Maca powder and extract supplement
for menopause, male and female enhancement, and overall energy increase
Maca is a root-like
vegetable shaped like a radish that grows high in the harsh climate of the Andes Mountains
in South America at elevations up to 15,000 feet. For more than two millennia, native
Peruvians have used it as food and medicine, to promote endurance and improve sexual interest and fertility.
Some natives use it to improve
fertility.
purchase Maca, Passion Rx, other sex herbs
Review of Research articles
A human study confirms the rodent findings. Researchers at the
Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, in Lima, Peru, performed a 12-week double blind,
placebo-controlled, randomized trial in which active treatment with different doses of
maca was compared with placebo. Men aged 21-56 years received 3 g. An improvement
in sexual desire was observed with maca at 8 weeks of treatment. Serum testosterone and
estradiol levels were not different in men treated with maca than in those treated with
placebo.
Another study was designed to determine the effect of a 4-month oral treatment with tablets of maca on seminal analysis in adult normal men aged 24-44 years old. Nine men received tablets of maca (1500 or 3000 mg/day) for 4 months. Serum luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, prolactin, testosterone and estradiol levels were measured before and after treatment. Treatment with maca resulted in increased seminal volume, sperm count per ejaculation, and sperm motility. Serum hormone levels were not altered.
Depression and mood, effect on the mind
Effect of three different cultivars of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on learning and
depression in ovariectomized mice.
BMC Complement Altern Med. 2006.
Lepidium meyenii Walp. (Brassicaceae), known as Maca, is a Peruvian hypocotyl
growing exclusively between 4000 and 4500 m altitude in the central Peruvian
Andes, particularly in Junin plateau and is used traditionally to enhance
fertility. Maca is a cultivated plant and different cultivars are described
according to the color of the hypocotyls. The study aimed to elucidate
the effect of Yellow, Red and Black Maca on cognitive function and depression in
ovariectomized (OVX) mice. In all experiments OVX mice were treated during 21
days and divided in four groups: control group, Yellow Maca, Red Maca and Black
Maca. Latent learning was assessed using the water finding task and the
antidepressant activity of the three varieties of Maca was evaluated using the
forced swimming test. Animals were sacrificed at the end of each treatment and
the uterus were excised and weighed. Black Maca was the variety that
showed the best response in the water finding task, particularly in the trained
mice. The three varieties were effective to reduce finding latency in non
trained and trained mice (P < 0.05). In the force swimming test, all varieties
assessed reduced the time of immobility and increased uterine weight in OVX
mice. Black Maca appeared to have more beneficial effects on latent
learning in OVX mice; meanwhile, all varieties of Maca showed antidepressant
activity.
Menopause symptoms relief
I was at your website looking
for side effects on maca when I noticed someone asking whether it works for
menopause. I have hot flashes and really bad night sweats, to the point where I
would wake up a lot during the night. I heard about maca and started taking it.
The first week I took 6 - 600mg capsules a day the first week. The second week I
took 3 a day. By the middle of the second week all my symptoms were gone. Not
just alleviated, but actually gone. I couldn't have been happier. My mood swings
and depression were gone too! By the end of the second week, I developed a bad
case of diarrhea that lasted for two weeks. I stopped taking the maca at the
onset of the diarrhea. I waited about two weeks before I tried it again.
This time I started with 3 capsules right after I ate. About an hour later I
felt very nauseous and threw up. I felt better right away. I'm going to try
again in a few days to see if I'm having a reaction from the maca or if it was
some kind of fluke.
Prostate gland, BPH
There is no evidence yet that the use of maca herb supplements
will lead to an enlarged prostate or influence the gland in a significant way.
Combining with natural sexual
enhancing herbs
This herb can be taken with low
dosages of
tongkat ali.
It can also be taken with
fish oils.
Combining with antidepressants
Since I take 37.5 Mg of Effexor XR venlafaxine
hydrochloride, a SNRI, daily, will there be any problems in taking maca
extract along with this SNRI antidepressant medication?
We are not aware of studies that have combined maca with SSRI or
SNRI drugs. It is best to learn how each medication and herb works by itself
before combining.
How does maca work to
improve sexual health and energy levels?
Maca
herb extract contains sterols, uridine, malic acid, macamides, and glucosinolates. Oil
components include phenyl acetonitrile and benzaldehyde. Many of these compounds
have an effect on the central nervous system. The mechanism of action is presently
not well understood, but probably seems to be independent of a hormonal effect since studies show maca does not influence blood levels of hormones
in a significant way, for instance testosterone.
It does not contain ephedra or caffeine.
Estrogen
like activity
The in vitro biological activity of maca extracts.
Cell Biol Toxicol. 2006.
The biological activity of methanolic and aqueous maca extracts from dehydrated
hypocotyls was studied on rat hepatocytes and human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. The findings in the present study
show that maca does not display in vitro hepatotoxicity. In contrast, a slight
cytoprotective effect, probably not mediated by antioxidant capacity, was noted.
Maca extracts exhibited estrogenic activity comparably to the effect of
silymarin in MCF-7 cells.
Testosterone levels
One human study did not find maca herb to have much of an
influence on testosteone levels. However more research is needed to determine
its full extent on the human body.
Maca side effects, risk,
danger
I have recently tried maca and have had side effects
from this supplement. I took my first 2 pills of 500 mg each on the afternoon
day one. That evening I noticed my lymph glands were tender, but didn't think
too much about it. On day two, I took 2 500 mg in A.M., and 2 500 mg at noon. By
that evening, my lymph nodes were extremely sore and swollen. I began doing web
research, and found FEW sites that mention the potential adverse effects. Every site seems to say there are none! Yours mentioned glucosinolates
and thyroid, but I'm not sure what this exactly means. I have stopped taking it,
and I am still searching for the answer as to why I had this contraindication. I
would also like to somehow make others aware that maca is not necessarily a
supplement without adverse effects.
Any help or information as to what I should have my doctor look for (because of
the maca side effect, it is obvious there is something wrong in my body) would
be greatly appreciated. Please post some type of warning for others researching
maca and any potential negative side effects!
Every herb or supplement has a potential side effect if too high
a dose is used. Water can kill people if someone drinks three gallons at one
time. The suggested dose of maca is 500 mg in the morning. This is the first we
have ever heard of this natural plant causing this type of adverse reaction and we are not sure if
this is unique in your case or whether these types of side effects would occur
in other people using such excessive amounts.
Review
Maca helps improve energy levels and also provides an enhancement in sexual
activity. Other sexual herbs to consider include tribulus, horny goat weed and
tongkat ali.
Raw
Material and ingredient upplier
Dear Sirs, Receive a cordial greetings. Our company, NATURAL PERU S.R.L. is one
of the principal producers and supplier of Natural Ingredients in raw material
in Peru, that why we think you could be interested in our products of Organic
Maca products:
Lyophilized extract (10:1) - Mimimum 3% Glucosinolates (US$120.00 per Kilo)
Organic Gelatinized Maca - Minimum 1% Glucosinolates (US$ 12.00 per kilo)
Organic Maca Powder - (US$ 5.00 per kilo)
Your company can buy directly of us, without resorting to intermediary companies
of the USA, Europe or other countries that possibly they re sale our products
more expensive to your company. Our products are elaborated under the most
strict norms and international standards of quality and salubrity which allows
us to guarantee products of the best quality, which are commercialized in the
most demanding markets. For more information, please to not doubt in contact us.
Best Regards,
Carlo Paulet,
NATURAL PERU S.R.L.
Calle Camino Real 1801, Lote B-22, Lima 33, Peru
Emails
Q. I just started taking maca and have noticed a weight gain. is this a
side effect? is it safe to take it with Sarafem?
A. We are not aware of maca influencing weight gain although not
enough human research is available to make a confident statement. One
needs to be cautious combining maca, or most herbs, with drugs.
Q. I'm looking for a supplement that has if possible only
muira puama, catuba, tribulus and Peruvian Maca because my Doctor told me to
stay away from Horny Goat Weed and things like Yohimbe because I have high blood
pressure. Do you know a supplement like this.
A. We are not aware of a supplement that has only Peruvian maca,
muira puama and the other herbs you mention, but you could purchase them
individually.
Q. I would like to take maca, but am afraid it may weaken
the effect of my oral contraceptive. Will it interfere with the potency of my
birth control pill?
A. We have not seen any studies regarding the influence of maca on
the effect of birth control pills, we suspect there would not be much if any of
an influence but until studies are done we can't be sure.
Q. Does this supplement, MACA, contain caffeine or
ephedra?
What is the stimulant?
A. Maca extract contains sterols, uridine, malic acid, macamides, and glucosinolates.
Maca
Q. Can you direct me toward an herb that with use
might lower my voice? I'm a 48 yr. old male with a woman's voice. At least
everyone over the phone calls me "mam" and so in the worst way I want to somehow
lower my voice. I have a tenor singing voice. I understand that if I can find
some exercises that will stretch my vocal cords that might lower my voice range.
I was looking on a transgender website and was reading their blog and read where
a woman who was changing herself to a man was lowering her voice whenever she
kept maca in her diet. When she would stop taking maca her voice would revert
back to her old self. I've considered testosterone therapy, however, I already
have extensive male-pattern baldness and don't want it to get worse.
A. We are not familiar with the use of maca to deepen voice.
Let us know if it works for you.
Q. I am seeing the
use of maca in raw food recipes and I wonder, it is safe for children? Could we
over dose using maca as a food ingredient?
A. Yes, too much maca can cause alertness and insomnia. It is best
to learn how different amounts of maca affect you so that you know the potency
of the particular maca product before mixing with food.
Q. I have just read your interesting website
regarding Maca and thought you might be interested to hear my experience for
your studies. I had been looking for an alternative to hormone replacement
therapy as I had a total hysterectomy seven and a half years ago. Although my
surgeon prescribed HRT immediately after my operation and I was fine on it, my
GP took me off it about a year later owing to the possible risks even though
there is no breast cancer in my family and I do not smoke, etc. He strongly
suggested that I do without it if I could cope with the hot flushes. I live in
the France and am currently 55 years of age. Having always been an extremely
bubbly and energetic individual (I was a professional dancer for many years) I
had found myself becoming exceptionally tired, miserable, and soon felt worn out
after just a morning's work in the house. I also noticed that gradually, and
probably only over the past year or 18 months, I had been experiencing vaginal
dryness to the point where intercourse was extremely painful and therefore
impossible. I was therefore prescribed a small tablet which is inserted into the
vagina daily and then twice weekly to overcome this. I found this extremely
unpleasant to have to keep inserting and therefore decided to search the
internet for possible other alternatives, hopefully natural ones. It was there
that I found Maca. I am almost through my first tub and so have probably been
taking it for about 5 weeks. I am taking 1500 mg per day - 2 tablets per day and
purchase this from a UK-based company. Within a couple of days I felt much
brighter and thought I was imagining it. I am not one to dwell on things, and
just "get on with it", but I really have felt such a difference. My energy
levels have increased considerably and this weekend I was just able to keep
going and going at getting my jobs done in the garden and around the house, as I
used to do. Also, intercourse has resumed and although is still a little
uncomfortable for me, it is at least now possible! I see in your report that you
say that Maca did not alter hormone levels. I believe this was in relation to
men, but assume that this would apply to women also. Excuse my ignorance on this
but I therefore wonder how Maca has improved my vaginal lubrication, as would
this not be hormonal? I would be interested to know. I do hope that my
explanation above is helpful to you as I believe on your website you said you
would be interested in hearing from women going through menopause.
A. Perhaps maca has an influence on the local tissue level, or the
change in hormone levels that it makes are not large enough to be picked up by
blood studies. Or, it could influence neurotransmitter levels or the countless
other substances in the body that have an influence on the body. Human
biochemistry is extremely complicated and researchers cannot measure everything
when they do studies. We are really glad that maca has helped your menopausal
symptoms and we hope it continues.
Q. I received a bottle of Maca root from a friend who
sells Peruvian herbs. I took 1 capsule with lunch on Friday and it didn't bother
me, except to make me a little tired. On Saturday, I took my daily meds --
propranolol, protonix, spironolactone, and chlortrimeton (or the same
combination of ingredients anyway) all within a few minutes with some coffee. I
didn't eat anything, which could have made a difference although the bottle says
it can be taken with or without food. The manufacturer is Whole World
Botanicals. In about 1/2 hour I was in terrible pain throughout the middle of my
back and had to crawl off to bed, where I slept on and off for several hours.
Might that be a side effect of maca root, the combination of things I took, or
possibly taking all of those on an empty stomach? I'm afraid ever to try it
again, which is a shame, because I have fibromyalgia and it's supposed to be
good for that. But I can't be taking something that causes a burning, searing
pain in my kidney area when what I need is pain relief.
A. It's extremely difficult to know whether maca was the cause or
the other medicines, or the combination. Most herbs have not been tested in
combination with other prescription drugs, so we don't know what effect they
would have when taken together. We have not had any reports of such pain after
taking maca by itself.
Q. i have recently purchased maca and tribulus.
I know the correct dosages for these supplements but could you please tell me
are these supplements best taken on an empty stomach or with meals. What the research says about maca root Q. I purchased maca root powder and add that to my
power shake everyday after a hard workout. According to what I have read about
maca, a Peruvian ginseng, which is great for rebuilding the adrenal gland to
handle our body's stress function. However, I received an alarming email from my
mother-in-law about this maca herbal supplement and I would like your opinion
about whether I should continued eating / drinking this herb. My mother-in-law
had read an article about the danger of eating / or drinking amca herb which is
a Peruvian ginseng. She said it's a herbal "drug or supplement" and is being
claimed as able to improve sexual function. The article stated that it will
cause liver damage and increase the possibility of prostate or ovarian cancer.
It also states that there is no evidence that it can really improve or increase
the sex drive. She advised me to discard it, and treat it as poison. She
forewarn me to be especially careful avoiding taking any herbal supplements from
foreign countries, because they have never been proved as effective for what
they claim yet all the side effects have never been documented or revealed. Is
this true? I write you from Lima, Peru, on behalf of Los Andes
Herbal Shop, a company specialized in herbal medicine in form of pulverized
powder, made of selected, organically cultivated herbs undergoing a 10x extract
process, discarding unnecessary materials, leaving only desired ones to create a
very efficient healing effect due to their easy-absorption micro particles, plus
a reliable, radiation-free sterilization (Pasteurization) which guarantee first
quality for the exportation to Japanese, USA and European markets. BLACK MACA
for men, highly appreciated as energizer, vigourizer and sexual vitalizer. RED
MACA for women; a mixture of red maca with natural feminine hormone formulated
by a prominent Japanese Lab, best to complement the growth of adolescentsīs
physical sex symptons and relieve sufferings caused by menopause. FOB Price: US$
150.00 per kg. We are also suppliers of Cat Claw, Yacon and Camu-Camu. In case
of interest I will be glad to provide you with all necessary information. Sara
Morey Los Andes Herbal Shop Lima, Peru. Can maca herbal pills be taken together with
amla pills?
A. A good option is to take them 20 minutes to half
an hour before breakfast, but over time you can test on yourself whether you
prefer them before or with breakfast.
Feeding maca root extracts to normal male mice increases the frequency with
which they couple with female mice. Human studies with maca herb indicate maca
supplementation leads to enhanced sexual desire.
Additional studies - maca benefit
Feeding maca herb to rats prevented high altitude disruption in sperm formation.
Additional research indicates feeding it to rats decreases the size of their
prostate gland which perhaps is a benefit to men with prostate enlargement if
maca root has a similar effect in humans.
A human study confirms the rodent findings. Researchers at the
Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, in Lima, Peru, performed a 12-week double
blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial in which active treatment with
different doses of maca was compared with placebo. Men aged 21-56 years received
3 g of maca. An improvement in sexual desire was observed with maca at 8 weeks
of treatment. Serum testosterone and estradiol levels were not different in men
treated with maca than in those treated with placebo.
Q. I read an article that maca root extract will
increase semen which I have this problem. Should one take maca root extract and
horny goat weed or maca root extract by it self to help with semen production?
A. We suggest trying one herb at a time for a month.
A. Maca herb has been used for centuries by local Indians in the
Andes mountains. Research does show that maca herb improves sex drive. As with
any herbal supplement, it is best to use it in reasonable amounts and to take
breaks from use.
We recommend first learning how each one effects you by
itself.