Maca Label Warning

I just picked up a large bottle of the maca product I have been using:
http://www.wholeworldbotanicals.com/royalMacaDiffernce.html

With more label real estate (the bottle is much larger), I noticed a warning that was absent on the smaller bottle:

"Caution: Combining Royal Maca with estrogen or estrogenic herbs is not usually advisable as hot flashes and other symptoms may actually increase."

Obviously this is aimed at women, but I imagine the same action in the male body is not desirable either.

I haven't received thai kudzu yet, but now I am considering going with just one product.

They probably got it wrong, thinking that estrogenic herbs increase the symptoms of hot flashes.

I know thats not what it says. Did this info come from the Peruvian manufacturers or a third party?

Aye, but PM isn't estrogenic. Soy on the other hand...

The company appears to be really legit, and so far their Web site has been the best resource for Maca info that i have come across. They even have a hotline for Maca questions. The company is founded by an MD, an anthropologist, and a native peruvian. They have their hands on every step of production.

Maca's action, in gerneral, has been an enigma to me. From what i understand it is a precursor to hormone precursors and has the potential to heal. Currently, I am going to start taking one teaspoon in the am and one in the pm. I can't say that I know how my usage has affected me thus far. I am pretty sure; however, that when I started using it with 7-Hmr, my libido actually dropped a bit.

These days, hair feels very strong. Overall, I feel perfectly balanced. (it could be the stratta though.)

nidhogge,

I thought pm contained miroestrol. I guess I am unclear on what makes something estrogenic.

In any case, my bad, I have been eating some soy products. Specifically, this one:

http://www.lightlife.com/product_detail.jsp?p=smartsausagesitalian

However, the phytoestrogen effect is negligible from it, for me, perhaps even beneficial.

Miroestrol is like an estrogen regulator, adding or subtracting the estrogen the body needs (the good estrogen, which is almost identical to estriol).

Soy Isoflavones are much weaker, but are not regulatory.

Maca does have some estrogen effects, but are comparable to milk thistle. Maca is very effective for BPH, but its mechanism isn't certain. It also increases sperm production and has antioxidant activity.

IH--thanks for the clarification.

As IH noted how maca actually affects the body is still a bit of a mystery. At this point it is thought to work through the pituitary gland to a certain degree.

Well, what IH said.

Gibson wrote:The company appears to be really legit, and so far their Web site has been the best resource for Maca info that i have come across. They even have a hotline for Maca questions. The company is founded by an MD, an anthropologist, and a native peruvian. They have their hands on every step of production.

The part about the founders is wrong. It's actually two Phd's and a midwife. There's a quick link on the Web site, although I'm sure no one cares. Oddly, i feel the need to CMA.

CausticSymmetry wrote:Maca does have some estrogen effects, but are comparable to milk thistle. Maca is very effective for BPH, but its mechanism isn't certain. It also increases sperm production and has antioxidant activity.

It's been about a week at a teaspoon am and one pm. I'm sold on it and intend to make it a permanent part of my health regimen. IH's quote shed some light for me, particularly the bit about its mild estrogen effect and impact on sperm count.

Unlike other libido boosters, its mechanism seems very different. I don't get any of the androgen-sides I would by taking testosterone optimizers--kind of feel more relaxed, yet virile at the same time. Sperm production has without doubt increased.

Unlike many things, I suspect that deeper benefits will be experienced over long term use. I think those looking for a bang will probably be dissapointed by maca.

This is from Jonny Bowden's book Natural Cures. Pretty interesting stuff.

An interesting thoery on maca and sexual activity has to do with the fact that maca contains high amounts of an amino acid called histamine. Histidine plays an often-overlooked role in both ejaculation and orgasm. The body uses histidine to produce histamine. High levels of histamine are often found in men who have premature ejaculation.

Maca contains two novel groups of compounds: Macamides and macaenes, which may be responsible for its effects. Maca also contains the amino acid L-arginine, which has been shown to increase sperm production and motility and is necessary for the creation of nitric oxide, a molecule that is necessary for erections.

Joejoebaggins - Thanks for that info!