Are you a fan of Maca powder and wondering how to cycle it for optimal benefits?
Look no further!
Maca is a superfood that has been used for over 20 years and has gained popularity for its potential health benefits. However, it’s important to take breaks from consuming it to allow your body to stabilize its hormones without the influence of Maca powder.
In this article, we’ll explore the two ways to cycle Maca powder and how to determine the optimal dosage based on the form of Maca you plan to take. We’ll also delve into the potential benefits of Maca powder and what scientific evidence supports these claims.
So, let’s get started on how to cycle Maca powder for maximum benefits!
How To Cycle Maca Powder?
There are two ways to cycle Maca powder: taking one day off per week after consuming it daily for 4-6 weeks or taking 5 days off in a row per month. These breaks give your body a chance to stabilize its hormones without the influence of Maca powder. Additionally, taking a break from Maca powder can increase its effects when you resume consumption.
Determining the optimal dosage of Maca powder depends on the form of Maca you plan to take. Capsules are convenient and may contain 100% Maca or Maca blended with complementary herbs. Tinctures are also available in alcohol or glycerin forms from various companies. Once you’ve settled on the best type of Maca for you, it’s time to determine dosing.
While taking Maca powder while on hormonal contraception is not recommended, using it after coming off the pill or other forms of hormonal contraception may be helpful. Many women find it’s the best time to take Maca root, noting an easier transition to natural cycling and boosting of hormone production after being suppressed for so long.
Apart from anecdotal evidence, there is limited scientific evidence supporting the health claims surrounding Maca powder. While it does contain polysaccharide compounds that can act as antioxidants in the body, no scientific link has been made between these antioxidants and improved health measures. It’s easy to load up on antioxidants via less expensive foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and even whole grains.
If you’re hoping Maca powder will improve your love life, there is limited data suggesting it may help with fertility and libido. However, more research is needed to fully back up these claims.
Maca powder may give your athletic pursuits a boost. A British study found that male cyclists who supplemented with Maca extract for two weeks experienced an improvement in their 40-kilometer cycling time performance and also their sexual desire. But this was just a pilot study conducted on only eight subjects without any mechanism being sussed out.
Maca root powder is also often billed as an adaptogen, which some will say makes it useful to help your body adapt to various stresses and improve vitality. But it’s hard to say if this is the case because there just isn’t any research worth noting to prove yay or nay.
As for its overall nutrition breakdown, Maca like other root vegetables does contain an array of nutrients that can add a boost to your diet. However, if you’re just taking a teaspoon or so a day, you won’t get a major nutritional windfall from Maca.
What Is Maca Powder And Its Potential Benefits?
Maca powder is a powdered form of the root vegetable maca, which has been used for centuries by various South American cultures to balance hormones, boost libido and fertility, reduce anxiety, bolster mental clarity, and improve stamina and strength. Maca powder is now being sold around the globe and touted as a powder with do-it-all powers.
Some evidence suggests that taking concentrated maca supplements may benefit those with low libido or low sexual desire. Studies have shown that maca may improve sexual function and libido in both men and women, and may also enhance fertility. Maca has also been used to balance hormones and increase energy and vitality. However, it’s important to note that these benefits are largely anecdotal, and there is limited scientific evidence supporting the health claims surrounding maca powder.
While taking maca powder may offer potential benefits, it’s important to cycle it properly. This means taking breaks from consumption to allow your body to stabilize its hormones without the influence of maca powder. Determining the optimal dosage of maca powder depends on the form of maca you plan to take, and it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional before beginning any new supplement regimen.
Why Is Cycling Maca Powder Important?
Cycling Maca powder is important to ensure that your body doesn’t become too reliant on it. Taking Maca powder continuously for an extended period of time can cause your body to adapt to its effects, reducing its effectiveness. By taking breaks from Maca powder, you give your body a chance to stabilize its hormones without the influence of Maca powder. This allows your body to reset and become more receptive to the effects of Maca when you resume consumption. Additionally, cycling Maca powder can help prevent any potential side effects that may arise from prolonged use. It’s important to note that determining the optimal dosage and cycling schedule of Maca powder depends on the individual and the form of Maca being consumed. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen.
Determining The Optimal Dosage For Your Maca Powder
Determining the optimal dosage for your Maca powder depends on several factors, including the type of Maca you’re using, your size, digestive health, and health goals. While there’s no official recommended dosage for Maca powder, the standard dose generally used in human studies ranges from 1500 mg – 3000 mg taken daily with food over 6-16 weeks.
It’s important to note that every brand of Maca powder and supplement will contain a different amount of Maca per serving. Therefore, it’s best to start with the recommended amount on the bottle and observe how Maca affects your body. You can always increase or decrease the amount as needed.
Gelatinized Maca used in some formulas is Maca root that’s had the starch removed by soaking in boiling water. The people of the Peruvian highlands have recommended cooking Maca because they believe it makes the plant’s nutrients and phytocompounds more absorbable while reducing the chance of stomach upset. Therefore, you may be able to take less of a gelatinized product than a non-gelatinized product and still see great results.
Dosing Maca powder isn’t an exact science, so it’s important to talk to your healthcare practitioner when seeking Maca dosing to support a specific bodily system or concern. Additionally, if you’re pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a chronic health condition, it’s always best to check with your practitioner before taking any supplements.
In general, starting with one-third (1/3) or half (1/2) level teaspoon (2g) a day is a good place to start. Work your way up slowly after a few days, up to 1 teaspoon (4g) or more, depending on how much extra energy you require. It is also completely fine to maintain daily dosage at 1/2 tsp a day or less; the important thing is to listen to your body- how it is responding. Avoid consuming maca at night. If you experience too much energy when taking Maca, simply consume less. Take a day off a week, or a week off a month, so that your body remains responsive to maca’s phytonutrients in the long run.
Scientific Evidence Supporting The Benefits Of Maca Powder
While there is limited scientific evidence supporting the health claims surrounding Maca powder, there are some potential benefits that have been studied. Maca does contain polysaccharide compounds that can act as antioxidants in the body, which may help protect cells from the damaging effects of free radicals and lessen the risk for certain diseases like cancer. Additionally, a recent trial found that men who consumed Maca daily for two months experienced increased sperm concentration and motility, although it’s unknown if this translates into improved fertility.
Limited data also suggest that Maca may give your athletic pursuits a boost. A British study found that male cyclists who supplemented with Maca extract for two weeks experienced an improvement in their 40-kilometer cycling time performance and also their sexual desire. However, this was just a pilot study conducted on only eight subjects without any mechanism being sussed out.
Maca root powder is also often billed as an adaptogen, which some will say makes it useful to help your body adapt to various stresses and improve vitality. While there just isn’t any research worth noting to prove yay or nay, anecdotal evidence suggests that Maca may help alleviate symptoms of stress and anxiety.
Precautions And Side Effects Of Maca Powder
While Maca powder is generally considered safe for most people, it’s important to be aware of potential precautions and side effects before incorporating it into your diet.
Firstly, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it’s best to talk to your doctor before taking Maca supplements. Additionally, people with thyroid conditions should avoid Maca as it may cause thyroid gland enlargement (goiter).
Because Maca can alter hormone levels, it should also be avoided by people with hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine fibroids, and endometriosis. Maca has been reported to cause heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding and raised testosterone levels in some women.
It’s also important to note that dietary supplements like Maca are not regulated like drugs in the United States, meaning the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve them for safety and effectiveness before products are marketed. Therefore, it’s important to choose a supplement tested by a trusted third party, such as USP, ConsumerLabs, or NSF, when possible.
If you experience anything which makes you feel unsure or anxious after consuming Maca powder in your diet, please see your doctor to make sure it is alright for you to continue taking it. Additionally, women with hormone-sensitive conditions including endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and certain cancers should speak with their physician before using Maca powder. Keeping a food/symptom log can also be helpful in identifying any positive or negative side effects of Maca powder.
