Episode #140: Supplement Spotlight: Maca’s Role in PCOS Management

Welcome back to the PCOS Repair Podcast! In today’s Supplement Spotlight, we’re diving into the role of maca in PCOS management. Maca is a plant native to Peru, long recognized for its medicinal properties as a natural remedy for various health concerns.

While maca is touted for a wide range of benefits—including mood support, antimicrobial properties, antioxidant effects, antiviral benefits, glycemic control, improved stress tolerance, and even UV protection—it is most commonly associated with menopausal symptom relief, fertility enhancement (both male and female), prostate health, libido support, and skin health. Some even claim benefits for chronic illnesses like cancer, anemia, and other metabolic conditions.

However, scientific research is limited in confirming many of these claims. What does have some scientific backing is maca’s role in fertility, libido, mood, energy, and stress tolerance. In this episode, we’ll take a closer look at the research, its potential benefits for PCOS, and how to choose a high-quality maca supplement.

How Maca Works in the Body

As with many supplements, scientific research on maca is limited, but there are some promising studies. Some research suggests that maca stimulates both the testes and ovaries, increasing fertility by enhancing sperm production in men and improving egg maturation and ovulation in women.

Maca appears to work through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which may explain its ability to improve stress tolerance. Because of this, maca is often classified as an adaptogenic herb—one that helps the body regulate stress and hormonal balance.

For female fertility, maca’s benefits extend throughout the entire menstrual cycle. It has been shown to:
✔️ Improve the follicular phase by supporting follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
✔️ Support luteinizing hormone (LH) surges for healthy ovulation
✔️ Promote balanced estrogen and progesterone levels

Having a single herb that supports the full menstrual cycle is rare, making maca particularly interesting for women trying to conceive. However, it has not been studied for safety during pregnancy, so it is generally recommended to discontinue use once pregnancy is achieved.

Maca’s Benefits for Metabolic Health

Beyond fertility, maca may also have metabolic health benefits, particularly in blood sugar regulation and lipid metabolism.

📌 Study #1: Diabetes & Blood Sugar Control
A study on diabetic mice found that those given maca extract had lower glucose levels compared to those that did not receive the supplement.

📌 Study #2: High-Fat, High-Fructose Diet & Metabolism
Another study examined hamsters fed a high-fat, high-fructose diet—a diet known to contribute to metabolic disorders. These animals were then given different doses of maca extract. The results showed:
✔️ No significant increase in body weight, liver weight, or fat accumulation
✔️ Improved insulin sensitivity and lowered cholesterol/triglycerides in the groups receiving moderate to high dosesof maca

While this research is promising, maca is not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle. No supplement can fully counteract an unhealthy diet long-term, but this study does suggest that maca may support metabolic pathways when combined with a balanced lifestyle.

Maca for Mood & Energy

A 2022 study on young adult women examined maca’s impact on energy and mood.

📌 Study #3: Mood & Energy Enhancement
In this human study, participants took 3 grams of maca daily for 12 weeks. The results showed that maca significantly improved self-reported mood and energy levels compared to the placebo group.

Additional observations from studies suggest maca may also:
✔️ Support cognitive function (reducing brain fog)
✔️ Have anti-inflammatory properties
✔️ Aid in digestion

While these findings are promising, more research is needed to confirm these benefits.

Who Should Avoid Maca?

🔹 Pregnancy & Breastfeeding – Maca has not been studied for safety during pregnancy, so it’s best to discontinue use if you become pregnant.
🔹 Hormone-Sensitive Conditions – Because maca can act like estrogen, it may not be suitable for individuals with:

• Breast cancer
• Uterine cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Endometriosis
• Uterine fibroids
  If you have any of these conditions, consult your healthcare provider before using maca.

Choosing a Safe Maca Supplement

💡 WARNING: Heavy Metal Contamination in Supplements
A 2018 study found that a woman who regularly consumed maca had elevated lead levels in her blood.Unfortunately, supplement contamination is a common issue, especially in green powders and herbal supplements.

Since supplements are not regulated as strictly as pharmaceuticals, it’s crucial to:
✔️ Choose a trusted brand that prioritizes quality and safety
✔️ Look for third-party testing for heavy metals, purity, and accurate labeling

In my PCOS Supplement Guide, I provide a list of recommended brands that meet high safety and efficacy standards. These brands are available through Fullscript, an online dispensary that only carries high-quality, third-party-testedsupplements.

🔗 Get the PCOS Supplement Guide at www.supplementsforpcos.com (link in show notes)

The Role of Supplements in PCOS Management

As a final note, supplements alone will not “cure” PCOS.

A holistic approach to managing PCOS includes:
✔️ Lifestyle adjustments – Nutrition, movement, and stress management
✔️ Medical care – Lab monitoring, medications (if needed), and birth control (if appropriate)
✔️ Targeted supplementation – To support but not replace lifestyle and medical interventions

Maca can be a helpful tool, particularly for fertility support, hormone balance, and metabolic health. However, no supplement can replace a healthy lifestyle or serve as a magic fix for PCOS.

Final Thoughts

If today’s episode was helpful, be sure to:
✅ Download the free PCOS Supplement Guide at www.supplementsforpcos.com
✅ Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode
✅ Follow me on Instagram (@NourishToHealthy) for more PCOS insights

Until next time, bye for now!