# Zeropollution (Lepidium meyenii)

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/zeropollution
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-03-19
**Evidence Score:** 2 / 10
**Category:** Other
**Also Known As:** Lepidium meyenii, Maca, Peruvian ginseng, Maca-maca, Ayak chichira, Ayak willku, Maino, Pepper weed

## Overview

Lepidium meyenii, commonly called maca, is a Peruvian root vegetable whose primary bioactive compounds—glucosinolates (macamides and macaridine) and benzylamine derivatives—are thought to modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary axis and endocannabinoid system rather than acting as direct hormones. Clinical evidence for fertility, energy, and libido benefits is emerging but largely limited to small, short-duration trials.

## Health Benefits

• Enhanced fertility and reproductive health (traditional use claim, no clinical evidence provided in research) • Increased [stamina](/ingredients/condition/energy) and energy (traditional use claim, no clinical evidence provided in research) • General tonic effects (traditional use claim, no clinical evidence provided in research) • Potential [adaptogen](/ingredients/condition/stress)ic properties (implied by traditional use, no clinical evidence provided in research) • Nutritional support from high mineral content including iron (16.6 mg/100g) and calcium (150 mg/100g)

## Mechanism of Action

Maca's unique macamides (N-benzyl fatty acid amides) inhibit fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the enzyme that degrades endocannabinoids like anandamide, potentially elevating endocannabinoid tone and influencing mood and energy. Glucosinolates and their isothiocyanate metabolites appear to modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis by interacting with androgen-sensitive tissues without directly elevating serum [testosterone](/ingredients/condition/hormonal) or estrogen in most human studies. Alkaloids including macaridine may further contribute to spermatogenic support by acting on Sertoli cells, though the precise receptor targets remain under investigation.

## Clinical Summary

A 2001 double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (n=57 men) published in Asian Journal of Andrology found 1,500–3,000 mg/day of maca increased self-reported sexual desire after 8 weeks without altering serum [testosterone](/ingredients/condition/hormonal) or LH levels. A 2009 randomized trial in Andrologia (n=50) reported improved semen volume, sperm count, and motility in men receiving 1,500–3,000 mg/day over 12 weeks compared to placebo, though effect sizes were modest. A small RCT (n=29 postmenopausal women) in Menopause found 3,500 mg/day of maca for 6 weeks reduced psychological symptoms and sexual dysfunction scores versus placebo. Overall evidence is classified as preliminary—studies are frequently underpowered, heterogeneous in extract standardization, and of short duration, limiting confidence in efficacy claims.

## Nutritional Profile

Lepidium meyenii (Maca) root powder per 100g (typical dried form): Calories ~325 kcal; Carbohydrates ~60-75g (primarily starch and sugars including glucose, fructose, and sucrose, with ~8.5g dietary fiber); Protein ~10-14g (rich in essential amino acids including leucine, arginine, phenylalanine, and lysine); Fat ~2.2g (predominantly linoleic acid, palmitic acid, and oleic acid); Moisture ~5-8% (dried). KEY MICRONUTRIENTS: Iron ~14.7-16.6 mg (high bioavailability enhanced by vitamin C co-presence); Calcium ~150-250 mg; Potassium ~1000-2050 mg; Copper ~5.9 mg; Zinc ~3.8 mg; Manganese ~0.8 mg; Sodium ~18.7 mg; Iodine ~52 µg; Vitamin C ~285 mg (fresh root, significantly reduced in dried/processed forms); Vitamin B1 (thiamine) ~0.35 mg; Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) ~0.31 mg; Niacin (B3) ~5.7 mg; Vitamin B6 ~0.114 mg. UNIQUE BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS: Macamides (N-benzylated fatty acid amides, ~0.01-0.02% in dried root, unique to maca, lipophilic with moderate oral bioavailability — key compounds include N-benzylhexadecanamide and N-benzyl-9-oxo-12Z-octadecenamide); Macaenes (polyunsaturated fatty acids specific to maca, ~0.09-0.45%); Glucosinolates (~5.5-17.5 µmol/g dry weight, primarily benzyl glucosinolate/glucotropaeolin at ~80-90% of total glucosinolates — hydrolyzed to benzyl isothiocyanate by myrosinase, bioavailability dependent on processing method; boiling reduces glucosinolate content significantly); Alkamides (trace amounts); β-sitosterol (~0.05-0.1%); Campesterol and stigmasterol (trace phytosterols); Polyphenols (including catechins ~0.4-1.2 mg/g and anthocyanins in dark-colored ecotypes); Alkaloids (macaridine, lepidiline A & B — imidazole-type alkaloids at trace concentrations ~0.01%); (1R,3S)-1-methyltetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (trace, potential neuroactive properties). BIOAVAILABILITY NOTES: Traditional preparation involves boiling or gelatinization (starch pre-processing), which improves digestibility of carbohydrates and protein but reduces thermolabile compounds like vitamin C and partially degrades glucosinolates; gelatinized maca shows enhanced macamide bioavailability due to removal of starch matrix; macamides are lipophilic and absorption is improved with co-ingestion of dietary fats; glucosinolate bioconversion to isothiocyanates is reduced in cooked/gelatinized products due to myrosinase denaturation; mineral bioavailability may be modestly reduced by the presence of oxalates and phytates in the raw root. Color ecotype variation: black maca tends to have higher glucosinolate and polyphenol content; red maca has higher anthocyanin levels; yellow maca is most commonly commercialized. The 'Zeropollution' designation implies cultivation under controlled low-contamination conditions, potentially reducing heavy metal and pesticide residues but not fundamentally altering the inherent nutritional profile.

## Dosage & Preparation

No clinically studied dosage ranges, forms, or standardization details are specified in the available research for Zeropollution or Lepidium meyenii. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

Maca is generally well tolerated at doses of 1,500–3,500 mg/day of dried root or standardized extract, with no serious adverse events reported in trials lasting up to 12 weeks. Because maca contains glucosinolates, individuals with [thyroid](/ingredients/condition/hormonal) disorders—particularly hypothyroidism—should use caution, as high glucosinolate intake may interfere with iodine utilization and thyroid peroxidase activity; cooking or gelatinization reduces this risk. Maca has not been rigorously studied in pregnant or breastfeeding women, and traditional use does not substitute for clinical safety data, so use is generally not recommended in these populations. No well-documented drug-drug interactions have been established, but theoretically, FAAH-inhibitory macamides could potentiate cannabinoid-related effects and warrant caution alongside CNS-active medications.

## Scientific Research

The research dossier indicates that search results lack specific details on human clinical trials, RCTs, or meta-analyses for Zeropollution or Lepidium meyenii. While reviews mention maca as a popular functional plant food with various claimed health effects, no trial designs, sample sizes, outcomes, or PubMed PMIDs are provided in the available research.

## Historical & Cultural Context

Lepidium meyenii (maca) has been used in traditional Peruvian medicine for over 2,000 years by Andean indigenous communities to enhance fertility, [stamina](/ingredients/condition/energy), and as a general tonic. It was historically cultivated and consumed as both food and medicine in the Inca region.

## Synergistic Combinations

Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, Ginseng, Tribulus, B-complex vitamins

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How long does maca take to work for libido and sexual function?

Clinical trial data suggest meaningful improvements in self-reported libido appear after approximately 8 weeks of daily supplementation at doses of 1,500–3,000 mg of dried maca root. A 2001 RCT found significant increases in sexual desire scores at the 8-week mark but not at 4 weeks, indicating a delayed onset. Users should not expect immediate effects and consistent daily dosing over 6–12 weeks appears necessary to observe benefits.

### Does maca actually raise testosterone levels?

Multiple human clinical trials, including a 2001 study in Asian Journal of Andrology (n=57), have confirmed that maca does not significantly elevate serum testosterone, LH, FSH, estradiol, or prolactin at doses up to 3,000 mg/day. Its effects on libido and fertility appear to occur through separate mechanisms—likely via macamide-mediated endocannabinoid modulation and direct spermatogenic support—rather than androgenic hormone elevation. Claims that maca is a 'testosterone booster' are therefore not supported by current evidence.

### What is the recommended dosage of maca for fertility support?

Studies reporting improvements in sperm parameters have used 1,500 to 3,000 mg per day of dried maca root extract, divided across two doses, over 12 weeks. Gelatinized maca (pre-cooked) is often preferred because the starch breakdown improves bioavailability of macamides and reduces glucosinolate content compared to raw maca powder. There is no officially established Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for maca; the studied therapeutic range is 1.5–3.5 g/day.

### Is maca safe for people with thyroid conditions?

Maca contains glucosinolates, a class of compounds that can act as goitrogens by inhibiting thyroid peroxidase and interfering with iodine uptake when consumed in large quantities. Individuals with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's thyroiditis are advised to consult an endocrinologist before using maca supplements, particularly raw or high-dose powder forms. Gelatinized (heat-processed) maca has significantly reduced glucosinolate content and may be a safer option, though clinical studies specifically in thyroid patient populations are lacking.

### What is the difference between raw maca and gelatinized maca supplements?

Raw maca powder is simply dried and ground Lepidium meyenii root and retains higher levels of starch, which can cause digestive discomfort, as well as glucosinolates, which carry thyroid-related concerns. Gelatinized maca undergoes a heat and pressure process that removes starch and substantially reduces glucosinolate content, making it easier to digest and potentially safer for individuals sensitive to goitrogens. Most clinical trials have not consistently distinguished between forms, but gelatinized maca is typically recommended for therapeutic supplementation due to its improved tolerability and macamide bioavailability.

### Is Zeropollution maca safe to take during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

While maca has a long history of traditional use in Peru, there is limited clinical safety data specifically evaluating its use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Most healthcare providers recommend pregnant and nursing women consult with their doctor before using maca supplements, as adequate safety studies in these populations have not been conducted. Zeropollution maca, like other maca supplements, should be approached cautiously in these sensitive life stages.

### Can Zeropollution maca interact with hormonal medications or birth control?

Maca has not been shown to directly inhibit or induce cytochrome P450 enzymes responsible for metabolizing most medications, suggesting low interaction risk. However, because maca may influence hormonal function through traditional adaptogenic claims, individuals taking hormone replacement therapy, birth control, or thyroid medications should inform their healthcare provider before supplementing. Specific drug-interaction studies with Zeropollution maca have not been published, making professional medical guidance advisable for those on hormonal therapies.

### What does clinical research actually show about Zeropollution maca's effectiveness?

Most claims about maca—including enhanced fertility, increased stamina, and adaptogenic effects—are based on traditional Peruvian use rather than robust clinical evidence. While some small-scale studies have suggested potential benefits for sexual function and fertility markers, the overall body of peer-reviewed research remains limited and often underpowered. Consumers should be aware that Zeropollution maca, though a branded form of Lepidium meyenii, has the same evidence limitations as generic maca supplements on the market.

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