Why did we choose to put 1.5 grams of Maca in the DESIRE Bar for sexual vitality? Because of all the research shows increased libido, energy, and stamina, even for those on SSRIs.
In addition to being an antioxidant, supporting cognitive function, and being anti-inflammatory, we were able to get an efficacious dose by putting it in a healthy snack bar.
If you’re the kind of person who loves to deep dive into the data, there are at least twenty studies on Maca referenced here.
First a little background on this lovely botanical called the Peruvian Aphrodisiac:
The Maca plant, also called Lepidium meyenii or “Peruvian ginseng,” is a cruciferous vegetable related to broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and kale.
Maca is rich in fiber, a large number of essential amino acids, fatty acids, and other nutrients, including vitamin C, copper, iron, and calcium.
Maca is considered an adaptogen, meaning it belongs to a class of herbs that support the body’s resilience to physical, mental, and emotional stress.
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WOMEN’S LIBIDO SUPPORT
Despite the evidence that Maca may benefit women’s libido, the science is not settled on exactly how Maca works. However, researchers have several theories:
In addition to the previously mentioned evidence, Maca may promote normal testosterone in women. Some researchers believe its bioactive substances, such as prostaglandins, sterols, and aromatic isothiocyanates, are responsible for its aphrodisiac properties.
Maca has been shown to support the Hypothalamus Pituitary Adrenal (HPA)/Hypothalamus Pituitary Gonadal (HPG) axes, which could positively impact overall hormonal health, including sex hormones. 5
These axes are connected to the endocrine system and nervous systems. Therefore, all endocrine glands, nerves, and hormones benefit when they function optimally. 5
Maca supports normal production of the Luteinizing hormone, which plays a role in male and female libido.* 5
Maca’s previously mentioned nutrients, such as zinc, iodine (related to thyroid health), and essential fatty acids, have also been connected to a healthy sex drive. 6
Additionally, Andean women have used it for centuries to support libido, menstruation, and overall hormonal health.*
The main takeaway is there is evidence supporting Maca’s traditional use as an aphrodisiac in women. There’s just no formal scientific consensus on exactly how it works.
Research suggests that Maca may benefit people who are going through menopause by helping alleviate some symptoms, including hot flashes and interrupted sleep.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6419242/
MEN’S LIBIDO SUPPORT
How does Maca support men’s libido?* There are several possibilities.
Scientists hypothesize Maca’s adaptogenic properties could be partially responsible for its action.The theory is since adaptogens support adrenal health, they provide a downstream benefit to sex hormones, stress response, and mood.*
Maca contains nutrients essential to the production of male sex hormones, such as zinc 9 and B vitamins. 10
As mentioned in the section on how Maca works for female libido, Maca supports normal production of the Luteinizing hormone, which plays a role in male and female sex drive.* 5
As mentioned above, Maca supports the HPA/HPG axes in men and women, which affects sex hormones and overall hormonal function. 5
The previously mentioned two-part study on how Maca supported libido in women with sexual dysfunction caused by antidepressants also holds clues for men:
“Recently, an interesting case report in the British Medical Journal detailed the case of testosterone assay interference by Maca, suggesting that Maca contains an as of yet unspecified compound with a similar moiety to the human testosterone molecule and that it may be exerting its androgenic effects through actions at the testosterone receptor on target organs without affecting the level of testosterone or gonadotrophins 14 , 15 .
This may explain why studies in men demonstrate a lack of effect of Maca on serum hormone levels. 11 , 7 , 12 , 13
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In other words, Maca may contain an undiscovered plant compound that mimics testosterone without altering detectable human testosterone levels in men.
Although not all studies have been conducted on human subjects, some studies have found it may benefit males with low libido or low sexual desire.
Research shows that there’s a statistical difference in terms of testosterone levels between subjects who used Maca root and those who didn’t.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10307657/
Maca root could also have benefits for people with erectile dysfunction (ED). A small study in 2009 Trusted Source looked at the effect of consuming 2.4g of Maca root per day for 12 weeks on participants’ perception of their general and sexual well-being.
The study participants were males with mild ED. Those taking Maca root experienced a more significant increase in sexual well-being than those taking a placebo.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1439-0272.2008.00892.x
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6494062/
We still have much to learn about Maca’s actions on male sex drive. However, there is legitimate scientific and anecdotal evidence to suggest its efficacy.
A 2010 review of the effects of Lepidium meyenii on sexual function found evidence from four high-quality studies with a total of 131 participants that Maca root improved sexual desire after at least six weeks.
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2020/fo/c9fo02732g
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2928177/
MACA and SSRI’S
One 2015 study of 45 women who experienced antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction also found that taking 3,000 milligrams (mg) of Maca root per day for 12 weeks significantly improved sexual function and libido compared with a placebo.
That said, more well-designed studies are needed to investigate the effects of Maca on female libido and sexual function.
MACA AND ENERGY
One of the most common Maca powder benefits is that Maca root can improve energy levels.
A 2016 study of 175 people found that 3 grams of red or black Maca per day for 12 weeks increased energy levels when compared with a placebo.
An animal study on the effects of the Maca in mice found similar results — specifically that the extracts of Maca had improved metabolism.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5039502/
OVERALL MACA ATTRIBUTES
Human research investigating the potential health benefits of Maca is limited.
However, initial findings from animal studies suggest Maca may affect health in the following ways:
- May help preserve cognitive function
- May benefit benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
- May help wound healing
- May have anti-inflammatory properties
- May help digest nutrients
Keep in mind that there’s currently no evidence that these potential benefits apply to humans, so research on humans would be needed to investigate them.
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Neuroprotective
Improvement of cognitive function in stroke patients and age-related animals and humans, reduction in oxidative stress, anti-inflammatory action, regulation of transcription factors and protein inhibition
Dermatological
Prevention and improvement of the damage to skin caused by UV radiation and acceleration of wound healing at high altitudes
Diabetes
Reduction in glucose levels and lower levels of lipid oxidation inhibiting the oxidative damage in the liver, a significant increase in the insulin values, and an increase in the glutathione content
Learning
Improved spatial learning and memory deficits and passive avoidance learning and memory deficits
Fertility
Improvement in sexual desire, the volume of ejaculation, sperm concentration, and total sperm count
Energizing
Providing physical improvement in athletes and everyone. Higher levels of resistance and enzyme superoxide dismutase, and lower levels of catalase, lactate dehydrogenase, and lipid peroxidation
Anti-fatigue
Improvement of the enzymatic activity of glutathione peroxidase and creatine kinase and, helping in delaying the onset of symptoms of fatigue. Increasing the antioxidant capacity and accelerating the conversion of energy in ATP. Decreasing the level of nitrogen urea. Increasing the level of glycogen (dose-dependent effect).
Antioxidant
Intermediate antioxidant effect, wherein antioxidant activity depends on the extract concentration and microenvironment in which the compound is located. Antioxidant activity capable of inhibiting the formation of oxidation products
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Cumulative Research Details Here:
https://examine.com/supplements/Maca/
REFERENCES:
1. R C Rosen, “Prevalence and risk factors of sexual dysfunction in men and women”, Curr Psychiatry Rep . 2000 Jun;2(3):189-95. doi: 10.1007/s11920-996-0006-2..
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11122954/
2. Natália da Silva Leitão Peres, Letícia Cabrera Parra Bortoluzzi, Leila Larisa Medeiros Marques, Maysa Formigoni, Renata Hernandez Barros Fuchs, Adriana Aparecida Droval, Flávia Aparecida Reitz Cardoso, “Medicinal effects of Peruvian Maca (Lepidium meyenii): a review”, Food Funct . 2020 Jan 29;11(1):83-92. doi: 10.1039/c9fo02732g..
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31951246/
3. Nicole A Brooks, Gisela Wilcox, Karen Z Walker, John F Ashton, Marc B Cox, Lily Stojanovska, “Beneficial effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on psychological symptoms and measures of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women are not related to estrogen or androgen content”, Menopause . 2008 Nov-Dec;15(6):1157-62. doi: 10.1097/gme.0b013e3181732953..
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18784609/
4. Maria Rosales-Hartshorn*, “Maca: Botanical Medicine from the Andes”, Adv Food Technol Nutr Sci Open J. 2015; 1(2): e1-e6. doi: 10.17140/AFTNSOJ-1-e001.
https://www.openventio.org/Volume1-Issue2/Maca-Botanical-Medicine-from-the-Andes-AFTNSOJ-1-e001.pdf
5. Sánchez JML, Serrano ZA, Durán JA, Morales HSG, Álvarez PBM (2017), “Peruvian Maca and Possible Impact on Fertility”, J Nutr Health Food Eng 6(5): 00217. DOI: 10.15406/jnhfe.2017.06.00217.
6. Leila Mazaheri Nia, Mina Iravani, Parvin Abedi, Bahman Cheraghian, “Effect of Zinc on Testosterone Levels and Sexual Function of Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial”, J Sex Marital Ther . 2021;47(8):804-813. doi: 10.1080/0092623X.2021.1957732. Epub 2021 Jul 27..
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34311679/
7. G. F. Gonzales,A. Córdova,K. Vega,A. Chung,A. Villena,C. Góñez,S. Castillo, “Effect of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy men”, Journal of Andrology.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1046/j.1439-0272.2002.00519.x
8. Byung-Cheul Shin 1, Myeong Soo Lee, Eun Jin Yang, Hyun-Suk Lim, Edzard Ernst, “Maca (L. meyenii) for improving sexual function: a systematic review”, BMC Complement Altern Med . 2010 Aug 6;10:44. doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-10-44..
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20691074/
9. Ghanbarali Raeis Jalali, Jamshid Roozbeh, Azam Mohammadzadeh, Maryam Sharifian, Mohammad Mahdi Sagheb, Alireza Hamidian Jahromi, Sanaz Shabani, Fariborz Ghaffarpasand, Raha Afshariani, “Impact of oral zinc therapy on the level of sex hormones in male patients on hemodialysis”, Ren Fail . 2010 May;32(4):417-9. doi: 10.3109/08860221003706958..
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20446777/
10. Tahoora Shomali, Mahnaz Taherianfard, Maryam Dalvand, Fatemeh Namazi, “Effect of pharmacological doses of niacin on testicular structure and function in normal and diabetic rats”, Andrologia . 2018 Dec;50(10):e13142. doi: 10.1111/and.13142. Epub 2018 Sep 6..
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30191583/
11. Gonzales G. F., Cordova A., Gonzales C., Chung A., Vega K., Villena A., “Lepidium meyenii (Maca) improved semen parameters in adult men.”, Asian Journal of Andrology. 2001;3(4):301–303..
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4411442/#B19
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