Maca Root
Supplements · Hormone Support · Supplement, Typed Supps
Studied mostly for energy and libido, on modest evidence.
Stage by stage
- Intake (Powder or capsule): Digested like a starchy root food.
- Small intestine (Digested like a root food): Digested like a starchy root food, with nutrients absorbed through normal digestion.
- Bloodstream (Nutrients absorbed): Nutrients and plant compounds enter the bloodstream through normal digestion.
- Energy & libido (Doesn’t significantly shift hormones): Doesn’t appear to significantly alter major reproductive hormone levels, despite common marketing claims.
What the evidence supports
- Modestly increasing sexual desire — limited evidence. Small randomised trials at around 3 g daily show improved libido in men, and in women with SSRI-related sexual dysfunction, usually after 8–12 weeks. The trials are few, small and methodologically mixed.
- Boosting energy or physical performance — insufficient evidence. Energy and stamina are leading marketing claims but have little controlled support.
Typical dose
1.5–3 g daily of dried root powder or extract
Upper limit: No established UL
Timing
With food, standard dosing.
Time to effect
- Weeks: Any reported effect in studies.
Common myth
“Maca significantly boosts testosterone or oestrogen.” In reality: Most studies don’t show meaningful changes in major sex hormone levels.
More in Hormone Support
In the glossary
Sources