Maca is cultivated in many countries, but only naturally grows in two places; the first being the Andes Mountains of Peru, where it survives at altitudes of 3500 to 4450 metres above sea level, apart from Alpine Grasses and bitter potatoes nothing else can survive the severe frost at this altitude¹. The second place is the Bolivian Andes where it grows alongside several related wild species². It has a deep pungent smell because of the Glucosinolates that it contains. Glucosinolates are the compounds that make all forms of the mustard family smell and taste as they do. Even though Maca can be red, cream, black or purple, no different colour has been proven to have more beneficial properties than another.
What does Maca contain?
Maca contains many different properties, which include:
Uridine - Researchers have found that a supplementation of Uridne along with Omega-3 Fatty acid can have the same effect as anti-depressants such as SSRI’s and Prozac³
1-Methyltetrahydro-carboline-3-carboxylic Acid - This can be found in the methanol; which can be extracted from the Maca Tuber. This molecule can exert many activities on the central Nervous System⁴
Selenium – Selenium is incorporated into proteins to make Selenoproteins, which are important antioxidant enzymes. The antioxidant properties of Selenoproteins help prevent cellular damage from free radicals. Free radicals are natural by-products of oxygen metabolism that may contribute to the development of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease⁵’ ⁶. Other Selenoproteins help regulate thyroid function and play a role in the immune system⁷⁻¹⁰
Calcium – Necessary for healthy bone structure. Approximately 99% of calcium in our body is stored in our bones and teeth¹¹
Magnesium – We need magnesium to maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keep our heart rhythm steady, support a healthy immune system, and keep bones strong. Magnesium also helps regulate blood sugar levels, promotes normal blood pressure, and is known to be involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis¹²⁺¹³. There is an increased interest in the role of magnesium in preventing and managing disorders such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.
Iron – Iron is essential for the transportation of oxygen to our cells¹’¹⁵, without it our cells do not receive enough oxygen resulting in fatigue and decreased immunity¹’¹⁶’ ¹⁷
Linolenic Acid – One of the two essential fatty acids that the body needs but cannot produce. It is primarily used to produce hormone-like substances that regulate a wide range of functions, including blood pressure, blood clotting, blood lipid levels, the immune response, and the inflammation response to injury infection
Oleic Acids – These acids may help fight against Adrenoleukodystrophy, which is a disease that affects the brain and adrenal gland¹⁸
19 Amino Acids – Amino Acids are the building blocks of protein within our bodies. They are essential to everything.
Health benefits of Maca
Women suffering depression and low libido -
In 2008 a study of women who were suffering from SSRI induced sexual dysfunction was carried out (SSRI’s are a type of Anti-Depressant, and can in some people induce sexual dysfunction). This study was a double blind, randomised study, and found that for the women who were given a supplement of Maca, (instead of Placebo), had a significantly raised libido. This study also found that the degree in which the Libido was raised correlated to the amount of Maca consumed, in other words, the higher the concentrate of Maca the higher the Libido rose¹⁹.
Men suffering low libido -
In 2002 a 12 week double blind placebo-controlled, randomised, parallel trial was carried out, to determine if Maca increased sexual desire in men due to the effect it has on male mood traits, or if it had an effect on serum testosterone levels. The study found that from week 8 of the trial an improvement of sexual desire was observed, however, testosterone levels had not raised. Therefore Maca has an independent effect on male sexual desire from 8 weeks of use²⁰.
Maca’s effect on Semen Production -
In 2001 a 4 month trial was carried out on healthy men between the ages of 24 – 44. The men were asked to take either 1500 or 3000mg of Maca as a Dietary Supplement per day. Before and after the trial the men had their Serum Luteinizing Hormone, Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Prolactin, Testosterone, and Estradiol analysied. The results found that Maca increased Seminal Volume, Sperm Count, Motile Sperm Count, and Sperm Motility, without any changes to their hormone levels. Another result from the trial found that the increase in Sperm Production was not related to the dose of Maca taken²¹.
Maca’s effect on Menopausal Women -
In 2005 a double-blind, placebo-corrected clinical pilot study took place to monitor the effects that Maca may have in alleviating symptoms of menopausal discomfort experienced by women in early Post Menopause. The results of the trial found that for the women taking 500mg of Maca twice a day had a substantial reduction of Menopausal discomfort, due to Maca acting as a ‘toner of hormonal processes’, and that this trial ‘fully justifies further, more complex studies on the effectiveness of Maca as a reliable alternative to HRT programmes’²².
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21 Gonzales G F; Cordova A; Gonzales C; Chung A; Vega K; Villena A. Lepidium meyenii (Maca) improved semen parameters in adult men. Asian journal of andrology 2001;3(4):301-3.
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