Effectiveness
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
The effectiveness ratings for MACA are as follows:
Insufficient evidence to rate effectiveness for…
- Sexual dysfunction caused by antidepressant drugs. Early research suggests that taking maca twice daily for 12 weeks slightly improves sexual dysfunction in women taking antidepressants.
- Male infertility. Early research shows that taking a specific maca product (Maca Gelatinizada La Molina, Laboratories Hersil, Lima, Peru) daily for 4 months increases semen and sperm count in healthy men. But it’s not clear if this results in improved fertility.
- Postmenopausal conditions. Research suggests that taking maca (Maca Powder Healthychoices, Murwillumbah, NSW, Australia) daily for 6 weeks slightly improves blood pressure and some aspects of mood, including depression and anxiety, in postmenopausal women. But benefits are very small.
- Sexual desire. Early research shows that taking a specific maca product (Maca Gelatinizada La Molina, Laboratories Hersil, Lima, Peru) daily for 12 weeks can increase sexual desire in healthy men.
- “Tired blood” (anemia).
- Leukemia.
- Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
- Improving energy and athletic performance.
- Improving memory.
- Depression.
- Female hormone imbalance.
- Menstrual problems.
- Symptoms of menopause.
- Osteoporosis.
- Stomach cancer.
- Tuberculosis.
- Boosting the immune system.
- HIV/AIDS.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of maca for these uses.
Dose
Safety Concerns
Special precautions & warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking maca if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Extracts from maca might act like estrogen. If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, do not use these extracts.
Interaction with medication
- It is not known if this product interacts with any medicines.
Before taking this product, talk with your health professional if you take any medications.
