Maca

Synonym(s): Lepidium meyenii, maca root

Nutrient group: plant extracts & active ingredients

Sources and physiological effects

Dietary sources
Maca is a plant of the cruciferous family (Brassicaceae). Found in the Peruvian Andes, it is an important staple food for the Peruvian population. Its tuber can be baked, dried and cooked. It is also used to produce a paste. Young maca leaves are also eaten raw or cooked. Because of its aphrodisiac effect, Maca is known worldwide for natural sexual enhancement.
Physiological effects
Fertility	Improvement of spermatogenesis with increase of sperm density, motility and ejaculate volume
Vitality	Excitation of activity Increase in sexual desire

Detailed information

Lepidium meyenii – increased fertility and libido

The maca root (Lepidium meyenii) from the highlands of Peru has been used in South America for centuries to improve fertility and libido. Flavonoids, saponins and steroidal glycosides seem to be primarily responsible for the effect, but there appears to be no direct influence on hormonal activity (1). Taking Maca for 6 weeks led to reduced psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression in postmenopausal women and reduced sexual dysfunction (2) regardless of estrogenic and androgenic activity.

In animal studies, Maca has shown an immediate improvement in spermatogenesis with sustained effect during a spermatogenic cycle (3). In male animals, a fertility disorder caused by heavy metal exposure could also be positively influenced by targeted maca supplementation (4). In a 4-month study in healthy young men, a significant improvement in sperm count, motility and ejaculate volume was observed (5). A systemic review of Maca indicated a possible positive influence on sperm quality (6).

Additionally, a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study showed an increase in sexual desire after 8-12 weeks of use (7). There is also evidence of a positive effect in erectile dysfunction that could be induced by an improvement in endothelial NO synthesis through maca components (8).

Indications

Effect	Indication	Dosage
Physiological effects at a low intake	To improve mood parameters and cognitive abilities	600 mg/d
	Complementary therapy for improvement of sexual function, especially stress induced disorders in men and women	600 mg/d
	For libido deficiencies to stimulate sexual drive, especially during menopause and andropause	600 mg/d
	To increase the sperm quality and –quantity in men	600 mg/d

Administration

General mode of administration
When	Maca extract should be taken between meals. Hint: It is recommended that sensitive people take it with meals.
Side effects
No side effects are known to date.
Contraindications
Pregnancy and lactation, hypertension

Interactions

Drug interactions
None	No interactions are known to date.
Nutrient interactions
None	No interactions are known to date.

References

1) Bogani, P. et al. 2006. Lepidium meyenii (Maca) does not exert direct androgenic acitivities. J Ethnopharmacol. 104(3):415-7.
2) Brooks, N. A. et al. 2008. Beneficial effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on psychological symptoms and measures of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women are not related to estrogen or androgen content. Menopause. 15(6):1157-62.
3) Gonzales, G. F. et al. 2006. Effect of Black Maca (Lepidium meye nii) on one spermatogenic cycle in rats. Andrologia. 38(5):166-72.
4) Rubio, J. et al. 2006. Lepidium meyenii (Maca) reversed the lead acetate induced damage on reproductive function in male rats. Food Chem Toxicol. 44(7):1114-22.
5) Gonzales, G. F. et al. 2001. Lepidium meyenii (Maca) improved semen parameters in adult men. Asian J Androl. 3(4):301-3.
6) Lee, M. et al. 2016. The use of maca (Lepidium meyenii) to improve semen quality: A systematic review. Maturitas. 92:64-69.
7) Gonzales, G. et al. 2002. Effect of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy men. Andrologia. 34(6):367-72.
8) McKay, D. 2004. Nutrients and botanicals for erectile dysfunction: examining the evidence. Altern Med Rev. 9(1):4-16.

References Interactions

Stargrove, M. B. et al. Herb, Nutrient and Drug Interactions: Clinical Implications and Therapeutic Strategies, 1. Auflage. St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier Health Sciences, 2008.
Gröber, U. Mikronährstoffe: Metabolic Tuning –Prävention –Therapie, 3. Auflage. Stuttgart: WVG Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Stuttgart, 2011.
Gröber, U. Arzneimittel und Mikronährstoffe: Medikationsorientierte Supplementierung, 3. aktualisierte und erweiterte Auflage. Stuttgart: WVG Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Stuttgart, 2014.