Is it okay to take maca while breastfeeding

Posted by Wen Dan Jiang on

 

Is It Okay To Take Maca While Breastfeeding?

 

Is it okay to take Maca while breastfeeding? The straightforward answer is yes. A breastfeeding mother can take 3 grams (less than a teaspoon) of Maca as a supplement. It can be used up to 3 grams up to 4 months. 1

 

Maca is generally considered safe and boosts energy and stamina. Maca enhances the body fitness and gives a big kick of energy to your system and is one food you should include in your health regime.

It is said to be the superfood because it delivers the goods on the nutrition front. There are several things to understand that will help you make the most of taking Maca yourself.

 

1. Maca Root- Introduction, Benefits

Maca is cultivated in Peru and Bolivia which contains high-quality minerals and nutrients.1

It is considered to be helpful in breastfeeding.2 Vegetable of the mustard family: especially mustard greens; various cabbages; broccoli; cauliflower; Brussels sprout and kale. It has a long history of and medicinal use in Peru .3

 

The main edible part of the plant is the root, which grows underground. It exists in several colors, ranging from white to black maca is also highly recommended during breastfeeding for increasing milk production, improving the quality of the milk and helping to prevent post-natal blues.4

 

2. Maca Powder’s Nutrition

Maca powder holds carbohydrate (65 to 75 percent), protein (9 to 13 percent), fat (0.6 to 0.9 percent), and fiber (4 to 8 percent, mainly cellulose and lignin). A 15-gram serving is high in copper and manganese, and a good source of vitamin B1 and iron.

 

Maca root powder is very nutritive and is a great source of several important vitamins and minerals.5

One ounce (28 grams) of Maca root powder contains:

  • Calories: 91
  • Carbs: 20 grams
  • Protein: 4 grams
  • Fiber: 2 grams
  • Fat: 1 gram
  • Vitamin C: 133% of the RDI
  • Copper: 85% of the RDI
  • Iron: 23% of the RDI
  • Potassium: 16% of the RDI
  • Vitamin B6: 15% of the RDI
  • Manganese: 10% of the RDI

 

3. A Safe Dosage That Everyone Can Use:

A breastfeeding mother can take 3 grams (less than a teaspoon) of Maca as a supplement. It should be used for up to 4 months.

Maca is available in various dosage forms including powder, liquid, tablets, and capsules. Most commercial Web sites recommend a daily dose of 1 dried Maca extract 450 mg capsule 3 times daily taken orally with food.

 

Residents of the Andes Mountains in Peru consume up to 100 g of Maca per day without side effects 6

However, natives advise consuming only dehydrated or boiled Maca root because raw Maca may cause health issues 7.

4. Benefits of Maca In Breastfeeding:

In Peru, people consider Maca to be safe during breastfeeding. According to the evidence of APILAM (Association for Promotion and Cultural and Scientific Research of Breastfeeding), case studies, and data, comes to this result that Maca is good in breastfeeding.

 

According to their research, Maca has very low risk both for breastfeeding mothers and children. There are a lot of benefits of Maca, not only for mothers but also for the child. Maca strengthens their energy, mental health, maintains hormonal balance improves immunity.8

5. What Form of Maca Can Be Used In Breastfeeding?

The safety of mothers is very important, so what form of Maca should they use? Here is the answer:

  • Mothers who are feeding their child should use it in cooked form. They should not take it in raw form because it might create inflammation in the body.
  • The Maca, they are using should have a balanced level of “Macamides” (a component of Maca) on the nutritional panel. They should use their correct dose.
  • Breastfeeding mothers should use a 3-colored blend of Maca because it has better beneficial effects.
  • Maca is available both in powdered form and in capsule form

 

6. Are There Any Side-Effects Of Maca During Breastfeeding?

Many studies have shown that there are no bad effects of Maca. It has no toxic effects if you take its correct quantity. Hundreds of thousands of people have used Maca with no reported side effects. Peruvian mothers have eaten it for thousands of years, even while breastfeeding.9

 

According to FDA, it can be used as a diet supplement under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, manufacturers don’t need to give its proof that it is safe or not. So it is better to consult a doctor.10

 

7. The Bottom Line

It is safe to use Maca during breastfeeding because it has no side-effect on mothers if they take its recommended quantity. People have been using it for long. However, it is good to consult your doctor before using it. There is no doubt about it that it gives energy, increase milk quality and quantity, and also increases immunity and is better for mental health.

 

 

 

 

 

References

1.Sources | Reviewed by Melinda Ratini, DO, MS on May 15,2018

2.Valerio LG Jr, Gonzales GF. Toxicological aspects of the South American herbs cat's claw (Uncariatomentosa) and Maca (Lepidiummeyenii): a critical synopsis. Toxicol Rev. 2005;24(1):11-35. doi:10.2165/00139709-200524010-00002

3.Gonzales-Arimborgo C, Yupanqui I, Montero E, et al. Acceptability, Safety, and Efficacy of Oral Administration of Extracts of Black or Red Maca (Lepidiummeyenii) in Adult Human Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2016;9(3):49. Published 2016 Aug 18. doi:10.3390/ph9030049

4.Maca: The Mysterious Superfood and Balancer

by CHARLI COHEN in WELLBEING

5.https://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/custom/2193874/0

6.Valerio LG Jr, Gonzales GF. Toxicological aspects of the South American herbs cat's claw (Uncariatomentosa) and Maca (Lepidiummeyenii): a critical synopsis. Toxicol Rev. 2005;24(1):11-35. doi:10.2165/00139709-200524010-00002

7.June 2017, Revised 30 July 2017, Accepted 3 August 2017, Available online 12 August 2017. Is the hype around the reproductive health claims of maca (Lepidiummeyenii Walp.) justified?Author links open overlay panelShrutiBeharryMichaelHeinrich

Research Cluster Biodiversity and Medicines/Research Group Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, UCL School of Pharmacy, 29–39 Brunswick Sq., London WC1N 1AX, United KingdomReceived 22

 

8.APILAM (Association for Promotion and Cultural and Scientific Research of Breastfeeding).

9:Dalene Barton - Certified Herbalist, Birth Doula

10:FDA: Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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