Is Maca safe?
Searched over 200M research papers
Summary
10 papers analyzed
Some studies suggest Maca is safe and effective for improving mood, energy, reproductive health, and hormone balance, while other studies indicate limited evidence and potential safety concerns at high doses.
Consensus Meter
9 papers analyzed
Yes - 67%
Possibly - 22%
No - 11%
Research summarized with Copilot
Beta20 papers analyzed
Introduction
Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a plant native to the Peruvian Andes, traditionally used for its supposed aphrodisiac, fertility-enhancing, and adaptogenic properties. It has gained popularity as a supplement for various health conditions, including hormonal imbalances, sexual dysfunction, and menopausal symptoms. This synthesis aims to evaluate the safety of Maca based on findings from multiple research studies.
Key Insights
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General Safety and Tolerability
- Maca is generally well-tolerated and does not show serious adverse effects in human studies .
- No toxicity was observed in animal studies even at high doses .
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Hormonal Effects
- Maca does not significantly affect serum reproductive hormone levels in healthy men .
- Maca may help balance hormone levels in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, showing potential as a non-hormonal alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) .
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Reproductive Health
- Maca supplementation can improve sperm quantity and quality in both animal and human studies, although it does not affect mating behavior .
- Maca has shown positive effects on sexual function and symptoms of late-onset hypogonadism in men.
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Menopausal Symptoms
- Maca has been found to alleviate menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings, although more rigorous studies are needed to confirm these findings .
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Mood and Energy
- Both black and red Maca extracts have been shown to improve mood, energy levels, and overall health-related quality of life without serious adverse effects.
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Potential Adverse Effects
- A moderate increase in AST levels and diastolic blood pressure was observed in some volunteers using high doses of Maca, which could be mitigated by combining it with silymarin.
Conclusion
Maca appears to be a generally safe supplement with a good tolerability profile in both human and animal studies. It does not significantly affect reproductive hormone levels in men but may help balance hormones in women, particularly during menopause. Maca also shows promise in improving sperm quality, mood, and energy levels. However, caution is advised when using high doses, as it may affect liver enzymes and blood pressure. Further large-scale studies are needed to confirm its safety and efficacy comprehensively.
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