✓ No active regulatory warningsFDA MedWatch, EMA EudraVigilance, WHO VigiBase, WADA Prohibited List · 2026-05-29
⚠ Patient expecting testosterone boost — maca does NOT alter hormones [2]
⚠ Gelatinized > raw (better tolerated, reduced goitrogens) [1]
⚠ Thyroid patient — cruciferous goitrogen content (reduced in gelatinized form) [1]
ℹ️ Not obtained from food. Not applicable — this is not obtained from food in meaningful amounts; supplementation is the practical route.
🔬 Lab interpreter
ℹ️ No validated blood test. There is no established laboratory test to assess status or guide dosing for this ingredient. Clinical response and symptoms are the practical guide.
⚕ For professionals — confirm ranges against your local laboratory.
Clinical verdict
Maca improves sexual desire WITHOUT altering hormone levels — unique mechanism. Systematic review positive for libido in both sexes. Black maca for male fertility, red for prostate. Gelatinized form preferred (better tolerated). It is a traditional Andean food, not a drug. Does NOT boost testosterone [1] [2].
1 How much do I need?
👤 Adults: Specific dosage data under clinical review
👴 Elderly: Specific dosage data under clinical review
🤰 Pregnancy: See guidance
Traditional food in Peru. No formal supplement safety data [1].
👦 Pediatric: See guidance
Traditional food in Andes. No supplement data [1].
🏃 Athletes: Standard dose
⚖️ Obesity: Standard dose
Fat-soluble compounds may require dose adjustment in obesity.
🩺 Renal: Consult specialist
Dose adjustment may be needed in renal impairment.
🌱 Vegan: Standard dose
How to take
🍽 Timing: Any time. Not stimulating [1].
💊 With food: Mix in smoothies, beverages [1].
🚫 Avoid: Raw maca in thyroid patients (goitrogens — reduced in gelatinized) [1].
2 Which form?
| Form | Bioavailability | Vegan | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ['Gelatinized maca powder', 'preferred', 'Starch removed (pre-cooked). Better tolerated GI. Concentrated. 1,500–3,000 mg/day [1].'] | Standard | Check label | |
| ['Raw maca powder', 'common', 'Full root powder. 3–5 g/day. May cause GI issues (raw starch + goitrogens) [1].'] | Standard | Check label | |
| ['Maca extract', '', 'Concentrated. Various ratios [1].'] | Standard | Check label |
3 Common questions
Does maca increase testosterone? ▼
No — multiple trials confirm maca does NOT raise testosterone, estrogen, or other hormone levels [2]. Yet it improves sexual desire. The mechanism is not hormonal — possibly hypothalamic modulation of sexual behavior.
Which color maca is best? ▼
Black: male fertility/sperm. Red: prostate/bone (animal data). Yellow: general adaptogenic [1]. Most supplements use yellow or mixed.
Raw vs gelatinized? ▼
Gelatinized (pre-cooked): starch removed, better tolerated, concentrated, reduced goitrogens. Preferred for supplementation [1].
Is maca a stimulant? ▼
No. It provides a mild energizing effect without stimulation. It does not contain caffeine or other stimulants. Well-tolerated in the evening [1].
4 Clinical evidence
Strong
Does NOT directly alter testosterone, estrogen, FSH, LH, or cortisol levels — this is confirmed across multiple trials [2]. A food (not a drug) at standard doses [1]. HIGH
Moderate
Sexual desire: systematic review of 4 RCTs found maca improved sexual desire in both men and women [2]. Menopausal symptoms: some trials show reduced anxiety, depression, and sexual dysfunction scores [2]. Male fertility: black maca improved sperm concentration and motility in small trials [2]. Mood/energy: traditional use with some supportive data [2]. MODERATE
Insufficient
5 Safety, toxicity & adverse events
Relative
⚠ Hormone-sensitive conditions — theoretical caution (effects appear non-hormonal but data are limited)
⚠ Thyroid conditions — raw maca is goitrogenic; cook before use
⚠ Pregnancy and lactation — insufficient safety data
🚩 Red flags
● Thyroid patient on raw maca — goitrogen concern (use gelatinized) [1]
6 Interactions
Drug interactions
Thyroid medications Minor
Mechanism: Cruciferous goitrogens (glucosinolates). Reduced in gelatinized form. [1]
Effect: Theoretical thyroid interference. [1]
Action: Use gelatinized. Monitor TSH [1].
Supplement synergies
Ashwagandha · 300–600 mg ashwagandha
Complementary adaptogens with different profiles (maca: libido/energy; ashwagandha: stress/sleep) [1].
Complementary adaptogens with different profiles (maca: libido/energy; ashwagandha: stress/sleep) [1].
7 Regulatory
Peru: Traditional food and medicine. National heritage crop [1].
United States (FDA): GRAS as food. Dietary supplement [1].
European Union: Novel food ingredient [1].
South Korea: Dietary supplement.
8 US supplement products
215
on-market products containing Maca (NIH DSLD)
Brands carrying Maca (137)
Click a brand to see its Maca products.
9 Frequently paired with
10 References (2)
[1]National Institutes of Health, NCCIH. Maca. Updated 2024. www.nccih.nih.gov REVIEW Accessed: 2026-05-29
[2]Gonzales GF, et al. Effect of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy men. Andrologia. 2002;34(6):367-372. doi:10.1046/j.1439-0272.2002.00519.x REVIEW Accessed: 2026-05-29
11 Related articles
Auto-populated from GMJ Newsroom. Articles tagged "Maca".
12 Cite this page
Vancouver: Pkhakadze G. Maca — safety profile [Internet]. Tbilisi: PHIG; 2026 [cited 2026 Jun 01]. Available from: https://supplement.ge/ingredients/maca/
APA 7th: Pkhakadze, G. (2026). Maca — Safety profile. Public Health Institute of Georgia. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/maca/
📋 Editorial information
Author: Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Institution: Public Health Institute of Georgia (PHIG)
Affiliation: David Tvildiani Medical University (DTMU)
First published: January 2026
Last reviewed: 2026-05-29
Next review: December 2026
References: 2 cited sources
COI: SupplementIndex receives no funding from supplement manufacturers. All content independently authored by PHIG.
Process: Systematic literature review
📄 License & reuse
Published under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). You may share and adapt for any purpose with attribution.
Pkhakadze G. "Maca — Safety Profile." SupplementIndex, PHIG, 2026. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/maca/ CC BY 4.0.
GP
Educational and public health purposes. CC BY 4.0. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Corrections: info@accreditation.ge. Publisher: PHIG