Research Summary on Maca (Lepidium meyenii)

Traditional Use and Global Popularity

Maca, a plant native to Peru, has been used for over 1300-2000 years as food and medicine, with particular emphasis on reproductive health. Since the late 1990s, it has gained global popularity for its potential benefits in enhancing libido, fertility, menopausal symptoms, erectile dysfunction, and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Scientific Investigation and Findings

Research has identified unique compounds in maca, such as macamides and glucosinolates, which may be responsible for its medicinal effects. However, scientific evidence remains inconclusive due to methodological limitations and small sample sizes. Studies have shown maca to improve sexual desire in healthy adult men and alleviate sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women, but its effects on semen quality and hormone levels are unclear.

Concerns and Considerations

The increasing demand for maca has shifted its cultivation from traditional methods to mass production, potentially affecting quality, safety, and efficacy. There is also concern for local Peruvian producers and the sustainability of maca production due to the lack of regulation in its marketing and production.

Clinical Trials and Meta-Analyses

Clinical trials have suggested that maca may alleviate antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction, improve mood and blood pressure in postmenopausal women, and enhance quality of life compared to a placebo. However, meta-analyses have not confirmed its efficacy in increasing sperm concentration or treating menopausal symptoms, emphasizing the need for more extensive research.

Health Effects and Safety

Maca extracts have shown a protective effect on liver cells in vitro and displayed estrogen-like effects on breast cancer cells. It is considered to have adaptogenic qualities and potential benefits against various health conditions. Nonetheless, more research is required to establish its safety and efficacy.

Conclusion

While maca is traditionally recognized for its health benefits and has shown promise in some clinical settings, solid scientific evidence to support all health claims is still lacking. Further research is necessary to validate its therapeutic uses and to ensure consumer safety and product sustainability.

References:

1. Is the hype around the reproductive health claims of maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.) justified?
2. Effect of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy men
3. A double-blind placebo-controlled trial of maca root as treatment for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction in women
4. Maca reduces blood pressure and depression, in a pilot study in postmenopausal women
5. Acceptability, Safety, and Efficacy of Oral Administration of Extracts of Black or Red Maca (Lepidium meyenii) in Adult Human Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
6. Maca ( Lepidium meyenii Walp .) on semen quality parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis
7. The in vitro biological activity of Lepidium meyenii extracts
8. Maca (Lepidium meyenii) for treatment of menopausal symptoms: A systematic review
9. Screening for CYP3A4 inhibition and induction coupled to parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA) for prediction of botanical-drug interactions: The case of açaí and maca
10. Therapeutic Effects of Pre-Gelatinized Maca (Lepidium Peruvianum Chacon) used as a Non-Hormonal Alternative to HRT in Perimenopausal Women - Clinical Pilot Study
11. Role of the food matrix and digestion on calculation of the actual energy content of food
12. Ethnobiology and Ethnopharmacology of Lepidium meyenii (Maca), a Plant from the Peruvian Highlands
13. Toxicological aspects of the South American herbs cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa) and Maca (Lepidium meyenii) : a critical synopsis