Maca Root and Testosterone Levels

Does maca root increase your testosterone levels? It might, but not in the way that you’d think. While there are many reasons you might be looking to boost your testosterone, at the end of the day the decision should come down to making health-conscious choices for your body. Taking hormone supplements, for example, is a serious matter that should be discussed with a physician in advance. But maca is very different from the process of hormone therapy, and it works in a unique way that’s unlikely to result in any negative or lasting side effects.

So how does maca help your body produce testosterone? Let’s take a look at what maca can do for you.

Does Maca Contain Testosterone?

The short answer to this question is: No. There’s a misconception that maca will raise the levels of testosterone in your body whether you’re male or female, and we’re happy to reassure you that that isn’t the case. How, then, does maca increase testosterone if it doesn’t contain any?

Maca root possesses many uniquely helpful nutrients and vitamins, and one thing that makes it so special is its recognition as an adaptogen. Adaptogens are described as “herbs, roots, and other plant substances [...] that help our bodies manage stress and restore balance after a stressful situation.” This applies to different kinds of stress ranging from physical to emotional, and it includes hormonal stress. Maca is recommended for managing your hormonal health, and for helping your body achieve balance as it under- or over-produces hormones in a way that might negatively impact your overall wellness.

How Does Maca Improve Testosterone?

The research is ongoing. Though studies have demonstrated that regularly consuming maca does result in the kind of effects you might see from the use of HRT or steroids, like increased energy and strength and a heightened libido, there’s no marked change in serum testosterone levels. And yet, participants in these studies do register an increase of free testosterone. So we can say that men adding maca to their diets consistently and in combination with regular exercise and healthy eating habits may see their body stimulated to produce and regulate naturally-produced hormones more effectively.

Which Maca Should I Take for Testosterone?

When it comes to which of our organic maca products you should try, there’s really no right or wrong answer. Historically maca was consumed as a tri-color mix, which we sometimes refer to as our “heritage blend” maca. Research on the reported benefits of the three different colors of maca root - red, black, and yellow - is a fairly recent phenomenon. As detailed in our page on Maca for Men, red and black maca roots are the colors generally associated with benefits more commonly sought out by men, which include increased libido and help with muscle-building. Black maca for example is anabolic, which means that it supports healthy, natural muscle-growth. Keep in mind that every body is unique, and what worked for another might not be the right fit for you - consider what you’re hoping to get out of adding maca to your diet, and how that’s going to help decide how often you’ll enjoy your maca and what your serving size will be.

Our Maca Finder product selection tool allows you to enter information on yourself and your goals in order to suggest a maca product for you. You can also check out our maca samplers. But if you’re still not sure where to start, don’t hesitate to Contact Us using our web form, or call us toll-free at 888-919-8616!

Enjoy the day!