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A pilot investigation into the effect of maca supplementation on physical activity and sexual desire in sportsmen
Abstract
Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp) is consumed both as a sports supplement by strength and endurance athletes, and as a natural stimulant to enhance sexual drive. However, whether or not the postulated benefits of maca consumption are of scientific merit is not yet known. The aim of the study was therefore to investigate the effect of 14 days maca supplementation on endurance performance and sexual desire in trained male cyclists.
Eight participants each completed a 40 km cycling time trial before and after 14 days supplementation with both maca extract (ME) and placebo, in a randomised cross-over design. Subjects also completed a sexual desire inventory during each visit.
ME administration significantly improved 40 km cycling time performance compared to the baseline test (P=0.01), but not compared to the placebo trial after supplementation (P>0.05). ME administration significantly improved the self-rated sexual desire score compared to the baseline test (P=0.01), and compared to the placebo trial after supplementation (P=0.03).
14 days ME supplementation improved 40 km cycling time trial performance and sexual desire in trained male cyclists. These promising results encourage long-term clinical studies involving more volunteers, to further evaluate the efficacy of ME in athletes and normal individuals and also to explore its possible mechanisms of action.
... LM is known to be an extremely effective remedy for the treatment of impotence (Qureshi et al., 2017) and a natural stimulant for improving sexual dysfunctions (Stone et al., 2009) in postmenopausal women, independent of estrogen and androgen activity (Brooks et al., 2008). It can also be used, as a dietary supplement, in the prevention and treatment of atherogenic lipoprotein, liver steatosis, antioxidative stress and impaired glucose tolerance (Vecera et al., 2007). ...
... LM is also consumed as a sports supplement by endurance athletes (Stone al., 2009). Thus, macamides, the main active components contained in Maca, determine the alleviation of physical fatigue by alleviating lesions of skeletal muscle and myocardium during exercise (Zheng et al., 2019). ...
... Following administration of a soluble lipid extract of yellow LM for three weeks, physical resistance increased by 41% compared to the control value, and the administration of a hydroalcoholic extract of black maca led to an increase in physical resistance of over 500% compared to the control (Choi et al., 2012). The administration of maca extract for 14 days to cyclists, participants in a 40 km race, significantly and quickly improved the performance time (Stone et al., 2009). In another study, the administration of a fresh maca concentrate, 500 mg daily for 60 days, to ten professional football players led to an increase in oxygen consumption and physical resistance (Ronceros et al., 2005). ...
... Lepidium meyenii (maca) has been used as food and a traditional medicine in the Andean region for over 2,000 years [1]. Recently maca has been developed as dietary supplement for its potential advantageous effects on physical and sexual activity [2][3][4]. Multiple biological functions of maca have been demonstrated by human and animal studies, including enhancing sexual drive and fertility in men and women [2,3], increasing vigor and energy levels [5], and reducing depression [6,7]. ...
... Recently maca has been developed as dietary supplement for its potential advantageous effects on physical and sexual activity [2][3][4]. Multiple biological functions of maca have been demonstrated by human and animal studies, including enhancing sexual drive and fertility in men and women [2,3], increasing vigor and energy levels [5], and reducing depression [6,7]. ...
... Maca has been demonstrated to possess multiple biological properties, such as antifatigue, improving sexual performance and neuroprotective activities [3,8,27,38]. In this study, supplementation of maca for five weeks significantly improved the endurance capacity and motor coordination in middle-aged mice, which was in accordance with previous studies [3,38,39]. ...
Maca has been used as a foodstuff and a traditional medicine in the Andean region for over 2,000 years. Recently the neuroprotective effects of maca also arouse interest of researchers. Decrease in mitochondrial function and decline in autophagy signaling may participate in the process of age-related cognitive decline. This study aimed to investigate if maca could improve cognitive function of middle-aged mice and if this effect was associated with improvement of mitochondrial activity and modulation of autophagy signaling in mouse cortex. Fourteen-month-old male ICR mice received maca powder administered by gavage for five weeks. Maca improved cognitive function, motor coordination, and endurance capacity in middle-aged mice, accompanied by increased mitochondrial respiratory function and upregulation of autophagy-related proteins in cortex. Our findings suggest that maca is a newly defined nutritional plant which can improve mitochondrial function and upregulate autophagy-related proteins and may be an effective functional food for slowing down age-related cognitive decline.
... W badaniach Stone et al. [46], w których analizowano właściwości podnoszące wydolność fizyczną i zwiększenie popędu seksualnego, zaobserwowano znaczącą poprawę wyników sportowych u rowerzystów. Zauważono i potwierdzono zwiększenie popędu seksualnego u badanych. ...
... Zauważono i potwierdzono zwiększenie popędu seksualnego u badanych. Może to sugerować, iż maca wpływa na popęd seksualny [46]. Badanie, w którym oceniano wpływ suplementacji sproszkowaną macą na zwiększenie stężenia hormonów płciowych nie wykazało jakiegokolwiek działania macy [46]. ...
... Może to sugerować, iż maca wpływa na popęd seksualny [46]. Badanie, w którym oceniano wpływ suplementacji sproszkowaną macą na zwiększenie stężenia hormonów płciowych nie wykazało jakiegokolwiek działania macy [46]. ...
... Many literature reports investigated the relation between dietary intervention and fertility over the last decade [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. ...
... This clinical evaluation aimed to investigate the efficacy of a commercially available nutraceutical diet in 28 male dogs suffering from infertility associated with hypospermia. Besides the significant increase in motility percentage, semen volume and concentration, and total number of sperms per ejaculation, these results are in agreement with those reported in literature where, for instance, Lepidium meyenii (maca) was used to enhance sexual desire [9,10], improve mild erectile dysfunction [11] in men and quality of semen in animals [12,13], and manage infertility [14]. The results of the latter also particularly improved by a pool of dietary supplements including L-carnitine, omega-3 (N-3) fatty acids, and a combination of zinc and folate [15]. ...
Male dog infertility may represent a serious concern in he canine breeding market. The aim of this clinical evaluation was to test the efficacy of a commercially available nutraceutical diet, enriched with Lepidium meyenii, Tribulus terrestris, L-carnitine, zinc, omega-3 (N-3) fatty acids, beta-carotene, vitamin E and folic acid, in 28 male dogs suffering from infertility associated to hypospermia. All dogs were received the diet over a period of 100 days. At the end of the evaluation period no adverse effects, including head and tail anomalies percentage onset, were reported. Interestingly, motility percentage, semen volume and concentration and total number of sperms per ejaculation significantly increased.
Further investigations on a wider cohort of dogs might be useful to better correlate the presence of oxyetracycline in pet's diet and the onset of infertility and clearly assess the action mechanism of an oxyetracycline-free nutraceutical diet.
... In human beings, oral consumption of gelatinized maca increased sexual desire at 8 and 12 weeks of treatment, and this effect is not due to changes in either Hamilton scores for depression or anxiety and the effect is observed without changes in serum testosterone and estradiol levels (Gonzales et al., 2002). Treatment with maca extract for 14 days in trained male cyclists improved sexual desire (Stone et al., 2009). In conclusion, treatment with maca improved sexual desire in men and maca extracts could be better than gelatinized flour. ...
... Three randomized clinical trials controlled with placebo have demonstrated favorable effects of maca on enduranceGonzales-Arimborgo et al., 2016;Stone et al., 2009). ...
The hypocotyls of Maca (Lepidium meyenii), a Peruvian cruciferous vegetable growing more than 4000 m and cultivated for more than 2000 years, have high nutritional value with 14% protein, 60% carbohydrates, 2.2% lipids, and its extracts exert a variety of therapeutic effects, such as an increase in sperm count and motility, improve embryo quality, reverse testosterone-induced prostate hyperplasia, and ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis. Maca improves learning and memory, delays fatigue and increases interferon gamma in different animal models and reduces glycemia through an improvement in insulin resistance and an increase in glucose consumption at different concentrations in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in HepG2 cells. In humans, maca increases health-related quality of life score, associated with a reduction in serum interleukin 6 levels. There are to date three known varieties of maca distinguishable by external color with different properties attributed to each variety. Lepidium meyenii is a prodigious crop and its potential as a nutraceutical is discussed in this chapter.
... However, with roughly twenty subjects per treatment group and no regression analysis provided in relation to the Rosenberg self-esteem test score and PSS-10 test, larger trials taking the psychological element of the condition into consideration, are needed to confirm the results. In a small pilot study, dyadic sexual desire increased in cyclists after 14 days treatment at 2000 mg/day of an aqueous maca extract (Stone et al., 2009). This may suggest that the aphrodisiac properties are found in the aqueous extract of maca, explaining why the effect was noticed much earlier than with gelatinised maca but the sample was also very small, which decreases accuracy of results. ...
... mechanism of action of maca on the investigated parameters are still unresolved. Stone et al., 2009 Subjective effect of maca on well-being Group I (L-carnitine group) showed a statistically significant increase in sperm sample concentration. Groups II (Spermotrend) and III (Maca) ...
Ethnopharmacological relevance:
Maca - Lepidium meyenii Walp has been cultivated and used by Andean people for over 1,300 to 2000 years in Peru as food and medicine. Starting in the late 1990's it has developed into an important herbal medicine in China and is now cultivated there widely, too.
Aim of study:
This study aims to provide an insight into the emergence of maca on the global market as an alternative remedy to treat reproductive health related problems in both men and women and to critically assess these health claims.
Methodology:
A search of electronic databases such as EMBASE and a hand-search was done to acquire peer-reviewed articles and reports about maca.
Results and discussion:
Lepidium meyenii is used traditionally as a tonic, fertility enhancer for both humans and cattle, and to treat a variety of ailments such as rheumatism, respiratory disorders and anaemia among others. Maca root is cooked, baked, fermented as a drink and made into porridge. In the last twenty years, maca was introduced onto the global market and demand has dramatically grown over this time with its promotion on the internet, as the 'Peruvian Ginseng' for libido and fertility enhancement. It has also been said to treat menopausal symptoms, erectile dysfunction and benign prostatic hyperplasia. The sky-rocketing demand for the plant has seen a shift from traditional cultivation methods to mass production practices with the use of fertilisers and also pesticides; as maca is now grown in areas other than the Andes such as in the Yunnan province in China. This can potentially affect the phytochemistry and composition of the plant and thus, the quality, safety and efficacy of maca products. Meanwhile, research into maca's medicinal properties has followed the spike in popularity of maca and has been focused mainly on maca's aphrodisiac and fertility enhancing properties. So far, the in vivo studies and clinical trials conducted have yielded inconclusive results. Some of the key limitations reside in methodology and sample size. Chemical profiling, led to the discovery of new compounds unique to maca, such as, 'macamides' and also other active metabolites like the glucosinolates; to which the medicinal effects of maca have been ascribed but cannot be confirmed due to lack of data.
Conclusions:
To date, the health claims of maca cannot be fully supported from a scientific standpoint and more research is needed. It appears that the indigenous local knowledge about the health benefits of maca has been dragged out of context to fit the demands of a growing market for herbal remedies. This globalisation (or hype esp. in China) also has had serious consequences for the local producers in Peru. The lack of protocols to regulate the production and marketing of maca during this rapid expansion, poses a threat to both the safety of consumers and the sustainability of supply.
... In humans, self-perception of sexual desire increased after eight weeks of consumption of gelatinized maca [13] or four weeks after consumption of maca extracts [14]. Blood pressure decreases with maca treatment in menopausal women [15]. ...
... Another study using maca flour at a dose of 3.3 g/day for six weeks was unable to show an increase in sexual desire in post-menopausal women [15]. Stone et al. [14] showed an increase in sexual desire at week 4 using an extract of unidentified maca. Although extract of maca, particularly the red phenotype, seems to be better than flour or gelatinized maca, the results are still modest. ...
The plant maca, grown at 4000 m altitude in the Peruvian Central Andes, contains hypocotyls that have been used as food and in traditional medicine for centuries. The aim of this research was to provide results on some health effects of oral administration of spray-dried extracts of black or red maca (Lepidium meyenii) in adult human subjects living at low (LA) and high altitude (HA). A total of 175 participants were given 3 g of either placebo, black, or red maca extract daily for 12 weeks. Primary outcomes were changes in sexual desire, mood, energy, health-related quality of life score (HRQL), and chronic mountain sickness (CMS) score, or in glycaemia, blood pressure, and hemoglobin levels. Secondary outcomes were acceptability and safety, assessed using the Likert test and side effect self-recording, respectively, and the effect of altitude. At low altitude, 32, 30, and 32 participants started the study receiving placebo, red maca, or black maca, respectively. At high altitudes, 33, 35, and 31 participants started the study receiving placebo, red maca, and black maca, respectively. Consumption of spray-dried extracts of red and black maca resulted in improvement in mood, energy, and health status, and reduced CMS score. Fatty acids and macamides were higher in spray-dried extracts of black maca than in red maca. GABA predominated in spray-dried extracts of red maca. Effects on mood, energy, and CMS score were better with red maca. Black maca and, in smaller proportions, red maca reduced hemoglobin levels only in highlanders with abnormally high hemoglobin levels; neither variety of maca reduced hemoglobin levels in lowlanders. Black maca reduced blood glucose levels. Both varieties produced similar responses in mood, and HRQL score. Maca extracts consumed at LA or HA had good acceptability and did not show serious adverse effects. In conclusion, maca extract consumption relative to the placebo improved quality of life parameters. Differences in the level of improvement between red and black maca are probably due to differences in the composition of these two plant varieties. Both maca extracts were well tolerated and safe.
... Two randomized, doubleblind trials confirmed these findings (Gonzales et al., 2002; Gonzales et al., 2003). After 14 days maca exctract supplementation improved 40 km cycling time trial performance and sexual desire in trained male cyclists (Stone et al., 2009). Two randomized controlled trials suggested a significant positive effect of maca on sexual dysfunction and sexual desire in healthy menopausal women and healthy adult men (Zenico et al., 2009; Brooks et al., 2008). ...
... Climate in Junín district, Peru, origin of maca (Sandoval et al., 2000 ...
Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp., Brassicaceae) is a Peruvian tuberous crop cultivated in the Andes mountains at altitudes above 3.500 m. It is grown for consumption of its nourishing hypocotyl and it is extensively used for nutritional and medicinal purposes. Maca is normally used to increase physical energy, support the immune system, and is traditionally considered to be an aphrodisiac which enhances fertility in humans and in domestic animals. The purpose of the study was to reveal how maca responds to diverse climatic conditions and what the prospects of its cultivation are out of its original area. The macamide (main quality marker of maca) content has been analyzed by HPLC-UV in plant material of various samples of maca of Peruvian origin and it was compared to content in samples of maca cultivated in the Czech Republic, under field conditions and in a greenhouse. There was a significantly lower concentration of macamides in the sample grown in the Czech Republic compared to the Peruvian samples. There were no macamides found in samples cultivated in the greenhouse. If we admit that macamides are responsible for fertility enhancing properties of maca, we can conclude there is no possibility of maca cultivation in the Czech Republic for this use.
... En ratas, dosis de 2 g/ Kg mejoró el ciclo espermatogénico temprano (Gonzales et al., 2006). De igual manera, mejoró el libido y rendimiento de ciclistas varones (Stone et al., 2009). En sementales equinos, la maca amarilla tuvo efectos antioxidantes y por ende algunos parámetros como el volumen, concentración espermática y recuento total de espermatozoides al ser administrados durante 60 días en una dosis de 4 g/100 Kg de p.v. de maca en polvo (Tafuri et al., 2019). ...
El objetivo fue evaluar la suplementación alimenticia con harina de maca sobre las características seminales en verracos de la Granja “Quri Cuchi”, Ayacucho. Cuatro verracos de diferentes genotipos con 203,9 ± 50.1 kg en promedio, fueron desparasitados y suplementados con 250 mg de maca negra/Kg/35 días. El día cero (D00) representó el control y los días D07, D14, D21, D28 y D35 a los tratamientos. Se colectó semen para su evaluación macro y microscópicamente. El semen colectado tuvo un color opalescente a lechoso, pH 7, densidad de 1 a 2 y sin olor anormal. Las colecciones/semana/verraco total fueron 1.5 ± 0.4 veces y sin diferencias significativas (P=0.90). El tiempo de colección demandó 5.7 ± 1.5 minutos, similar (P>0.05) entre el D00 y los días D07, D14, D21, D28, D35. El peso y el volumen total del eyaculado fueron 138.4 ± 12.8 g y 135.6 ± 12.5 ml, respectivamente, los cuales no difirieren entre D00 y D07 (P=0.72), D14 (P=0.23), D21 (P=0.11), D28 (P=0.07) y D35 (P=0.14). La concentración espermática total fue 661.0 ± 219.3 x 106 spz/ml, sin diferencia (P>0.05) entre el D00 versus los días de tratamiento. La motilidad individual total (88.9 ± 2.4%) mejoró (P=0.07) al compararse D00 con D35. La vitalidad total (78.5 ± 4.9%), las anormalidades (1.9 ± 0.7%) e integridad de membrana (63.6 ± 3.5%), fueron similares al D00 (P>0.05). En conclusión, las características seminales no se ven mejoradas mediante la suplementación con harina de maca, aunque el volumen tuvo una tendencia a la mejora.
... As such, over the last two decades, interest and demand for nutraceuticals have grown worldwide, and the increased interest in finding novel therapeutic options to treat SDs has led to a consistent increase in the use of nutraceuticals [9,25]. Namely, Maca Root [26][27][28], Saffron [29], S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe), Ginkgo Biloba [30,31], and Rosa Damascema [32,33] have been used for several illnesses, including SDs. ...
Sexual dysfunctions are common side effects reported by patients during antidepressant treatment. When they occur, patients often discontinue psychopharmacological therapy, with a negative impact on the underlying psychiatric disease. Recently, great attention has been paid to the use of nutraceuticals in the management of psychiatric disorders, although a systematic review on their effects as a treatment option for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunctions (AISD) is lacking. Here, we conducted a systematic search in the following databases: MEDLINE (through PubMed), EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science. We searched eligible studies among parallel or crossover randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in adult populations. After this process, a total of 10 articles that evaluated the effect of six different nutraceuticals versus placebo were included: Maca Root, S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe), Rosa Damascena, Ginkgo Biloba, Saffron, and Yohimbine. Overall, a high dose of Maca Root and the use of SAMe or Saffron may improve AISD. Additionally, the administration of Rosa Damascena seemed to be more effective in men than in women, whereas no evidence of effects emerged for Gingko Biloba and Yohimbine. Given the mixed results still available, future RCTs should consider larger samples and confounding factors, such as depressive status and individual vulnerability.
... Bibliografía: [244][245][246][247][248][249][250][251][252][253] CAFEÍNA La cafeína es un alcaloide que actúa en el sistema nervioso central, eliminando la somnolencia y generando un nivel de alerta mayor que el habitual. Se consume desde hace siglos, cuando se utilizaba para eliminar la fatiga de manera natural. ...
This book is intended for anyone passionate about nutrition and
sports supplementation. It aims to introduce readers to what
regards the subject, combining areas such as nutrition, biological chemistry, the physiology of the exercise, food science and pharmacology. It is by no means intended to replace a good
book on each of these areas, just try to give a general snapshot of each of the substances that are currently being used in the world of supplementation sports, its functions, applications, benefits and doses that are usually used.
Heber E. Andrada
October 5, 2020
... Effects of maca extracts with lipid characteristics on sexual behavior were evaluated in rodents with great results (Zheng et al., 2000;Zenico et al., 2009), the number of intromissions increased, reducing the time interval between ejaculations, among other parameters. In humans, the administration of gelatinized maca (1.5 or 3.0 g/day) improved sexual desire after 8 weeks (Gonzales et al., 2002), and in adult athletes, this improvement is observed after 2 weeks of administration (Stone et al., 2009). It cannot be asserted that this improvement is related to the increase in testosterone levels since several studies find no significant testosterone increment (Brooks et al., 2008;Dording et al., 2008). ...
... As a plant used for both medicine and food, maca has been cultivated for N2000 years for its considerable nutritional and medicinal value [2]. In traditional culture in the region, maca was mainly used to improve fertility and to increase energy and physical strength [3][4][5]. Recently, it has been shown that maca has a variety of biological functions related to its components. One of the main bioactive components of maca is polysaccharides. ...
The immunomodulatory effects of maca polysaccharides (MCPs) on macrophages have been demonstrated in many studies. However, the effects of MCPs on CD4⁺ T cells have not been studied. Four water-soluble MCPs, labeled MCP1 (weight-average molecular weights [Mws] of 896.1 and 276.6 kDa), MCP2 (Mws of 337.8 and 219.0 kDa), MCP3 (Mws of 110.6, 58.1, and 38.9 kDa), and MCP4 (Mws of 15.7, 12.6, and 12.1 kDa), were obtained from maca by graded ethanol precipitation. The immunoregulatory effects of MCPs on CD4⁺ T cells were evaluated for the first time. The experimental results indicated that all MCPs had immunoregulatory effects on CD4⁺ T cells. However, the effects of MCP2 were stronger compared to the other three components, not only in promoting the proliferation of CD4⁺ T cells but also in terms of secretion of interferon-γ (IFN-γ). The molecular weight and monosaccharide compositions of MCPs were analyzed to explore the structure–activity relationship. The results suggested that the molecular weight and the galactosamine (GalN) of MCPs might be determining factors for its bioactivity. These findings suggest that the MCP2 isolated in our study have immune potentiation effects on CD4⁺ T cells.
... Effects of maca extracts with lipid characteristics on sexual behavior were evaluated in rodents with great results (Zheng et al., 2000;Zenico et al., 2009), the number of intromissions increased, reducing the time interval between ejaculations, among other parameters. In humans, the administration of gelatinized maca (1.5 or 3.0 g/day) improved sexual desire after 8 weeks (Gonzales et al., 2002), and in adult athletes, this improvement is observed after 2 weeks of administration (Stone et al., 2009). It cannot be asserted that this improvement is related to the increase in testosterone levels since several studies find no significant testosterone increment (Brooks et al., 2008;Dording et al., 2008). ...
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... These reproductive effects of maca appeared independently of the hormones [28,60]. In addition to sexual activity, when athletes got 2 g /day, performance improved and running time was reduced [61]. By scavenging DPPH and peroxyl radicals, polysaccharides isolated from maca have protected human erythrocyte against hydrogen peroxide and inhibited the hemolysis [62]. ...
Maca plant belongs to Brassicaceae such as broccoli, cabbage and radish, and has a tuber-ous root. With the declaration of The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) that maca is a forgotten and disappearing plant, the fresh, dried, powder and organic forms of it take part in nutrition as a food supplement worldwide. Studies have focused on antioxidant effects depending on its bioactive components such as phenols, glucosino-lates, alkamides and polysaccharides. Antioxidant enzymes and their ability of inhibition the free radicals in blood and tissues were measured to determine the antioxidant effects. The research results have suggested that these compounds present the antioxidant effect by increasing enzyme activity and scavenging free radicals. Yet further experiments are needed to understand this relation between antioxidant activity and maca's antioxidants. The objective of this chapter is to carry out the possible antioxidant activity of maca in human and animal nutrition related to its active compounds such as: phenols, glucosino-lates, alkamides and polysaccharides.
... As shown in Figure 5(b), Lepidium meyenii root extracts did not inhibit human MAO-A. L. meyenii (maca) is a popular plant from the Andes highlands whose roots are increasingly used for its nutritional and medicinal properties as energizing and to improve mood and sexual performance [28,32]. Previous reports have indicated that they contain alkaloids including -carbolines [25,26] that might inhibit MAO. ...
Monoamine oxidase (MAO) catalyzes the oxidative deamination of amines and neurotransmitters and is involved in mood disorders, depression, oxidative stress, and adverse pharmacological reactions. This work studies the inhibition of human MAO-A by Hypericum perforatum , Peganum harmala, and Lepidium meyenii, which are reported to improve and affect mood and mental conditions. Subsequently, the antioxidant activity associated with the inhibition of MAO is determined in plant extracts for the first time. H. perforatum inhibited human MAO-A, and extracts from flowers gave the highest inhibition (IC 50 of 63.6 μ g/mL). Plant extracts were analyzed by HPLC-DAD-MS and contained pseudohypericin, hypericin, hyperforin, adhyperforin, hyperfirin, and flavonoids. Hyperforin did not inhibit human MAO-A and hypericin was a poor inhibitor of this isoenzyme. Quercetin and flavonoids significantly contributed to MAO-A inhibition. P. harmala seed extracts highly inhibited MAO-A (IC 50 of 49.9 μ g/L), being a thousand times more potent than H. perforatum extracts owing to its content of β -carboline alkaloids (harmaline and harmine). L. meyenii root (maca) extracts did not inhibit MAO-A. These plants may exert protective actions related to antioxidant effects. Results in this work show that P. harmala and H. perforatum extracts exhibit antioxidant activity associated with the inhibition of MAO (i.e., lower production of H 2 O 2 ).
... It has been claimed that maca has energy-boosting effects and it improves stamina and endurance in athletes ( Grunewald and Bailey, 1993;Stone et al., 2009). Maca has also improved physical activity, immunity, and chronic fatigue. ...
... Traditionally, its roots had been used by people residing in the high altitudes of the Andean subregion as a nutrient, energiser, aphrodisiac and for its fertility-enhancing properties (Gonzales, Gonzales, & Gonzales-Castañeda, 2009). There are a number of studies that have reported that Maca root preparations improved sexual function in healthy adult males (Gonzales, Rubio, Chung, Gasco, & Villegas, 2003;Gonzales et al., 2002;Stone, Ibarra, Roller, Zangara, & Stevenson, 2009) and in males with drug-induced sexual dysfunction (Dording et al., 2008), or erectile dysfunction (Zenico, Cicero, Valmorri, Mercuriali, & Bercovich, 2009). In rodents, there are reports that administration of Maca enhances spermatogenesis, fertility and sexual behaviour; effects which are likely due to its phytosterols or phytoestrogens content (Wang, Wang, McNeil, & Harvey, 2007), and its androgen-like effects (Gonzales, Ruiz, Gonzales, Villegas, & Cordova, 2001;Zheng et al., 2000). ...
Effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced gonadal toxicity in male mice were investigated. Mice were assigned to six treatment groups: Vehicle control, CYP control, CYP plus oral Maca (500 or 1000 mg/kg), and oral Maca (500 or 1000 mg/kg). CYP was administered via the intraperitoneal route (days 1-2); while vehicle or Maca were administered daily for 28 days. On day 28, half of the animals in each group were either sacrificed, or paired with age-matched females for fertility assessment. Plasma testosterone assay, sperm analysis, and assessment of tissue antioxidant/morphological status were also carried out. CYP administration was associated with oxidative stress, subfertility and morphometric/morphological indices of gonadal injury; while administration of Maca mitigated CYP-induced gonadal toxicity and subfertility. This study shows that Maca is beneficial in the mitigation of CYP-induced male gonadal insufficiency and/or testicular morphological changes; however, further studies will be needed to ascertain its usability for this purpose in humans.
... Maca, like ginger, is a powerful adaptogene, which improves the body ability to adapt to complicated and stressful situations. Scientific studies have shown that Maca improves memory and neurotransmitter function, increases the amount of oxygen in the blood and enhances libido [5][6][7][8]. Maca alkaloids positively effect hypothalamus and adrenal glands, and this provides energy, and increases vitality [7; 9]. Recently, Maca has become more popular among athletes. ...
Introduction. The aim of the present study is to determine the effect of food supplement ARGI+ and ARGI+ in combination with Multi Maca on physical and functional capacity of athletes to work in various energy production zones. Materials and Methods. Thirty-six apparently healthy, injury-free in, at least, one season and physically active men volunteered and were randomly divided into three groups, as well as participated in the double-blind study. There were no significant differences between groups for any of physical development variables, indicating homogeneity between groups. First group E1 subjects (n = 12) took the supplement ARGI+ 10g/day for 20 days. Second group E2 subjects (n = 12) took the supplement ARGI+ 10g/day and Multi Maca 2 tablets/day for 20 days. Third group K subjects consumed lactose as a placebo (PL) daily. Subjects performed the first testing session T1 one day before the intake of dietary supplements for a period of twenty days. One day after the second testing session T2 performed. Results. Therefore, based on our collective data, we conclude that 20 days use of ARGI+ and ARGI+ in combination with Multi Maca supplementation has influence on athletes' physical capacity in short-Term exercise. Results of our study demonstrate significant increases of single muscle capacity power and anaerobic alactic muscle power in group E1 subjects, who took the supplement ARGI+ 10g/day. These data of the second group E2 subjects, who took the supplement ARGI+ 10g/day and Multi Maca 2 tablets/day for twenty days period increased less. Absolute and relative maximal moment muscle capacity, using 10 s maximal effort ergometry works in both experimental groups increased. Conclusions. Supplementation of ARGI+ in combination with Multi Maca for a period of twenty days more effectively influenced cardiovascular system capacity and aerobic capacity than supplemen-Tation ARGI+.
... Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.), a biennial herbaceous plant of the family Brassicaceae, which is cultivated mainly in the central Andes of Peru at elevations of 3500-4500 m above sea level, has been used as both a food and a traditional medicine in the region for over 2000 years [1]. Previous research showed that the biological activities of maca included improving fertility, improving sexual performance, antiproliferative function, improving growth rate, antipostmenopausal osteoporosis, and ability in vitality and stress tolerance [2][3][4][5][6]. The various compositions were considered closely related to the health effects of maca. ...
Maca ( Lepidium meyenii Walp.) was introduced to China in the recent two decades. Proximate compositions and secondary metabolites in dried maca tuber powders of different cultivation areas and colour types were analyzed and compared in order to provide the scientific guideline for its application. Cultivation region significantly affects the compositions of maca. The protein content of maca ranged from 9.31% to 21.02% by dry basis of maca powders and Xiaopingba-Y, Yulong-Y, and Pamirs-Y have the higher protein contents. The essential amino acids (EAA) contents ranged from 189.19 to 312.90 mg/g protein. The crude lipid content of different maca ranged from 0.59% to 1.00% and has no significant difference ( P>0.05 ). The total dietary fiber (TDF) contents ranged from 17.82% to 26.00% and soluble dietary fiber (SDF) ranged from 2.46% to 7.88%, respectively. Maca samples were rich in Na, Mg, Ca, and K elements which ranged 138.3–187.8, 625.2–837.2, 3838.9–4502.7, and 5394.8–8063.3 mg/kg dry matter (DM). Xiaopingba-Y has the highest benzyl glucosinolate content which was 2.31 mg/g DM. Peru-Y and Xiaopingba have the higher contents of total alkaloids contents which was 2.61 and 2.56 mg/kg DM. Yongsheng-Y, Yulong-Y, and Pamirs-Y were rich in N-benzyl hexadecanamide contents, which were 0.164, 0.174, and 0.173 mg/g DM, respectively. Significant higher protein, total dietary fiber, insoluble dietary fiber, total alkaloids, and benzyl glucosinolate contents were found in purple and black maca compared to yellow maca in Pamirs, while there was no significant difference in N-benzyl hexadecanamide content.
... Cicero et al., (2001) reported that locomotor activity increased in rats fed maca depend on its dietary level. Similarly, in sportmen recruited from amateur cycling and triathlon clubs, the application of maca at 2000 mg/day increased performance and shortened their lap time (Stone et al., 2009). There are many stress factors affecting the health and performance status of racehorses. ...
Eighteen racehorses, 6.5±1.17 years old, were divided into three groups. During 45 days, control group was fed basal diet, experimental groups M50 and M75 were fed basal diet plus 50 and 75 g/day maca extract, respectively. There were no significant differences between groups for initial and final body weight, average daily feed intake and blood hemogram values during the study. On day 45, while M75 had higher aspartate transaminase level than M50, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase level in this group were higher than both control and M50 (p<0.05). M75 had lower Mg level than control (p<0.037). After feeding, M50 had higher adiponectin level than control and M75 at 30 th min. (p<0.05). Insulin level in M50 and M75 were lower than control at 60 th min., but it was higher in M50 than M75 at 120 th min. (p<0.003). Thyroid stimulating hormone levels in M50 were lower than control at 60 th min. before feeding and were higher than M75 at 15 th min. after feeding (p<0.05). Triiodothyronine concentrations were higher in M75 than other groups (p<0.001). Similarly, M75 had higher thyroxine concentration than control and M50 during the study (p>0.05). The differences between groups were found statistically significant only at 60 th min.
... The latter, suggests even though ejaculation frequencies were similar in LP and HP, the latter were more efficient in terms of mounts/ejaculation. Either way, the increases observed are in accord with previous studies in which oral administration of maca improved the sexual function of mice (Zheng et al., 2000), rats (Cícero et al., 2001;Cícero et al., 2002), livestock (Clément et al., 2010;Lavana et al., 2013) and men (Stone et al., 2009). As evidenced by an increase in the number of ejaculations and improvement of self-rated sexual desire, respectively. ...
To evaluate the effect of maca (Lepidium meyenii) supplementation on the sexual capacity of males, 40 rams were classified as high (HP) and low performers (LP). Within each category (n = 20), ten rams were supplemented with 233 mg of dry maca/kg of body weight/day during four weeks, followed by four weeks of a control diet (residual), while the rest of the animals remained as controls during the eight-weeks period. LP rams increased (P < 0.05) all sexual behaviors during maca supplementation up to HP levels, decreasing to control planes one week after the supplementation ceased. In contrast, in HP rams, maca supplementation only increased genital sniffs and nudging, while mounts and ejaculations remained unaffected during both supplementation and residual phases. It was concluded that maca supplementation affects males differently, according to their original sexual capacity.
... A la fecha existen doce artículos publicados sobre el efecto de la maca en humanos. Estos estudios clínicos han tenido una duración máxima de cuatro meses y han sido llevados a cabo en individuos aparentemente sanos [10,[26][27][28][29] , en post-menopausia [30,31] , con disfunción sexual [32,33] , con osteoartritis [34] , con síndrome metabólico [25] o deportistas [35] . De estos estudios sólo el de Valentová, 2008 indica diferencias en la presión arterial diastólica y en la aspartato aminotransferasa sérica (marcador de función hepática). ...
El estudio ha sido diseñado para determinar el estado de salud en una población en los Andes centrales del Perú (Carhuamayo, 4100 m) que tradicionalmente consume maca comparado con aquella del mismo lugar que no consume maca. El estudio consiste en aplicar una encuesta sobre consumo de maca, aspectos sociodemográficos, de salud, y de fracturas en varones y mujeres de 35- 75 años de edad. A una submuestra se ha evaluado el perfil hepático, renal, y de hemoglobina. El 80% de los pobladores de Carhuamayo consumen maca. El 85% de esta población lo usa por motivos nutricionales. Se consume desde la niñez y principalmente cuando el hipocótilo es deshidratado naturalmente. El consumo es principalmente en forma de jugo y la variedade de consumo es una mezcla de colores. El consumo de maca se asocia a mejores puntajes de estado de salud, menores tasas de fracturas y menores puntajes de signos y síntomas de mal de montaña crónico. Se asocia igualmente al consumo de maca un menor Indice de Masa Corporal, y menor presión arterial sistólica. La función hepática, renal, el perfil lipídico y la glicemia se mantienen en lo normal. En conclusión, el consumo de maca como alimento es seguro.
... Our results showed that maca supplementation enhanced mating activity in Saint croix rams after 8 weeks of treatment. These findings are in accord with previous studies in which oral administration of maca improved the sexual function of mice, rats (Zheng et al., 2000;Cicero et al., 2001;2002) and men (Stone et al., 2009), as evidenced by an increase in the number of complete intromissions and improvement of self-rated sexual desire, respectively. However, differ from those that found an increase in sperm count in men (Gonzales et al., 2001) , rats (Gonzales et al., 2006a;Gonzales et al., 2006b;Gasco et al., 2007), mice (De la Cruz and Arroyo, 2012) and cattle (Clément et al., 2010a). ...
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of maca (Lepidium meyenii) supplementation on some libido and semen characteristics of hair sheep rams (Ovis aries). Thirty 15-months old Saint croix males were fed either a control diet (concentrate feed; n=15) for 16 weeks or a maca supplemented diet (233 mg dried hypocotyls of black maca/kg body weight/day added to the concentrate feed) for 8 weeks, followed by 8 weeks without maca supplementation (n=15). Maca supplementation increased (P<0.05) the number of mounts and ejaculations decreasing the time between these events, at the end of week eight. However, no difference was found on reaction time, time until 1st ejaculation, testes circumference, ejaculation volume, sperm concentration and ram efficiency (mounts/ejaculations). These effects persisted 8 weeks later after no supplementation. It was concluded that maca consumption improves some mating behaviors in hair sheep rams, while semen characteristics appeared unaffected. © 2013 Boletín Latinoamericano y del Caribe de Plantas Medicinales y Aromáticas.
... Effect of maca on physical endurance has also demonstrated in human. Stone et al. (2009) showed that a 14 days maca extract supplementation improved 40 km cycling time trial performance in trained male cyclists. ...
This study was performed to determine the effects of gamma irradiation on UV spectrum on maca, total content of polyphenols, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activities and in vivo biological activities of red and black maca extracts (Lepidium meyenii).
Adult mice of the strain Swiss aged 3 months and weighing 30–35 g in average were used to determine biological activities. Daily sperm production, effect on testosterone-induced prostate hyperplasia and forced swimming test were used to determine the effect of irradiation on biological activities of maca extracts.
Irradiation did not show differences in UV spectrum but improves the amount of total polyphenols in red maca as well as in black maca extracts. In both cases, black maca extract has more content of polyphenols than red maca extract (p < 0.01). Gamma irradiation significantly increased the antioxidant capacity (p < 0.05).
No difference was observed in daily sperm production when irradiated and nonirradiated maca extract were administered to mice (p > 0.05). Black maca extract but not red maca extract has more swimming endurance capacity in the forced swimming test. Irradiation of black maca extract increased the swimming time to exhaustion (p < 0.05). This is not observed with red maca extract (p > 0.05). Testosterone enanthate (TE) increased significantly the ventral prostate weight. Administration of red maca extract in animals treated with TE prevented the increase in prostate weight. Irradiation did not modify effect of red maca extract on prostate weight (p > 0.05).
In conclusion, irradiation does not alter the biological activities of both black maca and red maca extracts. It prevents the presence of microorganisms in the extracts of black or red maca, but the biological activities were maintained.
... In fact it was recently demonstrated that maca root may alleviate SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women [8]. Maca was reported to enhance sexual desire [10,11] and improved mild erectile dysfunction [12] in men. Its semen quality improving properties have been reported by various studies in animals: mice [13], bulls [14], and rams [15]; but convincing scientific evidence for its efficacy on semen in men is still lacking. ...
Aims.
Products of
Lepidium meyenii
Walp. (maca) are touted worldwide as an alimentary supplement to enhance fertility and restore hormonal balance. Enhancing properties of maca on semen parameters in animals were previously reported by various authors, but we present to the best of our knowledge the first double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot trial in men. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of maca on semen parameters and serum hormone levels in healthy adult men.
Methods.
A group of 20 volunteers aged 20–40 years was supplied by milled hypocotyl of maca or placebo (1.75 g/day) for 12 weeks. Negative controls of semen were compared to the samples after 6 and 12 weeks of maca administration; negative blood controls were compared to the samples after 12 weeks of treatment.
Results.
Sperm concentration and motility showed rising trends compared to placebo even though levels of hormones did not change significantly after 12 weeks of trial.
Conclusion.
Our results indicate that maca possesses fertility enhancing properties in men. As long as men prefer to use alimentary supplement to enhance fertility rather than prescribed medication or any medical intervention, it is worth continuing to assess its possible benefits.
... Caucasian men affected by mild erectile dysfunction (ED) received maca dry extract at 2.4 g/day for 12 weeks, and showed significant improvement of erectile function and sexual well-being when compared to placebo group (168). Maca extract also improved sexual desire in trained male cyclists, along with amelioration of cycling time trial performance after consumption for 14 days (138). ...
Infertility accounts for 8-12% among couples wordwide. Male factor contributes for about 50% of infertility cases, and medicinal plants-integral part of adaptive medicine-, which represents the most ancient form of therapy, have been widely used by affected males. This paper reviews current information on the use of medicinal plants in the improvement of male reproductive function. Collectively the reviewed information provide suggestive evidence for the effectiveness of three medicinal plants in control of dysfunctions related to male reproductive function in humans, including erectile dysfunction, hormone imbalances, and impairment of spermatogenesis. Other medicinal plants and formulations herein reviewed showed promising preliminary results, and may lead to development of supplementary efficacious and safe herbal formulations for treatment of male reproductive disorders. Generally, the medicinal plants and related formulations exhibit adaptogenic or antioxidant properties, which may also assist in prevention and treatment of oxidative stress-induced infertility. There is however the need to rationalize the use of the medicinal plants with potential therapeutic effect, with respect to confirmation of their efficacy in clinical studies, in addition to dose-response effects and their mechanistic actions.
... Experimentos a doble ciego controlado con placebo, realizado a hombres mostraron una mejoría en el deseo sexual (Gonzales et al., 2002;Gonzales et al., 2003). En un estudio realizado a ocho ciclistas varones, experimentados y entrenados (30 ± 7 años, 1,77 ± 0,06 m y 70,2 ± 4,2 kg) respectivamente; completaron 2 semanas de suplementación con una dosis de 2 000 mg / día de extracto de maca; con el fin de investigar el efecto de este suplemento en el rendimiento de resistencia y el deseo sexual; revelando la mejoría de 40 kilómetros de rendimiento contrarreloj del ciclismo y el deseo sexual en hombres ciclistas entrenados según inventario del deseo sexual SDI (Spector et al., 1996;Stone et al., 2009). Gonzales et al. (2002) desarrollaron un estudio en 56 hombres sanos (21 -56 años de edad). ...
Resumen La maca es un producto originario de los Andes Centrales del Perú, resistente a granizadas, heladas y sequías prolongadas. Se cultiva desde la época incaica en altitudes comprendidas entre los 3800 a 4500 m.s.n.m. Esta planta herbácea, presenta no sólo un alto valor nutricional sino también es valorada por su papel medicinal. Entre los componentes químicos de este cultivo andino que se han relacionado con sus acciones terapéuticas como el aumento de la fertilidad, niveles de energía, acción antioxidante, mejora del deseo sexual y la tasa de crecimiento, destacan: los glucosinolatos, esteroles, ácidos grasos (macaeno) y sus respectivas amidas (macamidas), alcaloides (lepidilinas A y B, macaridina) y polifenoles. El objetivo de este trabajo fue, recopilar las diferentes investigaciones que se han llevado a cabo sobre las propiedades terapéuticas de la maca y los compuestos responsables de las mismas. Abstract The maca is a native product of the Central Andes of Peru, it is resistant to hail, to frost and to prolonged droughts. It is cultivated from the Inca period in altitudes between 3800-4500 meters above sea level. This herbaceous plant, has not only a high nutritional value, but it is also valued for its medicinal role. Among the chemical components of this andean crop that have been related with therapeutic actions the increasing fertility and the energy levels, the antioxidant actions, the improving sexual desire and the growth rate. There are glucosinolates, sterols, fatty acids (macaene) and their corresponding amides (macamides), alkaloids (lepidilines A and B, macaridine) and polyphenols. This article presents a compilation of the researches that has been performed on the therapeutic properties of maca and its compounds responsible of them.
... Regarding the role of maca supplementation in endurance capacity and exercise performance, Stone et al. 38 determined that 14 days supplementation with maca extract significantly improved time to complete a 40 km time trial in trained male cyclists. Thus, the efficacy of maca extract on the improvement of exercise performance was demonstrated. ...
... Maca was found to increase sperm counts and gonadal mass in a rat model (Chung et al. 2005), to improve copulatory performance of male mice and rats (Zheng et al. 2000;Cicero et al. 2001), and to increase litter size (Ruiz-Luna et al. 2005) and pregnancy rates in female mice (Kuo et al. 2003). In adult human males, maca treatment led to increased semen volume and sperm count (Gonzales et al. 2001) and increased sexual desire (Gonzales et al. 2002;Stone et al. 2009). In addition, maca reduced sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women (Brooks et al. 2008) and inhibited estrogen-deficient osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats (Zhang et al. 2006), but maca extracts have not shown estrogenic activity (Brooks et al. 2008). ...
The purpose of this study is to use a molecular docking approach to identify potential estrogen mimics or anti-estrogens in phytochemicals found in popular dietary herbal supplements.
In this study, 568 phytochemicals found in 17 of the most popular herbal supplements sold in the United States were built and docked with two isoforms of the estrogen receptor, ERα and ERβ (a total of 27 different protein crystal structures).
The docking results revealed six strongly docking compounds in Echinacea, three from milk thistle (Silybum marianum), three from Gingko biloba, one from Sambucus nigra, none from maca (Lepidium meyenii), five from chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus), two from fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), and two from Rhodiola rosea. Notably, of the most popular herbal supplements for women, there were numerous compounds that docked strongly with the estrogen receptor: Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) had a total of 26 compounds strongly docking to the estrogen receptor, 15 with wild yam (Dioscorea villosa), 11 from black cohosh (Actaea racemosa), eight from muira puama (Ptychopetalum olacoides or P. uncinatum), eight from red clover (Trifolium pratense), three from damiana (Turnera aphrodisiaca or T. diffusa), and three from dong quai (Angelica sinensis). Of possible concern were the compounds from men's herbal supplements that exhibited strong docking to the estrogen receptor: Gingko biloba had three compounds, gotu kola (Centella asiatica) had two, muira puama (Ptychopetalum olacoides or P. uncinatum) had eight, and Tribulus terrestris had six compounds.
This molecular docking study has revealed that almost all popular herbal supplements contain phytochemical components that may bind to the human estrogen receptor and exhibit selective estrogen receptor modulation. As such, these herbal supplements may cause unwanted side effects related to estrogenic activity.
... The maca root contains high nutritional value component, such as protein (10-18%), carbohydrates (59-76%), as well as a high number of free amino acids and considerable mineral contents (Dini, Migliuolo, Rastrelli, Saturnino, & Schettino, 1994). The biological activity of maca includes energizer (Stone, Ibarra, Roller, Zangara, & Stevenson, 2009), fertility-enhancer (Ruiz-Luna et al., 2005) properties, improving memory and learning (Cordova-Ruiz, 2011). However, compared with the numerous studies of maca biological activity, little attention was devoted to the extraction and investigation of maca (Lepidium meyenii) polysaccharides (LMP). ...
BACKGROUND
The Lepidium meyenii plant also known as Peruvian Maca, originates from high altitudes in the Andes, it has a high nutritional content and is extensively used as an herbal supplement for conditions such as sexual dysfunction, semen quality and menopausal symptoms.
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review was conducted to assess the effects of Maca on variety of conditions and not limited to sexual dysfunction, semen quality and menopausal symptoms.
METHODS
An extensive systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2015. Three databases (PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar) in addition to patents were searched up to March 2021. The key criteria for inclusion were; (1) in vivo study (2) randomized controlled clinical trial; (3) subjects were given Maca regardless of the type, preparation and/or administration route; and (4) measurable clinical data on a physiological and/or psychological aspect were reported. Studies were categorised into human and animal model studies and were further grouped by the type and preparation of Maca, dose, duration and condition assessed. The studies were also assessed for risk of bias according to the Cochrane Collaborations tool. Studies were compared to ascertain whether a meta-analysis was feasible.
RESULTS
A total of 57 studies, 14 clinical and 43 pre-clinical trials met the pre-defined criteria; although patent applications were searched none met the criteria. Nine different extraction methods of Maca were used with various coloured roots namely black, yellow and red roots or a mixture of all three. Different colour variations showed different effects thought to be due to the presence and/or concentration of secondary metabolites. Maca was reported to have an effect on conditions such as memory impairment, depression, bone structure, UV irradiations amongst others. Placebo and dose-dependent effects were observed in some studies. The overall quality of risk of bias was unclear due to insufficient information being published in addition to a high risk of reporting bias. Doses and durations varied, and an insufficient number of studies had further analysed whether these factors had an effect on the outcome made a meta-analysis unfeasible. Therefore, recommendations for future studies were discussed.
CONCLUSION
Evidence to date suggests that Maca root could be an effective treatment for a range of conditions with 55 out of 57 studies reporting an effect. Clinical trials with rigorous reporting and methods are warranted.
Schon seit Urzeiten beschäftigten sich die Menschen mit den Möglichkeiten, ihre sexuelle Lust zu steigern. Die Faszination durch Liebes- oder Zaubertränke, Elixiere, Kräuter und Düfte, Verzehr von Meeresfrüchten u. v. a. m. die Libido zu steigern ist bis heute ungebrochen. Aphrodite war die Namensgeberin der Substanzen, die die sexuelle Appetenz zu beleben und zu steigern versprachen. Während die Wirkung vieler Aphrodisiaka nur auf dem Hintergrund ihrer mythologischen, religiösen oder kulturellen Geschichte zu verstehen sind und über eine reine Placebowirkung nicht hinausgehen, zeigen Untersuchungen aus der neueren Zeit, dass es eine Reihe von Phytotherapeutika gibt, die nachweislich einen positiven Effekt auf die Libido haben. Während diese Phytotherapeutika sehr arm an unerwünschten Nebenwirkungen sind, sieht das bei den Substanzen aus der Chemsexgruppe anders aus. Diese synthetischen, psychoaktiven Drogen wie Metamphetamin, Mephedron, MDMA, GHB u. a. haben ein zum Teil verheerendes psychotropes Potenzial, das nach anfänglich berauschenden Sexparties zu Sucht und sozialem Absturz führen kann.
Some of the areas of concern in andrology are erectile dysfunction, late onset hypogonadism, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and infertility. Often these are associated with depletion in androgens, particularly the testosterone hormone. Lack of physical, mental, and sexual vitality, particularly in elderly men, is recognized as a worldwide health problem, which is challenging medically as well as in healthcare. There are numerous traditional herbal products that claim to enhance male overall well-being and restore reproductive health. Proof of acceptance and relevance of herbal treatment in men’s health management are underlined by the tremendous number of publications as well as clinical data, which meet the highest quality, safety, and efficacy standards. This chapter reviews scientific evidence from clinical trials performed with well-known traditional herbs, claiming therapeutic benefits in men’s health: Eurycoma longifolia (tongkat ali), Lepidium meyenii (maca), Withania somnifera (ashwagandha), and Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek). Furthermore, information of acceptance in terms of regulatory issues is summarized.
Several medicinal plants are traditionally used in different regions of Africa for the treatment of male infertility, sexual asthenia, erectile dysfunction, and impotency or used as an aphrodisiac. Scientific studies, mostly conducted in vitro or in animals, have proven the acclaimed traditional use of these plants to enhance sexual activities or sperm concentration, motility, and viability. Some of the mechanisms of actions associated with these plants include increased level of testosterone and the relaxation of the smooth cavernosal muscles. However, some plants were also shown to have detrimental effects on the male reproductive system. This may be due to the varying modes of plant extraction, duration of treatment, experimental design, dosage used, quality of the plant, or toxic effects. There is a need to standardize the protocols as well as to better understand the mechanism of actions of the respective plants. Further studies should be conducted using human subjects.
Over the past decades, along with progressive economic development, significant changes in environment, society and people’s lifestyles have been observed. A marked shift in the dietary pattern worldwide together with the physical inactivity due to the urbanization and sedentary nature of many forms of work, resulted in an increasing prevalence of chronic metabolic diseases. Overweight and obesity are the major causes of co-morbidities, including type II diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, various cancers and other health problems. Psychosocial stress, anxiety and depression were associated not only with weight gain but also with sexual dysfunction, a serious medical and social symptom that occurs both in men and women. This chapter focuses on natural remedies, herbs and dietary supplements used in weight management (slimming products) and sexual enhancement (natural aphrodisiacs). Due to the higher interest of consumers in a holistic approach of traditional medicines, the popularity of natural products registered a significant increase and the global market of herbal food supplements has grown and diversified spectacularly. Besides the description of botanical species most frequently used as active ingredients in herbal formulations, the main results of human trials have been reviewed. The efficacy of natural products and their mechanism of action, as well as an adverse reaction, side effect or drug-herb interactions, were discussed. Special attention was paid to adulteration with pharmaceutically active substances of those products marketed as natural which is associated with potential health risks for consumers.
Introduction
Erectile dysfunction is the persistent or recurrent inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for intercourse. Despite various treatment options, not all patients respond adequately and their usefulness is limited by adverse effects and cost. Botanical medicine and natural products have been and continue to be invaluable and untapped sources of new drugs, including potentially those to treat erectile dysfunction.
Objectives
To review the current literature on botanical medicine traditionally used as aphrodisiacs and treatment of erectile dysfunction, in particular, scientific and clinical investigations that have been performed, possible active phytoconstituents, and mechanisms of action and to identify gaps in current knowledge to better guide future research efforts.
Methods
A comprehensive literature search was conducted via PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Web of Science on English publications, using various keywords, for example, “herb”, “natural product”, combined with “erectile dysfunction”, “aphrodisiac”, and “sexual performance”.
Results
369 relevant articles studying medicinal plants used for erectile dysfunction were analyzed. A total of 718 plants from 145 families and 499 genera were reported to be used traditionally as aphrodisiacs and treatment of erectile dysfunction. Top plants used include Pausinystalia johimbe, Lepidium meyenii, and Panax ginseng. Different plant parts are used, with roots being the most common. Less than half of these plants have been evaluated scientifically, using various research methodologies. Clinical trials conducted were collated. Current scientific investigation shows mixed results about their usefulness in enhancing sexual performance. A limited number of studies have attempted to elucidate the mechanisms of action of these medicinal plants.
Conclusion
A comprehensive literature review on botanical medicine and natural products used for treatment of erectile dysfunction was successfully conducted. Although medicinal plants serve as a potential source of lead compounds for erectile dysfunction drugs, further studies are warranted to further evaluate their efficacy and safety.
Sin VJ-E, Anand GS, Koh H-L. Botanical Medicine and Natural Products Used for Erectile Dysfunction. Sex Med Rev 2020;XX:XXX–XXX.
In the present study, a modified QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) method was proposed for the simultaneous analysis of 75 pesticides in maca and Moringa oleifera with ultra-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS). The developed method was validated in accordance with linearity, linear range, limit of detection, limit of quantification, accuracy, precision, and matrix effect. Each analyte had good linearity (R² > 0.99) in the corresponding concentration range. The method LOD and LOQ values of all the analytes ranged from 0.01 μg kg⁻¹ to 303.35 μg kg⁻¹ and 0.03 μg kg⁻¹ to 1011.15 μg kg⁻¹, respectively. The recoveries (n = 6) of the analyzed pesticides were in the range of 75.92–113.43%. The RSDs of precision were between 0.60% and 7.36%. All matrix effect values ranged from 81.79% to 118.71% and 80.36% to 119.64% in maca and Moringa oleifera, respectively. The analysis of 103 samples showed the presence of isofenphos-methyl in some of them. The method had a good application prospect and could be used as a general approach for the quantitative determination of pesticide residues in food.
Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a herbaceous plant grown at over 4,000 m in Peru. It has been studied worldwide for its properties on fertility. Previous studies have assessed maca effects on semen quality, but there is need of randomised, double‐blind trials in order to make clinical decisions. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of maca on seminal parameters in infertile adult men. This is a double‐blind, randomised, placebo‐controlled pilot trial in which sixty‐nine patients diagnosed with mild asthenozoospermia and/or mild oligozoospermia were supplied by maca (n = 35) or placebo (n = 34) (2 g/day) for a period of 12 weeks. When compared patients treated with maca and patients treated with placebo, there were no significant differences in semen volume (2.95 ± 0.52 vs. 2.90 ± 0.52; p = .392), sperm motility (22.34 ± 2.22 vs. 23.05 ± 2.22; p = .462) and normal sperm morphology (7.89 ± 1.89 vs. 7.04 ± 2.28; p = .801), but there was a significant difference in sperm concentration (15.04 ± 5.61 vs. 10.16 ± 3.59, respectively; p = .011). In conclusion, patients treated with 2 g of maca for a period of 12 weeks showed a significant improvement in seminal concentration compared with patients treated with placebo. There were no significant differences in semen volume, sperm mobility and morphology when compared both groups.
Die hier vorgestellten Produkte mit Schwerpunkt Nachhaltigkeit und Evidenz-basierten Inhaltsstoffen (Energy-Drink & Protein-Riegel) erhalten im Verbrauchermarkt aufsteigendes Interesse. Dies liegt unter anderem daran, dass Nahrungsmittel mit gesundheits- und leistungsfördernden Eigenschaften benötigt werden, um der steigenden Anzahl an Krankheiten präventiv entgegenzuwirken. Besonders wichtig ist die adäquate Zufuhr von Proteinen und sekundären Pflanzenstoffe, um langfristig gesund zu bleiben. Im Gegensatz zu anderen bereits bestehenden Unternehmen liegt der Fokus dieses Konzepts auf der wissenschaftlichen Bestätigung zur Wirksamkeit der einzelnen Inhaltsstoffe. Damit soll dem Käufer ein optimales Preis-Leistungsverhältnis, auch in Bezug auf den Geschmack, geboten werden. Zusätzlich steht der Ressourcen-schonende Umgang mit Rohstoffen und Verpackungsmaterialien im Vordergrund, sodass zukunftsfähiges Handeln ermöglicht wird. Gerade in einer Zeit von hohen menschengemachten Umweltbelastungen, wie beispielsweise durch Plastikaufkommen in den Meeren, ist eine moralische Firmenpolitik notwendiger denn je.
Introduction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to attain or sustain an erection for sexual intercourse. Affected men endorse difficulties with intimacy and feelings of guilt and shame. Although medical treatments are available, patients are reluctant to discuss ED with physicians and often use dietary supplements to attempt to treat their ED. As such, there is a need to better understand the effects of ingredients used in nutraceuticals for ED treatment.
Objectives
To summarize the literature on the efficacy and safety of the most common ingredients used in ED supplements.
Methods
10 of the most common ingredients in ED supplements were reviewed using PubMed-indexed literature to assess their efficacy and safety in treating ED. Key findings were summarized to include historical use, active ingredients, prior animal studies, human studies, and toxicity.
Results
Nutraceuticals used in ED treatment include a variety of ingredients. Although L-arginine is a safe supplement with clinical data supporting improved erectile function, limited data exist on the efficacy of other ingredients in the treatment of ED.
Conclusion
Despite the growing use of supplements for treatment of sexual dysfunction, ED supplements remain poorly studied, with limited data demonstrating efficacy of individual ingredients. Further study is required to definitively determine the efficacy of nutraceuticals in ED treatment.
Srivatsav A, Balasubramanian A, Pathak UI, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Common Ingredients in Aphrodisiacs Used for Erectile Dysfunction: A Review. J Sex Med 2020;XX:XXX–XXX.
Aphrodisiacs, libido or erection-enhancing supplements are widely available on the internet. The beneficial effects are controversial. Forensic toxicologists should be aware of the potential toxicities of these products because they could be given in cases of drug-facilitated sexual assault. This article presents a case report in which the defendant claimed to have administered an aphrodisiac to several women who showed strong symptoms of intoxication after consumption in an alcoholic drink. A literature research was carried out for potential substances sold in these aphrodisiac products. Synthetic substances as well as products of herbal or animal origin can be the ingredients. The main products that could cause intensive side effects and intoxication are phosphodiesterase V inhibitors (declared or undeclared on packaging), yohimbine, steroid hormones, flibanserin, gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, Tribulus terrestris, Bufo Toad, Spanish fly or Horny Goat Weed. All other products used as aphrodisiacs and described herein show less potential side effects or no studies on side effects in humans were carried out.
Continuous cropping maca systems are widespread in Yunan Province, China. However, the relationships between continuous cropping maca systems and microbes are not well understood. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of continuous cropping maca systems (Maca with 0, 1, 2, and 3 years of continuous cultivation) on the soil microbial community. The results showed that the soil organic matter, total N, total P, and total K contents, as well as maca fresh and dry weight, decreased significantly with increased continuous cropping years. Interestingly, qPCR analysis showed that the bacterial and fungal abundance (DNA levels) decreased and active bacterial and fungal abundance (RNA levels) increased with cropping years from the first to the third cropping (p < 0.05). Moreover, the abundance of actinomycetes in the CK soil was significantly higher than that in the other maca soils. In addition, the continuous cropping system resulted in rich diversity in the fungal structure and had little effects on the bacterial and actinomycete communities. Acidobacteria (50%) and Ascomycota (58.3%) were detected in the continuous cropping maca soils. Based on the present results, continuous cropping of maca not exceeding two years could be optimal to maintain soil nutrition and microbial community.
Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walpers) has emerged as a popular functional plant food due to various claimed health effects. This review details the major (i.e., starch, dietary fiber, and protein) and minor constituents (i.e., minerals, non-starch polysaccharides, polyphenols (flavonolignans), macaenes, macamides, glucosinolates, and alkaloids) of maca (root and aerial parts). Diverse health effects of maca are also summarized. Various bioactivities of maca include enhanced reproductive health, antifatigue, antioxidation, neuroprotection, antimicrobial activity, anticancer, hepatoprotection, immunomodulation, and improving skin health and digestive system's function. Plant genetics, botanical parts, processing, extraction, and experimental protocols represent the major factors affecting the chemical composition, physicochemical attributes, and health effects of maca-based products. However, clinical studies to support the claimed health effects of maca and related mechanisms appear to be lacking. Product innovation and diversification in food and non-food utilization of different parts of maca to maximize the value perceptions are suggested.
Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a biennial plant of the crucifer family (Brassicaceae), cultivated on the Andean plateaus of Peru. According to traditional beliefs, maca is considered to be an aphro-disiac, also known as ‘Peruvian ginseng’. The edible parts of the plant are the bulbous root and hypocotyl, which have health-promoting properties. The analysis of the chemical composition showed that L. meyenii had a high nutritional value and contained biologically active compounds such as: polyphenols (flavonoids, anthocyanins), tannins, saponins, prostaglandins and alkaloids. Furthermore, the plant is a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, sterols (β-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol) and glucosinolates, which are valuable dietary components. According to the avail-able literature, maca is currently the only known plant that contains macamides – components improving sexual functions. The results of studies have confirmed its impact on fertility, physical performance and health improvement in animals and humans. Moreover, maca also shows anti- -cancer, anti-osteoporosis and neuroprotective potential.
The purpose of this book chapter is to better understand the role of alternative nonprescription medications and their effect on sexual function. We will also discuss the prevalence of counterfeit prescription medications and their impact on health. We will discuss where these drugs are being produced and how they are regulated by the federal government. The role of the Internet as a method of obtaining these medications also will be explored. The most common alternative medicines will be reviewed based on clinical research trials in terms of efficacy and side effects.
Lepidium meyenii Walpers, a well-known crop with a long history in Peru, has been utilized in the Andean region as foodstuff and medical supply. In our study, ethanol extract was obtained from the dried root of this plant and then chemically investigated. Two new imidazole alkaloids, namely, lepidiline C (1) and D (2), along with two known imidazole alkaloids (lepidiline A and B), were isolated through semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Their structures were elucidated through HPLC–mass spectrometry, 1D and 2D proton nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and ultraviolet spectrophotometry.
Introduction:
Use of supplements is common among men seeking urologic evaluation for sexual health matters. With a dizzying array of formulations available and little regulation on the dosage, purity, or ingredients found in these products, the health effects of nutraceuticals are often confusing to patients and medical practitioners alike.
Aim:
In this review, we set out to concisely summarize the data on ingredients found within the top-selling nutraceutical agents marketed for men's sexual health in order to provide a clinical guide for urologists.
Methods:
We used sales data from the most popular retail provider of men's health supplements to identify the top-selling products marketed toward improvement of men's sexual health. We summarized the available information related to the ingredients, dosage, cost, and mechanism of action for these substances and performed an extensive literature search to identify and review the current evidence available for each of the most common ingredients found in these nutraceuticals.
Results:
The top-selling nutraceuticals marked for men's sexual health contain a blend of multiple supplements (up to 33 in one formulation identified), the most common being ginseng, tribulus, zinc, horny goat weed, B complex vitamins/trace minerals, fenugreek, L-arginine, maca, DHEA, ginkgo, and yohimbine. The currently available medical literature evaluating the efficacy of these substances is generally of low quality.
Conclusions:
Despite the dearth of evidence supporting nutraceutical agents in the men's health arena, these substances are still commonly used by patients. As these products can affect the health and well-being of men presenting to a urology clinic, a familiarity with commonly used agents can help the urologist appropriately counsel their patients. Cui T, Kovell RC, Brooks DC, and Terlecki RP. A urologist's guide to ingredients found in top-selling nutraceuticals for men's sexual health. J Sex Med **;**:**-**.
Maca ( Lepidium meyenii Walpers) ist eine Kulturpflanze aus den Anden, die dort in Höhen oberhalb 4000 Meter über dem Meer angebaut wird. Die vorhandenen wissenschaftlichen Daten weisen darauf hin, dass Maca sexuelles Verlangen, Erektionsfähigkeit, Spermienqualität und Wechseljahrbeschwerden positiv beeinflusst. Weitere Wirkungen, die noch zu bestätigen sind, und gute Verträglichkeit machen Maca zu einem vielversprechenden Nahrungsergänzungsmittel, das in vielerlei Hinsicht unsere Aufmerksamkeit verdient.
This study was a 12-week double blind placebo-controlled, randomized, parallel trial in which active treatment with different doses of Maca Gelatinizada was compared with placebo. The study aimed to demonstrate if effect of Maca on subjective report of sexual desire was because of effect on mood or serum testosterone levels. Men aged 21–56 years received Maca in one of two doses: 1500 mg or 3000 mg or placebo.
Self-perception on sexual desire, score for Hamilton test for depression, and Hamilton test for anxiety were measured at 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment. An improvement in sexual desire was observed with Maca since 8 weeks of treatment. Serum testosterone and oestradiol levels were not different in men treated with Maca and in those treated with placebo (P:NS). Logistic regression analysis showed that Maca has an independent effect on sexual desire at 8 and 12 weeks of treatment, and this effect is not because of changes in either Hamilton scores for depression or anxiety or serum testosterone and oestradiol levels. In conclusion, treatment with Maca improved sexual desire.
The consistently better performance seen by teams in various sporting contexts when playing at home is referred to as the 'home advantage'. Various explanations have been put forward to account for this robust phenomenon, though none has yet focussed on possible hormonal factors. In an initial study, we showed that salivary testosterone levels in soccer players were significantly higher before a home game than an away game.In a second study involving a different group of soccer players, this finding was replicated over two home games, two away games, and three training sessions. Perceived rivalry of the opposing team was important as testosterone levels were higher before playing an 'extreme' rival than a 'moderate' rival. Self-reported measures of mood in both studies were not linked to testosterone level. The present results corroborate and extend earlier findings on the relationships between testosterone, territoriality, and dominance in human competitive encounters and further suggest an important role for testosterone in the home advantage seen in various team sports.
Lepidium meyenii, known as Maca, grows exclusively in the Peruvian Andes over 4000 m altitude. It has been used traditionally to increase fertility. Previous scientific studies have demonstrated that Maca increases spermatogenesis and epididymal sperm count. The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of Maca on several fertility parameters of female mice at reproductive age.
Adult female Balb/C mice were divided at random into three main groups: i) Reproductive indexes group, ii) Implantation sites group and iii) Assessment of uterine weight in ovariectomized mice. Animals received an aqueous extract of lyophilized Yellow Maca (1 g/Kg BW) or vehicle orally as treatment. In the fertility indexes study, animals received the treatment before, during and after gestation. The fertility index, gestation index, post-natal viability index, weaning viability index and sex ratio were calculated. Sexual maturation was evaluated in the female pups by the vaginal opening (VO) day. In the implantation study, females were checked for implantation sites at gestation day 7 and the embryos were counted. In ovariectomized mice, the uterine weight was recorded at the end of treatment.
Implantation sites were similar in mice treated with Maca and in controls. All reproductive indexes were similar in both groups of treatment. The number of pups per dam at birth and at postnatal day 4 was significantly higher in the group treated with Maca. VO day occurred earlier as litter size was smaller. Maca did not affect VO day. In ovariectomized mice, the treatment with Maca increased significantly the uterine weights in comparison to their respective control group.
Administration of aqueous extract of Yellow Maca to adult female mice increases the litter size. Moreover, this treatment increases the uterine weight in ovariectomized animals. Our study confirms for the first time some of the traditional uses of Maca to enhance female fertility.
Lepidium meyenii (Maca) grows exclusively between 4000 and 4500 m above sea level in the Peruvian central Andes. The hypocotyls of this plant are traditionally used in the Andean region for their supposed fertility-enhancing properties. The hypocotyls have different colours. Of these, Black maca has better effects on spermatogenesis. The present study aimed to test the hypothesis that Black maca has early effects during a spermatogenic cycle (12 days) of male rats. For this, testicular spermatid, epididymal sperm and vas deferens sperm counts were measured after 1, 3, 5, 7 and 12 days of treatment with Black maca. Aqueous extract of Black maca was given orally by daily gavage at a dose of 2 g kg(-1). In a spermatogenic cycle, compared with day 1, daily sperm production (DSP) was lower at day 7 (control), whereas with Black maca, the difference was observed at day 12. Epididymal sperm count was higher in rats treated with Black maca at days 1, 3 and 7, but similar to controls at days 5 and 12; similarly sperm counts in vas deferens was higher in rats treated with Black maca in days 3, 5 and 7, but similar to controls at days 1 and 12. From this, it is suggested that first action of Black maca was at epididymal level increasing sperm count after 1 day of treatment, whereas an increase in sperm count was observed in vas deferens at day 3 of treatment. Finally, an increase in DSP was observed after 7 days of treatment with Black maca. Testicular testosterone was not affected after 7 days treatment with Black maca. In conclusion, Black maca affects sperm count as early as 1 day after beginning of treatment.
Performance testing is one of the most common and important measures used in sports science and physiology. Performance tests allow for a controlled simulation of sports and exercise performance for research or applied science purposes. There are three factors that contribute to a good performance test: (i) validity; (ii) reliability; and (iii) sensitivity. A valid protocol is one that resembles the performance that is being simulated as closely as possible. When investigating race-type events, the two most common protocols are time to exhaustion and time trials. Time trials have greater validity than time to exhaustion because they provide a good physiological simulation of actual performance and correlate with actual performance. Sports such as soccer are more difficult to simulate. While shuttle-running protocols such as the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test may simulate physiology of soccer using time to exhaustion or distance covered, it is not a valid measure of soccer performance. There is a need to include measures of skill in such protocols. Reliability is the variation of a protocol. Research has shown that time-to-exhaustion protocols have a coefficient of variation (CV) of >10%, whereas time trials are more reliable as they have been shown to have a CV of <5%. A sensitive protocol is one that is able to detect small, but important, changes in performance. The difference between finishing first and second in a sporting event is <1%. Therefore, it is important to be able to detect small changes with performance protocols. A quantitative value of sensitivity may be accomplished through the signal : noise ratio, where the signal is the percentage improvement in performance and the noise is the CV.
Maca (Lepidium meyenii walp.), a biennial herbaceous plant of the family Brassicae, which is cultivated mainly in the central Andes of Peru, has been used as both a food and a traditional medicine in the region for over 2000 years. The subterranean parts of the plant have long been used as a staple foodstuff by indigenous peoples in the Andean region, but the plant is also valued for its medicinal role. As is usual with many traditional “folk” medicines, many claims have been made regarding the efficacy of maca in treating a wide range of illnesses and medical conditions. However, in the 20th century most scientific attention has been focused in the areas where the pharmacological actions of maca seem most strongly attested, these include, enhancement of sexual drive in humans, increasing overall vigour and energy levels, and increasing sexual fertility in humans and domestic livestock. Since the early days of the 20th century numerous scientific studies have been carried out into the basis of its pharmacological action in these areas. In this review, the composition and pharmacological function of maca are systematically discussed. Additionally, the current discussion surrounding its mode of action in the areas listed above is also presented.
Lepidium meyenii Walpers (Maca) is traditionally employed in the Andean region for its supposed properties to improve energy and fertility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of acute and chronic Maca pulverised root oral administration on rat sexual behaviour. Sixty male sexually experienced rats (20 group) were daily treated for 15 days with Maca 15 mg kg−1, Maca 75 mg kg−1 or saline 0.5 ml kg−1. The following sexual performance parameters were evaluated at first and last day of treatment: 1st mount (ML), 1st intromission (IL), ejaculation (EL) and postejaculatory (PEL) latencies, intercopulatory interval (ICI) and copulatory efficacy (CE). An activity cage test was carried out to evaluate if Maca-induced locomotion changes could indirectly improve rat sexual performances. It was observed that both lower and higher Maca doses acutely decreased ML, IL and ICI in a significant way (P<0.05), while only the 75 mg kg−1 dose decreased the PEL (T=29, P<0.05). This effect seems to be the only one dose-dependent. After 15 days of treatment, both doses are able to significantly decrease ML, IL, EL and PEL, while the 75 mg kg−1 dose decreased the ICI (T=40, P<0.05) too. IL, EL and PEL variations seem to be dose-related after chronic treatment. Moreover, chronic Maca treatment induced an apparently not dose-related increase in rat locomotion, during the second 10-min period of observation in the activity cage. The late in Maca-induced locomotion modification excludes that improvement of tested sexual performance parameters is related to an increase in rat aspecific activity. Thus, it was concluded that both acute and chronic Maca oral administration significantly improve sexual performance parameters in male rats.
There is a great demand for perceptual effort ratings in order to better understand man at work. Such ratings are important complements to behavioral and physiological measurements of physical performance and work capacity. This is true for both theoretical analysis and application in medicine, human factors, and sports. Perceptual estimates, obtained by psychophysical ratio-scaling methods, are valid when describing general perceptual variation, but category methods are more useful in several applied situations when differences between individuals are described. A presentation is made of ratio-scaling methods, category methods, especially the Borg Scale for ratings of perceived exertion, and a new method that combines the category method with ratio properties. Some of the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods are discussed in both theoretical-psychophysical and psychophysiological frames of reference.
We conducted a survey of 624 commercially available supplements targeted towards bodybuilding athletes. Over 800 performance claims were made for these supplements. Supplements include amino acids, boron, carnitine, choline, chromium, dibencozide, ferulic acid, gamma oryzanol, medium chain triglycerides, weight gain powders, Smilax compounds and yohimbine. Many performance claims advertised were not supported by published research studies. In some instances, we found no research to validate the claims; in other cases, research findings were extrapolated to inappropriate applications. For example, biological functions of some non-essential compounds were interpreted as performance claims for the supplements. Claims for others were based on their ability to enhance hormonal release or activity. We suggest that more research be conducted on this group of athletes and their nutritional needs. Furthermore, the effectiveness and safety of supplements merit further investigation.
The purpose of this investigation was to develop a self-administered questionnaire to measure sexual desire. In the development phase, items were generated and pilot-tested with 24 subjects. Based on these data, items were deleted, added, or modified. Next, in Study One, the Sexual Desire Inventory (SDI) was administered to 197 females and 117 males. Factor analyses revealed that the SDI was multifactorial; however, none of the generated factor solutions up to five factors yielded a good fit. Interpretation of the factors led to revisions of the SDI. It was hypothesized that sexual desire might consist of two related dimensions; dyadic sexual desire and solitary sexual desire. Items on the SDI were modified to measure these two dimensions, and the revised SDI was administered to 249 females and 131 males. Factor analysis supported the presence of these two dimensions. Internal consistency estimates using Cronbach's alpha revealed coefficients of .86 for dyadic sexual desire and .96 for solitary sexual desire, providing preliminary evidence for the reliability of the SDI. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Yacon and maca are native Andean crops with growing popularity as food supplements often in combination with other components, e.g. silymarin. There are however no published data on their toxicity and safety in humans. The aim of our randomized placebo-controlled 90-day study was to evaluate the effects of yacon and maca in combination with silymarin on plasma and lipoprotein lipids, serum glucose and safety parameters in patients suffering from the metabolic syndrome. No adverse effects were found in volunteers using silymarin (0.8 g/day), silymarin+yacon (0.8+2.4 g/day) and silymarin+maca (0.6+0.2 g/day). A moderate AST level and diastolic blood pressure increase was found in volunteers using maca (0.6 g/day). In conclusion, the combination silymarin+yacon appears to be promising as a nutraceutical in the prevention of diseases with a proatherogenic lipoprotein profile and liver steatosis. The effect of maca on AST level and blood pressure must be considered when using high doses of maca powder. This effect could be reversed by supplementation with silymarin.
Effects of a maca booster food supplement on sportsmen's bodily adaption to physical loads
- K Milasius
- R Dadelien
- L Tubelis
- A Raslanas
Milasius, K., Dadelien, R., Tubelis, L., Raslanas, A., 2008. Effects of a maca booster food supplement on sportsmen's bodily adaption to physical loads. In: 13th Annual Congress of the European College of Sports Sciences, Estoril, Portugal, p. 226. Neave, N., Wolfson, S., 2003. Testosterone, territoriality, and the home advantage. Physiology and Behaviour 78, 269–275.
Effects of a maca booster food supplement on sportsmen's bodily adaption to physical loads
- Milasius