Quick answer
Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a Peruvian root. In a 12-week trial in healthy men, 1,500 or 3,000 mg a day improved self-reported sexual desire compared with placebo from week 8, without changing testosterone or estrogen levels.* Man Greens contains 1,500 mg of organic maca per scoop, the lower dose from that trial.
What is maca?
Maca is a root vegetable from the Andes, related to broccoli and radish, traditionally eaten for energy and vitality. It's usually dried and powdered.
What the research shows
| Study | Who | Dose | Length | Finding vs placebo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gonzales et al., 2002 | 57 healthy men aged 21 to 56 | 1,500 or 3,000 mg/day | 12 weeks | Higher self-reported sexual desire from week 8; no change in testosterone or estradiol |
| Stone et al., 2009 | 8 trained male cyclists | 2,000 mg/day extract | 14 days | Faster 40 km time trial; higher sexual desire scores |
| Shin et al., 2010 (systematic review) | 4 trials | Various | Various | Limited but encouraging evidence for sexual function; more rigorous trials needed |
The evidence is promising but limited: small studies, short durations. These trials tested maca alone, not Man Greens.
Man Greens dose vs studied dose
Man Greens provides 1,500 mg of organic maca per scoop, matching the lower daily dose in Gonzales 2002.
Safety
Maca is a food and was well tolerated in trials. Talk to your doctor before using it if you have a thyroid condition or a hormone-sensitive condition, or take prescription medication.
FAQ
Does maca increase testosterone?
No. In the main trial in men, maca improved self-reported sexual desire without changing testosterone or estrogen levels. Its effect on libido appears to work independently of testosterone.*
How much maca should a man take?
The trials used 1,500 to 3,000 mg a day.
How long does maca take to work?
In Gonzales 2002, the difference from placebo appeared at week 8.
References
- Gonzales GF, Córdova A, Vega K, et al. Effect of Lepidium meyenii (maca) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy men. Andrologia. 2002;34(6):367-372.
- Stone M, Ibarra A, Roller M, Zangara A, Stevenson E. A pilot investigation into the effect of maca supplementation on physical activity and sexual desire in sportsmen. J Ethnopharmacol. 2009;126(3):574-576.
- Shin BC, Lee MS, Yang EJ, Lim HS, Ernst E. Maca (L. meyenii) for improving sexual function: a systematic review. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2010;10:44.
Maca is one of 8 ingredients in Man Greens. See every dose on the ingredients and testing page.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.