Developed by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Maca powder, Maca extract Maca supplement
Maca (Lepidium meyenii) 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 maca as food and medicine, to promote endurance and improve sexual interest and fertility.
Some natives use maca to improve
fertility.
What the Research Says about
Maca
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.
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.
How does Maca work?
Maca extract contains sterols, uridine, malic acid, macamides, and glucosinolates. Oil
components include phenyl acetonitrile and benzaldehyde. Many of the compounds in maca
have an effect on the central nervous system. The mechanism of action of maca 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, for instance testosterone.
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Maca Herb for more
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Maca Powder and Maca Extract
on the mind
Effect of three different cultivars of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on learning and
depression in ovariectomized mice.
BMC Complement Altern Med. 2006 Jun 23;6:23. Department of Biological
and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy and Instituto de
Investigaciones de la Altura, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.
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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSION: Black Maca appeared to have more beneficial effects on latent
learning in OVX mice; meanwhile, all varieties of Maca showed antidepressant
activity.
Maca extract and estrogen
like activity
The in vitro biological activity of maca extracts.
Cell Biol Toxicol. 2006 Mar;22(2):91-9. Epub 2006 Mar 9. Institute of
Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Palacky University.
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 maca extracts did not exhibit cytotoxicity in hepatocyte primary cultures up
to 10 mg/ml as measured by the MTT viability test, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) leakage. Moreover, after 72 h, extracts
inhibited LDH and AST leakage from the hepatocytes. When hepatocytes were
intoxicated by t-butyl hydroperoxide, neither extract prevented oxidative
damage. Both maca extracts showed weak antioxidant activity in the DPPH radical
scavenging test. Thus, the observed effect on spontaneous enzyme leakage is
probably mediated through mechanisms other than antioxidant activity. Both
methanolic and aqueous extracts have shown estrogenic activity comparable with
that of silymarin in MCF-7 cell line. Maca estrogenicity was exhibited in the
range from 100 to 200 mug of extract per ml. 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.
Maca Raw
Material Supplier
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 Maca 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
E-mail: export@naturalperu.com
Web site: http://www.naturalperu.com/
Maca Emails
Q. I just started taking maca and have noticed a weight gain. is this a
maca side effect? is it safe to take maca 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 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 VERY FEW sites that mentions the potential adverse effects
of maca. Every site seems to say there are none! Yours mentioned glucosinolates
& thyroid, but I'm not sure what this exactly means. I have stopped taking maca,
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...there should be a warning somewhere, and
information as to what to do if someone were to have the negative results that I
had.
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!
A. 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 maca causing this type of side effect 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. We appreciate your email.
Ql. Hi, I was at your website looking for side effects on maca when I noticed someone asking whether maca 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 the maca 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.
Q. I would like to take maca, but am afraid it may weaken
the effect of my oral contraceptive. Will maca 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 does not contain ephedra or caffeine.
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 wonder if you would be kind enough to respond to
my question concerning the use of maca powder in food recipes. 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. Do have pictures of the maca molecule's chemical
structure? As a pharmacist I am getting many questions about maca as an
alternative to soy isoflavones and would like to have a biochemist take a look
and compare them.
A. Sorry, we focus on the clinical
aspects of maca herb use and don't have any pictures of the various compounds
found in maca.
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.
A. A good option is to take the maca or tribulus 20 minutes to half
an hour before breakfast, but over time you can test on yourself whether you
prefer them before or with breakfast.
Q. Will taking a Maca pill increase testosterone
levels?
A. One human study did not find maca herb to have much of an
influence on hormone levels. However more research is needed to determine the
full extent of maca on the human body.
Q. 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 antidepressant medication? Q. Since Maca contains some "fatty acids," will a maca
supplement cause any side effects (ie., saturated fat or trans fat problems)
about which I should be concerned? Q. Does Maca herb enlarge the prostate? Home -
tongkat ali - Index Maca article 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 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.
A. Maca supplements contain hardly any fatty acids since they are
extracted during the process of making the extracts.
A. There is no evidence yet that the use of maca herb supplements
will lead to an enlarged prostate.
Maca (Lepidium meyenii) 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. Maca is one of the few plants that can be cultivated in the
harsh climate of the Andes. For more than two millennia, native Peruvians have
used maca root as food and medicine, to promote endurance and improve energy,
vitality, sexual virility and fertility. If you have an interest in increasing
energy, an excellent supplement is MultiVit Rx which works better than maca
alone.
What the research says about maca root
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.
How does maca root work?
Maca root contains sterols, uridine, malic acid, macamides, and glucosinolates.
Oil components include phenyl acetonitrile and benzaldehyde. Many of the
compounds in maca have an effect on the central nervous system. The mechanism of
action of maca 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, for instance testosterone. Maca has alkaloids,
steroids, tannins, saponins, and cardiotonic glycosides.
Additional maca root studies - maca benefit
Feeding maca herb to rats prevented high altitude disruption in sperm formation.
Additional research indicates feeding maca 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 with maca root 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.
Bottom line
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.
A. We suggest trying one herb at a time for a month.