Maca

Maca Maca, is a plant that is native to Peru and is widely cultivated at high altitudes in the Andes mountains. Peruvian people have used it as a food and medicine for the last 2,000 years and in recent years, it has received increased attention in the Western world. In the West, researchers are particularly interested in its ability to boost energy levels and increase sex drive.¹

Health Benefits of Maca

Boosts Libido in Men

Lack of sexual desire is a severe issue for many men and this issue may also be experienced in men with well-preserved erectile function. Low libido may be an issue even in healthy men like athletes that train strenuously. Studies show that Maca can increase sexual desire in men after 8-12 weeks of regular use.²^,³

Reduces Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is increasing, even among young men, which can be attributed to higher prevalence of metabolic disorders and psychological issues. Studies show that Maca can help improve erection quality after 8-12 weeks of treatment. It may also help those living with erectile dysfunction due to antidepressants. However, it is worth noting that Maca only has a small effect on actual erectile function.⁴^,⁵^,⁶
Boosts Energy Levels

Peruvian people believed that Maca helped increase energy levels and boost endurance. There are few modern studies on the subject which seem to support this notion. In one of the studies conducted with professional athletes, it showed that Maca could improve performance.³
Enhances Male Fertility

Peruvian people have traditionally used Maca to boost fertility. However, modern science could not understand how it works, as studies show that it does not influence male hormones or other fertility-related hormones. Studies in animals show that it might be especially useful in protecting men from spermatogenic disruption present at high altitudes.⁷^,⁸
Improves Mood

People often use Maca to enhance the mood and feeling of wellness. Studies confirm that Maca has mild psychoactive properties and may influence behaviour. Use of Maca can also help counter some of the side effects related to therapy with anti-depressants. It may help due to its ability to improve sexual desire.⁹
Reduces Blood Pressure

Maca has a mild blood pressure reducing action. Its use may be particularly good for those living with high blood pressure along with mood disorders. One pilot study demonstrated its efficacy in managing blood pressure and depression in postmenopausal women.¹⁰
Reduces Menopause Symptoms

Maca is often used to boost mood and control early postmenopausal symptoms. It may help control mood swings and other problems caused by hormonal issues.¹¹
Enhances Memory

There is some evidence that Maca may improve memory. However, it is worth noting that any such effect will be small. Studies show that there are very few natural extracts found in Maca that are proven to influence the ability to retain information. Maca may help in this area due to its impact on certain neural transmitters.¹²

Side Effects of Maca

Studies show that consumption of Maca is incredibly well-tolerated, and side effects are infrequent. Nonetheless, it is worth noting that there is not enough clinical data on its safety, and therefore it is suggested that it’s use be avoided by pregnant and lactating women. Like many other herbal extracts, Maca might cause allergic reactions and gastrointestinal disturbances in some cases.¹³

Properties

Blood Pressure – Reduction¹⁰
Brain Function / Neuroprotective¹²
Depression⁹
Energiser³
Hormonal Balance⁴^,⁵^,⁶
Libido & Sexual Performance²^,³
Memory Retention¹²
Male fertility⁷^,⁸
Menopause¹¹
Mood Stabilising⁹

References