Maca Root and Thyroid Health

Did you know that nearly one in every one hundred Americans suffer from hyperthyroidism? Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone, speeding up the body’s metabolism and causing dangerous symptoms like extreme weight loss, hand tremors, and a racing heartbeat.

Luckily, treatment for the condition exists - there are several pharmaceutical solutions, radioactive iodine treatments, and even surgery. While there are plenty of so-called health gurus who thumb their noses at such measures, at the end of the day, your health is in your hands, and any treatment decisions you make should be informed by the input of a licensed medical professional. But we believe that getting healthy is as much about day-to-day lifestyle solutions as it is about medical interventions.

If you struggle with your thyroid health, what are some steps you can take in your daily life to improve your overall well-being? Diet and exercise are key, of course. According to Harvard Medical School, you don’t need to follow a special diet while on thyroid hormone medication with a few exceptions, namely avoiding foods high in soy protein and iodine. A nutritious diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain foods in addition to regular exercise is hardly a novel concept.

So where does maca root fit in?

Is Maca Root Safe for Your Thyroid?

Maca root is a cruciferous root vegetable, and in many cases, thyroid patients are actually advised to steer clear from significant servings of vegetables from the Brassicaceae family. This is because there are some concerns that cruciferous vegetables like kale and cauliflower may interfere with how your thyroid gland uses iodine, which is essential for thyroid function.

The good news is that it’s unlikely for maca to pose a measurable risk to your thyroid health. While it’s essential that you consult with your doctor if you live with hyper or hypothyroidism, the iodine content in maca root is in a bio-available form that can be readily used by the thyroid to help balance your hormones. Every 9 grams of maca powder contains only about 70% of the daily recommended dietary allowance of iodine, and in order to reach risky levels of iodine from maca you’d need to consume nearly 4 tablespoons daily, well beyond the recommended serving size for even our sturdiest maca athletes. 

Maca for a Healthy Thyroid

While maca itself doesn’t contain hormones, the hormone-balancing effect it exudes as an adaptogen has been observed to help balance the adrenal glands, thyroid, and pancreas in research studies.

Experts believe that adaptogens like maca root interact with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which initiates your body’s stress response and plays a big role in keeping your body functioning at its best.

If you still have concerns about the iodine in maca root, though, we recommend you try out our gelatinized maca products instead of raw maca. Gelatinized maca has been pre-cooked, altering the glucosinolates, or sulfur-containing compounds in the vegetable. 

About The Maca Team

The Maca Team is a family-run company of true Maca specialists here to bring you the most Maca has to offer. We are passionate about sharing high-quality Peruvian grown Maca with the world and proud to offer the best selection of maca products anywhere. Our products are always organically grown, fairly traded, non-GMO, gluten-free, fresh, and potent.

If you have any more questions about our maca,, we’d love to hear them! Don’t hesitate to Contact Us using our web form, or call us toll-free at (888) 919-8616.

Enjoy the day!