Monday, February 9, 2009

Maca Improves Anxiety, Depression & Lagging Libido


A new study just published in Menopause showed that in a small group of post-menopausal women, a botanical named Maca, also known as Peruvian Ginseng, improved many of the issues our patients at the Gottfried Center complain of, namely anxiety, depression and low libido. Maca was also shown not to affect estrogen or androgen levels. The study was a randomized, controlled clinical trial, the "gold standard" in terms of high quality evidence.

Maca is thought to influence monoamine oxidase levels, one of the targets of prescription anti-depressants. However, as we all know, prescription antidepressants lower libido, whereas maca seems to improve it.

The improvement in libido I think may also be related to effects on the adrenals. This study confirms a previous study showing improved libido in both men and rodents with maca.

We treat both men and women now with symptoms of andropause and menopause, often with bioidentical hormones. In some, it may be more prudent to try proven botanicals first, such as maca.


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I'm an organic gynecologist, yoga teacher + writer. I earn a living partnering with women to get them vital and self-realized again. We're born that way, but often fall off the path. Let's take your lousy mood and fatigue, and transform it into something sacred and useful.