Maca – Miracle Superfood for Happier Hormones?
Hormonal issues plaguing your perimenopause or menopause transition? You’re not alone. From erratic periods to hot flashes to crashing libido, hormone havoc impacts over 75% of women. But mother nature has a miracle fix that relieves common woes, gentle enough to use daily… Peruvian maca root!
Let’s explore the top five research-backed benefits of harvesting this ancient Andean superfood for thriving hormonal wellbeing at any age. Plus my favorite ways to incorporate maca into your self-care routine!
#1 Maca Lessens Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
If unpredictable hot flashes and night sweats have you dreading another day, maca is here to save the day. Studies demonstrate maca safely reduces the severity, duration and frequency of these disruptive vasomotor symptoms in perimenopausal and menopausal women. Win! Scientists suspect adaptogenic compounds called macamides providing hormone-balancing support are responsible for maca’s soothing effects.
#2 Maca Eases Painful Periods Without Prescriptions
Up to 25% of menstruating women battle moderately severe pain monthly from menses. Yet too often providers dismiss very real period woes as normal instead of addressing root causes. Maca once again comes in clutch offering safe cramp and hormonal migraine relief without side effect-laden pain pills!
Research finds 3 grams of maca daily slashes pain while gently promoting ovulatory regularity. Maca’s unique nourishing glycosides called macaenes support the entire hormonal cascade involved in healthy, predictable cycles. Wave goodbye to debilitating cramps!
#3 Maca Bumps Up Libido and Sexual Satisfaction
A tanking postmenopausal libido is often brushed off as just another joy of aging after years of fluctuating hormones. Yet regular, satisfying sensuality is key for quality relationships and emotional health. Once more, maca rises to the occasion as numerous studies demonstrate it safely improves sexual function and satisfaction in those struggling with lowered desire. Win-win! Scientists believe maca’s positive effects on mood, hormones, blood flow and nerve health all contribute to feeling frisky again.
#4 Maca Lifts Low Mood and Fuzzy Focus
Hormone fluctuations notoriously impact mental health and cognition as estrogen and serotonin dance together influencing emotion regulation, motivation, memory and concentration. In fact, over 80% of perimenopausal women battle increased depression, anxiety, insomnia and brain fog. I’m loving maca more and more as studies show it boosts mood and thinking skills in just 6-8 weeks of daily use thanks to bioactive compounds and nervous system support. Cue the happy dance!
#5 Maca Helps Keep Hormones Balanced Long Term
I saved the best for last because maca provides love to the entire endocrine system long term instead of just temporarily tweaking symptoms. Adaptogenic compounds gently nourish glands improving communication between the hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenals, thyroid and ovaries/testes promoting graceful aging. Now that’s smart, forward focused plant medicine we can all get behind for lifelong thriving!
Ways To Reap Maca’s Hormone Repairing Benefits
From smoothies to coffee to raw treats, maca brings nice flavor and nutrients allowing you to reap benefits easily. Here are my favorite ways to enjoy daily:
- Add 1 tsp powder to your morning latte, hot cocoa, yogurt or oats
- Blend into smoothies, muffins or energy bites with berries and banana
- Stir into nut butter and dip apple slices for a snack
- Whip into breakfast egg scrambles or sweet potato mash
- Look for maca in hormone balancing supplement formulas
Takeaway
Out of all the herbs and nutrients that gently nourish hormonal health, maca stands out with the wide array of science-backed benefits for women in midlife and beyond. As the ancients knew, maca perfectly nurtures female resiliency in times of change. I encourage women struggling through perimenopausal, menopausal or postmenopausal hormone headaches to give this Andean adaptogen a try alongside balancing lifestyle strategies!
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