Everyone experiences feelings of fatigue from time to time. While they might appear to be the same, symptoms of fatigue actually are different from feelings of drowsiness. According to Medline Plus, fatigue causes feelings of low energy and motivation, while drowsiness is feeling like you need to sleep. However, fatigue and drowsiness often go hand in hand. While they are no substitute for rest and relaxation, certain supplements, such as maca, might help with feelings of fatigue. Consult your doctor before using any dietary supplements.
About Maca
Maca, also known as Lepidium meyenii, is an ancient herbal remedy that has been used in the traditional medical practices of South America since ancient times for a number of purported benefits. It is a Peruvian root vegetable that is ground into a powder and commercially sold in tablet, powder and capsule form. According to the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, maca is believed to have energy-promoting and fertility-enhancing benefits, but there's hardly any clinical evidence to support any of maca's uses. Most of the clinical research regarding maca's potential uses has been performed on laboratory animals. There's also not much evidence to suggest maca's potential mechanisms of action.
Potential Mechanism of Action
While there's hardly any clinical evidence to explain how maca might benefit people suffering from fatigue, researchers from the Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology provide one interesting theory about a constituent of maca known as benzylglucosinolate. In a study published in the "Journal of Health Science," a peer-reviewed journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan, researchers examined the effects of benzylglucosinolate on fatigue and exercise capacity in laboratory mice subjected to a forced swimming test. The results of this study found that benzylglucosinolate might account for maca's potential mechanism of action, as the mice who received this compound displayed increased energy levels and greater capacity for exercise. The researchers also postulate that the same effect might be transferable to humans.
Clinical Evidence
Two studies have evaluated the potential benefits of maca for fatigue and energy enhancement. In a study published in the February 2004 issue of the Chinese journal "Food Science," researchers examined the nutritional components of maca powder for its potential anti-fatigue benefits. This study found that maca root contains protein and "anti-fatigue substances such as branched-chain amino acids (BCAA), taurine and zinc." Another study, published in the April 2006 issue of the Chinese journal "Laboratory Animal Science and Management," found that maca administration resulted in a longer capacity to sustain exercise in laboratory mice subjected to a forced swimming test. Based on these results, the researchers hypothesize that maca might have fatigue-reducing effects. There are no studies in Western medical journals to support these benefits.
Considerations
There is not enough clinical evidence to support maca's benefits for reducing fatigue. According to the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, maca has not undergone rigorous testing to evaluate the potential for serious side effects or drug or other herb interactions. As with any dietary supplement, talk with your doctor before using maca, especially if you are pregnant, nursing or have a medical condition.
References
- Medline Plus: Fatigue
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center: Maca
- "Journal of Health Science"; Effects of Benzylglucosinolate on Endurance Capacity in Mice; M. Ikeuchi, et al; 2009
- "Food Science"; Study on the Nutritional Components and the Anti-fatigue Effects of Dry Powder of Maca (Lepidium meyenii.); Y.U. Long-Jiang, et al; February 2004
- "Laboratory Animal Science and Management"; Experimentally Comparative Study of Maca and American Ginseng for Relieving Physical Fatigue; S. Gao, et al; April 2006
