Maca is a root vegetable grown in the mountains of South America. It is used for food and is also used medicinally. It is an active ingredient in
dietary supplements claimed to be useful for a variety of different purposes, especially to enhance fertility and sexual performance.
(Click Benefits of Maca for more information on what the supplement is used for.)
As a plant, maca contains many different compounds and nutrients. It contains carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, and fatty acids. It contains a few different
plant sterols and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which may be responsible for many of the medicinal properties. It also contains a significant amount of minerals, such as
calcium, iron, and copper. Maca also contains compounds known as glucosinolates, which may have anti-cancer properties.
It is not clear how exactly maca works for any use, although it has been shown that the substance does not seem to affect testosterone, estrogen, or other similar hormones, at least in healthy men.
Early studies have shown that maca may be useful for stimulating sexual desire in healthy men (although more research is necessary to confirm this finding). It is not clear if it is effective for other uses
(see Does Maca Work? for more information).
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