Unspecified Colors

Species: Lepidium meyenii

Source of maca: Panion & BF Biotech Inc., Taipei, Taiwan

Location where maca was grown: Junín region of Peru

Agricultural methods used: Not stated

Part of maca used: Root

Form of maca: Extract in capsule form

Dose: 2.25 g twice daily (after breakfast and dinner)

Results:

“Continual supplementation with 2.25 g of maca extract twice daily for 12 weeks exerted a positive effect by enhancing IFN-γ levels secreted by PBMCs immediately postexercise, highlighting its potential for immune modulation. However, no additional benefits were observed in terms of reducing the inflammatory response or improving other immune-related indicators resulting from EEE.”

Other details:

• Participants were prohibited from using other supplements and consuming alcohol while adhering to their normal dietary and physical activity routine.

• Maca supplementation may be a useful strategy for athletes seeking to enhance immune function, particularly during periods of intense training or competition. Additional research is needed in the female population.

Abbreviations:

PBMCs: peripheral blood mononuclear cells; EEE: exhaustive endurance exercise

Species: Lepidium meyenii, MacaPure M-01 and M-02

Source of maca: Not stated

Location where maca was grown: Peru

Agricultural methods used: Not stated

Part of maca used: Dried root

Form of maca: Purified powder extract

Dose: Varying doses for 22 days, oral administration

Results:

• The number of complete intromissions increased significantly with M-01 and M-02 treated groups (p<0.01) with the dose of 40 mg/g body weight

• Day 1 of mating, M-01, dose 4 g/kg body weight increased the number of sperm-positive female (p<0.01).

• "The present study reveals for the first time an aphrodisiac activity of L. meyenii, an Andean Mountain herb."

Other details:

• M-01 contained more polysaccharides and less macaenes and macamides compared to M-02.

Species: Lepidium meyenii

Source of maca: Yamano del Perú SAC

Location where maca was grown: Junín Plateau (Peru)

Agricultural methods used: Not stated

Part of maca used: Tuber

Form of maca: Powder

Dose: Diet containing 5%, 25% or 50% maca powder

Results:

• A significant increase in luteinizing hormone (4.5-fold increase, p<0.01) and follicle stimulating hormone levels (19-fold increase, p<0.01) in the group fed 50% maca powder.

• A dose dependent increase of luteinizing hormone was observed within the range of 3-30g/kg body weight.

• "The present study demonstrates that Maca uniquely enhances the LH serum levels of pituitary hormones in female rats during the pro-oestrus LH surge and acts in a pharmacological, dose-dependent manner. These findings support the traditional use of Maca to enhance fertility and suggest a potential molecular mechanism responsible for its effects."

Species: Lepidium meyenii

Source of maca: Dubai, UAE (public market)

Location where maca was grown: Not stated

Agricultural methods used: Not stated

Part of maca used: Not stated

Form of maca: Aqueous extract

Dose: 500 mg/kg/day

Results:

Four (4) botanicals were researched (Lepidium meyenii (maca), Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek), Spirulina platensis (spirulina), and Tribulus arabica (Tribulus)).

The phytochemical property results of maca extract are as follows:

• Percentage of phenolic contents:  0.673% (3rd highest of the botanicals); six active compounds-predominantly syringic acid and ellagic acid.

• Percentage of flavonoid contents:  0.010% (lowest of the botanicals); six active compounds-predominantly naringin

• Maca exhibited the highest antioxidant activity

The impact on reproductive parameter results of maca extract are as follows:

• Total sperm motility was restored (p<0.05), ameliorating the adverse effects of MSG

• Testosterone levels improved (in all groups without statistical differences)

• Highest number of ells in seminiferous tubules

“This current study revealed that Lepidium meyenii, Trigonella foenum-graecum, and Tribulus arabica, respectively, have potential benefits for male fertility with the most significant results seen with Lepidium meyenii.”

Other details:

A significant increase in the prostate gland was observed with Tribulus and spirulina.

Species: Lepidium meyenii

Source of maca: Not stated (Abstract only)

Location where maca was grown: Not stated (Abstract only)

Agricultural methods used: Not stated (Abstract only)

Part of maca used: Not stated (Abstract only)

Form of maca: Ethanol extract

Dose: 0.096 or 0.24 g/kg body weight

Results:

"The findings derived from the basis of bone mineral density, biomechanical, biochemical and histopathological parameters indicated that higher dose of ethanol extract of Maca was effective in the prevention of estrogen deficient bone loss."

Species: Lepidium meyenii

Source of maca: Nanjing Bio-Array Technology Company

Location where maca was grown: Peru

Agricultural methods used: Not stated

Part of maca used: Not stated

Form of maca: Powder

Dose: 0.1mL/10 g body weight or 500 mg/kg body weight

Results:

• Maca treated mice had improvements in memory retention.

• Improved motor coordination was observed in mice that were administered maca.

• A significant increase in swim time to exhaustion, suggesting maca's antifatigue property.

• A significant increase in oxidative phosphorylation enzyme complexes, suggesting an improvement in mitochondrial function.

• A significant upregulation of the expression of autophagy-related proteins.

• "In summary, the present study demonstrated for the first time that maca improves cognitive function in middle-aged mice, and this effect may be associated with improved mitochondrial respiratory function and upregulation of autophagy-related proteins."

Species: Lepidium meyenii

Source of maca: Yunnan Institute of Materia Medica, China

Location where maca was grown: China

Agricultural methods used: Not stated

Part of maca used: Not stated

Form of maca: Freeze-dried extract

Dose: 10mg/mL

Results:

Maca extract

• Significantly suppressed multiple inflammatory cytokines

• Moderated liver injury in ConA-induced acute hepatitis

• Suppressed infiltration of natural killer T cells and macrophages

• "In this study, we found that the protective effects of Maca extract ameliorate ConA-induced acute hepatitis (CIH) and underlying mechanisms."

Abbreviations: Con-A: Concanavalin A; CIH: ConA-induced acute hepatitis

Species: Lepidium meyenii

Source of maca: Chinese Maya Bioengineer Co, Hubei, imported from Peru

Location where maca was grown: Lima, Peru

Agricultural methods used: Not stated

Part of maca used: Root

Form of maca: Ethanolic extract

Dose: 0.096 (low dose) or 0.24 (high dose) g/kg body weight

Results:

• At 12 weeks, no significant changes were observed in estradiol or FSH using the low dose, though a significant decrease in testosterone was noted (p<0.05).

• At 28 weeks, a significant increase in estradiol (p<0.05) occurred with the low dose and a significant decrease in FSH (p<0.01) was observed using both doses of maca.

• The higher dose of maca did not affect estradiol levels.

Species: Lepidium meyenii

Source of maca: Not stated

Location where maca was grown: Carhuamayo, Junín, Peru

Agricultural methods used: Traditional methods

Part of maca used: Dried hypocotyls

Form of maca: Aqueous extract

Dose: 2.2g/kg, oral administration

Results:

• Maca protected spermatogenesis and increased epididymal sperm count.

• Maca administration reduced the deleterious effect on daily sperm production caused by lead acetate (LA) treatment.

• Maca prevented LA-induced spermatogenic disruption in rats and it may become in a potential treatment of male infertility associated with lead exposure.

Other details:

• Rats were treated with 0, 8, 16, and 24 mg/kg of lead acetate. Maca was co-administered days 18-35. N=7 per group

Abbreviations: LA: lead acetate

Species: Lepidium meyenii

Source of maca: Provided by Kinos Inc. Tokyo, Japan

Location where maca was grown: Not stated

Agricultural methods used: Not stated

Part of maca used: Not stated

Form of maca: Concentrated extract containing 9.6 mg/day of benzyl glucosinolate

Dose: 200 mg capsule, twice daily, undesignated time

Results:

• Significant decrease in fatigue (p<0.001), as measured by visual analogue scale (VAS) in women 20-45 years old

Other details:

• Authors state that maca polysaccharides may provide anti-fatigue effect and benzyl glucosinolates may provide anti-fatigue effects due to its antioxidant capacity.

• No adverse effects were reported/observed.

Species: Lepidium meyenii

Source of maca: Not stated

Location where maca was grown: Not stated

Agricultural methods used: Not stated

Part of maca used: Not stated

Form of maca: Gelatinized maca, powder

Dose: 2 grams per day (1,000 mg capsule twice daily), capsules

Results:

• Significant increase in sperm concentration (p<0.011) by 31.69%

• Though not of statistical significance, sperm motility increased by 10.48% and morphology of spermatozoa increased by 6.33%

Other details:

• No adverse effects were reported/observed.

• N=9 were smokers, it is noted that this lifestyle factors can impact seminal variables.

Species: Lepidium meyenii

Source of maca: Maca-BG1.2™ was purchased from CPX PERU S.A.C (Lima, Peru)

Location where maca was grown: Peru

Agricultural methods used: Washed, sliced and oven dried, hydrous ethanol and evaporation to prepare powdered named Maca-BG1.2™ containing at least 1.2% benzylglucosinolate.

Part of maca used: Not stated

Form of maca: Extract

Dose: 300 mg/day, (two 150 mg capsules daily) after morning meal

Results:

• E2 levels showed a 2.2-fold increase though not of significance; further analysis revealed serum E2 level in the peri-menopausal subjects with regular menstruation cycle displayed a mostly significant change

• Marginal decrease in insomnia and hot flushes. Women with mild symptoms achieved the greatest improvements in reducing menopausal symptoms.

Other details:

• No serious effects were observed

• GABA content of maca may have contributed to improvements in insomnia

Species: Lepidium meyenii

Source of maca: Maca Power, Healthychoices, Murwillumbah, NSW, Australia

Location where maca was grown: Peru

Agricultural methods used: Not stated

Part of maca used: Not stated

Form of maca: Not stated

Dose: 3.3 grams per day, 7 capsules per day, 4 capsules following breakfast, 3 capsules following dinner

Results:

After 6 weeks of treatment, the maca group showed significant changes in:

• Decrease in systolic (p=0.05) and diastolic (p=0.01) blood pressure

• 10.8% increase general well-being (p<0.05)

• 13.5% increase mental health (p<0.05)

• 16.4% increase social functioning (p<0.05)

• 13% increase mental component score (p<0.05)

• Significant reduction of menopausal symptoms measured by GCS by 30% (p=0.04) including reduction in anxiety (p=0.02, depression (p<0.01) and somatic (p<0.03)

No differences in E2, FSH, LH, SHBG, glucose, lipid profile, serum cytokines or vasomotor symptoms

Other details:

• Flavonoids in maca may contribute to the favorable outcomes on reduction depression and anxiety

• No adverse effects were reported/observed

• Authors note that women in non-Western countries do not typically report on sexual function, mental states, or symptoms commonly associated to menopause. (i.e., only 5-10% of Asian women report concerns of vasomotor symptoms compared to nearly 80% of Western women.)

Species: Lepidium meyenii

Source of maca: Provided by Nature Way Product, Inc.

Location where maca was grown: Not stated [abstract only]

Agricultural methods used: Not stated [abstract only]

Part of maca used: Not stated [abstract only]

Form of maca: Not stated [abstract only]

Dose: 1 gram twice daily

Results:

• Maca improved sperm motility (p<0.05)

Other Details:

• Abtract only

Species: Lepidium meyenii

Source of maca: N/A-population based study in which participants were consuming maca as a food source

Location where maca was grown: Peru

Agricultural methods used: Not stated

Part of maca used: Not stated

Form of maca: 96% consumed maca as a juice, prepared at home

Dose: Average time consuming maca was 25.8+/- 3.2 years

Compared to non-consumers, the regular consumers of maca had:

• Higher serum Estradiol (E2) (p<0.01) and health scores (p<0.01)

• Lower

• systolic blood pressure (p<0.05)

• serum testosterone (T) levels (p<0.05)

• T/E2 ratio (p<0.05)

• serum IL-6 levels (p<0.05) [The lowest IL-6 levels were observed when maca was consumed in greater quantities (15.9+/- 3.08 grams per day) and for the longer durations (17.8 +/-4.48 years for 41.9+/- 4.48 days per year)]

• CMS scores (p<0.01)

• Performed better on the lower limb strength test (p<0.01)

Species: Lepidium meyenii

Source of maca: Not stated

Location where maca was grown: Not stated

Agricultural methods used: Not stated

Part of maca used: Not stated

Form of maca: Extract

Dose: 1 tsp. of maca powder added to milk one time daily

Results:

• Maca consumption increased plasma testosterone levels without features of virilization.

• Testosterone immunoassays use direct immunoassays which are prone to interference from androgenic compounds resulting in falsely elevated testosterone levels. Maca may cause testosterone immunoassay interference in females.

Other details:

• Patient was taking maca to help with energy and libido (This was not reported on.)

Species: Lepidium meyenii

Source of maca: Not stated

Location where maca was grown: Not stated [Abstract only]

Agricultural methods used: Not stated [Abstract only]

Part of maca used: Not stated [Abstract only]

Form of maca: Not stated [Abstract only]

Dose: 3,000 mg/day

Results:

• Improvements in sperm motility (p<0.0001), vitality (p<0.01) and morphology (p<0.01), immature germ cell (p<0.01)

• No changes in hormone levels

Species: Lepidium meyenii

Source of maca: Provided by Ibersan Srl, Forli, Italy

Location where maca was grown: Peru

Agricultural methods used: Not stated

Part of maca used: Root

Form of maca: Pulverized, dehydrated tablets

Dose: 2.4 grams per day (1,200 mg bid) as tablets

Results:

While both the placebo group and maca group reported significant improvements, the maca group experienced:

• More significant effects after 12 weeks of treatment per the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) score (p< 0.001)

• Improvement in psychological performance-related Satisfaction Profile (SAT-P) score, (p< 0.05)

• Only maca-treated patients experienced a significant improvement in physical and social performance-related SAT-P score compared with the baseline (p< 0.05)

Other details:

• No adverse effects were reported/observed

Species: Lepidium meyenii

Source of maca: Maca root voucher no. F15/32/A7, reference no. PW0889

Location where maca was grown: Cerro de Pasco region of Peru

Agricultural methods used: Not stated

Part of maca used: Root

Form of maca: Gelatinized extract

Dose: 2,000 mg per day (5 capsules containing 400 mg each)

Results:

• Significantly improved 40 km cycling time performance compared to the baseline test (P=0.01), but not compared to the placebo trial after supplementation (P>0.05)

• Significantly improved the self-rated sexual desire score compared to the baseline test (P=0.01), and compared to the placebo trial after supplementation (P=0.03)

Species: Lepidium meyenii

Source of maca: Maca Power, Incan Food, Murwillumbah, NSW, Australia

Location where maca was grown: Peru

Agricultural methods used: Not stated

Part of maca used: Not stated

Form of maca: Dried maca powder

Dose: 3.5 grams one time per day, powder taken in breakfast cereal, soup, or a milk shake

Results:

• No estrogenic or androgenic activity was detected in the maca used for the study.

• Significant reduction (p<0.05, 30%) in symptoms as rated by GCS, including decreased anxiety and depression and improved sexual function (p<0.05)

• No differences were seen in serum concentrations of estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and sex hormone-binding globulin

• Post hoc analyses revealed significant increase in estradiol would only be detected at a 30% increase.

Other details:

• Positive effects are independent of estrogenic or androgenic activity

• Proposed action of maca is related to the phytoestrogenic activity of A-sitosterol flavonoids present in maca are potent inhibitors of monoamine oxidase activity

Species: Lepidium meyenii

Source of maca: Purchased from A Healthy Alternative (ahealthya.com) in Long Island, NY.

Location where maca was grown: Not stated

Agricultural methods used: Not stated

Part of maca used: Root

Form of maca: Not stated

Dose: 1.5 g/day (low dose) or 3.0 g/day (high dose), capsules

Results:

Both dosing groups had significant improvement in mean ASEX and MGH-SFQ score.

For the group taking 3 g/ day:

• An increased improvement in sexual function was observed compared to the low dose group, as measured by ASEX (p=0.028) and MGH-SFQ (p=0.017)

• Significant improvement in libido (P<0.05), with increased sexual attempts (p=0.048) and enjoyment (p=0.019)

• Small but significant decrease in depressive symptoms (p=0.047)

Other details:

Adverse events reported as GI upset (n = 5), headache (n = 2), irritability (n = 2), panic attack (n = 1), urinary frequency (n = 1), blurry vision (n = 1), sleep disruption (n = 1), increased sweating (n = 1), increased dreaming (n = 1), thicker menstrual discharge (n = 1), and fibromyalgia exacerbation (n = 1). These events were reported as transient and did not lead to discontinuation of the supplement.

Abbreviations: ASEX:Arizona Sexual Experience Scale; MGH-SFQ:Massachusetts General Hospital Sexual Function Questionnaire

Species: Lepidium meyenii

Source of maca: Maca Gelatinizada from Laboratorios Hersil

Location where maca was grown: La Molina-Lima, Peru

Agricultural methods used: Not stated

Part of maca used: Root

Form of maca: Dehydrated, gelatinized root

Dose: 3 groups: 1) 500 mg tid, every eight hours 2) 1,000mg tid, every eight hours3) 1,500 mg qd in the morning

Abbreviations: tid: three times daily; qd: one time daily

Results:

Results of the three groups did not differ.

• Sexual desired increased in all three groups at weeks 8 and 12.

• At week 2, a significant increase in 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone was observed in the group treated with 3,000 mg, but after assessing as a percentage, there was no significant difference.

• No other hormones (testosterone, prolactin, FSH, LH, or estradiol) were significantly increased or decreased.

Abbreviations: FSH: follicle stimulating hormone; LH: luteinizing hormone

Species: Lepidium meyenii

Source of maca: Maca Gelatinizada from Laboratorios Hersil

Location where maca was grown: La Molina-Lima, Peru

Agricultural methods used: Not stated

Part of maca used: Root

Form of maca: Gelatinized, dehydrated root

Dose: 1,500 mg (three 500 mg capsules per day) or 3,000 mg (six 500 mg capsules per day)

Results:

• At week 8, the group treated with maca had a significant increase (40%) in sexual desire (p<0.008)

• At week 12, the group treated with maca had a significant increase (42.2%) in sexual desire (p<0.006)

• No differences in the effect were noted between the dosing groups.

• No changes in hormone levels (testosterone or estradiol) or mood (depression/anxiety) were observed.

Other details:

• Authors note the effect of maca on sexual desire could be because of any unknown chemical signal, i.e., phytoestrogens

Species: Lepidium meyenii

Source of maca: Maca Gelatinizada La Molina tablets provided by the Laboratorios Hersil (Lima, Peru), which could also be purchased in the pharmacy.

Location where maca was grown: Peru

Agricultural methods used: Unknown (Abstract only)

Part of maca used: Root

Form of maca: Unknown (Abstract only)

Dose: 1,500 or 3,000 mg/day tablets

Results:

• Treatment with maca resulted in increased seminal volume (p<0.05), total sperm count (p<0.05), motile sperm count (p<0.05), semen volume ((p<0.05) and sperm motility (p<0.05).

• Increase of sperm count was not related to dose of maca.

• Serum hormone levels were not modified with maca treatment.

Other details:

• Authors state improvements in sperm production and motility were not related to mechanisms of luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, prolactin, testosterone, or estradiol.