Maca, also known as Lepidium meyenii, is a plant in the mustard family that grows at altitudes of more than 4,000 feet above sea level. Native to the Bolivian Andes, the maca plant has been used as a source of food in that region for thousands of years. The root of the plant is valued for its medicinal properties, which include enhanced sexual drive and fertility, reports the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Few side effects have been reported, and research on the effects of maca root on humans is ongoing.
Increased Blood Pressure
A study by Palacký University in the Czech Republic, reported in 2008 in the journal "Food and Chemical Toxicology" found that maca can cause a slight increase in diastolic blood pressure. The 90-day study examined the effects of maca and yacon, another perennial plant from the Andes, on patients with metabolic syndrome. Participants took 0.6 g of maca per day. Researchers noted that the increase in blood pressure could be countered by taking maca in combination with the flavonoid complex silymarin.
Thyroid Complications
Maca root naturally contains far more glucosinolates than other members of the Brassicacae family, which includes broccoli and cabbage. These organic compounds may be responsible for the plant's fertility-enhancing effects, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. In large doses, glucosinolates can cause a goiter, which is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. For this reason, people with thyroid conditions should not use maca root. The risk of this side effect is increased in people with a diet that is low in iodine, reports Drugs.com.
Allergic Reaction
Maca root can cause an allergic reaction in some people, according to the Physicians' Desktop Reference. Signs of an allergic reaction include tightness in the throat or chest, trouble breathing and chest pain. Maca root allergy can result in a rash or hives, as well as itchiness or swollen patches of skin. People who tend to suffer from allergies should consult with a doctor before starting any new drug or herbal regimen.
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