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Maca Supplements Review

Choose the Best Maca Supplement. Make Sure Your Maca Supplement Isn't Contaminated With Lead.

Medically reviewed and edited by Tod Cooperman, M.D.

Updated April 13, 2019 ⓘ

Maca Supplements Reviewed by ConsumerLab.com

Products tested in 2015

+— 15 sources

In addition the results of its expert testing, ConsumerLab uses only high-quality, evidence based, information sources. These sources include peer-reviewed studies and information from agencies such as the FDA and USDA, and the National Academy of Medicine. On evolving topics, studies from pre-print journals may be sourced. All of our content is reviewed by medical doctors and doctoral-level experts in pharmacology, toxicology, and chemistry. We continually update and medically review our information to keep our content trustworthy, accurate, and reliable. The following sources are referenced in this article:

Summary

What is maca?
Maca root is sold as a starchy powder or gelatinized powder (which may be more digestible), and as extracts (see "What It Is"). Most clinical studies have used the root powder or gelatinized root powder and may, therefore, be preferable to extracts.
Health benefits of maca supplements:
Maca is commonly used to increase stamina and sexual function and improve mood, based on traditional use and evidence from preliminary clinical studies, but there are no large, well-controlled, long-term studies to support these uses. Maca does not appear to affect sexual hormones in men or women. (See "What It Does") Although different colors of maca, (i.e. red, black and yellow) are sometimes promoted as having different effects, these claims are based on animal studies, there do not appear to be any studies comparing the effects of different colors of maca in people (see ConsumerTips).
Maca safety and side effects:
Maca root powder has been consumed for centuries as a food source and is considered fairly safe, but reported side-effects include headache, stomach upset, sleep disruption and increased sweating and it may affect liver function and blood pressure. (See "Concerns and Cautions")
How much maca should I take?
A typical dosage of maca root powder used in clinical studies is 1,500 to 3,000 mg (less than one teaspoonful), which can be as loose powder mixed with water or into a beverage, or as several capsules. Capsules typically contain about 500 mg of powder. (See "ConsumerTips™")
What did CL's tests of maca find? Testing by ConsumerLab.com of maca supplements found several to appear to be authentic based on DNA and microscopic testing. However, one product could not be Approved by ConsumerLab.com due to contamination with lead. (See "What CL Found" and How Products Were Evaluated).
Best value for maca:
Among CL Approved products, the lowest cost per gram (1,000 mg) of powder was 10 cents from a loose maca powder or 12 cents from a loose gelatinized maca root powder. Maca in capsules generally cost a bit more than loose maca powders. (See "Top choices")

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Maca root powder supplement brands compared in this review

Botanic Choice Maca

Gaia Herbs Gelatinized Maca Powder

GNC Herbal Plus Maca Root

Maca Magic

Nature's Way Maca Root

Navitas Naturals Maca

NutriGold Maca Gold

Plnt by V Maca (Vitamin Shoppe)

Solaray Maca

Swanson Maca Powder

Vega Maca

You must be a member to get the full test results for maca supplements along with ConsumerLab.com recommendations and quality ratings. In this comprehensive review of maca supplements, you'll get test results and quality ratings for 11 supplements (including one that passed our voluntary Quality Certification Program). You'll learn:

Which maca supplements passed or failed ConsumerLab.com's testing and review
Quality ratings and comparisons of maca supplements, plus our top choices among Approved products
The difference between "gelatinized" maca root powder and regular maca root powder

The dosage of maca taken for different applications and the related clinical evidence
Potential side effects of maca supplements
Tips for buying and using maca, and more!

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Maca Supplements Review

Choose the Best Maca Supplement. Make Sure Your Maca Supplement Isn't Contaminated With Lead.

Summary

What is maca?

Health benefits of maca supplements:

Maca safety and side effects:

How much maca should I take?

Best value for maca:

Make sure you're choosing the best maca supplements approved in our tests!