Effect of Lepidium meyenii (Maca), a root with aphrodisiac and fertility-enhancing properties, on serum reproductive hormone levels in adult healthy men

Abstract

Lepidium meyenii (Maca) is a Peruvian hypocotyl that grows exclusively between 4000 and 4500 m in the central Andes. Maca is traditionally employed in the Andean region for its supposed aphrodisiac and/or fertilityenhancing properties.This study was a 12-week double-blind, placebocontrolled, randomized, parallel trial in which active treatment with different doses of Maca Gelatinizada was compared with a placebo. The study aimed to test the hypothesis that Maca has no effect on serum reproductive hormone levels in apparently healthy men when administered in doses used for aphrodisiac and/or fertilityenhancing properties. Men aged between 21 and 56 years received 1500 mg or 3000 mg Maca.Serum levels of luteinizing hormone, folliclestimulating hormone, prolactin, 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone and 17-beta estradiol were measured before and at 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment with placebo or Maca (1·5 g or 3·0 g per day). Data showed that compared with placebo Maca had no effect on any of the hormones studied nor did the hormones show any changes over time. Multiple regression analysis showed that serum testosterone levels were not affected by treatment with Maca at any of the times studied (P, not significant).In conclusion, treatment with Maca does not affect serum reproductive hormone levels.

Effect of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on spermatogenesis in male rats acutely exposed to high altitude (4340 m)

“…This has also been observed in men treated with 1500 or 3000 mg/ day (Gonzales et al 2003). This suggests that the effect of Maca on spermatogenesis, particularly on stages VIII and IX-XI, could be due to a direct effect on the testis.…”

Effect of argi+ and multi maca food supplements on sportsmen’s physical and functional capacity

“…Maca, like ginger, is a powerful adaptogene, which improves the body ability to adapt to complicated and stressful situations. Scientific studies have shown that Maca improves memory and neurotransmitter function, increases the amount of oxygen in the blood and enhances libido [5][6][7][8]. Maca alkaloids positively effect hypothalamus and adrenal glands, and this provides energy, and increases vitality [7; 9].…”

Superfoods: Perfect Addition or Unnecessery Supplement?

“…W innym randomizowanym badaniu przeprowadzonym wśród 65 osób chorujących na cukrzycę typu drugiego również wykazano zmniejszenie poziomu glikemii (10%), a nie wykazano wpływu na profil lipidowy. W badaniu Vanschoonbeeka et al [47], w którym podawano cynamon w dawce 1,5 g/dzień przez 6 tygodni grupie 25 kobiet po menopauzie chorym na cukrzycę typu 2 nie zaobserwowano wpływu na stężenie glukozy we krwi, wrażliwość na insulinę oraz profil lipidowy. W innym badaniu kobietom cierpiącym na zespół policystycznych jajników (polycystic ovary syndrome -PCOS) podawano cynamon i stwierdzono istotne zmniejszenie insulinooporności w porów-naniu z grupą otrzymującą placebo.…”

“…Rozbieżności w badaniach nie pozwalają wyciągnąć jednoznacznych wniosków odnośnie do roli cynamonu w leczeniu cukrzycy typu 2. Konieczne są zatem dalsze badania w celu potwierdzenia lub wykluczenia korzystnego wpływu tej przyprawy na proces leczenia cukrzycy [47][48][49]51].…”