Maca root: types, real benefits and how to choose
I am going to tell you something I see constantly in the pharmacy: people come in looking for maca root, but they have very vague ideas about which type to choose and whether it really works. There is so much contradictory information on the internet that many end up buying the first thing they find. Today, from a pharmacist’s perspective, I am going to clear up this chaos.
What is maca root?
Preguntas frecuentes
How long does it take to notice the effects of maca root?
From my experience as a pharmacist, maca is not a supplement with an immediate effect. Clinical studies usually work with periods of 6 to 12 weeks of continuous use to observe significant improvements in energy, libido or mood. My recommendation is to be consistent for at least 8 weeks before deciding whether it is working for you or not.
Does maca root affect hormones or act like a phytoestrogen?
This is one of the questions I am asked most often in the pharmacy, and the answer is reassuring: maca does not act as a phytoestrogen and does not directly change hormone levels. Its mechanism is adaptogenic, meaning it helps the body to rebalance itself indirectly. Even so, if you have a diagnosed hormonal condition, I recommend discussing it with your doctor before starting.
Can I take maca root if I am a woman going through the menopause?
Yes, and this is one of the profiles where red maca shows the greatest clinical interest. Several studies have observed a reduction in hot flushes, improved mood and greater overall wellbeing in postmenopausal women. It does not replace hormone treatment if you need it, but it can be an interesting complement. Always discuss it with your gynaecologist if you are on active treatment.
Is maca root compatible with other supplements such as ashwagandha or magnesium?
In general yes, maca is compatible with most common supplements, including adaptogens such as ashwagandha and minerals such as magnesium. No relevant interactions have been described between them. What I would say is that combining many adaptogens at the same time makes it harder to know which one is actually working. It is better to introduce them one by one and assess your response.
Referencias científicas
- [fuente] [acceder] — PMID: 21977053
- [fuente] [acceder] — https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/list-all/
- Gonzales GF, Córdova A, Vega K, et al. (2002). Effect of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy men. Andrologia, 34(6), 367–372. [acceder] — PMID: 12472620
- Stojanovska L, Law C, Lai B, et al. (2015). Maca reduces blood pressure and depression, in a pilot study in postmenopausal women. Climacteric, 18(1), 69–78. [acceder] — PMID: 24931003
- National Institutes of Health – Office of Dietary Supplements. (2023). Maca. NIH ODS Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet. [acceder] — https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Maca-HealthProfessional/
Jorge Peláez Gutiérrez
Pharmacist & Digital Health Entrepreneur
Jorge Peláez Gutiérrez is a registered pharmacist in Cantabria (Spain), registration number 1383, specialising in online pharmacy, digital parapharmacy and e-commerce applied to the health sector. He is the founder and CEO of Farma2Go, a Spanish online pharmacy established in 2015.