Much confusion exists about MACA. and several species of MACA are being sold including other species being grown in Bolivia, Chile, Brazil, Colombia and other parts of South America. The seeds were removed from Peru in order for plants to grow in other countries, but the biggest difference is the mineral value of the soil in the high Andes mountains that made maca what it is today. Even though these imports are being called Maca they are really not the true plant that produces  the medicinal properties you have been reading about. Today it is against the law in Peru to remove seeds from the country.

The only species backed by scientific studies is Lepidium peruvianum Chacon. Named after the researcher, Dr. Gloria Chacon de Popovici, this MACA is known to contain all the nutrients and alkaloids responsible for the medicinal and beneficial effects MACA is known for. Only Lepidium peruvianum Chacon has scientific studies behind it. Dr. Chacon works directly with A Healthy Alternative, LLC to insure and guarantees the high quality and organic quality of our MACA. Other species called MACA are wild and do not grow in this specific region of Peru and do not meet the medicinal and nutritional standards of Lepidium peruvianum Chacón. Many brands of MACA are rated standardized and are made in a laboratory as opposed to grown in rich mineral soils that contain the healing qualities and alkaloids found in Imperial Gold Maca™ available only through A Healthy Alternative, LLC or it's worldwide distributors. Using only 100% premium grade Maca root, this MACA is considered the best all natural product available anywhere. 

Dr. Hugo Malaspina,  a cardiologist practicing complementary medicine in Lima, Peru, has been using Maca in his practice for more than ten years. Dr. Malaspina first found out about Maca through a group of sexually active older men who were taking the herb with good results. "One of these individuals in our group started taking Maca and found he was able to perform satisfactorily in a sexual relationship with a lady friend". Soon everyone in the group began drinking the powdered Maca as a beverage and enjoying the boost that the root was giving their hormonal functions. I have several of these men as patients, and their improvement prompted me to find out more about Maca and begin recommending it to my other patients on a regular basis."

Dr. Malaspina also frequently prescribes Maca to women experiencing premenstrual discomfort or menopausal symptoms. "There are different medicinal plants that work on the ovaries by stimulating them," he says. "With Maca though, we should say that it regulates the ovarian function." Dr. Malaspina further notes that "Maca regulates the organs of internal secretion, such as the pituitary, the adrenal glands, and the pancreas. I have had perhaps two hundred female patients whose Perimenopause and menopausal symptoms have been  alleviated by taking Maca."

The benefits of MACA are not limited to older adults. The herb may support hormonal functioning in younger adults as well, and athletes have been reporting increased energy and stamina in their workout's. Teenagers have also reported benefits from it's effects on hormone-balancing and acne. Athletes may have a much greater endurance when using Imperial Gold Maca™.