Maca Side Effects
What maca
side effects can I expect if I take this herb?
Maca (Lepidium meyenii)
is a
plant that grows in Peru. It is a vegetable crop that is eaten by
Peruvians for hundreds of years. It is used to boost libido (sex drive)
and treat erectile dysfunction (ED or impotence) in men.
Since maca root is a vegetable, no significant side effects have been reported. Eaten in amounts normally
found in a typical meal will not cause any unwanted side effects.
Does maca
affect testosterone and other hormone levels?
Because
of its ability to boost sex drive and treat impotence, some researchers
suspect that it might do this by increasing testosterone levels in the
body. But studies carried show that it had no effect on testosterone,
estradiol and 17-hydroxyprogestone levels in men.
This is good
because it means maca is able to be used as a sexual stimulant herb
without side effects related to boosting hormone levels (which in
itself can cause side effects).
What if I
take large amounts of maca, say in a pill form?
There
have been reports of bloating and flatulence with high doses of maca.
Eating fresh maca might cause stomach pains, but it should be mild.
Does it have
any stimulating effects like caffeine?
In
theory, taking maca supplements might cause a stimulating effect on the
brain but this is not shown in any human or animal studies. Again, this
is in theory only.
If this is the case, people suffering from
uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension) should monitor their blood pressure
when they start or stop taking maca pills. Consult with your healthcare professional to have them evaluate this concern.
It
should have no significant effects on blood pressure for healthy people
or those with their high blood pressure controlled by medications.
For a FULL
unbiased review complete with a list of all the reported health
benefits, see our article Maca.
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