Maca - is approximately 10 percent protein. The protein in maca contains twenty amino acids and seven of the eight essential amino acids. Although not a complete protein, it is an excellent source of hormone precursors and amino acids. It has a lipid content of about 2.2 percent which includes linolenic acid, palmitic acid, and oleic acid and is also a good source of sterols. Sterols have been shown to have immune enhancing properties.
Maca is rich in minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, sulfur, sodium, and iron and is also a great source of the trace minerals zinc, copper, selenium, iodine, bismuth, manganese, silicon, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Maca powder seems to be fine to give to children – It is viewed as a high nutrient superfood which supports hormonal function through nourishing the endocrine system. It has no direct effect on the hormones and supports appropriate hormonal function and development and has no known side effects.
Benefits for children: