Maca Root and Your Hormones

One question - and concern - that comes up with regard to maca sometimes relates to its “hormone content.” Does maca root contain hormones, and if so, how does it impact yours?

Fret not - maca root does not, in fact, contain any hormones at all. But it CAN impact your hormone health…for the better!

Maca and Your Hormones

Maca root doesn’t contain hormones. It is, however, an adaptogen, meaning that it can exert a kind of balancing effect on your bodily functions. This shouldn’t be a surprise, given some of maca’s most commonly known functions: its impact on fertility and the libido. But there are numerous other ways maca root can affect your hormone health.

HRT, or Hormone Replacement Therapy, is currently the most common approach to addressing hormonal imbalance in both men and women. However, HRT can sometimes cause negative side effects like mood swings, nausea, headaches, and more. This leaves some looking for homeopathic alternatives to address their hormone health. Keep in mind that if you believe you’re experiencing serious health issues due to hormone deficiencies, your first step should be to consult with a licensed medical professional. But if all you need is a way to even out some imbalance in the hormone levels produced by your adrenals, organic maca root may be able to help with that.

Maca Root and Estrogen

In the Peruvian Andes where maca has been grown for many generations, it’s been touted as a remedy for issues with fertility, fatigue, and more. Menopause is another health concern which maca has been historically affiliated with. Modern research has found that consuming maca root produced an antidepressant-like effect in subjects in addition to relieving symptoms of hot flashes and night sweats. And a double-blind study performed in 2015 found that both premenopausal and postmenopausal women who regularly consumed maca for a period of twelve weeks testified to a markedly increased sex drive. Maca isn’t a magical cure-all - it can’t always fix what ails you. But research has shown that it can help balance hormonal levels during menopause. While scientists are still trying to understand exactly how it does this, evidence indicates that taking maca mitigates menopause symptoms like depression, mood swings, and anxiety. Some researchers have concluded that this makes maca of real use to those undergoing menopause, and that it could benefit pre-menopausal individuals to begin consuming maca in anticipation of its onset.

Maca Root and Testosterone

Though maca root doesn’t contain testosterone, it doeshave a positive effect on the libido as well as production and quality of sperm. This is because maca is an adaptogen, or one of several “herbs, roots, and other plant substances [...] that help our bodies manage stress and restore balance.” It’s believed that maca may work by stimulating the body to step up its own production of hormones. Though research doesn't seem to indicate that consuming maca root actually raises serum testosterone levels, it does produce effects like increased energy and strength and reduced incidents of Erectile Dysfunction. The evidence suggests that men adding maca to their diets consistently and in combination with regular exercise may see their body stimulated to produce naturally-occurring hormones more effectively. 

Which Maca Should I Take for Hormone Health?

 In the parts of the world where maca has been historically harvested for human consumption, it isn’t separated by color, but rather consumed as a tri-color or “heritage blend” of black, red, and yellow maca roots. Today, though, two colors in particular have been singled out for improving or seeming to improve hormone health for specific genders: namely, red maca for women and black maca for men. Our Maca Finder product selection tool can help you identify a good maca product to start with based on your desired effects, your body’s digestion, and your activity levels. You can also pick up one of our maca sample sets to try different maca root colors and formulations.

Questions?

If you have any more questions about our maca root products, 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!