Many supplements are recommended to treat conditions for which they've never been scientifically tested. Maca, made from the root of a Peruvian cruciferous vegetable, is one such supplement. Maca is also used a food in Peru. Maca is sometimes called Peruvian ginseng, not because the plants are at all similar -- they are not -- but because they're used for many of the same disorders. There are no clinical human studies indicating that maca helps with osteoporosis or low bone density, NYU Langone Medical Center states. Ask your doctor before using maca to treat osteoporosis.
Ingredients
Maca contains glucosinolates, compounds that impart a bitter, "hot" taste to foods such as some members of the mustard family, to which maca belongs. Maca also bears similarity to radishes and turnips. Maca, like other vegetables, contains a number of vitamins and minerals, including calcium, magnesium and potassium, silica and iron, with calcium making up about 10 percent of the plant, according to the Health Information Network. Proteins make up around 10 percent of maca.
Uses
Proponents of maca claim that it stimulates natural hormone production, increasing estrogen output. Since estrogen, the dominant female hormone, plays a part in maintaining bone health, this effect, if proven, could explain maca's bone effect. Peruvian internist Jorge Aguila Calderon, M.D., attributes the effect to the high concentration of calcium in the plant. This theory has not undergone any type of scientific clinical study.
Side Effects
Maca has not undergone enough testing to determine whether it has significant side effects. If taken in excessive amounts, especially if combined with a low-iodine diet, glucosinolates like maca can cause goiter. Goiter, a swollen thyroid gland, can lead to decreased thyroid production. Since no studies have established the safety of maca's use in pregnant or nursing women or in people with liver problems, do not take maca without your doctor's approval.
Warnings
Osteoporosis is a potentially serious problem that can lead to significant disability and even shorten life in some cases. Do not substitute maca for traditional medical treatment for osteoporosis without your doctor's approval.
