a wide range of reported health benefits over the years - it’s associated with improved concentration, hormone balance, and it’s considered an adaptogen. What are adaptogens? To put it simply, they’re natural substances believed to help the body adapt to stress and exert a normalizing effect on bodily processes.

Maca grows in one of the most inhospitable climates in the world, and though there’s been some limited success at farming it in other parts of the world and imitating it in lab environments, only Peruvian-grown maca like what you’ll find at TheMacaTeam.com boasts the full range of maca root’s benefits. When you’re looking for something nutritious, you want to make sure you’re buying a product that’s organic, non-GMO, and Fair Trade - like The Maca Team’s maca root. 

What are Macaenes and Macamides?

So what do the macaenes and macamides in maca do? In short, a lot. The macamides in particular have been associated with multiple bioactivities, including “sexual activity enhancement, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-oxidative activity, neuroprotection, and vascular protection effects.”

Macaenes, which are unsaturated fatty acids, have meanwhile been reported to regulate lipid metabolism, enhancing fatty acid oxidation and decreasing the levels of circulating and cellular lipids in obese diabetic patients.

In short, they’re involved in a lot of the processes that continue to make maca such a popular food and nutritional supplement today. 

Which Maca Product Should You Try?

Unlike glucosinolates, there’s no real difference in the percentage of macamides or macaenes across our range of maca products. The “right” maca product for you depends on factors like your goals, your ideal serving size, the sensitivity of your digestion…and of course, how you feel about the flavor of maca root. It’s not for everyone, and it’s important to keep in mind that our premium maca products will be spicier and more pungent than our raw maca.

Our maca root powders are the most economical way to try maca, available in three different sizes of bags. You can also try our maca capsules, probably the quickest, most convenient way to get your daily dose of maca in, especially if you find that you don’t really care for the taste of maca root. And our maca liquid extracts are equally popular, combining a mild flavor with portability.

Our Maca Finder product selection tool allows you to enter some information about yourself and your goals before recommending a maca root product for you. And of course, we recommend consulting with a licensed medical professional before making any significant changes to your diet and exercise routine.

Why Buy From The Maca Team?

Our family-owned company sources our maca exclusively from the Peruvian Andes, where it’s sustainably grown and harvested by a local co-op of farmers. We’ve gone to great lengths to ensure that our customers are getting the highest-quality maca products out there. If you have any questions for us, please don’t hesitate to Contact Us using our web form, or call us toll-free at 888-919-8616.

Enjoy the Day!