Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp) is reputed to have endurance and strength enhancing properties and is said to enhance sexual drive. It has been used on the Junin plateau of Peru’s Central Highlands for as much as 2000 years. The maca used in this study came from the Cerro de Pasco region. The ground maca was treated with water at 40 degrees C.
This study was done to test the above claims in trained male cyclists after a period of 14 days supplementation as compared to cyclists exercising and taking placebos. Eight men were tested. They were tested for a 40 km cycling time trial before and after the period of supplementation. They also took a self-reported sexual desire inventory each time they exercised for the study.
The subjects were treated with placebo or with 2000 mg. of maca twice, daily for two weeks.
The cyclists who took maca had a significant improvement in time trials for completing a 40 km. ride. Placebo taking cyclists showed no significant change in their performance. On the sexual desire inventory, after maca supplementation, the cyclists showed an increase in sexual desire with a partner; but, there was no change in their desire for solitary sex.
CONCLUSION: The positive results in physical performance and sexual interest show that maca seems to be beneficial and should be studied on a larger scale in average people as well as in athletes.
NOTE: FRS 1000 is a beverage containing red onion which was found to increase sexual activity in young males due to phosphodiesterase-5 activity. Viagra has phosphodiesterase-5 activity. Read about herbs useful as aphrodisiacs. Read about the benefits of DHEA in elderly men or in elderly women.
Maca has been found to be useful in men with mild erectile dysfunction. Read about the anti-aromatase effect of damiana in erectile dysfuntion.
PMID: 19781622.
Summary #368.
