 Forty
years of extensive research has been undertaken
of Maca's nutritional and medicinal values (Obregón.
1998), confirming the traditional claims of
Maca's health benefits. Maca's high nutritional
value comes from the fact that it contains about
59% carbohydrates, 14% proteins, 9% fiber and 2%
lipids among other components (Garró, 1972;
Garró, León y Julca, 1993, and Deni A.,
Migliuolo G.Rastrelli L., Saturnino P., and
Schefino O.; 1994; Cabieses 1997). Maca
contains:
1) a large number of essential amino acids, such
as aspartic acid, glutamic acid, serine, glycine,
arginine, valine and lysine (Garró, 1972);
2) fatty acids: palmatic acids,
linoleic acid and saturated fatty acids;
3) minerals (mg/100g), Fe 16.6,
Mn 0.8, Cu 5.9, Zn 3.8, Na 18.7, K 2,050 and Ca 150, and
4) vitamins, Thyamine (B1),
Riboflavin (B2), and Vitamin C (Garró, 1972 and Deni A., et al, 1994).
However, the major importance of Maca comes from the combination of its
nutritional elements with other components giving heightened
nutritional/medicinal effects. Thus:
1) 4 alkaloids named macaina 1,
2, 3 and 4 have been detected, which stimulate the reproductive system of both
sexes (Chacón, 1962; Garró, León, and Julca, 1993); it is considered that the
alkaloids in Maca activate the calcitonine hormone that regulates calcium and
phosphorus metabolism and activates the parathonnone involved with same
metabolism;
2) the high presence of the
amino-acids lysine and arginine in Maca has an effect on the regulation of
female and male fertility respectively; arginine constitutes 80% of male
reproductive cells, thus, Maca could solve problems related to deficiency of
these amino acids, leading to lack of sexual desire and originating certain
types of male and female infertility;
3) among its components are
certain sterols, (Espinoza and Poma, 1995): Brassycosterol, Ergosterol,
Carnpesterol, delta 7.22 Ergostadienol, and specially Sitosterol (Dini A. et al,
1994). Correction of menopause problems and an increase in female fertility are
attributed to Maca sterols and lysine;
4) glucosinolates have been
found, specially benzyl isotiocyanate (Johns, 1980); this author finds that
worldwide, plants with glucosinolates, like Maca, are consumed because of their
action on reproductive hormonal processes, and
5) fructose, a monosaccharide
sugar with 173.3 degree of sweetness, superior to glucose, is present; fructose
is recommended for combating athletes' fatigue; fructose is a sugar utilized by
seminal plasma to give energy to spermatozoids.
Tests on guinea pigs, frogs, cattle, sheep and certain observations made with
human beings showed:
1) increase in female fertility
and the production of seminal fluid in males;
2) animals fed with Maca had
the same weight as those fed on other products, but, those fed with Maca were
more active and energetic, that is to say, Maca is a great source of energy
without fattening;
3) young born from female fed
on Maca had higher birth weight;
4) it may control rickets and
osteomalacia in children and adults;
5) it may revitalizes physical
and intellectual capabilities,
6) it may be effective against
premature aging and organic feebleness with the loss of energy, and
7) it may control different
kinds of anemia.
In summary, the Peruvian Andes offer Maca as one of the best natural
revitalizing and invigorating substances that exist; for this reason it is
called an Andean Ginseng. In general, Maca can overcome energy wear and tear
caused by the modern accelerated way of life, poor nutrition and inadequate
social and hygienic environment.
Dini A., Migliuolo G.,
Rastrelli L., Saturnino P. and Schettino O.,
"Chemical composition of Lepidium meyenii", in
Food Chemistry 49, London, UK, 1994.
Chacón, G. Estudio fitoquímico de Lepidium
meyenii Walp Thesis, Universidad Nacional Mayor
San Marcos, Lima, 1962.
Espinoza, C.L. and Poma 1. P., Determinación de
amino ácidos esenciales de la maca (Lepidium
meyenii) y elaboración de una mezcla protéica a
base de alimentos andinos, Thesis, Universidad
Nacional del Centro del Perú, Huancayo, 1995
Fitomédica, "Maca, ginseng andino", in
Fitomédica, Madrid, 1998.
Garró V. Nuevo sistema de solventes para
cromatografía de aminoácidos y participación
cuantitativa de L-valina y L-metionina, Doctoral
Thesis, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica,
Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima,
1972.
Garró V. León E. and Julca T.B., " Extracción,
separación e identificación por cromatografía de
alcaloides de Lepidium meyenii Walp. (Maka),
Instituto de Química Orgánica Aplicada a la
Farmacia, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica,
Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, VI
Congreso Peruano de Farmacia y Bioquimíca,
October, 1993.
Johns, Timothy A., Ethnobotany and
phytochemistry of Tropaeolum Tuberosum and
Lepidium Meyenii from Andean South America Ph.D.
Thesis, The University of British Columbia,
Canada, 1980.
Obregón, L., Maca, Planta medicinal y nutritivo
del Perú, Instituto de Fitoterapia Americana,
Lima, Perú, 1998.
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