• Relieves menopausal symptoms
• Has an antiosteoporotic effect
• Has adaptogenic properties
• Shows aphrodisiac properties
• Optimises hormonal balance
• Promotes well-being
• Supports fertility and sexual function
• Helps improve semen quality
• Strengthens the nervous and immune system

Swanson Maca is a natural dietary supplement with an extract from maca root (500 mg/capsule), an Andean plant which has many valuable properties. Maca promotes fertility, adds energy, boosts sexual desire and increases mental abilities. Owing to that, it has a beneficial impact on the function of the whole body, both women and men.

Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a biennial plant cultivated at high altitudes (3500-4500 m n.p.m.) in the Peruvian Central Andes which belongs to the crucifier family (Brassicaceae). It is praised mainly for therapeutic and nutritional properties of its root and hypocotyl (it is a traditional element of diet of local Peruvians).

Maca is used for treating anaemia, infertility and hormonal imbalance, especially in women. According to traditional folk beliefs, maca, also known as Peruvian Ginseng, has aphrodisiac properties.

Bioactive ingredients of maca root
Maca is a valuable source of numerous bioactive substances, among other things, polyphenols (anthocyanins, flavonoids), saponins, alkaloids, tannins and prostaglandins. It also contains polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), sterols (stigmasterol, beta-sitosterol, campesterol), glucosinolates and minerals (manganese, zinc, copper, calcium, potassium, sodium).

It is interesting that maca root comprises substances which have not been found yet in any other plant – maceaene and macamide which probably contribute to improving sexual performance

Improved fertility and sexual performance
Maca is used to combat menopausal symptoms (hot flashes, breast tenderness, vaginal dryness and osteoporosis). This is probably associated with its phytoestrogenic effect, mainly due to the content of beta-sitosterol.

Maca exerts a beneficial impact not only on the female body. It has been demonstrated that this plant boosts male fertility (influences positively spermatogenesis, increases sperm count and motility) and boosts sexual desire. It may aid also in mild erectile dysfunction and thus contributes to improving the overall and sexual well-being. Sexual function is improved by, among other things, macamides, which are found only in this plant.

One of the studies has shown that maca may be effective in the case of sexual dysfunction associated with taking SSRIs.

Antioxidant and anticancer activity
Maca protects cells from pathological changes caused by oxidative stress which may be the cause of, among other things, cancer and autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases. The plant has the ability to scavenge free radicals, inhibit peroxide formation and exert a cytoprotective effect on oxidative stress.

It has been demonstrated that maca has photoprotective properties – owing to a high content of polyphenols and glucosinolates, it prevents skin damage due to the ability to absorb UVA/UVB.

Maca as an adaptogen
The exact, anti-stress mechanism of action of maca is not clear. This plant probably affects the activity of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and thus boosts the body’s immunity against potential harmful stimuli and stressors. This makes that maca may have a significant impact on improving vitality and reducing fatigue.

To sum up, Swanson Maca is a dietary supplement for women (reduces menopausal symptoms) and men (shows effectiveness in treating erectile dysfunction) which has a positive impact on sexual desire. Because of high biological potential, this plant may be used successfully also to increase physical and mental performance and promote the overall well-being, e.g. in the case of stress.