Maca, which is a plant native to Peru, is one that can be eaten for its nutritional properties, but one that also has certain medicinal properties. One way in which it has been used is to boost a woman’s fertility, helping her become pregnant.
While maca may help you give your fertility the bump you need, it should never be used in place of any fertility treatments and medications your obstetrician has prescribed. However, used in conjunction with them, you could get the results you want before you know it.
As with anything else, it’s a good idea to do a little bit of research into maca for fertility before giving it a try. Here is what the experts say you should know.
What’s The Research?
The most prominent study was done in Germany and actually examines the fertility of males rather than females. The study found that male participants who used the maca powder experienced a boost in sperm production as well as increasing the libido, which may be beneficial for couples who are trying to have a baby.
The research also shows that women who use maca may have a higher libido, which can translate to a markedly better chance of becoming pregnant. This information shows that both the male and the female must be a part of fertility treatments. When used with traditional methods, maca could improve the chances of conception significantly.
How Does It Work?
According to the experts, maca increases serum luteinizing hormone, which is located in the pituitary gland. This plays a role in fertility for both men and women. While much of the research on maca for fertility has been done on animals, the process is similar in humans, so scientists theorize that the basics are the same.
When you consume maca, it boosts the serum production, driving libido and fertility in males and females. While more research is needed to find conclusive proof of the benefits of maca, many doctors are excited about its prospects, and you should certainly discuss its potential pros and cons with your obstetrician.
How To Eat Maca
Maca has been eaten for generations in Peru and other parts of the world. It is commonly eaten cooked and mashed, but you can also find it in powder or capsule form. The maca powder can also be used in ways similar to traditional wheat flour in things like cookies, cakes and quick breads.
In Peruvian culture most people eat quite a bit of maca because it is considered a staple in their diet. They typically eat it as a side dish in a similar way to how Americans eat potatoes or rice. You can also add the maca powder to smoothies, soup or pasta sauce to reap the benefits without having to find it at the supermarket.
Is Maca Right For You?
Maca is generally considered safe, but it might not be right for everyone. Again, it’s important to discuss using maca with your doctor before giving it a try for fertility. Maca is considered by some experts as a superfood. However, when taken in pill or powder form, it has some potential side effects that you should be aware of.
For example, the root is a stimulant so should not be mixed with things like coffee, energy drinks or caffeine pills. Maca can also lead to digestive disturbances, changes to your heartbeat and sweating. If you decide to try maca for your fertility, ease into it rather than taking a bunch of it at one time. Take your time and you can get used to maca gradually.
Nutritional Profile Of Maca
Maca, in addition to boosting fertility, can help you get your nutrients to the proper levels. Overall good health is a contributor to the ease at which you can get pregnant. That’s why eating a well-rounded meal plan is so important if you’re trying to get pregnant.
Maca is packed with calcium, selenium, magnesium, iron and fiber. These nutrients play a significant role in many of your body’s functions and support healthy digestion, cholesterol levels, strong bones and healthy blood flow.
If you’re working to boost fertility, adding maca can work in a couple of ways. It can certainly help you get healthy and support a growing baby, but it can also get you in the mood and boost your fertility.
Caution When It Comes To Maca
As with any supplement or alternative medicine products, health experts strongly encourage both males and females to discuss the use of maca with their doctor before using it. Women, especially, should never just start taking something without making sure it’s safe. Because a pregnancy is not usually discovered for about four weeks, a woman could be pregnant and not realize it.
Using caution with supplements and dietary choices is vital from the time you decide to try for a baby until after that baby is born and you have finished breastfeeding. Male or female, if you’re taking any kind of medication, it’s important to be sure that maca won’t interact negatively with it before you add it to your daily routine.
Other Fertility Things To Consider
Maca certainly isn’t the only way to boost your fertility. If you want to double up on more than one method to get pregnant or you can’t get hold of maca in any form, there are some other techniques that are more widely studied than maca and that are backed by science and medical experts.
As mentioned above, eating a healthy diet is important, but you can also limit caffeine intake. Men and women should avoid illicit drugs, alcohol and cigarettes, exercise regularly, stay away from chemicals and hazardous materials and stay away from potential dangers.
Women should also keep close track of their cycle because by being off just a couple of days, you could miss your chance to conceive. Having consistent and regular intercourse also boosts the chances of getting pregnant.
If you are suffering with infertility, it’s important to meet with your doctor to discuss what could be going on and the best ways to address it. With a plan of action, you can go forward with your plans to become parents and hopefully find success in just a few months.
You may decide to use shots of medications to increase egg production, or you could decide to try IVF. The first steps will be keeping track of your body temperature and cycle and choosing the right times to have intercourse.
Infertility is a serious issue that couples have to be on the same page about so that they can reach their dream of becoming parents without a strain on their relationship. Maca is just one way that you can do this, so keep an open mind and consider it a viable option for you and your partner.
