Is Maca Safe?

Is Maca Safe? 

Lots of new and exciting changes have been happening in the Your Super kitchen. We reformulated our beautifying superfood mix Forever Beautiful. Our anti-inflammatory Golden Mellow Mix now has holy basil, a potent adaptogen. Power Matcha was discontinued, and a new mix is on the way! 

Needless to say, the Your Super team is working hard behind the scenes to ensure your journey to a healthier and happier you is a seamless one. 

These changes brought up many questions- especially when it comes to maca, as this root was the main ingredient in the three mixes listed above. 

Our founders stepped in to directly address why we have made these changes, which you can watch here. You can also check out the interview with Your Super’s VP of New Product Development, who shared insights into how these decisions were made and what factors are taken into consideration when creating and removing mixes. 

Don’t forget to comment below on those videos, because your thoughts really do impact our decisions. 

These conversations brought up a lot of important health topics surrounding the safety of superfoods, especially maca. So let’s dive in to learn more.

What is maca?

Maca (pronounced mah-kah), or maca root, is a cruciferous vegetable, which means it's related to kale, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage.

Also known as Peruvian ginseng, it grows underground and looks similar to a turnip or parsnip. It comes in a variety of colors including red, white (or gold), and black.

Maca root is a nutritional powerhouse, providing key macro and micronutrients, and unique plant compounds to support an active human body and mind. It is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, copper, iron, magnesium, and zinc. It contains all eight essential amino acids and plenty of phytonutrients. 

Benefits of Maca

There are so many benefits of maca, which you can learn more about here.  But we’ve rounded up the most notable benefits below. 

Brain and cognitive support:

The Quechua People of Peru’s central highlands consider maca a highly nutritious food that promotes mental awareness, physical vitality, endurance, and stamina. According to a 2016 research maca root works directly upon the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland to help boost focus, as well as support physical and mental energy. Plus, a 2011 study found that maca root calms anxiety and reduces stress while also stimulating brain activity. 

Skin health

Skin health is directly affected by hormones and the vitamins you consume on a regular basis. Since maca helps regulate our hormones, supports the body’s own antioxidant production, and is loaded with vitamins and minerals, it may also support skin health. 

Energy support

Maca root has been touted to normalize energy levels and endurance, and support a healthy libido, which has been demonstrated in several clinical trials.

Hormone support 

Studies have shown that maca supplementation can support a healthy mood and blood pressure in postmenopausal women. Maca has also been found to reduce levels of IL-6, an inflammatory biomarker. 

So, is maca safe? 

With so many amazing natural benefits, how can there be safety concerns? Just like anything else, this powerful super-root should be taken in moderation– you know what they say, too much of anything isn’t good for you.

It’s worth noting that Peruvians have been using maca for medicinal and culinary purposes for thousands of years. In fact, maca is one of the most well-known superfoods for female health, especially when it comes to hormone balance. 

Rather than alarming reports, conflicting information, or contradictory stories, the concern about the safety of maca actually stems from the lack of scientific studies. Keeping this in mind, here are some answers to your burning questions about the safety of consuming maca. 

Q: Is maca safe for pregnancy?

A: As noted above, because of a lack of studies, most doctors, researchers, and nutritionists agree that it is unclear whether it is safe or unsafe to use throughout your pregnancy and therefore suggest skipping it for the 9-month duration. 

Maca is great for balancing hormones, as well as supporting energy levels and stress. But, as a general rule of thumb, you should never start any kind of supplement while pregnant without discussing it with your doctor or physician. 

Is maca safe for teens?

A: Native Peruvians are said to use maca to improve their children’s learning in school. There is no evidence suggesting that maca would have any negative effects on children and their development. There is real data from Peru showing that children who eat maca grow up to be happy and healthy. Some studies argue for maca use to treat children with anemia and the regulation of sleep. However, again, as always, feel free to seek advice from your trusted healthcare professional. 

Q. If I have thyroid issues, can I use maca?

A: Maca contains many compounds, including iron, zinc, and selenium, that can help manage symptoms of thyroid dysfunction, Studies show that the consumption of Maca may help regulate thyroid.

No interactions have been found between maca and thyroid medication. However, if you are taking synthetic thyroid medication, and/or if you have one of the following conditions, consult your healthcare provider before starting a new regimen: Breast, uterine, or ovarian cancer; endometriosis, uterine fibroids, thyroid disease. 

Here at Your Super, we believe you deserve to know what you’re putting in your body.  Every ingredient is certified organic, Non-GMO certified, Glyphosate-Free, plant-based, and gluten-free. 

You’ll never find any sweeteners, stevia, artificial flavors, fillers, preservatives, or additives. We source all of our ingredients directly, we know where they come from, and we strive to have a positive impact on the local communities where they’re sourced. Due to this 100% transparent supply chain, our maca is the best quality on the market!

Still have questions?

Here are a few answers to some of the recurring questions we’ve been receiving as they relate to the topic above. 

Q: “Are you going to discontinue Moon Balance, too?!”.

A:  Don’t worry! Moon Balance is NOT going anywhere. It’s simply a superfood rumor. 

Q: “There must have been something wrong with maca if you are discontinuing the mixes with it.”

A: When making the decision to discontinue mixes we look at a number of factors including (but not limited to) sales, repurchase rates, competition on the market, and reviews. While Power Matcha did contain maca, it is not related to our decision to discontinue this mix. 

Q: “Is maca okay to use when trying to conceive? I thought I read that maca was good for that, but now I’m confused if when pregnant you shouldn’t take it.”

A: According to a 2010 systematic review, two randomized clinical trials suggested that maca can have a positive effect on sexual dysfunction or sexual desire in both menopausal women and adult men after 6 weeks of ingestion. But as noted above, starting any new supplements should be discussed with your doctor especially when you’re pregnant and looking to conceive.