You may have heard claims that maca works wonders for a variety of different medical problems, especially sexual health problems. But are these claims really true? This article will address some of the questions you may have about the effectiveness of maca for various uses.
Does Maca Work for Sexual Desire?
One study has indicated that maca supplementation may improve sexual desire in healthy men, compared to a placebo (a "sugar pill" that does not contain any active ingredients). This study also looked at
depression,
anxiety, and blood levels of testosterone and estrogen.
Maca did not seem to have any effect on these factors. However, more research is needed to confirm the results of this single study.
Does Maca Work for Other Uses?
It is not clear if maca is effective for other uses, as it has not been adequately studied for any other use in humans. Studies in animals (usually mice) suggest that maca may be effective for treating a variety of different conditions, such as an
enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or
BPH),
high cholesterol, low sperm count, and perhaps even
diabetes. However, humans do not necessarily respond to medications or supplements in the same way that animals do, and it cannot be assumed that maca really works for these uses until human studies have been done.
Final Thoughts on Maca Effectiveness
Maca shows promise for treating a variety of different medical conditions. However, maca has been studied very little in humans, and it is not yet clear if it really works for humans. One study has suggested that maca is probably effective at increasing sexual desire in men.
