Maca and IGF-1

Question for CS or anyone else out there...I'm about to start taking Maca, but notice that it seems to result in increased IGF-1 production, which in turn is linked to vertex balding. Is this link something we should be concerned about?

ataman - Regarding IGF-1, it can be good or bad.

For example in one study, patients who did not respond well to androgen blockage therapy (finasteride) were low in IGF-1.

In a study here:

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pubmed&pubmedid=16603065

It shows that Maca apparently increases IGF-1 without the negative effects on MMP's, which would suggest that the negative effects of IGF-1 were eliminated.

Thanks mate.

i don't get it as fast as you !

IGF-1 is apparently bad for hair when high, right ? or it isn't as simple because oif what you said CS....

so, and is there a connection between MMP and hairloss ?

ggrrrr... i'm a bit lost...
I suspect that someone will possibly lose hair with maca and other don't , no??

europe - I'm not too worried about any adverse effects with Maca and here's why:

Often when something increases IGF-1 it can also increase DHT, but that is not the case with maca.

In fact, it's been established that maca does not alter androgenic hormones, so it has some other mysterious balancing effect.

This herb is purported to balance or increase estrogen levels and is much associated with women and helping menopause. As well it is used for bph in men and fertility as it increases weight of the testis(seminal volume) while shrinking the prostate. Good for those with BPH; bad for those with epydidimitis.

CS, thanks for that interesting study. I have helped treat a few osteoarthritis patients with Ecklonia cava, boswellia, curcumin, and PM Kudzu. So what they are saying in this study is that Maca may be a good herb as well, by way of some additional beneficial effect on cartilage other than just protection against damage from inflammation?

cpio - In that study, Cats claw was also used, which has an anti-inflammatory effect (inhibits Nfkb and Cox-2), while Maca protects against cartilage break down or catabolic effects of Interleukin-1 beta while increasing IGF-1. This is probably increases the viability of existing growth factors to go to work and help repair damage caused from the inflammation.

E-Cava is probably a better inflammation fighter than Cats claw, so your formula is pretty solid. You might even add hyaluronic acid, since it's very effective for OA patients.

CausticSymmetry wrote:europe - I'm not too worried about any adverse effects with Maca and here's why:

Often when something increases IGF-1 it can also increase DHT, but that is not the case with maca.

In fact, it's been established that maca does not alter androgenic hormones, so it has some other mysterious balancing effect.

Hi, I don't know why I lose some hair after taking Maca extract.... Actually I take saw palmetto + nettle root + beta sitosterol for 3 month with no effect with hair loss.



Sorry for my english

what maca supplement to take?

i think maca is needed!!

ataman wrote:Question for CS or anyone else out there...I'm about to start taking Maca, but notice that it seems to result in increased IGF-1 production, which in turn is linked to vertex balding. Is this link something we should be concerned about?

ataman! how you doin mate?

have you started maca?

Maca contains a high amount of beta-sitosterol which inhibits dht pretty sturdily. Then you have the high protein component that raises IGF-1. So MMPs don't need to be dealt with as DHT is blocked at the final stage(I think that's right??) Overall, a pretty amazing herb.

Mucuna Pruriens is another herb that affords the same DHT-blocking(albeit not as strong), IGF-1 stimulation, among other things.

Ecklonia Cava raises IGF-1, but crushes any negative effects by its whopping, MMP suppressing abilities.