In today’s fast paced society most people tend to disregard health until they run into trouble. What is not realized is the fact that some very simple precautions can make a huge difference in their health and subsequent quality of life. The old saying 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away' has a ring of truth to it.

What most people do not realize is that many of our foods are actually 'super-foods' packed with nutrients and compounds capable of warding off diseases like high cholesterol, diabetes, cancer, obesity, arthritis and many others. All that needs to be done to avoid or delay the onset of such ailments is to incorporate these foods into their diet (1).

Maca is one such food. Native of the Peruvian mountains and growing only between altitudes of roughly four to eleven thousand feet, it has been used by the local Indians as a staple food and for its medicinal value for thousands of years. More recently the root has gained popularity due to its ability to fight cancer. To evaluate the validity of this popularity a number of independent studies have been conducted.

Some preliminary studies show that when used as a preventative measure against hormone related cancers such as breast and prostate, maca indeed shows positive results. This is due to the fact that the natural process of aging results in decreasing the production of some hormones and maca naturally replaces those vital compounds. When the discrepancy in hormone levels is minimized, the body’s proficiency is improved and spread and development of cancers is minimized.

Furthermore maca houses compounds called glucosinolates in abundant quantities. These compounds are known for their antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-parasitic abilities. In one study published in the "Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine” in July 2012 issue, glucosinolates are believed to provide cancer preventing properties. According to another study in the May 2012 issue of "Phytotherapy Research" one type of glucosinolate identified as myrosinase was successful in restraining colon cancer cells. March 2012 issue of "Fitoterapia" reports of yet another study in which the glucosinolate isothiocyanate offers protection against leukaemia. Even in small quantities, plant isothiocyanats have shown promise in inhibiting prostate cancer cells in humans.

The best aspect of maca is the fact that it is not a drug or magic but a vegetable belonging to the same family as radish and broccoli, and it has been consumed by people for centuries. Like any typical food item, there are no known toxic side effects associated with the root. It is the nutrients in the root that provide the cancer fighting properties.

Regular use not only helps to keep cancer at bay but also fights it if someone already has it. Repeated use of the vegetable allows the body to get used to it and enables it to get stronger.

There is a direct relationship between the foods we eat and the effect they have on our bodies. For example everyone knows that fried foods lead to heart diseases and obesity while fish is good for the heart. Similarly, maca delivers nutrients that enable the body to fight cancers.

References:
1 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superfood

Author's Bio: 

The Maca Perfection was set up to enlighten the world to another alternative, natural treatment, which is extract of the South American root vegetable, maca. Maca has a long list of health benefits, which help with things like helping to get pregnant, improving libido and helping to strengthen the immune system. You can read more about maca at our site, and you can find Andy on Google plus.