Info re: Maca + a question for waxingmoon
October 24 2008 at 7:42 AM SoCal.grl (Login SoCal.grl)
SENIOR MEMBER
Hi everyone,
I purchased the "Navitas Naturals" gelatinized Maca Powder (that waxingmoon used) from iherb.com (Shipping is currently a $1.99 flat rate for domestic orders, i.e. within the U.S.). But there isn't any info on the package about how to correctly measure to get the right serving size. So I searched this forum and found my answer on one of waxingmoon's posts, of course
http://www.network54.com/Forum/371678/th...routine%29
"...The instructions said to take 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per day. This would have made for 120 servings according to the bag. I took 1/2 tablespoon to 1 tablespoon per day."
and from her program page:
http://www.network54.com/Forum/482052/th...a+to+start
Program Page dated 5/2/08:
"According to my package, 1/2 to 1 tsp = 3.5 grams of powder ... My best guess is that they mean that 1 tsp has 3.5 grams of gelatanized powder. So 1/2 tsp would have 1.75 grams or 1750 mg. Now since this is a gelatanized powder it may be more like an extract - meaning more powerful than the herb would normally be ... Edit: I see now that you asked about a 1/2 tablespoon, which would be 1 and 1/2 teaspoons, so the dosage you are asking about would be 5250 mg. (that sounds like a lot to me...)"
Ironically, my package states that the daily serving size is 5g??!??
waxingmoon's Program Page dated 9/1/08:
"When I first began taking Maca I took much more than the package recommended. The package said to take 1/2 to 1 teaspoon and I was taking at least 1/2 TABLESPOON (1.5 teaspoons) up to a full TABLESPOON (3 teaspoons)...This meant I was taking in a minimum of 5250 - 10,000!!!! mg per day ... I DO NOT recommend anyone use this much - EVER ... I would say to limit your dosage to 1000 - 1500 mg per day"
Interestingly, I found a thread about women experimenting with Maca to grow both breasts and booty. Eve's forum is mentioned on p.10
http://forum.blackhairmedia.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=148128&PN=1
It's a loooooong thread; one particular lady (aussie101) had great success using the Natrol brand - 1500 mg (3pills)/day. Supposedly, 4500 mg is the daily amount recommended by Natrol. aussie101's before and after pics are on p.15
Also on p.15, another brand is mentioned - Royal Maca extract powder: "1/4 tsp = 625 mg and daily serving size is 1/4 tsp to 2 tsp" (5000mg).
I'm curious about Maca's effects and will let you know if it works.
Also, here's a link about the risks with Maca:
http://www.highonhealth.org/what-nobody-...e-effects/
Note comment #4 from Fran (the author of the article) who suggests taking it on Days 1-14 only.
waxingmoon, what do you think about cycling Maca? Like you, she also recommends slowly ramping up the doses and explains why and how to take period breaks.
Thanks in advance, waxingmoon, for your help! By the way, I've always enjoyed reading your posts, especially your personal program page. You have an awesome sense of humor and your positive attitude is infectious
waxingmoon
(Login waxingmoon)
SENIOR MEMBER
Re: info re: Maca + a question for waxingmoon
October 24 2008, 12:38 PM
Hi SoCalgrl,
Way to research your topic of interest... well done.
Well, some of the maca is not a gelatinized form, so the 'use' amount would be much higher. Apparently gelatinizing is somewhat like an extract in the way it concentrates the substance.
The amount of maca I initially used was way over the top. I was being stupid and foolhardy but mostly I was just convinced that NBE meant using A LOT of whatever... This was way back before I had read enough to be less of an idiot. The effect of that much maca was very dramatic and unfortunately probably something that set me back in my attempts to control my estrogen dominance.
We sometimes get lulled into a belief that an herb touted as 'balancing' to hormones can do more that what is chemically possible. With maca there is not much information except for testimonial (like my account) or that which is promoted by companies that are selling the product. Scientific evidence about maca's effects is seriously lacking - much like any other NBE substance.
What I can say about maca's mode of action is that it seems to act like steroidal saponins which are a precursor to hormones in the body. Maca is used by both men and women, which makes it seem like a substance that would promote the creation of testosterone and estrogen. In other words, it would not directly supply those hormones, but would make it easier for our body to create them. This would support the fat increases and muscle building support that are mentioned in testimonials about maca's function.
You have heard accounts about my first round of maca... massive amounts for less than a month and the result of a big ole butt to show for it. My second round of maca was a much different story. Since I had not used the whole bag and since I just couldn't stand to waste it I tried again. This time I used maca during the last 14 days of my cycle (yes I know this flies in the face of what I just said about it being a precursor to estrogen... if I am anything, I am inconsistently inconsistent... lol). I used only what the package said to use 1 to 1.5 teaspoon (versus the tablespoon amount I had used before) per day. During this time I was using fennel during the first 14 days of my cycle as well and also using progesterone cream during the time I was using the maca. I seemed to have gained a little breast size from this regime and it did not increase my big ole butt further.
So, to summarize. Maca versus maca is not necessarily the same thing because of differences in potency - therefore accounts of use amounts will vary. Again I point to the whole extract versus herb issue as a guide. You use less of an extract (gelatinized maca) than you do an herb (non-gelatinized maca).
As far as timing the use - yes I did that, but opposite the way the other woman used it.
Hopefully this rather rambling account has been of some use to you. Thanks for your kind words about my 'humor'... it is fun for me, so I am glad you can share in my joy.
I think maca can be useful but I would say you can't take anyone's account too much to heart. There are many other factors present that make testimonials rather worthless as a scientific study. It should be safe at reasonable amounts but watch your body's reaction and respond accordingly.
Best wishes,
waxingmoon
Bewbs
(no login)
Re: info re: Maca + a question for waxingmoon
October 24 2008, 4:20 PM
How does the Maca powder taste?
MermaidSlur
(Login MermaidSlur)
Re: info re: Maca + a question for waxingmoon
October 24 2008, 5:05 PM
doesnt maca also come as herb capsules? is this kind not as good as the gelatinized form?
Dory505
(Login Dory505)
Re: info re: Maca + a question for waxingmoon
October 26 2008, 7:43 AM
i have ordered maca and i should recieve it in days. but i need to know is Maca gonna gonna make me gain weight all over my body or just boobs and butt? cause i have read in some of the links provided above that women are using maca for Weight gain!! i have already too much fat in arms, belly and thighs!! all fat in the wrong parts :S has anyone gained weight from maca? specialy in arms and belly?? << biggest fear
SoCal.grl
(Login SoCal.grl)
SENIOR MEMBER
Re: info re: Maca + a question for waxingmoon
October 26 2008, 11:07 AM
waxingmoon - Thank you for your golden advice! I completely agree with you about the potency of pills vs. extracts, which is why I was initially confused about how much to take.
Bewbs - upon Fran's recommendation, I'm waiting for the start of my cycle to take Maca so I don't know what it tastes like yet. Will let you know when I do.
MermaidSlur - I can't attest to the gelatinized powder being better than the pills. Honestly, I'm just tired of swallowing pills and felt that mixing the powder into my morning yogurt or smoothie is a better fit. And as waxingmoon pointed out, the gelatinized form undergoes "an extrusion process to concentrate the active ingredients" so I don't have to take as much. Though, I did pore over all of the websites selling Maca and did a comparison check. Being a firm believer of "you get what you pay for," I was a little wary of some of the brands. I chose "Navitas Naturals" because it is 100% certified organic, kosher & vegan (by the Control Union and US Dept of Agriculture). You should double-check where each company's Maca root is coming from; it should be cultivated in Peru/Peruvian Andes. Granted the Navitas brand is more expensive than the other brands out there, but I can't risk putting just anything into my body. "Navitas" also produces maca as raw powder and capsules, if you're interested.
Dory505 - My understanding of the thread from the Black Hair Forum is these women are taking maca soley for boobies & booty growth. Yes, some women who are trying to gain weight are also posting on this thread, so it makes it confusing to separate the two. I re-read the thread and the women who are making gains are doing so in their bra and pants (butt) sizes only. Those who are trying to gain weight are taking Periactin pills to stimulate their appetite. Also, waxingmoon stated that she didn't gain any weight while on Maca. Lastly, I've read on various websites that Maca is an "adaptogen" that supposedly gives your body what it needs (e.g.
http://www.macaroot.com/benefits/index.html) None of the sites mentioned weight gain as a side effect. However, I want to stress that herbal/"natural" supplements have different effects on different people.
Well, wish me luck and best wishes to everyone on their NBE journey!!
sandy
(Login sandy111)
SENIOR MEMBER
Re: info re: Maca + a question for waxingmoon
October 26 2008, 3:09 PM
I checked the natrol website.Their maca is 500 mg per pill and it is a 4:1 extract so i when ( Aussie 101 ) was taking 1500 mg (3 pills) this means she was actuallt taking 6000mg of maca per day.
