Maca Hormonal Therapy - By: Shane Marie Wulf

Our body’s hormones are among its most essential components. Hormones have the ability to alter cell metabolism and development, and even the tiniest change in the amount of any of our body’s hormones will have the most far reaching effects. Our hormones are regulated by our endocrine system, which is made up of several important glands located throughout our body. One example of these glands is the pituitary gland, which regulates the levels of human growth hormone, an important component for skeletal and muscular growth and development. The man’s testes and the women’s ovaries are also part of the endocrine system. The hormones from these glands are responsible for a person’s sex drive and other physical characteristics such as body hair and muscle mass. These hormones are kept in a delicate balance by the endocrine system, which makes sure that our body receives only the right amounts of each hormone.

Unfortunately, there are times when things go wrong. Some people are born with hormonal deficiencies, while others develop it as a result of a disease. With some, hormone imbalances can come about as a natural result of aging. For generations, scientists and doctors have been using artificial hormones in a treatment known as hormone replacement therapy, but such steps remain controversial, and their effectiveness has been at times called into question. There is also the matter of cost; hormone replacement therapy isn’t cheap, so even if it were a proven cure, the price would still prohibit its extensive use.
Luckily, science has recently rediscovered an all natural food that helps people with hormone imbalances find relief and improve the quality of their lives. It is called maca, and it is derived from the plant lepidium peruvianum, which grows in the high altitudes and thin air of the Andes Mountains in South America. Maca root has long been used by the indigenous people of these areas as a staple food and a medicinal herb. Scientists theorize that maca’s nutritional content and unique properties are one of the factors that helped the people of the Andes Mountains adapt to the low levels of oxygen at their altitude. Maca is a good source of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber and essential fatty acids. A majority of this nutritional value is stored in the plant’s roots, which is why it is often crushed into "maca powder" before they are added to meals or drinks.

Maca has been shown to be a viable treatment option for people suffering from hormonal imbalances. This is because maca’s natural components have been shown to stimulate and stabilize the function of the various glands of the endocrine system. For example, scientific research has shown maca to be an effective treatment for people suffering disorders of the adrenal glands. These glands are responsible for producing several hormones, among them adrenaline, which initiates the human body’s fight or flight response, so essential to our survival. It also helps regulate our body’s energy levels. People suffering from deficiencies of the adrenal glands are usually lethargic because of their low energy levels. Such people who have been placed on a diet with maca in it have seen their energy levels go up, allowing them to lead more normal lives. The health benefits of maca are just as evident on the other components of the endocrine system.

The thymus gland is an essential component of both the endocrine and the immune systems. The thymus gland instructs the body’s T-cells and white cells to attack any foreign bodies, such as viruses, bacteria, and even cancer cells. Maca boosts the thymus gland’s function, resulting in a more robust immune system able to fight off diseases and infections.
The pancreas is a gland organ that serves both the digestive and endocrine systems. It secretes several essential hormones, including insulin and glucagon, which regulate the body’s blood sugar levels. When the pancreas fails to function properly, diabetes is often the result. Pancreatic cancer is also known as one of the more lethal cancers. A diet of regular maca consumption will not only provide the body with nutrition, but also protect you from these debilitating conditions. Yet the maca’s utility as a medicinal herb does not end there.

Maca root is also a long-recognized aphrodisiac, and has been used as such since its discovery thousands of years ago. Since the testes and the ovaries are part of the endocrine system, their functions are also improved when one consumes maca. Men and women alike have reported an increase in their libidos along with enhanced fertility. Men in particular have shown improved semen quality after regularly consuming maca. Its ability to reduce incidences of erectile dysfunction have earned it the nickname of ‘nature’s viagra’. The reproductive health of women also benefit from maca consumption. Women on maca have reported that they no longer suffer from the effects of premenstrual syndrome. It also provides them relief from the symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and night sweats. Maca consumption does not increase the actual amount of testosterone in the body. It simply sends the reproductive system into overdrive, which results n the increased sexual desire and performance.

Maca’s benefits also extend beyond physical fitness. Our moods and mental condition are also influenced by our hormones. People who have been on maca have reported a feeling of general well being. Maca helps the body fight off stress more effectively, and can also relieve the symptoms of depression and anxiety. For this reason, scientists have classified maca as an adaptogen, meaning that it is a substance that raises the body’s general resistance to illness, stress, and environmental factors.

About the Author

Jennifer Romero is a copywriter of Hidalgo Foods. They offer super foods and natural foods such as maca, quinoa,chia and acai.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Shane-Marie-Wulf/79092

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