Benefits Of Maca Root For Male Fertility & How Does It Work?
Maca root has traditionally been considered an herb for females. However, recently, some studies have emerged in both humans and animals to evaluate the impact of this root on male fertility. The results indicate that it affects sperm count and quality and reduces stress, thereby improving libido and sexual function and potentially providing various benefits of Maca root for male fertility. For further understanding, let's refer to the article below.
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Is Maca Root Good For Male Fertility?
Maca is widely known for both its nutritional and fertility-enhancing properties. According to some studies, maca root may have a positive effect on male fertility by improving sperm quality and quantity, as well as hormonal balance.
For example, a 2020 study found that taking 1.75 grams of maca root per day for 12 weeks significantly increased semen concentration compared with a placebo therapy [1].
Another trial also found that maca root improved sperm motility, count, and volume in infertile and fertile men. This trial is in Melnikovova Czech with 20 healthy men (ages 20–40).
After 12 weeks (1.75 g/d), the use of Maca had positive effects of Maca on several semen quality parameters in healthy men [2].
Additionally, maca root can also help to reduce stress, which is a common factor that affects male fertility.
Recently, research showed that the combined extracts of Lepidium meyenii and Allium tuberosum Rottl (or Chinese chive seeds, grow in China, known for their medicinal properties, such as being anti-inflammatory and rich in antioxidants) had a synergic effect in improving erectile dysfunction in male mice [8].
What Are Benefits Of Maca Root For Male Fertility
Improving Erectile Function And Preventing Erectile Dysfunction
Sexual dysfunction is a common problem that affects both men and women, and it can have negative impacts on their quality of life, self-esteem, and relationships. Maca can help improve sexual function by enhancing libido, increasing stamina, improving erectile function, and balancing hormones.
One study suggests that emerging evidence suggests that Maca, a natural dietary supplement, holds promise in enhancing sexual desire and addressing mild erectile dysfunction among men [4].
This efficacy is attributed to Maca's unique composition, which includes phytoestrogens - a class of compounds known to exert hormonal effects.
By introducing these phytoestrogens, Maca modulates male hormone levels, thereby potentially improving various aspects of sexual function [5].
Moreover, Maca also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can protect the reproductive organs from oxidative stress and inflammation [3].
Enhancing Libido And Sexual Performance
Studies suggest that regular consumption of Maca can lead to increased libido and heightened sexual desire, making it a potential option for individuals seeking natural ways to improve their sexual health and experiences.
A trial in 12-week compared active treatment with different doses of the gelatinized showed that men aged 21 to 56 years who received Maca in one of two doses, 1500 mg or 3000 mg, had improved sexual desire observed with Maca since 8 weeks of the trial [3].
Besides, a trial of athletes taking Maca for 14 days greatly improved the time to complete a 40 km time test and increased the self-reported sexual desire in trained male cyclists [6].
How Does Maca Root Help Male Fertility?
Maca root helps male fertility in several ways, such as:
Maca Root Benefits For Male Fertility By Reducing Stress
Stress can have a negative impact on male fertility by lowering the testosterone levels, impairing the sperm production, and affecting the libido.
Maca root can help to reduce stress by modulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is responsible for regulating the stress response [7].
Maca improves the enzymatic activity of glutathione, helping delay the onset of symptoms of fatigue, increasing the antioxidant capacity, and accelerating the conversion of energy in ATP.
Maca May Help With Male Fertility Through Increases Sperm Count
Sperm count is one of the most important factors for male fertility, as it determines the chances of fertilizing an egg.
Maca root can help to increase the sperm count by stimulating the production of spermatozoa in the testes.
Maca administration as tablets may improve sperm production and sperm motility. It was able to increase both the semen volume and sperm motility [9].
Maca Root Has Essential Mineral And Compounds For Male Fertility
Maca root contains essential minerals and compounds that are beneficial for male fertility, such as vitamin C, copper, iron, and calcium [3].
Besides these essential nutrients, this root contains bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, choline, and sterols, that make Maca have various biological activities.
Other Benefits Of Maca Root For Male
Maca root is not only good for male fertility but also for other aspects of male health, such as:
- Increasing muscle mass and strength.
- Supporting prostate health and preventing benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
- Promoting cognitive function and memory.
- Supporting bone health and preventing osteoporosis.
- Potential in diabetes management by reducing glucose levels, inhibiting lipid oxidation, and enhancing insulin sensitivity.
- Support skin health.
- Good impact on Cardiovascular Health.
Conclusion
In addition to the benefits of Maca root for male fertility, this type of root also holds great potential in supporting overall men's health. Through mechanisms such as stress reduction and improvement in sperm count and quality, Maca root has contributed to supporting male fertility, providing men with a promising natural alternative. While particularly renowned for its benefits for women, men can also take advantage of this type of root, especially for male fertility.
References
- [1] Melnikovova, I., Russo, D., Fait, T., Kolarova, M., Tauchen, J., Nataliya Kushniruk, Falabella, R., Milella, L., & Eloy Fernández Cusimamani. (2021). Evaluation of the effect of Lepidium meyenii Walpers in infertile patients: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial. Phytotherapy Research, 35(11), 6359–6368. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7287.
- [2] Myeong Soo Lee, Hye Won Lee, You, S., & Ha, K.-T. (2016). The use of maca ( Lepidium meyenii ) to improve semen quality: A systematic review. Maturitas, 92, 64–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2016.07.013.
- [3] Leitão, S., Cabrera, L., Larisa, L., Maysa Formigoni, Hernandez, R., Adriana Aparecida Droval, & Reitz, A. (2020). Medicinal effects of Peruvian maca (Lepidium meyenii): a review. Food & Function, 11(1), 83–92. https://doi.org/10.1039/c9fo02732g.
- [4] Melnikovova, I., Fait, T., Kolarova, M., Fernandez, E. C., & Milella, L. (2015). Effect ofLepidium meyeniiWalp. on Semen Parameters and Serum Hormone Levels in Healthy Adult Men: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/324369.
- [5] Gonzales, G., Cordova, A., Vega, K., Chung, A., Villena, A., & Gonez, C. (2003). Effect of Lepidium meyenii (Maca), a root with aphrodisiac and fertility-enhancing properties, on serum reproductive hormone levels in adult healthy men. Journal of Endocrinology, 176(1), 163–168. https://doi.org/10.1677/joe.0.1760163.
- [6] Lee, E., Park, M., Kim, B., & Kang, S. (2023). Effect of Black Maca Supplementation on Inflammatory Markers and Physical Fitness in Male Elite Athletes. Nutrients, 15(7), 1618–1618. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15071618.
- [7] Tang, R., Wang, L., & Li, A. (2019). SIFT DESK Antianxiety and anti-depressant effects of Maca (L. meyenii) ethanolic extract on chronic unpredictable mild stress of rats through hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. SDRP Journal of Food Science & Technology, 4(4). https://doi.org/10.25177/JFST.4.4.RA.466.
- [8] Lepidium meyenii (Maca) in male reproduction. (2021). Natural Product Research. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14786419.2019.1698572.
- [9] Gustavo F. Gonzales, et al. “Lepidium Meyenii (Maca) Improved Semen Parameters in Adult Men.” Department of Physiological Sciences, 3 Dec. 2001.
- [10] Chen, R., Wei, J., & Gao, Y. (2021). A review of the study of active components and their pharmacology value in Lepidium meyenii (Maca). Phytotherapy Research, 35(12), 6706–6719. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7257.
- [11] Lee, E., Park, M., Kim, B., & Kang, S. (2023). Effect of Black Maca Supplementation on Inflammatory Markers and Physical Fitness in Male Elite Athletes. Nutrients, 15(7), 1618–1618. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15071618.
- [12] Cinthya Vásquez‐Velásquez, Gasco, M., Fano-Sizgorich, D., & Gonzales, G. F. (2020). Inflammatory pathway employed by Red Maca to treat induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats. Andrologia, 52(3). https://doi.org/10.1111/and.13516.
- [13] Guo, S.-S., Gao, X.-F., Gu, Y.-R., Wan, Z.-X., Lu, A-Ming., Qin, Z.-H., & Luo, L. (2016). Preservation of Cognitive Function byLepidium meyenii(Maca) Is Associated with Improvement of Mitochondrial Activity and Upregulation of Autophagy-Related Proteins in Middle-Aged Mouse Cortex. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2016, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/4394261.
- [14] Gonzales-Arimborgo, C., Yupanqui, I., Montero, E., Alarcón-Yaquetto, D. E., Alisson Zevallos-Concha, Caballero, L., Gasco, M., Zhao, J., Khan, I. A., & Gonzales, G. F. (2016). Acceptability, Safety, and Efficacy of Oral Administration of Extracts of Black or Red Maca (Lepidium meyenii) in Adult Human Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Pharmaceuticals, 9(3), 49–49. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph9030049.
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